Springing back to life

Two villages in Uttarakhand take lessons in hydrogeology to revive dry springs, end water conflict

Chipping away

Time was, when the Saranda forest cover was so dense that even the sun's rays couldn't penetrate it. Ironically, denudation has driven the region …

At the crossroads

As the debate continues, the Northeast must stamp the decision: log out of forest bureaucracy and log in to local-based prosperity

The verdict

Read between the lines: the Supreme Court order has a development model hidden for the Northeast

The accused

Governments clinically interpret the ban to make space for the forest bureaucracy, alienating people from their own habitats

Amazon rainforest is drying out. How much more abuse can it take?

Amazon rainforest is one of the world’s biggest carbon sinks. Preserving its trees is crucial to meeting international targets that limit …

Blood from Ebola survivors should be used to treat disease: WHO

Antibodies from the blood of patients who have recovered could be transferred to those who are suffering from the viral disease

The wasteland

Bellary has lost 45 per cent of its forest cover to iron ore mining, says the CEC report

Bolsanaro’s environmental crimes come under EU scanner

Europe’s resolve to act against the Bolsonaro government’s environmental crimes appears to be strengthening

Ebola unleashed

The deadly virus had long confined itself to the backwoods of Africa. Increasing deforestation has led to its frequent emergence as epidemics

Himalaya's human face

HIMALAYA LIFE ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD·David Zurick and P P Karan·John Hopkins University Press Baltimore and London·1999&…

The battle over forests

Are the recent eviction drives misdirected? (Read full article)

Hubballi-Ankola railway line will augur desertification, water crisis, warn experts

The proposed 164-kilometre railway project cutting through Western Ghats will prompt deforestation and accelerate climate change …

Indigenous people slam Peru government for unrestrained deforestation of Amazon

Around 13 per cent of original forest area deforested by 2014, according to a new report

Protectors dubbed criminals

Tribals in Madhya Pradesh celebrate festival to reclaim forests; officials say they are encroaching land

Fading beauty

Changing climate conditions in the Northeast are wiping out the fragile orchids. Will other species follow?

Why environmental degradation is a big health risk

Down To Earth and Centre for Science and Environment jointly release Body Burden 2015, an annual health report

Jumbo conflict

Human-elephant conflict is rising across India. Every year nearly 400 people are killed by elephants and about 100 elephants lose their lives. …

One step forward, two steps back

Countries want to do little to keep global average temperature rise to below 2oC. The Warsaw climate talks have exposed this. A report by Uthra …

A look at some of the world’s most threatened forests

Unplanned and unrestrained activities for agriculture, industry and urbanisation are ruining our most important ally in nature—the forest

Daunting journey

Carbon particles from biomass burning and vehicles could be discolouring the Taj Mahal. Down To Earth returns to the monument, a symbol of …

Pollution threatens Taj Mahal

Despite crores being spent on its upkeep, air and water pollution continue to threaten the Taj Mahal

Living on the edge

Coastal South Asia is fragile and vulnerable to climate change impacts. Yet, governments are setting up industries, ports and promoting tourism …

Wild & fragile

The Western Ghats in the south of India have forests which are, for some plant species, their exclusive home on this earth. No wonder then, that …

"The awareness here is dismal"

Karnataka High Court's Justice M F Saldanha has emerged as one of judiciary's standard bearers in the ongoing battle to save the environment. His …