Over half of world’s mangroves face collapse due to human actions and climate change

Mangrove ecosystems play crucial role in sequestering carbon, providing livelihoods and protecting populations from hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons

Combating forest fires in focus on Day 1 of UN forum; India shares revised National Forest Policy

About 100 million hectares of forest or 3% of world’s total forest area affected by fires each year

UNFF: Countries adopt declaration on forest protection, emphasise on adopting technology for monitoring

The resolution paves the path for strengthening the International Arrangement on Forests, says UNFF19 Chair

Madagascar’s ancient baobab forests are being restored by communities — with a little help from AI

Deforestation driven by slash-and-burn agriculture and vanishing of large-bodied animals that would spread the boabab seeds major reasons for decline

DTE Coverage of UNFF19

New York City event ended with adoption of declaration on forest protection, emphasis on adopting technology for monitoring

Early warning systems and controlled burning for forest fire management in talks at UN Forum on Forests

By end of forum on May 10, declaration aims to achieve agreement on a high-level political commitment to forest protection

Climatisation caused by commercialisation has reduced forest governance to carbon sinks

State regulation and community-led initiatives could offer better pathways for effective forest governance, the report at UN Forum on Forests suggests

Siberia burning again; state of emergency declared in Irkutsk’s Bratsk district, Jewish Oblast & Khabarovsk Krai

Heatwave in 2020 caused ‘world’s coldest inhabited place’ to boil at 38°C; subsequent wildfires increased emissions …

Apogee of the mountain lore: Abiding sway of village deities tie together ecological conservation & spirituality

Uttarakhand's folk traditions play a major role in conserving its forests amid unbridled development push in the hills

Over 100 Odisha Gram Sabhas exercise forest rights, cut out middlemen to sell kendu leaves directly

Move helping villagers get better prices, ensuring on gap in collection of leaves from all areas and helping underprivileged tribes

‘Restoring tree cover may lead to global warming but only in some places’

Forest restoration scientist Susan Cook-Patton on albedo change due to restoring tree cover and ideal places for climate-positive reforestation 

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (April 25, 2024)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal  

The high and mighty Himalayas: A biodiversity hotbed facing significant challenges

The warming rate in the Himalayas is three times higher than the global average

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (April 22, 2024)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal

UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: Progress towards protecting indigenous territories slow, say experts

Though the Indigenous Peoples have a crucial role in protecting land, they receive less than 1% of climate finance

Iconic Tiger Hill near Darjeeling under ‘development’ threat, NGT pulls up government departments

An environmentalist moved court listing several detrimental activities in the  area; departments nudge one another 

Rights ensured under FRA are not just ‘enjoyment rights’

The misreading of the forest title deed, has become a stumbling block to the entitlements of title holders

Sweden has vast ‘old growth’ forests – but they are being chopped down faster than the Amazon

There is no direct monitoring of these forests, no thorough environmental impact assessments and most of the public don’t seem to be aware …

Nature-based solutions can help Sundarbans survive

Mangroves hold crucial resources that can help protect the rich and diverse biosphere

Why Forest Conservation Amendment Act may be deemed unconstitutional

The Amendment represents a regressive step, reverting to a colonial-era mindset that emphasises control over nature and legal recognition

World Forest Day 2024: Indian forests are losing their ability to absorb carbon dioxide due to climate change

While increasing CO2 levels can initially boost photosynthesis, the warming sun acts like a cruel twist, hindering enzymes crucial for the process

Rewarding the custodians of forests: Payments for ecosystem services can help foster community conservation

These incentives are not handouts, but rather a long-overdue recognition of the invaluable services these communities have been providing for …

World Forest Day 2024: Rajasthan communities at risk of losing land

Village residents oppose declaring traditional pastoral land as deemed forests, fearing loss of access and livelihood

Forests’ lingering question

Nearly three decades have passed since the Supreme Court ruling in 1996, which mandated the use of dictionary definition to delineate forests. …

‘Lianas threaten Earth’s carbon sinks’

Field ecologist Alain Ngute explains how lianas have lower carbon sequestering capacity than trees & when they compete for sunlight in the …