Cat on the Roof of the World: Pallas’s cat DNA found on Mount Everest

The cats share their territory with the red fox. Their main prey on Everest are pika, a cousin of the rabbit and mountain weasel

New poster released to highlight threat to orchids from illegal trade

The poster was released ahead of Save the Himalayas Day 2022 and depicted 11 species protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972

'We could discover new bird species in the eastern Himalayas'

Trevor Price has been studying birds in India since 1972, investigating breeding biology and bird distributions, especially in the Himalayas. He …

Fragrance of life

Rhododendrons are usually promoted as ornamentals. But, the plant provides a lifeline to an array of rich flora and fauna in Sikkim

Experts seek more protected areas in Sikkim

Sikkim harbours many endemic plant species and studies have predicted that about 17-18 per cent of endemic plants may get wiped out by 2050 …

After dry spell, heavy rains damage trans-Arunachal highway

Despite a rain deficit, connectivity is affected due to heavy landslides on critical roads connecting the remote Himalayan state with the rest of …

Chamoli disaster: Why proposed glaciology centre in Uttarakhand was shelved

A glaciology centre was approved for construction in the Himalayan region in 2009; in 2020, it was merged with another institute there 

White Death: Search, rescue operations called off at Sikkim’s Nathula road 

All victims had been accounted for, according to the Gangtok district collector

A bigger, stronger earthquake is in the offing

New study reveals how small and medium earthquakes in turn trigger giant Himalayan earthquakes

White Death: Avalanche strikes near Sikkim’s Nathula Road for the first time; seven tourists killed, 13 rescued 

NDRF to arrive tomorrow for further rescue operation

Promote insect-eating to benefit indigenous peoples

Ethnic communities are traditional custodians of entomophagy. They must not be sidelined as policymakers and industry ready plans to promote …

Himalayan plunder: Nature-friendly & participatory initiatives are the only hope for recovery, says Madhav Gadgil

Projects such as the giant Tehri dam also play a role in exacerbating effects of disasters, as seen during the 2021 Chamoli flash floods

Asia, Pacific consuming natural resources too fast

WWF-ADB report recommends green growth and protection of terrestrial and marine environments

When exactly did the tiger colonise the Indian subcontinent?

Down To Earth popped the question to geneticists, historians and experts on the cat superstar. Here is what we were able to deduce

Floods, earthquakes, landslides: Why Arunachal’s Etalin hydel project can be a worry

Formation of glacial lakes driven by climate change and sesimic risks pose threat to nature and life; project’s environmental …

Himalayan plunder: Hydroelectric plans in Arunachal will effect downstream Assam too

Arunachal Pradesh is highly susceptible to landslides; debris flowing downstream will change river behaviour, fear experts