https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/residents-activists-converge-on-saat-mod-in-dehradun-as-authorities-prepare-to-fell-4369-trees https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/aycy0oui/Saat-1.jpg Trees are being cut for the Bhaniawala–Jolly Grant–Rishikesh road project, which has sparked ongoing protests. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/j1f7zgu3/Saat-2.jpg Despite protests from local residents, the felling of sal trees continues. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/ma4mejpr/Saat-3.jpg This is the condition of the trees transplanted in 2022. downtoearth en 2026-07-17T12:57:26.017Z Residents, activists converge on ‘Saat Mod’ in Dehradun, as authorities prepare to fell 4,369 trees Forests, tree felling, uttarakhand, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Saat Mod, Bhaniawala-Jolly Grant-Rishikesh https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/reservoir-report-card-pan-india-situation-worse-than-last-year-even-as-kharif-season-advances https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/dt38novq/Reservoir.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T12:38:19.465Z Reservoir report card: Pan-India situation worse than last year even as Kharif season advances Water, Kharif, RESERVOIR, Central Water Commission (CWC), Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-heat-tracker-new-delhi-records-highest-night-time-temperature-at-302c https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/necxmaae/Daily-Heat-Tracker.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T12:38:08.597Z Daily Heat tracker: New Delhi records highest night-time temperature at 30.2°C Climate Change, heatwave, India Meteorological Department (IMD), heat, Warm nights, Daily Heat Tracker https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/simply-put-isro-mass-exodus https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/sswck0ok/ISRO https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/je3vinws/ISRO-scientists-quit downtoearth en 2026-07-17T12:07:49.939Z Simply Put: ISRO mass exodus Science & Technology, Governance, ISRO, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Mass Exodus, resignation, resign https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/community-animal-health-workers-are-our-first-line-of-defence-against-the-next-zoonotic-outbreak https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/6aiky760/Animal-health https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/kqs7mptb/Dilip-B-Vet downtoearth en 2026-07-17T11:42:58.133Z ‘Community animal health workers are our first line of defence against the next zoonotic outbreak’ Agriculture, Livestock, Livestock diseases, one health approach, Animal health, Zoonotic Outbreaks, community workers, Dilip Bhandari https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/first-sighted-in-2008-rare-orange-mouthed-monkey-is-a-new-primate-species-from-africa https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/86ezvcqu/orange-mouthed-monkey.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T10:50:05.653Z First sighted in 2008, rare, orange-mouthed monkey is a new primate species from Africa Africa, Wildlife & Biodiversity, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Primate, congo rainforest, Likweli, Colobus https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/climate-change-pushes-27-million-into-food-insecurity-in-island-states https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/bfwh5m5c/Haiti-food-insecurity A camp at Haiti. Photo from representation. downtoearth en 2026-07-17T09:37:58.525Z Climate change pushes 2.7 million into food insecurity in island states Climate Change, Heatwaves, Food, food insecurity, Droughts, Small Island Developing States, SIDS, Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, climate-linked health action https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/highlights-from-the-issue-46 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/hj13282x/20260714-Highlights-from-the-issue.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-09/u9afevjf/Editor-July-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/b9k2gukn/dig059564.jpg Rainfall deficits across key rain-fed regions, from Nagaland to Maharashtra, are pushing more land into drought and leaving millions of farmers exposed with few irrigation buffers. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/r8vix9n9/14.jpg Existing legal provisions have failed to prevent the systematic surrender of pedestrian spaces to vehicular carriageways and parking https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/miehft1r/18.jpg A unit of Balrampur Chini Mills that discharges into the Suav river of Balrampur https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/k5m4l6r6/30.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/geac7m60/38.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/9cc5kfte/22.jpg India currently produces first-generation ethanol using rice, sugarcane and maize as feedstocks. The crops are procured from different sources https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-13/tcvchy0h/Patently-Absurd.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/ky7xu7rk/48.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/c4mecl5e/Venezuela-Earthquake.jpg Rescue efforts in Venezuela https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/v0muimr3/54.jpg Gitchak nakana, the first subterranean fish found in Assam, is a miniature, aquifer-dwelling fish that lacks eyes and a skull roof https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/4eif28sj/Drought.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T09:25:26.404Z Highlights from the issue Environment https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/return-of-so-many-people-to-farming-is-a-failure-of-labour-market https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/geac7m60/38.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T09:22:11.359Z “Return of so many people to farming is a failure of labour market” Agriculture, Migration, Farming, reverse migration, reverse migration crisis, Employment models https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-very-heavy-rain-forecast-for-eastern-and-northeastern-india-hill-states-advised-to-remain-alert-for-next-six-days https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/199l06ss/Daily-Weather-Tracker.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T08:47:35.179Z Daily weather tracker: Very heavy rain forecast for Eastern and Northeastern India; hill states advised to remain alert for next six days Climate Change, Northeast India, India Meteorological Department (IMD), East India, Daily Weather Tracker, Hill states https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/are-we-drought-proof https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/4eif28sj/Drought.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T06:48:00.832Z Are we drought proof? Agriculture, Climate Change, Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), El Nino, Drought El Nino, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/a-dance-in-the-dark https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/v0muimr3/54.jpg Gitchak nakana, the first subterranean fish found in Assam, is a miniature, aquifer-dwelling fish that lacks eyes and a skull roof downtoearth en 2026-07-17T06:47:45.935Z A dance in the dark Wildlife & Biodiversity, Assam, aquifer, Fish, Subterranean fish, aquifer-dwelling fish https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/dual-shocks https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/c4mecl5e/Venezuela-Earthquake.jpg Rescue efforts in Venezuela https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/ncubnio0/52.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T06:47:21.674Z Dual shocks Natural Disasters, Venezuela, Venezuela earthquake, Venezuela earthquakes, Doublets https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/what-blusmart-got-wrongand-right https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/ky7xu7rk/48.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T06:46:01.254Z What BluSmart got wrong—and right Air, Energy, Electric vehicles, Delhi-NCR, SEBI, CNG, BluSmart, B2B https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/fields-of-fuel https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/9cc5kfte/22.jpg India currently produces first-generation ethanol using rice, sugarcane and maize as feedstocks. The crops are procured from different sources downtoearth en 2026-07-17T06:45:12.571Z Fields of fuel Agriculture, Energy, Food Crops, Biofuel, Ethanol, Bio Fuel Crops, agricultural waste, Biofuels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/back-to-crisis-again https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/k5m4l6r6/30.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T06:44:50.654Z Back to crisis again Agriculture, Governance, Migration, Farming, reverse migration, reverse migration crisis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/rivers/existential-crisis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/miehft1r/18.jpg A unit of Balrampur Chini Mills that discharges into the Suav river of Balrampur downtoearth en 2026-07-17T06:44:19.261Z Existential crisis Rivers, Water, Yamuna, Uttar Pradesh, Ganga, Ganga tributaries, Drains, river channels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/reclaim-the-footpath https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/r8vix9n9/14.jpg Existing legal provisions have failed to prevent the systematic surrender of pedestrian spaces to vehicular carriageways and parking https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/joomn3mb/p16DLpix-1Y2A8467.jpg When urban authorities neglect designing functional streets, conflict arises between pedestrian’s safety and vendor’s economic survival downtoearth en 2026-07-17T06:44:06.693Z Reclaim the footpath Governance, Transport, Footpaths, Right to walk, commuting https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/can-speaking-multiple-languages-really-lower-dementia-risk-its-not-that-simple https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/qd2xp5k9/language-dementia downtoearth en 2026-07-17T06:08:00.454Z Can speaking multiple languages really lower dementia risk? It’s not that simple Health, Brain, Neurology, Languages, Dementia, brain health https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/melatonin-may-help-ease-chronic-muscle-and-joint-pain-new-study-suggests https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-17/rnah06s5/iStock-1169196633.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-17T04:36:01.428Z Melatonin may help ease chronic muscle and joint pain, new study suggests Health, Sleep, Musculoskeletal pain, Hormones, Melatonin https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/chhattisgarhs-new-biogas-policy-picks-up-where-others-left-off https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/tq7ligu2/Biogas-plant downtoearth en 2026-07-16T12:31:27.969Z Chhattisgarh’s new biogas policy picks up where others left off Energy, Biogas, Biofuel, Chhattisgarh, CBG, Chhattisgarh Compressed Biogas (CG-CBG) Policy 2026, dung https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/sea-of-plastic-fisherfolk-cannot-manage-fishing-related-litter-without-disposal-sites-and-technology-says-manju-lekshmi https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/lojvzlsy/Manju-Lekshmi.jpg Manju Lekshmi, senior scientist at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T12:05:15.655Z Sea of plastic: Fisherfolk cannot manage fishing-related litter without disposal sites and technology, says Manju Lekshmi Waste, Plastic pollution, Fisherfolk, marine litter, Manju Lekshmi, abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), Ghost fishing, fibre-reinforced plastic boats, Fishing gear, Marine waste management https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/ladakh-indias-cold-desert-is-getting-more-monsoon-rain-than-normal-for-the-fifth-year-in-a-row https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/0qu5z27i/iStock-1634992641.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-16T11:47:32.637Z Ladakh, India’s cold desert, is getting more monsoon rain than normal — for the fifth year in a row Climate Change https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/delayed-monsoon-is-driving-ecological-distress-and-economic-strain-across-kutch https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/uy8zvgg4/Photo-4.jpg Soaring fodder prices, drying lakes and stalled drought declaration leave Maldhari herders and their livestock exposed to a deepening climate shock. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T10:10:34.140Z Delayed monsoon is driving ecological distress and economic strain across Kutch Climate Change, Rural Water and Sanitation, Drought, Gujarat, delayed monsoon, water scarcity, climate variability, Banni grasslands, Kutch, fodder crisis, rainfed agriculture, Monsoon 2026, Maldhari pastoralists https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/yamuna-in-delhi-begins-to-fill-up-courtesy-hathnikund-is-it-enough-though https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/r8si96ah/Delhi-Yamuna-1.jpg The Yamuna appears fuller on the border between Delhi and Noida. The water is courtesy increased inflows at the Hathnikund Barrage upstream in Haryana. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/83k7mhur/Delhi-Yamuna-2.jpg But is this water enough for a clean Yamuna in Delhi? https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/35pssb9t/Delhi-Yamuna-3.jpg According to the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP), excess water at the barrage was discharged into canals. That means less water for Delhi where the river is at its dirtiest. Unless there is water, the river cannot self-clean itself. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T10:07:05.802Z Yamuna in Delhi begins to fill up, courtesy Hathnikund. Is it enough though? Water, Rivers, Delhi, Yamuna, Haryana, hathnikund, SANDRP, Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/these-are-the-111-districts-the-government-flagged-as-vulnerable-to-el-niño-2026-and-69-are-already-rainfall-deficient https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/b9k2gukn/dig059564.jpg Rainfall deficits across key rain-fed regions, from Nagaland to Maharashtra, are pushing more land into drought and leaving millions of farmers exposed with few irrigation buffers. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/3t6dm4vu/drough.png downtoearth en 2026-07-16T10:00:51.936Z These are the 111 districts the government flagged as vulnerable to El Niño 2026 — and 69 are already rainfall deficient Agriculture, Climate Change, Drought, Irrigation, rainfall deficit, India Meteorological Department (IMD), El Niño, Super El Niño, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Super El Niño impact, Southwest Monsoon 2026, Kharif sowing, Monsoon 2026, Farm distress https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/the-centres-restructuring-of-indias-environmental-clearance-procedure-raises-a-big-question-over-expertise https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/edr01jrx/Bhupender-Yadav.jpg Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T09:32:47.644Z The Centre’s restructuring of India’s environmental clearance procedure raises a big question over expertise Environment, EIA, EAC, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Standing Authority on Environment Impact Assessment (SAEIA), Standing Committee on Environment Impact Appraisal (SCEIA) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/pyre-protests-again-what-is-up-with-the-ken-betwa-river-linking-project https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/gopsxlfu/Ken-Betwa downtoearth en 2026-07-16T09:28:04.737Z Pyre protests again: What is up with the Ken Betwa River Linking Project? Governance, Madhya Pradesh, tribal, Ken Betwa River Linking Projec, Pyre protests https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/vizhinjam-at-a-crossroads-as-msc-eyes-a-stake-kerala-confronts-questions-of-monopoly-pollution-and-the-price-of-maritime-ambition https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/zzoyku4j/MSC-Elsa-3.jpg The capsized MSC ELSA 3. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T08:30:57.079Z Vizhinjam at a crossroads: As MSC eyes a stake, Kerala confronts questions of monopoly, pollution, and the price of maritime ambition Water, Kerala, Adani, Arabian Sea, Vizhinjam, MSC ELSA 3, MSC, Terminal Investment Limited (TiL) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-july-15-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-07/xdesj1kw/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-16T07:40:54.620Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (July 15, 2026) Environment, Waste, Water, waterbody, paper mill, UPPCB, Gautam Budha Nagar, Taj Trapezium Zone, rdf, refuse-derived fuel https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-low-pressure-intensifies-heavy-rain-alert-in-over-15-states-heatwave-grips-south-while-hot-humid-conditions-persist-across-north-india https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/f4j9bpdt/Clouds.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-16T06:49:58.315Z Daily weather tracker: Low-pressure intensifies; heavy rain alert in over 15 states, heatwave grips south while hot & humid conditions persist across North India Climate Change, heatwave, low pressure, Daily Weather Tracker, heavy rain, heat and humidity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/china-is-funding-african-farmers-but-not-food-processing-and-storage-why-its-a-problem https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/rx3wex9a/africa-food-processing downtoearth en 2026-07-16T06:21:08.743Z China is funding African farmers but not food processing and storage: Why it’s a problem Africa, World, Africa, Agriculture, China, Farmer, Development, farm storage, agricultural processing, post-harvest infrastructure https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/uttara-kannadas-evergreen-forests-remain-under-relentless-assault-in-the-name-of-clean-energy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/5xuzjhe5/Gerusoppa-Dam-on-Sharavathi.jpeg The Gerusoppa Dam on the Sharavathi River in Karnataka's Uttara Kannada district. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-15/3vc2a7fe/Energy_Geography_UK.png Energy geography of Uttara Kannada. downtoearth en 2026-07-16T05:59:58.980Z Uttara Kannada's evergreen forests remain under relentless assault in the name of clean energy Forests, Energy, Renewable Energy, Carbon Sinks, Forest Conservation, climate resilience, Hydropower, biodiversity loss, Western Ghats, hydropower project, Uttara Kannada, green transition, lion-tailed macaque, Sharavathi Pumped Storage Project https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/76-billion-mugs-of-tea-a-second-a-new-way-to-make-sense-of-the-heat-pouring-into-our-oceans https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/hkupgzgq/iStock-1225559183.jpg downtoearth en 2026-07-16T04:52:20.805Z ‘7.6 billion mugs of tea a second’: a new way to make sense of the heat pouring into our oceans Climate Change, marine heatwaves, Global Warming, Oceans, Climate Science, ocean warming, Tea, earth energy imbalance https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/madhya-pradeshs-korku-adivasis-demand-removal-of-forest-encroachments https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/eje8aizh/Korku-Adivasi-protest Nearly 2,000 community members from 150 villages from Khandwa and Burhanpur districts depending on the forest for sustenance held a march to convey their demands to the chief minister of the state. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/nv4c22t3/Korku-MP-forest-before-after downtoearth en 2026-07-15T13:01:59.925Z Madhya Pradesh's Korku adivasis demand removal of forest encroachments Forests, Governance, Tribals, Madhya Pradesh, adivasi, forest rights, Korku