Rubber-stamp Authority
State environment regulatory bodies formed under the 2006 Environmental Impact Assessment notification have floundered. They have little …
At the heart of Dharavi model: Basic public health, resolve in community to beat COVID-19
Screening-isolating-testing worked for the densely populated area where physical distancing would be next to impossible
Mendha Lekha residents gift all their farms to gram sabha
Village does away with private ownership of land, saying it will lead to a stronger community.
Unsteady buildings
Frequency of building collapses a big concern. Authorities are trying to fix the mess by introducing newer complications
Water starved village caught in Bt debate
Bhamb Raja rues Bt seed major Monsanto and farmers activists exploit its plight to achieve their own goals
Happily uprooted
A well-calculated compensation plan eases relocation pain of forest dwellers from the core area of Melghat Tiger Reserve
Back in f(l)avour
Entry of high yielding hybrid rice has spelt doom for traditional diversity in the Konkan belt. Thanks to a science academy, the ancient legacy …
The right blend
Ethanol, a safer alternative to MTBE, will now be mixed with petrol to curb emissions. Lopamudra Banerjee analyses the impact of this environment-…
Monsoon 2020: Rains advance over Peninsular India from June 1-7
India received 70% more rains during this week than it usually does at this time
Water proved crucial for BJP’s victory in Maharashtra election
Chief ministerial candidate Devendra Fadnavis was instrumental in unearthing the irrigation scam; many candidates who worked on water …
Rivers, up close and personal
Over centuries people have learnt to live with rivers. They are part of our lives but over the past 150 years this association has weakened. A …
Is Maharashtra tendu trade rule amendment a trap for gram sabhas?
Forest department's move may be a ploy to retain control over trade in forest produce, say activists
Industry paid for IP seminars to train judges
Microsoft and Indian Music Industry funded FICCI to hold roundtable for Maharashtra judiciary; judges handling piracy cases special invitees
India's nutritional puzzle
From the maw of the Indian state there has emerged an undigested piece of development cake: nutritionally speaking, people's diets are out of …
‘Ambarnath chemical accident everyday occurrence in Thane area’
Residents allege state pollution control board has been allowing industries to pollute Ulhaas river and its tributaries by circumventing court orders
907 km from parliament
In the past two months, India has revisited its most contested dam, the Sardar Sarovar Project. While people affected by it in Madhya Pradesh …
Book The economics of biodiversity conservation valuation in tropical forest ecosystems
Book>> The Economics of Biodiversity Conservation Valuation in Tropical Forest Ecosystems
Rain lash
Four-hour deluge washed away not just crops but also soil from 5,000 hectares in Maharashtra. Experts warn of more such weather events. Is the …
A tale of two interpretations
Aparna Pallavi recounts struggles of residents of a tiny village in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra to get ownership of forest resources
State inaction
The traditional forest dweller has had very few entitlements down centuries. Guardian of the forest, he has been regarded as encroacher by the …
Court Digest: Major environment hearings of the week (July 6-10, 2020)
Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal through the week
When mining interests prevail over SC order
Uttar Pradesh where IAS officer Durga Shakti got suspended after taking on politicians involved in sand mining is not the only state to bypass …
Cyclone Nisarga: Mumbai to bear the brunt
Cyclone Nisarga’s landfall will finish in three hours, storm surge, heavy rain and winds expected in Mumbai
Will BJP’s projected win help Vidarbha’s cause?
Vidarbhavadis hope BJP, which during its earlier stint at the Centre carved out three new states, will be more sympathetic to their demands
Maharashtra elections: Farmers warm up to the idea of guaranteed income
Community youth’s fascination with development, however, is likely to split the farmers’ votes