https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/in-one-corner-of-up-plastic-waste-is-being-processed-on-agricultural-land https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/ddv5pvjb/UP-Plastic-1.jpg In the fields of Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar Pradesh, an environmental violation is taking place. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/uvfrcu7n/UP-Plastic-2.jpg Plastic waste is being manually cut and washed using hot groundwater on open agricultural land. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/r6rtvr99/UP-Plastic-3.jpg Against most waste management rules, this practice is a significant environmental risk to farmland, groundwater quality, and public health. downtoearth en 2026-08-24T09:56:09.636Z In one corner of UP, plastic waste is being processed on agricultural land Waste, Groundwater, Plastic, Uttar Pradesh, PLASTIC WASTE, agricultural land, kanpur dehat, plastic waste management, Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/firing-up-our-fiery-palates https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/6e7dhye5/Chilli-Farmers.jpg Chilli farmers with their stock at Enumamula agriculture market in Warangal, Telangana. India is the world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of chillies. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/h6cswt10/Chilli-Farmers.jpg Chilli farmers with their stock at Enumamula agriculture market in Warangal, Telangana. India is the world's largest producer, consumer, and exporter of chillies. downtoearth en 2026-08-24T09:36:59.313Z Firing up our fiery palates Food, Agriculture, Cash Crops, chillies, spice, Deccan, Chilli exports https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-august-21-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/ptenclq3/Gavel.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-24T08:54:03.801Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 21, 2026) environment orders, Kerala High Court, Bombay High Court, National Green Tribunal, neurodevelopmental disabilities, paediatric palliative, school transport, wildlife attacks, Sahyadri Tiger, Chandoli National, laterite mining, Khordha Odisha, Olasingh quarry, Rapid Response, palliative policy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/iran-oil-spill-the-war-is-leaving-environmental-scars-that-ceasefires-cannot-heal https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/n50h2ye8/Iran-oil-spill-conflict-Hormuz Mangrove forest in Qeshm Island, Iran. The Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters are home to mangroves, coral reefs, seagrass beds, fisheries and coastal communities. downtoearth en 2026-08-24T08:42:37.107Z Iran oil spill: The war is leaving environmental scars that ceasefires cannot heal Environment, Environment, Ecology, Impact on marine ecology, Oil Pollution, Oil spills, Strait of Hormuz, Iran oil spill https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/non-profit-undertakes-plantation-of-guggal-species-on-commons-land-in-attempt-to-restore-kutchs-native-medicinal-heritage https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/hfyn1098/Kutch-Plantation.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-24T07:55:59.086Z Non-profit undertakes plantation of Guggal species on commons land in attempt to restore Kutch’s native medicinal heritage Wildlife & Biodiversity, Forests, Gujarat, Kutch, native biodiversity, medicinal plant heritage, Guggal https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/combat-desertification-cop17-report-makes-21-tn-47-tn-case-for-investing-in-rangelands-so-why-is-investment-falling-short https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/nzekk4ak/iStock-2222570200.jpg A man herds goats, cows and donkeys in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A new report challenges the long-held assumption that pastoralism is primarily a driver of land degradation. downtoearth en 2026-08-24T07:19:12.196Z Combat desertification COP17: Report makes $21 tn-$47 tn case for investing in rangelands, so why is investment falling short? rangelands, UNCCD COP17, land restoration, desertification, pastoralism, drought resilience, blended finance, land degradation, climate finance, dryland ecosystems, carbon sink, Ulaanbaatar summit, pastoral communities, ecosystem services, International Year https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-hubbali-dharwads-ev-market-is-growing-but-sustainable-mobility-still-has-a-long-way-to-go https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/kr05xlu6/Hubbali-Dharwad-E-wheels-1.jpg A charging station near Hubbali. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/u53l7hl4/Hubbali-Dharwad-E-wheels-2.jpg Vinayak Navali. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/lpexgpnm/Hubbali-Dharwad-E-wheels-3.jpg Vinay Kumar Pujar. downtoearth en 2026-08-24T06:27:23.897Z India on e-wheels: Hubbali-Dharwad’s EV market is growing but sustainable mobility still has a long way to go Air, Energy, Electric vehicles, bengaluru, Karnataka, Chitradurga, Dharwad, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels, Hubbali https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-very-heavy-rain-threat-grips-several-states-as-flood-relief-continues-in-agartala https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/yzi8u9jg/Tripura-Flood-Affected.jpg Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha visits flood-affected areas near Ashram Chowmuhani in West Tripura district. downtoearth en 2026-08-24T05:30:12.694Z Daily weather tracker: Very heavy rain threat grips several states as flood relief continues in Agartala Climate Change, Floods, Tripura, Southwest monsoon, West Tripura, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Agartala, Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/china-opens-new-arctic-trade-route-but-obstacles-will-prevent-its-wider-use https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-24/m759wmjw/iStock-1981688209.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-24T05:04:41.897Z China opens new Arctic trade route — but obstacles will prevent its wider use Northern Sea Route, Arctic shipping, Sea Legend, China Arctic, Polar Silk Road, Arctic trade, Suez alternative, Red Sea risks, icebreaker escorts, climate change, Russian permits, Arctic geopolitics, Busan hub, Felixstowe route, Malacca dilemma https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-uttar-pradesh-performs-better-in-india-electric-mobility-index-but-challenges-of-charging-stations-incentives-persist https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-23/98akkj38/UP-India-on-E-wheels-2.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-23T08:26:42.151Z India on e-wheels: Uttar Pradesh performs better in India Electric Mobility Index, but challenges of charging stations, incentives persist Air, Energy, Uttar Pradesh, charging stations, ev charging stations, India on e-wheels, India Electric Mobility Index https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-evs-are-making-their-presence-felt-strongly-on-uttar-pradeshs-roads-but-are-yet-to-become-personal-choices https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-23/qh102vzl/UP-India-on-E-wheels.jpg The occupancy of electric autos and rickshaws on the roads of Lucknow is increasing. downtoearth en 2026-08-23T07:26:42.540Z India on e-wheels: EVs are making their presence felt strongly on Uttar Pradesh’s roads but are yet to become personal choices Air, Energy, Electric vehicles, Uttar Pradesh, Kanpur, Lucknow, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/overtourism-in-india-in-northern-keralas-kannur-people-are-protesting-against-a-rich-laterite-ecosystem-being-loved-to-death https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-23/jrndpir2/Madayi.jpg Hundreds of people taking a pledge on August 22 evening to protect Madayipara from overtourism and encroachment. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-23/357hwfa5/madayi-02.jpg An old view of the flowering season at Madayippara. Such sights have almost completely disappeared from Madayippara in recent years. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-23/frs5c8gw/madayi-05.jpg Construction activities at Madayippara. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-23/wqkduned/madayi-03.jpg Madayippara turning golden during the summer. downtoearth en 2026-08-23T05:01:56.772Z Overtourism in India: In northern Kerala’s Kannur, people are protesting against a rich laterite ecosystem ‘being loved to death’ Wildlife & Biodiversity, Governance, Tourism, Kerala, kannur kerala, Kannur, overtourism, northern Kerala, Madayippara