Code of ethics for scientific "eco-tourists"
Most of the world's tropical forests are in the developing world. Guidelines have been suggested for researchers to regulate the flow of data to …
Homegrown experts offered for "sale" abroad
Chakriya Vikas Pranali, a rural organisation, has a unique approach to ecological regeneration based on informed agricultural practices. This …
It's a damp squib
Lack of respect for facts and a strong ideology guided by Judaic-Christian thought dominate the report
A monumental failure
The report on the Sardar Sarovar does not address crucial issues like water-saving technologies, lowering the dam height and reducing the size of …
Sensitive economics
Anil Agarwal's article, "The poverty of Amartya Sen", publised in the December 15, 1999 issue of Down To Earth , has drawn a number of …
Demystifying science
To promote public understanding of science, it is essential not only to initiate openness and dialogue between the scientific community and the …
That 'E' word again
Most Northern groups that dominate the civil society opinion-making process within the climate convention have consistently ignored Southern …
Symbolic solution?
In the recent discussion about reforming the international environmental governance structure, there have been calls for a World Environment …
Dealing with disasters
For appropriate disaster management, it is essential to give due importance to political, social, economic as well as environmental aspects. …
On track to disaster
By ignoring sound technical advice, Konkan Railway jeopardises the fragile Western Ghats environment
When opposite poles attract
Tourism and conservation need not necessarily be in conflict with each other; handled with care, they can also benefit from each other.
Deep Impact
In spite of ample evidence highlighting the adverse effects of pesticides on wildlife, it continues to be used indiscriminately in India. Worse, …
Crisis in the Konkan
Creating biosphere reserves, which reconcile the interests of wildlife and humans, may save the Konkan coast
A mythical tragedy
At the root of the tragedy of commons lies not the inherent selfishness of people, but the imposition of practices and projects alien to the …
Consolidation against commoners
After land consolidation was introduced, the landless poor and agricultural labourers, who depended on common resources, faced tremendous problems
Dubious camouflage
Using medical aid for military aims jeopardises trust which is critical for health workers
Year-long tenancies deter soil conservation
The present land tenure laws do not encourage the conservation of agricultural land and lead to fallow patches, as is evident from the condition …
Package collection plan promotes recycling
Germany's environmental laws are slowly ushering in a culture of waste reduction, especially in packaging material.
When wind and water run riot
The killer cyclone that hit Andhra Pradesh in 1977 will long be remembered as India's worst natural calamity of this century. But that we still …
Water wise in Uttarakhand
Scientific implementation of developmental programmes is needed for the optimal utilisation of water resources
Nurture nature
To achieve economic growth and poverty alleviation, it is imperative to constantly replenish environmental resources
Going to town with agriculture
Helped by a proactive government, residents of Havana resort to urban agriculture to solve their food crisis
Field report
Bt cotton farmers in Karnataka are an insecure and confused lot, and neither the government, nor Mahyco or the anti-Mahyco groups are any help at all
Creative accounting
The US administration reneged on its earlier undertaking on the Kyoto Protocol, choosing instead to come up with its own climate change strategy: …
Popular poisons
Toxic pesticides that contaminate the soil and enter the food chain need to be replaced with non-toxic ones. But research in this area is still …