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 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/ai-time-machine-model-projects-wind-solar-growth-flags-gap-to-15c-goal https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/exk2qvuf/RE-AI-tool downtoearth en 2026-04-14T12:40:11.292Z AI time machine model projects wind, solar growth, flags gap to 1.5°C goal Energy, Paris agreement, Renewable Energy, cop28, artificial intelligence, Solar projects, AI, wind project https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/west-asia-war-impact-highly-asymmetric-hitting-poorest-energy-importers-hardest-iea-imf-world-bank https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/yypfh5vu/iStock-1197308344.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-14T12:31:05.765Z West Asia war impact ‘highly asymmetric’, hitting poorest energy importers hardest: IEA, IMF, World Bank Energy, energy crisis, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, global economy, International Energy Agency (IEA), oil prices, West Asia, Starit of Hormuz https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/back-to-back-amazon-droughts-altered-ecological-functioning-of-rainforests-triggered-record-stress https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/kgadbaxt/Amazon-drought.jpg Dried out part of Rio Negro in Marina do Davi in Manaus, Brazil. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T12:24:14.822Z Back-to-back Amazon droughts altered ecological functioning of rainforests, triggered record stress Climate Change, Climate Change, Amazon, Droughts, RAINFORESTS https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/clock-is-ticking-fao-warns-of-dangerous-food-inflation-spike-risk-amid-strait-of-hormuz-crisis https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/8q0xpbg8/Ship-Grain.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-14T12:21:55.378Z ‘Clock is ticking’: FAO warns of dangerous food inflation spike risk amid Strait of Hormuz crisis Food, food inflation, FAO, Strait of Hormuz, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/forest-to-flame-why-rural-india-still-cooks-on-firewood-despite-lpg-access https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/3w8gie5e/Headloaders (left) Kumar Lal Uladhi (72) from Tintni village upon returning from Mandla town. He walks to the market 10 kilometres away every day sell firewood gathered from forest. For him, his neighbour (right) and most other residents of the village, LPG remains out of reach. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/jk1ng2jt/Mandla-district downtoearth en 2026-04-14T12:07:38.711Z Rural India’s energy crisis: Why villagers cook on firewood despite LPG access Energy, rural india, Cooking fuel, Firewood, LPG, West Asia, Strait of Hormuz, West Asia conflict, Fuelwood, hormuz https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/simply-put-monkey-trap https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/3oejhz11/Simply-Put-14-Apr-hero-image-copy.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/wxw9c008/Simply-Put-14-Apr-Trap-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-14T11:11:53.500Z Simply Put: Monkey Trap Energy, United States, donald trump, crude oil, Strait of Hormuz, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/sudan-war-sexual-violence-against-women-quadruples-in-three-years-says-un-women https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/ozac210j/HFY4LZHaMAAeUWt.jpeg Families staying at Marik IDP Camp, Jonglei in South Sudan. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T11:10:54.329Z Sudan war: Sexual violence against women ‘quadruples’ in three years, says UN Women Governance, Sexual violence, Displacement, Conflict, humanitarian crisis, rape, UN Women, Women's Rights, Darfur, gender-based violence, Sudan war, Kordofan https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/half-hour-hailstorms-season-long-losses-how-climate-change-is-reshaping-kashmirs-apple-orchards https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/eoy27e3d/hail.jpg Short, intense hailstorms are increasingly damaging apple orchards across Kashmir. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T09:32:54.642Z Half-hour hailstorms, season-long losses: how climate change is reshaping Kashmir’s apple orchards Climate Change, Agriculture, Farmers, climate impact, Horticulture, Extreme weather, Hailstorms, Kashmir, weather patterns, Apple farming https://www.downtoearth.org.in/my-food-story/dudh-puli-is-a-celebration-of-warmth-tradition-and-timeless-bengali-heritage https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/26bpax6b/Dudh-puli-Mousumi-Ghosh-Das.jpg Dudh Puli. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T09:06:38.877Z Dudh Puli is a celebration of warmth, tradition, and timeless Bengali heritage My Food Story, Food, Rice, West Bengal, Milk, Winters, Dudh Puli, dessert https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/ambedkar-jayanti-2026-should-consciously-mark-the-beginning-of-a-mahad-centenary-year-centred-on-water-and-caste https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/kuco2dyi/B-R-Ambedkar.jpg Babasaheb Ambedkar. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T08:27:48.180Z Ambedkar Jayanti 2026 should consciously mark the beginning of a Mahad centenary year centred on water and caste Governance, Water, B R Ambedkar, Ambedkar Jayanti 2026, Mahad Satyagraha, Right To Water https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/why-indias-renewable-energy-programme-has-become-one-of-green-grabbings-most-prominent-examples https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/g5nxqi7q/Windmills.jpg Wind farms of Rajasthan. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T08:27:23.860Z Why India’s renewable energy programme has become one of green grabbing’s most prominent examples Energy, Assam, adivasis, Tribals, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Green grabbing https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/need-stronger-social-protection-for-a-changing-world-of-work-ilo https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/rcfjdgrx/Construction-Workers.jpg Construction workers. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T07:55:40.402Z Need stronger social protection for a changing world of work: ILO Governance, International Labour Organisation (ILO), work, Labour laws, Labour, social protection systems https://www.downtoearth.org.in/rivers/the-mahanadi-at-a-crossroads-justice-delayed-river-denied https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/clpjoaie/Mahanadi-Photo-3-for-DTE-Ranjan-K-Panda.jpeg The Mahandi river. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T07:29:28.138Z The Mahanadi at a crossroads: Justice delayed, river denied Rivers, Water, Governance, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Mahanadi, river water sharing disputes https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/disputes-over-africas-ocean-resources-heres-what-could-help-avoid-them https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/t3nwekn4/Africa-ocean A blue economy uses the oceans in ways that are fair to people, do not harm the environment, and make economic sense. By contrast, an ocean economy may prioritise only economic gain. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T06:05:20.244Z Disputes over Africa’s ocean resources: Here’s what could help avoid them Africa, World, Africa, Ocean, blue economy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/pollution/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-april-13-2026 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/vqw306a9/court.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-14T05:53:05.151Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (April 13, 2026) Pollution, Environment, Water Management, Air Pollution, Particulate Matter, National Green Tribunal (NGT), Urban Air Quality, National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), Madhya Pradesh pollution, kolkata circular canal, River desilting https://www.downtoearth.org.in/renewable-energy/indias-nuclear-milestone-kalpakkam-fast-breeder-reactor-attains-criticality https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/ypyuj857/XTGTnkSDOWM-HD.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-14T04:43:31.461Z India’s nuclear milestone: Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor attains criticality Renewable Energy, Energy, Nuclear Power, Energy security, nuclear reactors, Fast Breeder, Kalpakkam APS https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/nhrc-to-hear-216-cases-of-alleged-bonded-labour-in-brick-kilns-across-various-districts-of-uttar-pradesh https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/rln9phds/Brick-Kilns.jpg A brick kiln. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T03:37:55.961Z NHRC to hear 216 cases of alleged bonded labour in brick kilns across various districts of Uttar Pradesh Governance, Uttar Pradesh, Bonded Labour, brick kilns, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/on-ambedkar-jayanti-and-baisakhi-2026-know-about-the-sikh-light-infantry-which-embodies-the-best-ideals-of-sikhism-and-ambedkarite-thought https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-14/skcywjgh/IndianArmy-SikhLightInfantryregiment.jpeg Sikh Light Infantry soldiers march past during a Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-04-14T03:37:44.164Z On Ambedkar Jayanti and Baisakhi 2026, know about the Sikh Light Infantry, which embodies the best ideals of Sikhism and Ambedkarite thought Governance, Indian Army, B R Ambedkar, sikhism, caste, Ambedkar Jayanti 2026, Baisakhi 2026, Mazhabi Sikhs, Ramdasia Sikhs, SIkh Light Infantry https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/south-west-monsoon-rainfall-to-be-below-normal-or-deficient-in-2026 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-13/t1ylwxg3/Rain-Clouds.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-13/pt36jxqp/SWM-Rainfall-Forecast-Map-IMD-2026.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-13T15:01:22.156Z South West Monsoon rainfall to be below normal or deficient in 2026 Climate Change, El Nino, LA Nina, ENSO, Rainfall, imd, South west monsoon https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/adding-8-more-green-cover-can-cool-delhi-neighbourhoods-by-1c-but-benefits-remain-uneven-finds-study https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-13/bt4yqy6p/055733.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-13/i57m8zsz/collage_shagun.png Relationship between built-up area and experienced heat (L) and Relationship between green cover and experienced heat. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-13/9ypr28k6/Shagun-3.png Relationship between sleep quality and experienced heat. downtoearth en 2026-04-13T13:00:23.306Z Adding 8% more green cover can cool Delhi neighbourhoods by 1°C, but benefits remain uneven, finds study Climate Change, Delhi, Heatwaves, public health, Urban Planning, green cover, Urban heat, Heat inequality, India cities https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/can-the-apex-courts-high-powered-panel-file-a-report-that-prioritises-conservation-and-protection-of-the-aravallis https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-13/7u1utrgx/Aravallis.jpg The Aravallis as seen from the Kumbhalgarh Fort in Rajasthan. downtoearth en 2026-04-13T12:54:38.562Z Can the apex court’s high-powered panel file a report that prioritises conservation and protection of the Aravallis? Governance, Forests, Environment, Aravallis, AEC, Forest Survey of India (FSI), Supreme Court on Aravallis, HPEC, CEC https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/atlantic-current-shows-steady-decline-with-scientists-warning-collapse-could-amplify-global-warming-and-disrupt-climate-systems https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-13/lbpylaq0/iStock-639267164.jpg Model simulations suggest an AMOC collapse could add up to 0.2°C warming and drive sharp polar contrasts downtoearth en 2026-04-13T12:29:30.441Z Atlantic current shows steady decline, with scientists warning collapse could amplify global warming and disrupt climate systems Climate Change, Global Warming, Climate Science, Greenhouse Gases, ocean currents, Antarctic, Arctic, climate tipping points, carbon cycle, Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)