After India, China rejects patent claim for hepatitis C drug Sovaldi

Activists claim that the drug was developed using previously published information and an existing compound

A natural secret

Policymakers don't need to go too far to eradicate poverty. The solution is as close as is a village well to a villager

Mandla Brimful of thirst

Average rainfall: 1,300 mm Irrigation: 2% of gross cropped area

Sarguja Losing battle

First district for tribal development Rampant deforestation Malnutrition and starvation deaths

Dungarpur A 'common' death

Once rich in forest and grazing land Now known as 20th century desert 68% population 'marginal and unemployed'

Phulbani Access to poverty

Sal forest worth: Rs 30,000 crore 85% population dependent on forest 65% people below poverty line

The weather mart

Met department is not the only one predicting weather in India. Forecasts are now sold by businesses to businesses

Highs and lows

The government's vanaspati van scheme is good news, but for it to succeed small-scale farmers and local communities have to be brought in its fold

Grow more

There is no land to cultivate medicinal plants, neither are there any legal provisions, nor market access. At present, the risks involved are …

Predicting the future

A severe shortage of medicinal plants and herbs threatens ISM. Cultivation may be the only way out. But currently medicinal plants that are …

A Himalayan Tragedy

People who have no idea about forests step in to further trade, while the indigenous herb gatherers get exploited further

Herbal heist

Hand-in-glove with the forest department, traders of medicinal plants and herbs make hay while communities who depend on herb gathering for …

A Sunrise industry

Natural dye business survives on exporters and the local carpet industry

No business drive

Research efforts on natural colours are not helping the traditional industry

Fruitful deliberations

Two global meetings chart a course for weeding out biopiracy

REVIVING WISDOM

Rainwater is abundant in India. So is its mismanagement. This has led to a human-made water scarcity. The only way to solve modern India's water …

Searching for Roots

India's wealth of flora and fauna provide a rainbow of natural dyes

Orphans of the river

Riverine fisherfolk, arguably the oldest among traders, are being sold down the river. An unholy synergy of poisoned rivers, government apathy …

Obituary: Pushpa Mitra Bhargava, a conscientious scientist and advocate of scientific temper

In the death of Dr Pushpa Mittra Bhargava, India has lost one of the most vocal advocates of scientific temper and rationality in India

World Food Day: our agriculture must keep pace with changing climate

To feed the world, agriculture, along with forestry, fisheries and livestock, needs to become more resilient and productive

Third side of a coin!

We must not manifest prejudices against societies with primitive technology, without understanding their challenges completely

Wisdom roots

Finally, community forest rights

Tribals of BR Hills can now manage resources in Karnataka reserve

Printers' devil

The Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan High Court has ordered the relocation of Sanganer's polluting dyeing and printing units within a year. Failure …

Chayawanprash, an ayurvedic tonic has artificial sweetner