Khejri – the wonder tree of Thar desert

The khejri tree is a lifeline for the desert ecosystem in Rajasthan as it provides food and shelter to many animals, besides being used by humans …

This Ladakhi village is growing organic watermelons; here is how

Army scientists helped Ladakhi farmers use mulching and changing climate to grow a hot weather fruit in a cold desert

Climate change: How India's desert states will be affected

Around half the population in these areas depend on agriculture

Locust attack: Excessive pesticide use will take its toll on Thar ecology

The strongest pesticides used to counter locust invasions will leech into waterbodies and crops, say experts

Climate opportunity: How did Rajasthan harvest rainwater after the early monsoon of 2023?

The rains of May and June 2023 broke records of the last 100 years for western Rajasthan districts. The villagers turned this havoc of rain into …

Locust attack: India faces worst-ever pest invasion

Apart from India, the pests have attacked 60 countries including Pakistan and Somalia, that have declared national emergencies

Mange in Jaisalmer’s desert foxes worries experts

Unless the forest department treats infected foxes, the disease will spread, they warn

Sighting of desert cat termed ‘rare’ by MP is not rare after all, say independent wildlife experts

Sighting of the cat in jungles in not unusual, claim experts with ‘photographic evidence‘ captured as recently as 2018

Kalahari weaver birds lay bigger eggs when they have female helpers to feed nestlings

This is the first formal evidence in birds that maternal investment in eggs changes with the availability of help

Why are dates used to break the Ramadan fast?

The answer lies in geography, theology and modern science

Simply Put: Killing locusts

How Ethiopia’s conflict has affected farming in Tigray

While it was in a minimal food insecurity situation before the war, the larger part of Tigray has now entered emergency and famine conditions

The hopper bands in Wayanad are not locusts

A member of IUCN’s grasshopper specialist group explains the truth about the infestation in Pulpally, Wayanad

To beat water shortage, these youths in Kinnaur’s cold desert created artificial glacier by watching YouTube videos

Himachal Pradesh is already showing signs of drought-like situation, with hardly any snow or rain this winter

How a community came together to overcome the ODF challenge in Rajasthan's Thar desert

Learn how Churu built toilets much before the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission

Locust attack: Plague a grim reminder of climate change's reality

Change in cyclonic patterns in Arabian Sea behind locust invasions in Africa, west and south Asia, say experts

Locust attack: Global swarming

The increase in frequency of climate change-triggered events, like cyclones, has resulted in extended and multiple breeding seasons of locusts …

These farmers in Bikaner, Rajasthan have faced locusts 3 times in one year

They face an uncertain future as many have not received any help from the government

There is a desert in Tamil Nadu and the dunes are red

There are a couple of theories regarding the formation of these dunes, the most plausible being the role of south west monsoonal winds

Drying land and heating seas: why nature in Australia’s southwest is on the climate frontline

Australia must take responsibility for its emissions and show ambition beyond the weak promise of net zero by 2050 and commit to real 2030 …

Fighting locust attacks: How about putting them on the plate

Locust outbreaks create opportunities to develop protein-rich feed for fish and livestock, including poultry, pigs and pets

Cold desert regions need special attention: Experts

The expanse of deserts in these regions appears to be growing because of progressive melting of glaciers due to climate change

Ladakh’s arid winter: Cold desert will face short- & long-term repercussions, warn experts

Apricots have blossomed & insects seen in peak winter; the Zojila is motorable even as the Chader Trek has started later this year

Deserts not deserted, but full of floral, faunal activity

These unforgiving lands may appear lifeless only to the unacquainted, but they are a unique and living ecosystem

Winter Capital: How Khichan, a village in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district, came to host demoiselle cranes

Down To Earth’s photographer Vikas Choudhary captures the village of Khichan and its annual visitors