Regulatory battle

Industry and activists have expressed conflicting opinions on GM crops. GEAC has a difficult decision to make

Curative resolve

A dose of political will, backed by communication skills, can help combat infectious diseases

G8 and tragedy of Africa

Rich nations are forcing African states to change laws to facilitate private investment in agriculture in a replay of colonial adventurism

Missing timber for wood

As the demand-supply gap for timber widens in India, it is time to exploit the potential of private plantations and government-managed forests in …

Fanning an alternative

Progressive Maharashtra has rushed to install wind energy plants. But, ask nidhi jamwal and shikha lakhanpal, reporting from Mumbai and Dhule, …

Into the abyss?

The situation of India's farmers has only become grimmer in the past decade, according to the latest National Sample Survey Office report

It’s still open season for bio-piracy

Rich nations block accord on benefit-sharing rules for the world’s genetic resources

Lessons from two cities

Pune aims to become a zero-landfill city by 2015. With a range of solid waste management options, the target does not seem too ambitious. …

Indian thermal power plants got Rs 7.62 lakh crore in loans in 17 years: Report

Tamil Nadu got the most loans at over Rs 84,000 crore; followed by Telangana, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh

Perilous port

Proposed seaport in Vizhinjam can spell disaster for fishers, tourism and biodiversity in Kerala

On wrong wavelength

Twenty years after the Supreme Court asserted that people have a right over radio waves, community radio continues to struggle. Instead of …

World bodies to push for bringing Africa into carbon trade net

African Carbon Forum meet an opportunity to review progress on climate change mitigation in the continent'

Elderly & lonely

India has more elderly people than ever before. Most of them have little social security and cannot afford healthcare. While the government seems …

Hidden industry hand

Attempts are on to derail UN initiative to declare noncommunicable diseases a global priority

Salvage science

Scientific Advisory Council to Prime Minister seeks more funds and education reforms in science sector

The new Money plant

The seeds of a plant called jatropha yield oil that, after processing, makes biodiesel. It can reduce India's burgeoning oil import bill. And …

The weather mart

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

When flu turns fatal

In the past two months, as many as 1,198 people in India have died of swine flu, a disease which is only as threatening as seasonal flu. Jyotsna …

Myth of power

Nourisher of an ancient civilization, the Ganga could be gasping for its survival. Every few kilometres the water of its tributaries will be …

WHO's problem

As most developed countries shy away from increasing their contribution, a cash-strapped World Health Organization is forced to rely on private …

Keeping cancer alive

Punjab has been in the grip of cancer for over a decade but the government has ignored the threat. Sonal Matharu reports with photographer …

Biotech industry has a new patron

Department of Biotechnology is playing venture capitalist to private companies to push biotech research in agriculture

"Lessons in waste disposal from Lahore"

Ata-Ul-Haq is CEO of Green Technology Environmental Corporation, which set up Pakistan's first mega composting plant in Lahore in 2006. He …

Reservoir of dams

Arunachal Pradesh is awarding hydroelectric projects to private companies at the breakneck speed of one every nine days without proper scrutiny. …

Ash flies in the face of power plan

Odisha gears up for more power generation but has no action plan for disposing of fly ash