https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/indias-poorest-ration-card-holders-may-see-cereal-quota-tied-to-family-size-under-new-draft-law https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/4mg253v2/downtoearth2024-11-283to3lnl1Ration-shop.avif A women verifing her fingerprint on an e-POS at a fair price shop in Rajasthan. downtoearth en 2026-06-25T13:00:50.828Z India’s poorest ration-card holders may see cereal quota tied to family size under new draft law Food, Governance, Nutrition, Food Security, Public Distribution System (PDS), Right to food, National Food Security Act 2013, Antyodaya Anna Yojana households, food subsidy, Antyodaya Anna Yojana, Ration cards, PDS exclusions, India welfare https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/banda-first-sizzled-now-it-is-drying-up https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/21in2iux/Banda-1.jpg Banda broke temperature records earlier this summer. Now, its main source of water, the Ken river is drying. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/9pz9zvlk/Banda-2.jpg The development has forced farmers to cultivate vegetables close to the riverbank. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/9y9jpouz/Banda-3.jpg The developments in Banda this summer once again highlight the water security issues of the region where it is located, Bundelkhand. downtoearth en 2026-06-25T12:46:33.395Z Banda first sizzled; now it is drying up Climate Change, Water, water scarcity, Bundelkhand, ken river, Banda, rising temperatures https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/prescription-for-safer-food https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/s5crd7fa/Editor-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-25T12:26:56.702Z Prescription for safer food Food, Editorial, Antibiotics, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), European Union, Maximum Residue Limit (MRL), US FDA https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/at-3000-ft-a-tiny-waterhole-is-helping-elephants-survive-summer-in-a-chhattisgarh-tiger-reserve https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/13q2vj0i/IMG-20260622-WA0004.jpg A jhiriya deep inside the Kulhadighat Range of Chhattisgarh's Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve. These traditional water sources are created by digging into sandy layers that naturally store subsurface water. downtoearth en 2026-06-25T11:53:39.354Z At 3,000 ft, a tiny waterhole is helping elephants survive summer in a Chhattisgarh tiger reserve Climate Change, Water, Wildlife & Biodiversity, Forests, wildlife conservation, Heatwaves, Water security, elephants, forest, climate resilience, Human-wildlife conflict, Chhattisgarh, Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve, Jhiriya https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/mangrove-forests-showing-remarkable-recovery-worldwide-study-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/e2yl1ps9/Sundarbans-Mangroves.jpg Spotted deer in the Sundarbans National Park. downtoearth en 2026-06-25T11:50:26.304Z Mangrove forests showing remarkable recovery worldwide, study finds Wildlife & Biodiversity, Mangrove destruction, mangrove forests, mangrove conservation, Tulane University https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/rainfall-deficit-is-only-the-symptom-water-stress-is-the-real-challenge https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/to8wfozf/Rice-paddy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-25T11:41:30.855Z Rainfall deficit is only the symptom; water stress is the real challenge Water, Irrigation, water stress, rainfall deficit, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/simply-put-e80-water https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/mzyi983y/Simply-Put-25-Jun-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/rkp79x4c/Simply-Put-25-Jun-Water-contamination1-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-25T10:40:50.074Z Simply Put: E80 water Water, Pollution, Water Pollution, effluent discharge, Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP), E20 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/conflict-in-the-backyard-in-maharashtras-sugarcane-belt-farmers-wear-spiked-collars-as-leopard-attacks-rise https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/ehvvclhq/Leopard-attack-collar.png Farmers in Junnar taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra, wear collars with metal spikes during the sugarcane harvest season to protect themselves from leopard attacks. downtoearth en 2026-06-25T10:34:44.615Z Conflict in the backyard: In Maharashtra’s sugarcane belt, farmers wear spiked collars as leopard attacks rise Wildlife & Biodiversity, wildlife conservation, big cats, Maharashtra, Human-wildlife conflict, junnar, leopard attacks, rural livelihoods, Conflict in the backyard, Sugarcane fields, Pimperkhed https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/what-exactly-happened-at-the-neepco-colony-in-arunachal-investigations-on-as-flash-flood-claims-one-life-with-four-disappearances https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/31d1qzb9/Arunachal-Floods.jpg The NEEPCO Colony marked in red. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/uou6b2t7/Arunachal-Table.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/yvz4kqxk/Arunachal-1.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/087s8doa/Arunachal-2.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-25T10:14:33.362Z What exactly happened at the NEEPCO colony in Arunachal? Investigations on as flash flood claims one life, with four disappearances Natural Disasters, Climate Change, Assam, Northeast, Flash flood, Arunachal Pradesh, cloud burst, Arunachal Pradesh dams https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/unpaid-care-keeps-millions-of-women-out-of-work-un-women-says-investment-could-change-that https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/7k46s8oz/iStock-2229081908.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-25T09:30:03.520Z Unpaid care keeps millions of women out of work. UN Women says investment could change that Governance, Economic inequality, gender equality, Childcare, unpaid care work, social protection, UN Women, care economy, women’s rights, domestic workers, Women’s employment https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/carbon-capture-utilisation-and-storage-can-become-a-cornerstone-of-indias-climate-strategy-if-challenges-are-addressed https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/5kyk9gx6/CCUS.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-25T07:17:21.534Z Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage can become a cornerstone of India’s climate strategy, if challenges are addressed Climate Change, Carbon Dioxide, ccus, Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage, Climate strategy, Net Zero Transition https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-june-24-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/jsem378j/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-25T07:11:16.793Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (June 24, 2026) Governance, Maharashtra, Kochi, Supreme Court, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), National Green Tribunal, Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), daily court digest, Kerala High Court, Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-delhi-ncr-sweats-under-humid-heat-as-17-states-brace-for-rain-and-storms-floods-in-arunachal-leave-several-injured-and-missing https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/wyjqrlu9/Delhi-Heat.jpg A ‘Cooling Zone’ in Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-06-25T06:12:47.330Z Daily weather tracker: Delhi-NCR sweats under humid heat as 17 states brace for rain and storms; floods in Arunachal leave several injured and missing Climate Change, heatwave, Delhi-NCR, Storms, rain, Arunachal Pradesh, Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/treated-sewage-water-in-faridabads-badkhal-lake-blamed-for-tree-deaths-and-groundwater-fears https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/tbulgzle/downtoearth-hindi2026-06-24lrljrj2cbadkal1.jpg Hundreds of fruit and medicinal trees in the Parson Temple complex in Faridabad have died after coming into contact with water from Barkal Lake. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/omaehjz5/downtoearth-hindi2026-06-24nep6u3ibbadkal2.jpg Water is being supplied to the lake from the sewage treatment plant installed in Sector 21, Faridabad. downtoearth en 2026-06-25T06:04:06.083Z Treated sewage water in Faridabad’s Badkhal Lake blamed for tree deaths and groundwater fears Water, groundwater contamination, Water Pollution, Haryana, Faridabad, sewage Treatment Plant, Treated Wastewater, Badkhal Lake, Smart City project, Tree deaths, Save Aravalli https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/the-caspian-sea-has-lost-an-area-nearly-the-size-of-sicily-human-activities-are-a-major-reason-why https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/06nt5wx2/iStock-2208763982.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-25T04:49:05.934Z The Caspian Sea has lost an area nearly the size of Sicily: human activities are a major reason why Climate Change, Water Pollution, Dams, Rainfall, Black Sea, Caspian Sea https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/west-bengal-links-69-of-budget-to-sdgs-with-focus-on-sundarbans-climate-finance-and-solar-power https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/dgc10vwc/Screenshot-2026-06-24-at-6.06.32-PM.png State Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta presenting the budget on June 22, 2026. downtoearth en 2026-06-24T12:45:57.848Z West Bengal links 69% of budget to SDGs, with focus on Sundarbans, climate finance and solar power Climate Change, Economy, Solar Energy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Climate finance, climate resilience, Air Pollution, West Bengal, Sundarbans, sustainable development goals (SDGs), West Bengal budget, Environment policy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/of-hormuz-and-hamirpur https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/pzszwul2/Hamirpur-Charcoal-1.jpg The crisis at the Strait of Hormuz led to energy scarcity for large parts of the globe, including India. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/pt03r292/Hamirpur-Charcoal-2.jpg Even the hinterlands of the country were not untouched. In the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, a charcoal maker saw renewed interest, as cooking gas got expensive. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/iimkufpe/Hamirpur-Charcoal-3.jpg In these photos, the process of charcoal formation can be seen at a village in Hamirpur district. Proof enough that nobody is left untouched in an inter-connected world. downtoearth en 2026-06-24T11:52:00.497Z Of Hormuz and Hamirpur Energy, Cooking gas, Uttar Pradesh, Wood, Bundelkhand, Charcoal, Hamirpur, Strait of Hormuz, Iran-Israel War 2026, hormuz https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/the-supreme-courts-high-powered-committee-on-the-aravallis-gives-little-reason-for-hope https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/8j0xsbmx/Aravallis.jpg The Aravallis near Jaipur, Rajasthan. downtoearth en 2026-06-24T11:13:36.278Z The Supreme Court’s High-Powered Committee on the Aravallis gives little reason for hope Forests, Aravallis, Mining in Aravallis, Supreme Court on Aravallis, High Powered Committee https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/a-drying-and-heating-up-europe-is-deepening-poverty-and-inequality-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/s3a2re52/Europe-Heat.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T11:13:23.954Z A drying and heating up Europe is deepening poverty and inequality: Study Climate Change, Europe, Drought, Heatwaves, Climate Analytics study https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/stem-cell-transplant-keeps-two-patients-with-rare-autoimmune-disease-relapse-free-for-15-years https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/qvgn4lw0/iStock-648181930.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T10:13:01.019Z Stem cell transplant keeps two patients with rare autoimmune disease relapse-free for 15 years Health, Science & Technology, Medical Research, autoimmune diseases, immune system, Disease control, rare diseases, Health Sciences, Stem cell transplant, Neuromyelitis optica, Haematopoietic stem cell transplant https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/conflict-in-the-backyard-in-kashmir-bear-attacks-rise-as-orchards-expand-and-habitats-shrink https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/putjq8py/iStock-2150562692.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T09:46:00.646Z Conflict in the backyard: In Kashmir, bear attacks rise as orchards expand and habitats shrink Wildlife & Biodiversity, Climate Change, wildlife conservation, habitat loss, Human-wildlife conflict, Kashmir, asiatic black bear, Bear attacks, rural livelihoods, Conflict in the backyard, Apple orchards https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/indias-ev-ecosystem-drew-rs-223-lakh-crore-in-five-years-electricity-is-still-1-of-road-transport-energy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/k94gy259/Escooter.jpg Photo for representation. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/igutxulx/clipimage001.png India transport sector energy mix, 2019-20 to 2025-26 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/lrvw13tk/PastedGraphic-10.png India three-wheeler BEV penetration trend https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/du4chskf/PastedGraphic-11.png Delhi three-wheeler passenger BEV trends https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/1rwyk5lr/PastedGraphic-12.png Delhi bus electrification trend https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/i6ca7eru/PastedGraphic-13.png India bus electrification trend https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/n7oot9yc/PastedGraphic-14.png India two-wheeler BEV penetration trend https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/0zqybpll/PastedGraphic-15.png India two-wheeler OEM-wise BEV share in 2021-22 and 2025-26 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/bxdalyxq/PastedGraphic-16.png India cab electrification trend https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/7kocs6li/PastedGraphic-17.png Delhi e-cab BEV penetration trend downtoearth en 2026-06-24T09:33:40.819Z India’s EV ecosystem drew Rs 2.23 lakh crore in five years. Electricity is still 1% of road transport energy Air, Delhi, Electric vehicles, Electricity, Three Wheelers, Two Wheelers, EVs, EV buses https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/chinas-ev-exports-hit-record-92-billion-in-may-as-asean-demand-surges-amid-energy-security-concerns https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/9nmzvorj/China-EVs.jpg Representational photograph. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/f5qncimk/Chart-1.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/pw7w0c7m/Chart-2.png downtoearth en 2026-06-24T09:20:07.450Z China’s EV exports hit record $9.2 billion in May as ASEAN demand surges amid energy security concerns Energy, China, Southeast Asia, Asean, Ember, Electric vehicles (EV) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/from-waste-to-wealth-chhattisgarh-cbg-policy-icar-innovation-signal-indias-growing-rural-bioeconomy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/a3pwxagh/Cowdung-Cakes.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T08:54:08.989Z From waste to wealth: Chhattisgarh CBG policy, ICAR innovation signal India’s growing rural bioeconomy Energy, niti aayog, ICAR, Chhattisgarh, satat, compressed biogas (CBG), rural bioeconomy, Cattle Dung, ICAR-IVRI https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-thunderstorms-rain-and-lightning-threat-loom-over-several-states-heavy-rains-disrupt-life-in-mumbai https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/bul5ed8p/Mumbai.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T08:13:48.136Z Daily weather tracker: Thunderstorms, rain and lightning threat loom over several states; heavy rains disrupt life in Mumbai Climate Change, heatwave, North India, Mumbai, heavy rainfall, Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/india-among-countries-most-exposed-as-el-niño-threatens-rainfed-crops-fao-says https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/s25zttpi/iStock-538330978.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T06:56:57.281Z India among countries most exposed as El Niño threatens rainfed crops, FAO says Agriculture, Food, Climate Change, India monsoon, Food Security, Maize, Rice, Kharif crops, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), climate risk, El Niño, Super El Niño, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Super El Niño impact, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-june-22-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/85wczm6j/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T06:10:37.009Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (June 22, 2026) Governance, Delhi, Gujarat, uttarakhand, Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal, daily court digest, Anand Vihar, Morbi https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/between-1950-and-2022-industrial-fleets-decimated-fisheries-in-one-north-atlantic-archipelago-by-overfishing https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/1fbz4hsl/Fish.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T05:44:58.818Z Between 1950 and 2022, industrial fleets decimated fisheries in one North Atlantic archipelago by overfishing Wildlife & Biodiversity, North Atlantic Ocean, Fisheries, Overfishing, fish stocks, Marine fish stocks https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/why-mumbais-rain-isnt-the-monsoon-yet https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/p716wd7l/Monsoon.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T04:44:57.014Z Why Mumbai’s rain isn’t the monsoon yet Climate Change, Maharashtra, Rainfall, Mumbai, Southwest Monsoon 2026, Mumbai water scarcity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/fossil-fuels-still-dominate-in-africas-electricity-future-study-tracks-3139-power-plants https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-24/06gwsz66/iStock-1970291057.jpg downtoearth en 2026-06-24T04:35:00.543Z Fossil fuels still dominate in Africa’s electricity future — study tracks 3,139 power plants Africa, Energy, Renewable Energy, Waste, climate crisis, Carbon dioxide emissions, Fossil Fuels, Oil, Hydropower, Biomass, solar power, WIND POWER, Geothermal Energy, power plants, Gas, Climate solutions, Greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), global carbon dioxide emissions