https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-on-e-wheels-odishas-ev-push-struggles-to-reach-rural-hilly-districts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/p6p6hhke/1000395780.jpg The only petrol pump in Gunupur experiences shortage. Yet, locals cannot completely rely on electric vehicles because of powercuts lasting days. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/o4wgyyrg/Sahu Sushil Kumar Sahu (35) bought an electric two-wheeler to take her daughters to primary school 120 kms. But he cannot charge it regularly due to frequent and prolonged powercuts. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/7yjktia6/petrol-in-bottle-in-Odisha With petrol pumps far away, people sometimes buy petrol in bottles from local shops at higher prices. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/by4tjfk0/Diesel-bus-odisha OSRTC currently does not have e-buses operating in rural areas. However, a tender is under way to procure 100 e-buses. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T12:06:14.936Z India on e-wheels: Odisha’s EV push struggles to reach rural, hilly districts Energy, Odisha, mobility, bus, India on e-wheels, e-bus, OSRTC, rural odisha, hilly districts https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/it-is-raining-in-delhi-both-water-and-potholes https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/utsg8vsh/Delhi-Potholes-1.jpg Another monsoon and more potholes for Delhi. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/dbvj1vh1/Delhi-Potholes-2.jpg Asphalt has been scraped off roads in the national capital after heavy spells of rain in July and August. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/tglrh8rp/Delhi-Potholes-3.jpg The government’s own data admits that deaths due to potholes have increased in India over the past few years. Yet, citizens are currently having to deal with this menace in the absence of redressal by authorities. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T12:00:15.587Z It is raining in Delhi. Both water and potholes Governance, Delhi, monsoon, Roads, Water, Southwest monsoon, Rainfall, potholes, Southwest Monsoon 2026, asphalt https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/five-years-after-taliban-takeover-afghan-women-leave-home-only-twice-a-month-un-women-says https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/93oacckq/iStock-2204023157.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T11:32:43.396Z Five years after Taliban takeover, Afghan women leave home only twice a month, UN Women says Governance, Maternal Health, humanitarian crisis, TALIBAN, Afghanistan, UN Women, Women-led organisations, Girls’ education, Afghan women, women’s rights, Gender apartheid https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-what-indian-megacities-can-learn-from-bogotá-and-são-paulos-electric-bus-push https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/5e66hf4k/iStock-2250485456.jpg An electric city bus in Jardim São Paulo, Brazil. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T09:47:25.948Z India on e-wheels: What Indian megacities can learn from Bogotá and São Paulo’s electric bus push Air, Energy, Renewable Energy, Urbanisation, latin america, Public Transport, electric buses, Urban mobility, India on e-wheels, Bogotá, São Paulo, C40 Cities, Zero-emission transport https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/who-pays-the-cost-of-managing-plastic-packaging-waste-in-india-asks-new-cse-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/z0u46v8d/CSE-Report-Launch.jpg L-R: Atin Biswas, Swati Sambyal, Prachi Giria, Tribhuwan Singh Bisht, Siddharth G. Singh, Harshad Barde and Dinesh Bandella. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T09:33:59.360Z Who pays the cost of managing plastic packaging waste in India, asks new CSE study Waste, PLASTIC WASTE, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), EPR https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/black-rice-idli-with-raw-mango-and-ajwain-leaves-chutney-is-all-about-how-food-evolves-by-crossing-cultures-as-people-reimagine-old-ingredients-in-new-forms https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/9nfzogt3/food.jpg The author with the dish https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/kvlwzdf8/Black-rice-Idli-and-Raw-Mango-n-Ajwain-leaves-chutney-Chandrama-Majumdar.jpeg Black rice idli with raw mango and ‘ajwain’ leaves chutney downtoearth en 2026-08-12T08:59:17.970Z Black rice idli with raw mango and ‘ajwain’ leaves chutney is all about how food evolves by crossing cultures, as people reimagine old ingredients in new forms Food, My Food Story, black rice, idlis, chutney, Black rice idli with raw mango and ‘ajwain’ leaves chutney, cultures, raw mango, Ajwain https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/as-african-swine-fever-threatens-to-push-indonesian-babirusas-towards-extinction-uks-chester-zoo-welcomes-critically-important-piglet https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/6gnn3oek/BabirusaPiglet202616.jpg Matano and Rana at the Chester Zoo. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T08:23:41.540Z As African swine fever threatens to push Indonesian babirusas towards extinction, UK’s Chester Zoo welcomes critically important piglet Wildlife & Biodiversity, Indonesia, Pigs, African Swine Fever, UK, Wild pigs, Babirusa, Chester Zoo https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/indias-solar-power-cuts-coal-use-in-the-day-but-evening-demand-keeps-fossil-fuel-running https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/gelxudst/iStock-2202193788.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/898cg84k/Screenshot_2026_08_12_at_12_05_27_PM.png downtoearth en 2026-08-12T07:45:53.630Z India’s solar power cuts coal use in the day, but evening demand keeps fossil fuel running Energy, Renewable Energy, energy transition, solar power, electricity grid, power demand, battery storage, Solar curtailment, coal power, Ember, Fossil fuel generation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/simply-put-clearance-sale https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/bwoflz5v/Simply-Put-12Aug-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/z8ef1xhe/Simply-Put-12-Aug-env-performing-Index-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T07:44:43.094Z Simply Put: Clearance sale Environment, Environmental Clearance (EC), PROTECTED AREAS, Cost escalation in infrastructure projects, eco-sensitive areas https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/colombias-worst-earthquake-of-the-21st-century-kills-hundreds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/n1fz3o12/Colombia-Earthquake.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T07:37:19.862Z Colombia’s “worst” earthquake of the 21st century kills hundreds Natural Disasters, latin america, South America, Earthquake, Colombia https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/wildfires-can-leave-surviving-homes-and-their-water-unsafe-safety-tips-for-residents-as-they-return https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/os9h0l76/Wildfire downtoearth en 2026-08-12T07:21:08.601Z Wildfires can leave surviving homes and their water unsafe — safety tips for residents as they return Natural Disasters, Health, wildfire, Air Pollution, SAFETY, water contamination, home, plumbing https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-there-are-hardly-any-electric-cars-on-srinagars-roads-here-is-why https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/mjopvxri/Srinagar.jpg Electric cars are rare on the streets of Srinagar. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/g5cx9jy7/EVpage-0001.jpg Transport Department data confirms low registration of electric cars. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T06:51:58.803Z India on e-wheels: There are hardly any electric cars on Srinagar’s roads; here is why Air, Energy, electric cars, SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir, EV charging, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/world-elephant-day-should-be-less-a-ritual-of-admiration-than-a-reckoning-with-the-choices-we-make-about-development https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/8r0huju1/Mudumalai-Tusker.jpg A tusker in the forests of Mudumalai, Tamil Nadu. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T05:55:02.949Z World Elephant Day should be less a ritual of admiration than a reckoning with the choices we make about development Wildlife & Biodiversity, Forests, Governance, world elephant day, Development, Human-elephant conflict, Karnataka, Keralam, World Elephant Day 2026, Elephant Day https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-very-heavy-rain-in-rajasthan-west-bengal-maharashtra-and-odisha-rain-alert-issued-for-several-other-states https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/hdqmvat3/Rainfall.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T04:58:23.527Z Daily weather tracker: Very heavy rain in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Odisha; rain alert issued for several other states Climate Change, Odisha, Southwest monsoon, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, West Bengal, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/520-million-people-in-south-asia-could-face-dangerous-heat-for-at-least-one-month-a-year-by-2070-says-world-bank-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/eep6bcih/Extreme-Heat-India.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T04:37:06.760Z 520 million people in South Asia could face dangerous heat for at least one month a year by 2070, says World Bank report Climate Change, south asia, World Bank, extreme heat, heat-related illnesses https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/flesheating-bacteria-are-devouring-limbs-in-warming-waters-worldwide-heres-how-to-protect-yourself https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/bztgvjpb/iStock-586165510.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T04:32:11.827Z Flesh‑eating bacteria are devouring limbs in warming waters worldwide — here’s how to protect yourself Health, Climate Change, Infectious Diseases, Bacterial Infections, Bacteria, microbiology, infections, Food Poisoning, rare diseases, necrotising fasciitis, Vibrio vulnificus, necrosis, TC global health https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/in-memoriam-m-p-parameswaran-was-the-scientist-who-taught-kerala-to-question-development https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/2zvizpfy/M-P-Parameswaran.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-11T12:53:19.322Z In memoriam: M P Parameswaran was the scientist who taught Kerala to question development Environment, Kerala, athirappilly, nuclear plants, Silent Valley, M P Parameswaran https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/tamak-nala-water-level-recedes-in-uttarakhands-chamoli-alternative-route-being-built-to-reconnect-17-villages https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/w986nrlz/cement-pipes-.jpeg An alternative route is being constructed using large concrete Hume pipes. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/awtxo56q/rescue-over-Tamak-Nala1.jpeg Rescue operations at the spot. downtoearth en 2026-08-11T12:27:16.575Z Tamak Nala water level recedes in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli; alternative route being built to reconnect 17 villages Natural Disasters, uttarakhand, Chamoli, Dhauliganga, Tamak Nala https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/sc-upholds-pepsicos-potato-variety-registration-says-sued-farmers-can-invoke-statutory-protection https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/q150u5qv/Potato-india downtoearth en 2026-08-11T12:08:33.141Z SC upholds PepsiCo’s potato variety registration, says sued farmers can invoke statutory protection  Agriculture, Gujarat, Farmers, Potato, PepsiCo, Lays, Lay’s potato chips https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/these-assam-classrooms-are-testing-what-happens-when-learning-becomes-experiential https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/dkk6mwcc/DSC06457.JPG Students at Adarsh Vidyalaya, Rangamahal. downtoearth en 2026-08-11T11:37:38.930Z This Assam classroom is testing what happens when learning becomes experiential Governance, Assam, virtual reality, School education, Gyan Dhara, Experiential learning, Adarsh Vidyalaya, Science education, Mathematics education, digital learning https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/scientists-find-ticklish-body-parts-are-strikingly-similar-across-cultures https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/9rw4uq78/iStock-112258909.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-11T11:29:00.683Z Scientists find ticklish body parts are strikingly similar across cultures Science & Technology, Health, evolution, neuroscience, social behaviour, human behaviour, touch, Tickling, Ticklishness, laughter https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/as-told-to-parliament-august-11-2026-there-were-over-43000-cancer-cases-in-punjab-in-2025 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/ugc5uf34/Parliament.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-11T11:13:39.797Z As told to Parliament (August 11, 2026): There were over 43,000 cancer cases in Punjab in 2025 Environment, Governance, Tamil Nadu, Heatwaves, El Nino, Cancer, lok sabha, natural farming, Sleep, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, rajya sabha, parliament digest, Agricultural households, Digital general crop estimation survey https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/a-recent-study-used-hormone-analysis-of-tiger-scats-to-conclude-tourism-could-affect-their-reproduction-it-kick-starts-an-important-conversation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/yom44v82/Mating-Tigers.jpg Mating tigers. downtoearth en 2026-08-11T10:32:16.452Z A recent study used hormone analysis of tiger scats to conclude tourism could affect their reproduction. It kick-starts an important conversation Wildlife & Biodiversity, Science & Technology, Tiger Conservation, Tourism, Tigers, PROTECTED AREAS, Hormones, tiger reproduction, tiger scats https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/simply-put-flood-devastation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/chg37lwb/Flood https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/io05d9xb/Floods-home downtoearth en 2026-08-11T09:48:42.450Z Simply Put: Flood devastation Natural Disasters, Assam, Environment, uttarakhand, Flood, Extreme weather, cartoon https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-air-pollution-is-rising-in-the-mountains-of-jammu-and-kashmir-mainly-due-to-the-transport-sector-say-experts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/9pxz1k1i/JK-1.jpg Around 20,000 vehicles are registered in Jammu and Kashmir every month. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/rj2yoi9o/JK-2.jpg Air pollution-related illnesses are also a major reason for the increasing number of patients at the Chest Diseases Hospital in Srinagar. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/t6iwd3za/JK-3.jpg The number of vehicles on the roads is increasing. downtoearth en 2026-08-11T09:31:41.387Z India on e-wheels: Air pollution is rising in the mountains of Jammu and Kashmir mainly due to the transport sector, say experts Air, Energy, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, kashmir valley, Transport sector, India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/as-severe-drought-hits-the-uks-food-system-faces-crisis-heres-how-to-change-that https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/paze3xb5/UK-drought-food-systems downtoearth en 2026-08-11T09:03:01.507Z As severe drought hits, the UK’s food system faces crisis — here’s how to change that Agriculture, Climate Change, Natural Disasters, Drought, Climate change resilient agriculture, Sustainable Food Systems, Food systems transformation, UK drought https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-monsoon-intensifies-orange-alert-for-rajasthan-and-himachal-yellow-alert-across-more-than-15-states https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/aigspbif/Rainfall.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-11T08:06:29.799Z Daily weather tracker: Monsoon intensifies; Orange alert for Rajasthan and Himachal, Yellow alert across more than 15 states Climate Change, Southwest monsoon, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/renewable-developers-seek-rs-3000-crore-as-grid-delays-mount https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-10/4j9w0rgm/Renewable-energy-curtailment-electricity-transmission-grid downtoearth en 2026-08-11T07:22:12.758Z Renewable developers seek Rs 3,000 crore as grid delays mount Energy, Energy, Renewable Energy, electricity grid, transmission, curtailment, RE infrastructure https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/heatwaves-and-lightning-officially-declared-natural-disasters https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/lamzfuj3/Official-Natural-Disasters.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-11T06:10:38.163Z Heatwaves and lightning officially declared natural disasters Climate Change, Natural Disasters, Heatwaves, Natural Disasters, Lightning https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/chronic-pain-is-missing-from-americas-heat-warnings https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-11/2chnfepe/iStock-1150707035.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-11T05:06:20.070Z Chronic pain is missing from America’s heat warnings Climate Change, Health, Pain, Heat wave, Farming, chronic pain, URBAN, Extreme weather, Rural Life, heat, rural https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/can-mission-32-secure-himachal-pradeshs-himalayan-future-in-a-warming-world https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-10/m47c4kqf/DJI0063.JPG In Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, farmers cultivate their fields alongside forested hills, where agriculture and ecology remain closely connected. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-10/arvfrdcg/DSC8760.JPG Langza village stands amid the stark beauty and ecological fragility of Himachal Pradesh’s high-altitude cold desert. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-10/yr3j7e3l/DSC0758.JPG The dense oak, deodar and pine forests of Chail in Himachal Pradesh. downtoearth en 2026-08-11T04:39:47.200Z Can Mission-32 secure Himachal Pradesh’s Himalayan future in a warming world? Forests, Climate Change, Governance, Biodiversity, nature-based solutions, Water security, Forest cover, forest restoration, Himachal Pradesh, Climate Adaptation, Himalayan forests, community conservation, Mission-32 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/more-than-400-indian-cities-have-no-urban-bus-transport-study-says https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-10/mf69yjao/iStock-1309279112.jpg India’s urban bus systems face a 70% deficit, with thousands of overaged buses and a looming fleet retirement crisis, the study says. downtoearth en 2026-08-10T12:21:20.476Z More than 400 Indian cities have no urban bus transport, study says Governance, Urbanisation, Public Transport, Urban Transport, electric buses, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), CSE, Viksit Bharat 2047, Clean mobility, City buses, CITIES Forum, State transport undertakings, Green Bus Bonds