Why Union Budget 2022-23 is not good in environmental terms
By slashing allocation for environmental organisations, regulatory boards and introducing infrastructure development schemes, the Centre has sent …
Top 10 stories of the week that was (July 29-August 4)
Down To Earth recaps the primary environment, health and developmental news from the week just gone by
Study unravels how ocean warming impacts early development of Giant Kelp, can aid conservation
At higher temperatures, spore release increased but other reproductive processes were hindered
Chhattisgarh Assembly passes resolution against Hasdeo coal mining
State’s lawmakers urge Union government to cancel coal blocks allocated in forests; Echo long-standing opposition by tribals, activists
Web-GIS platform created in Chhattisgarh to resolve conflict while filing CFR claims
Creators admit shortcomings in the platform but say they are not final authority on land rights and boundaries
Forest Survey Report 2021: Overall decadal decline in forest cover in India’s 52 tiger reserves, Gir
Tiger reserves in India have lost 22.62 sq km of forest over the last decade while Gir has lost 33.43 sq km
A third of India’s coastline underwent erosion in 28 years, Bengal worst affected
27% of coastline expanded between 1990 and 2018, according to a report by Union Ministry of Earth Sciences
Similipal fire serves as lesson on human activity within protected areas, say experts
With reports citing Mahuli flower collection as the cause of the fire, experts advise caution for those who enter PAs
Weak governance escalating deforestation in Tanzania: FAO report
Of the total land area (88.3 mn hectares) in the African country, 55% is under forest cover. According to 2017 estimates, deforestation occurred …
Nearly 213 ha in protected areas diverted between April and July
Standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife approved 21 projects for diversion, deferred 7 for later
Nearly 500 ha forest land in protected areas diverted in 2019
Standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife gave nod to carry out 68 projects in protected areas
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
Amazon forests threatened: 10% more wildfires than last year, environmental gains may be undone
Anthropogenic climate change has made the forests more prone to wildfires
SC slaps Rs 10 lakh fine on Mumbai metro, but permits felling of 177 trees in Aarey forest
Controversy over constructing a metro car shed inside Aarey has been brewing since 2014
Profit an illusion for these Madhya Pradesh tribals forced to sell products to middlemen
Most of the tribal families here sell their products to intermediaries because of the unavailability of proper markets
Estimating the potential of community forest rights: What makes implementation challenging
Given the complexity of land and forest settlement in India and the poor quality of land records and maps available, generating an estimate is …
Preventing forest loss on private land can aid elephant conservation: Paper
Elephants prefer areas close to forests, with high vegetation cover and low human population densities, according to a recently published …
Here’s why Centre’s new SOP may damage Environment Impact Assessment regime
MoEF&CC’s new guidelines no deterrent; rather, they send a message to violators to ‘pay their way through’
Draft EIA notification 2020: Is it contra legem to international conventions, judicial verdicts
The draft Environment Impact Assessment notification aims to set aside several essential provisions such as public consultation, and plans to …
New mining leases deemed to have all approvals for 2 years: Environment ministry
New lessee will take on water, air, forest rights and other liabilities from the previous lessee
‘Waiving off oil, gas exploration clearance could’ve grave consequences’
Oil and gas exploration poses huge risk to islands, fishing areas, breeding grounds and migratory routes, says CSE expert
New MoEF guidelines for elephant deaths from anthrax
Environment ministry suggests official team to collect biological samples, dispose infected carcasses safely and map anthrax hotspots
Involving indigenous people in environmental governance — the Sixth Schedule way
Customary practices of the North East’s tribal population are harmonious with nature. Extensive recognition and conferment of rights over …
India continues to lose forest land to non-forestry projects
Central environment ministry reports diversion of 11,467 hectares forest land in 2019 (up to first week of November)
Project Tiger, CAMPA funds used to finance cheetah project: Centre
Barda wildlife sanctuary in Gujarat being developed as a second home for Asiatic lions