On the impacts of nanotechnology
Barry Castleman, an environmental consultant and expert on workplace health hazards, tells Arnab Pratim Dutta about nanotechnology's impacts
Fascism on the internet
The US seizure of domain names on the web is ostensibly a crackdown on online piracy but it could end up as censorship
'Open forests for livestock grazing'
Otaram Dewasi, Rajasthan's Minister of Dairy, Devasthan and Gaupalan department and India’s first cow minister, tells Down To Earth how the …
New Bill, old problems
The government is considering setting up a new authority to regulate civil nuclear facilities, saying it will be autonomous and more powerful …
Mining at deep sea
Countries are delving deeper into the ocean to explore its mineral wealth. The deposits on the ocean floor are enormous and the ecology of this …
Handloom threatened
Textile ministry proposes change in definition of handloom. Weavers fear it can ruin the tradition
Health Act faces hurdles
Centre drafts guidelines to regulate clinical establishments; Indian Medical Association resists
Is new land bill up to mark?
Draft land bill proposes higher compensation for land acquisitions, but complaints persist
Paradise in peril
Galpagos, an archipelago straddling the equator 1,000 km west of Ecuador, is probably the world's best-known biodiversity zone. But alien species …
When homemakers unite
Housewives in Kolkata move the court against the irresponsible and negligent functioning of factories in their area
Dead end for diesel buses
Polluting public transport vehicles sent packing as apex court refuses to extend green makeover deadline
Swamped
The convoluted laws of the country fail to tackle the menace caused by the exponentially growing and powerful plastic industry in India
Rivers(e) effect
The Andhra Pradesh government is all set to purify Musi river, which has been given top priority under the National River Conservation plan, by …
Controls off for diesel generators
Key environmental clause deleted from rules governing diesel generator sets barely six months after implementation
Government notifies new solid waste management rules
These will replace the Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000, which have been in place for the past 16 years
Bonded motherhood
Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill doesn’t protect surrogate mothers’ rights: Planning Commission
Land of discord
Origin of the relentless strife in Bodoland lies in a series of blunders, right from colonial times
Old Batteries New Rules
The Indian government comes out with the draft rules for recycling lead acid batteries. Their effectiveness is questionable
A system in shambles
Weak, corrupt and ineffective implementing institutions make compliance and enforcement of environmental laws abysmally poor in India. Can …
Auto Fool Policy
The Auto Fuel Policy makes a mockery of Delhi's pollution crisis by proposing a pedestrian roadmap. Live and die with pollution. You deserve …
A mixed bag
The Bangladesh government sends thin plastic bags packing, but has Dhaka seen the last of them? Pinaki Roy on the ban's efficacy
In reverse gear
The Mashelkar Committee's interim report on the country's auto fuel policy proves to be a major setback for the CNG campaign
Arvind Netam
ARVIND NETAM was, till the mid-1990s, one of the most promising tribal politicians of India. He was deputy minister of education in 1973. He …
Jual Oram
JUAL ORAM, Union minister of tribal affairs, is in the Lok Sabha from the Sundargarh constituency in Orissa
Jayanta Rongpi
JAYANTA RONGPI is a doctor and a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist). He represents Karbi-Anglong in Assam, a seat reserved …