Political economy of welfare
The BJP-led government's change of heart for big-ticket rural programmes says a lot about its dwindling political fortune
Deforestation rampant in Malawi as residents chop forests to produce charcoal for fuel
Charcoal trade has emerged as a viable means of livelihood for the power-starved villagers
Rivulet resurrected in 45 days
Thousands of people working under NREGS bring a 38 km stream back from the dead in Uttar Pradesh
Giant snail invasion
People in Kerala village spend nights battling large snails that devour plants and nibble at walls
Twice Unlucky
In 1962, it was the Indo-Chinese war. Now it is the creation of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Once again, the Bhotiyas, who inhabit the …
Barring the muck
The Tihar jail exemplifies how efficient waste management not only makes our surroundings clean, but also endows us with economic benefits. What …
Protocol to protect RTI activists in the works
If a single panchayat-level activist can expose corruption worth Rs 25 lakh, then each needs protection for effective implementation of …
A million opportunities lost
The ruling alliance’s flagship rural employment programme took unprecedented strides in creating water conservation structures across the …
Big hikes in rural spending
Funds for MGNREGA maintained at Rs.33,000 crore, same as in 2012-13
Victim of its success
MGNREGA blamed for causing labour shortage; cut in budgetary support likely
Jobs and the environment
Bihar elections 2020: Who is talking about safai karmacharis?
The Bihar govt refuses to identify manual scavengers; the latter continue to face abuse and death threats
Mr Prime Minister good news
The finance minister has said that the government is committed to double farmers' income in five years. Here are a few villages across the …
How tribal leadership in Chhattisgarh is helping people access rights
The civil society’s intervention in the tribal regions began in early 1980s on two issues-sustainable livelihood, particularly in forest …
DRDA faces axe
District Rural Development Agency in conflict with Constitution; committee suggests its abolition
Water turns the tide
A barren district of Rajasthan is seeing development, thanks to rains last year and flood in 2006
Profiting from disaster
Zoramthanga , the chief minister of Mizoram, has many reasons to reminisce the birth of his party, the Mizo National Front, an insurgent group …
No toilet at home? Can’t contest local body polls in Bihar, says Nitish
State government to make amendments to the existing Bihar Panchayati Raj Act
Foodgrains risk rot
No place to store seven million tonnes of procured foodgrains
Sweet beris of Thar
Residents dig shallow wells to tap sweet water reserves
Sure cure: how to tackle India's undernutrition crisis in 10 steps
The finance ministry and the planning department can play an overarching role by ensuring health programmes get sufficient resources
After a week in office, Modi government sets its agenda
The new government faces its first parliamentary session. Down To Earth puts together the agenda of the government in key sectors
Tapping the skills of the gun makers of Munger
Traditional gun makers in Bihar's Munger district are exceptionally skilled; with a little help they could find jobs in legal arms factories
The poverty quibble
Government claims a huge drop in poverty numbers but critical indicators—health, malnutrition and wages—continue to be grim. So how …
The desperation of farmers