https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/highlights-from-the-issue-40 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/l5i4r7vk/01-Highlights-from-the-issue.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-08/mmb3iekv/Editorial-copy.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/x7rtn9mf/28.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/f4jswa8m/22.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/w71emy8d/42.jpg Tadag Tal is one of Uttarakhand's 192 wetlands. The lake fills up during monsoons, but the water seeps through the soil and drains out quickly after the season ends https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-10/pmfsyhro/PatentlyColomn.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-08/aji2pw8u/Dutch.jpg According to reports, the Netherlands has the tallest average height population, with both men and women growing significantly taller over the past 200 years. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/497a2a2j/52.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/xp1zggg2/14.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/97iofjph/54.jpg Residents of Kamepur village collecting mahua flowers. An individual can collect about 150 kg of mahua per season, and families try to employ as many members as possible to gather the flowers to maximise their earnings downtoearth en 2026-04-16T12:37:06.590Z Highlights from the issue Environment, Energy, Mahua, Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing (PABS), Tadag Tal, Land consolidation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/marine-heatwaves-supercharge-tropical-cyclones-multiply-economic-losses https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/disdmp2n/Ocean-cyclone Marine heatwaves are occurring with increasing frequency and severity across the globe. downtoearth en 2026-04-16T12:20:52.300Z Marine heatwaves supercharge tropical cyclones, multiply economic losses Climate Change, Ocean, heatwave, Loss and Damage, Tropical cyclone, marine heatwave https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/caught-in-the-energy-gap https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/x7rtn9mf/28.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/94zimrwg/21.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-16T12:10:21.232Z Caught in the energy gap Energy, Electricity, Cooking fuel, Transport, Cooking, Strait of Hormuz, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/in-mahua-territory https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/97iofjph/54.jpg Residents of Kamepur village collecting mahua flowers. An individual can collect about 150 kg of mahua per season, and families try to employ as many members as possible to gather the flowers to maximise their earnings downtoearth en 2026-04-16T12:03:38.933Z In mahua territory Forests, Gonds, Central India, Mahua, Gonds of central India, Mahua liquor, Verrier Elwin https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/measured-targets https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/xp1zggg2/14.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-16T11:56:06.579Z Measured targets Climate Change, Decarbonisation, Emissions, UNFCCC, INDCs, climate commitments https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/miles-to-go https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/497a2a2j/52.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-16T11:50:03.952Z Miles to go Climate Change, Climate finance, World Bank, Adaptation and mitigation, multilateral development banks, MDBs https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/unfinished-business https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/f4jswa8m/22.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-16T11:42:27.755Z Unfinished business Agriculture, Uttar Pradesh, Land Reforms, Hardoi (D), Chakbandi, Land consolidation, agrarian productivity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/rivers/lake-or-wetland https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/w71emy8d/42.jpg Tadag Tal is one of Uttarakhand's 192 wetlands. The lake fills up during monsoons, but the water seeps through the soil and drains out quickly after the season ends downtoearth en 2026-04-16T11:38:45.268Z Lake or wetland? Rivers, ISRO, uttarakhand, Almora, Tadag Tal https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-womens-reservation https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/9yvtebs3/Women-representation https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/tku2x5yo/reservation-of-women downtoearth en 2026-04-16T11:26:01.409Z Simply Put: Women’s reservation Governance, Women, Labour, gender and labour, Reservation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-april-15-2026 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-07/29scgekk/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-16T10:49:28.260Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (April 15, 2026) Environment, Waste, Bihar, Encroachment, River Pollution, Vehicular Pollution, Air Pollution, SEWAGE TREATMENT, Vehicles https://www.downtoearth.org.in/my-food-story/rauh-di-kheer-reflected-the-punjab-regions-frugal-climate-smart-food-traditions https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/6ot0efn1/Rauh-Di-Kheer-Samita-Kaur.jpg Rauh di Kheer. downtoearth en 2026-04-16T10:42:35.126Z ‘Rauh di Kheer’ reflected the Punjab region’s frugal, climate-smart food traditions My Food Story, Food, Rice, Punjab, Sugarcane, dessert https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/aotearoa-new-zealands-maori-mostly-ate-plant-based-foods-before-european-arrival-study https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/f0p5wmy3/Maori.jpg Maori people. downtoearth en 2026-04-16T10:41:31.351Z Aotearoa New Zealand’s Maori mostly ate plant-based foods before European arrival: Study Food, aotearoa new zealand, Europeans, Sweet Potato, Taro, University of Otago https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/as-african-cities-adapt-to-climate-risks-equity-gaps-come-into-focus https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/k2o31zf7/City-planning downtoearth en 2026-04-16T08:59:05.312Z As African cities adapt to climate risks, equity gaps come into focus Africa, Urban Planning, Infrastructure, gentrification, blue green infrastructure https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/africas-energy-transition-gathers-pace-but-remains-uneven-with-renewables-leading-fragile-gains-toward-universal-access https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/e6g0vqeu/Firewood-Malawi.jpg A woman carries firewwood in Malawi. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/djygbfls/Firewood.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/a6uv4dcx/Share-of-Fuel.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-16T07:52:46.210Z Africa’s energy transition gathers pace but remains uneven, with renewables leading fragile gains toward universal access Energy, Africa, Electricity, renewables expansion, Africa’s energy transition, AFREC, Africa Energy Statistics 2025 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/womens-reservation-act-how-india-is-amending-its-own-amendment https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/1lpylyvo/Nari-Shakti-Vandan-Sammelan.jpg The Prime Minister at the the Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-04-16T07:06:41.321Z Women’s Reservation Act: How India is amending its own amendment Governance, women in politics, Women’s Reservation Act, 2011 Census, 2027 Census https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/developing-countries-launch-first-ever-borrowers-platform-in-push-to-rebalance-global-finance https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/61zcdofd/Dollar-Bills.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/gl9hi0mg/UNCTAD.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-16T06:10:49.204Z Developing countries launch first-ever Borrowers’ Platform in push to rebalance global finance Climate Change, Economy, Developing Countries, United Nations, UNCTAD, António Guterres, Borrowers’ Platform https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/china-is-helping-build-africas-cities-but-its-approach-sidelines-local-urban-planners-and-residents https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/w2s8gvkh/urban-development-Africa Urban infrastructure does not function in silos. Transport depends on land use, water systems depend on energy, and digital networks depend on both. Yet planning is often fragmented across ministries, sectors and international partners. downtoearth en 2026-04-16T06:06:36.247Z China is helping build Africa’s cities, but its approach sidelines local urban planners and residents Africa https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/west-asia-supply-disruption-pushes-up-thermal-coal-demand-and-prices-globally https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-16/4vd7p4ep/Coal.jpg Coal handling in a port downtoearth en 2026-04-16T04:53:31.872Z West Asia supply disruption pushes up thermal coal demand and prices globally Energy, Coal, Oil, Petroleum, West Asia, Strait of Hormuz, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-april-14-2026 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-07/29scgekk/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-15T12:59:13.363Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (April 14, 2026) Environment, Health, Tripura, Pollution, Khara Growth Centre https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/wildlife-trade-is-driving-disease-outbreaks-globally-raising-risk-of-pathogens-reaching-humans-by-50-finds-study https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/k6okgrig/iStock-2210869083.jpg Pangolins are the world's most trafficked wild mammal. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T12:53:43.001Z Wildlife trade is driving disease outbreaks globally — raising risk of pathogens reaching humans by 50%, finds study Wildlife & Biodiversity, Biodiversity, animal conservation, public health, pathogens, Wildlife Trade, zoonotic diseases, one health, pandemics, Illegal wildlife trade, global health https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/indiscernible-undercurrents-in-the-himalayan-forests-are-reshaping-long-term-forest-dynamics https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/7ehw4mc8/Pine-forest.jpg Pine forest in the Himalayas. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/6dbaedbr/Q.leuco-and-Cedrus-deodara.JPG Cedrus deodara and Quercus leucotrichophora exhibit poor regeneration, shows feild reports. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/nk6yudfj/Pine-forest-with-invasion-by-Agertina-adenophora.jpeg Pine forest with invasion by Agertina adenophora. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/hdmclu7r/Forest-fire-2.jpeg Fires degrade soil properties, damage seed banks, and create conditions that favour invasive species expansion. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T12:09:40.532Z Indiscernible undercurrents in the Himalayan forests are reshaping long-term forest dynamics Forests, Climate Change, Biodiversity, Invasive species, Forest Fires, Himalayan forests, ecological degradation, forest regeneration, Forest ecology, India environment, Conservation science https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/jharkhands-solar-villages-how-solar-mini-grids-are-changing-lives-in-kotam-panso https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/2uxrg3dw/SV2.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-15T11:49:22.412Z Jharkhand’s solar villages: How solar mini grids are changing lives in Kotam & Panso Energy, Jharkhand, solar villages, Kotam & Panso https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-fight-for-forest-rights-in-sijimali https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/96alhsjk/Forest-rights-Sijimali-FRA https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/945p64gc/FRA-Sijimali-Vedanta-Bauxite downtoearth en 2026-04-15T11:46:15.664Z Simply Put: Fight for forest rights in Sijimali Governance, Mining, forest rights, Bauxite, Sijimali, tribal protest https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/colombia-to-cull-descendants-of-hippos-brought-by-drug-lord-pablo-escobar https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/inlgx3nu/Untitled-1.jpg (Left) Pablo Escobar and (Right) a hippo. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T11:16:58.489Z Colombia to cull descendants of hippos brought by drug lord Pablo Escobar Wildlife & Biodiversity, Invasive species, Colombia, hippos, Pablo Escobar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/vegetation-in-six-himalayan-regions-shifted-upwards-due-to-warming-reduced-snow-depth https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/ple2gpnp/Himalayan-vegetation The vegetation shifted upwards by as much as 6.95 metres per year in Manthang in Nepal and the least average distance of 1.42 metres per year in Khumbu, a region home to the Mt Everest. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T10:52:46.073Z Vegetation in six Himalayan regions shifted upwards due to warming, reduced snow depth Climate Change, Global Warming, himalayas, vegetation, Mt Everest https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/wheat-harvest-in-full-swing-in-north-india https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/bfphbdsk/Wheat-Harvest-1.jpg Wheat is being harvested at the moment across North India. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/eu29yqjj/Wheat-Harvest-2.jpg It is the prominent Rabi crop in North India. India’s wheat harvest is expected to rise this year from a year earlier but fall short of initial estimates. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/wg7oaf6l/Wheat-Harvest-3.jpg Wheat is also the staple across much of the North Indian region. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T10:13:12.200Z Wheat harvest in full swing in North India Agriculture, Wheat, North India, Rabi season, wheat harvest https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/solarising-farms-stressing-grids-what-are-the-challenges-for-pm-kusum-20 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/4d2ekfht/cn1405-12.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-15T09:47:29.867Z Solarising farms, stressing grids: What are the challenges for PM-KUSUM 2.0? Energy, Agriculture, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, discoms, Rural Electrification, PM-Kusum, PM-KUSUM yojana, Energy infrastructure, renewable energy policy, Power grids, Decentralised solar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/my-food-story/a-simple-sweet-that-also-keeps-you-warm https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/ohxpyons/Traditional-Winter-Sesame–Jaggery-Ladoo-Sana-Shaikh.jpg Sesame jaggery ladoo. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T08:52:10.911Z A simple sweet that also keeps you warm My Food Story, Food, sweets, Winters, Sesame jaggery ladoo https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-heat-tracker-raipur-hyderabad-ahmedabad-sizzle-past-40c-as-heatwave-tightens-grip https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/gqcpv34k/Daily-Heat-Tracker.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-15T08:26:17.639Z Daily Heat Tracker: Raipur, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad sizzle past 40°C as heatwave tightens grip Climate Change, heatwave, India Meteorological Department (IMD), heat, Warm nights, Daily Heat Tracker https://www.downtoearth.org.in/rivers/the-potomac-flowing-through-washington-dc-is-americas-most-endangered-river-in-2026-study https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/uka83o21/Potomac-River.jpg The Potomac River with Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and Arlington Memorial Bridge in Washington, DC. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T08:26:09.175Z The Potomac, flowing through Washington DC, is America’s most endangered river in 2026: Study Rivers, United States, WASHINGTON DC, Potomac, American Rivers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/mangrove-under-siege-microplastic-contamination-shrimp-farming-weakening-pichavarams-ecosystem https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/z61csun9/Mangrove-under-siege-Microplastic-contamination-shrimp-farming-weakening-Pichavaram’s-ecosystem Pichavaram’s Ramsar-listed mangroves in Tamil Nadu face severe stress. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T07:09:02.547Z Mangrove under siege: Microplastic contamination, shrimp farming weakening Pichavaram’s ecosystem Wildlife & Biodiversity, Waste, Water, Pollution, microplastic, Plastic, mangrove, shrimp farming, Pichavaram https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/beyond-2030-the-future-of-sustainable-development-goals-will-be-decided-at-the-last-mile https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/9zlcw0f7/UNDP-India.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-15T07:06:01.902Z Beyond 2030: The future of Sustainable Development Goals will be decided at the last mile Governance, Odisha, sustainable development goals (SDGs), 2030, Baghamari https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/electric-minibus-taxis-the-challenges-and-gains-facing-cape-towns-transition https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/aiea0d7y/file-20260411-57-wshzgu.jpg Petrol minibus taxi converted to electric. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/ncgaujf3/file-20260411-57-dmwd9a.avif Viability of maintaining internal combustion engine mobility patterns for different charging scenarios. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/hxgf181n/file-20260411-71-45eksr.avif The economics of switching to electric vehicles are complicated. DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2025.101892, CC BY-NC-ND downtoearth en 2026-04-15T06:35:53.431Z Electric minibus taxis: the challenges and gains facing Cape Town’s transition Africa, Energy, South Africa, Clean energy, Cape Town, Public Transport, air quality, paratransit, Taxis, Development finance Africa, Electric vehicles (EV), Minibus taxis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/scientists-make-parkinsons-drug-from-plastic-in-world-first https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/fd0y4fv7/Parkinsons Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T06:11:14.156Z Scientists make Parkinson’s drug from plastic in world first Health, Science & Technology, Plastic, medicine, Science, Parkinson's https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/fossil-power-declines-after-hormuz-disruption-as-renewables-buffer-global-energy-shock https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/1ewl8xfz/Coal-India.jpg Along with the United States, South Africa, Turkiye, Germany and the Netherlands, India recorded one of the largest declines in coal-fired power generation in March. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/197ebp9a/CREA-Hormuz.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-15T04:48:10.070Z Fossil power declines after Hormuz disruption as renewables buffer global energy shock Energy, Renewable Energy, Fossil Fuels, Strait of Hormuz, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/türkiye-outlines-cop-of-the-future-vision-with-new-partnership-model-and-action-driven-agenda https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-15/bw57s8xe/Antalya.jpg Antalya. downtoearth en 2026-04-15T04:32:34.883Z Türkiye outlines ‘COP of the Future’ vision with new partnership model and action-driven agenda Climate Change, UNFCCC, Australia, COP31 Antalya, Türkiye, COP of the Future