Investment in walking, cycling must to prevent road accidents, fight climate change

Compared to high-income countries, more people die in low-to middle-income countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America due to road accidents

When the Himalayas lose: Assessing Char Dham Pariyojana judgment

The route, which connects 4 ancient Himalayan pilgrimages, runs through fragile valleys of Bhagirathi: The Ganga, Alaknanda, Mandakini and Yamuna

India's ambitious plan to boost biofuel likely to fail without roadmap

In Chhattisgarh, which was supposed to emerge as a biofuel hub by 2014, the plan for establishing biodiesel industry never took off

Indian roads not environment-friendly; Centre explores potential of inland waterways

Poor road conditions cause India an annual loss of US $21.3 billion. That’s nearly what it allocated for agriculture and farmer welfare, …

Highway projects mow down ecolaws

India's road networking plan, one of the few projects that are progressing ahead of schedule, is flouting a number of environmental guidelines

How we feel about our cars means the road to a driverless future may not be smooth

Research suggests people’s attitudes to driving and their cars could limit predicted benefits to traffic flow and city efficiency

Centre asks road-making authorities to avoid construction in protected areas

Get all clearances for unavoidable projects through national parks, sanctuaries: Ministry to NHAI, others

Walking and good roads a fundamental right: Bombay HC

In most Indian cities, pedestrians outnumber vehicle users. Yet, they remain invisible in policy action

RTI reveals MoEF&CC cleared 3 highway proposals disregarding WII’s views

Ranthambhore tigers, Chambal gharials and a host of other species could be in trouble due to the clearance given to the highway proposals

Fat? Blame petrol

Book>> The Energy Glut: The Politics of Fatness in an Overheating World • Ian Roberts with Phil Edwards, • Zed Books • £12

THE FOUNTAINHEAD DONGRIPARA, DHAMTARI DISTRICT, CHATTISGARH

Spark came from non-recognition as a village • Integrated management of forest and water • Sees self-governance as a matter of …

THE SECOND INDEPENDENCE

Tiny forgotten villages teach India a firsthand lesson in governance. Down To Earth reporters and photographers fan out to six states to discover …

A memo to the government

To be a truly participatory republic, India must take tutorials from these tiny republics

In Birsa's Land: Horomocho (Hazaribagh, Jharkhand)

A coal mine to own and manage • Sustainability not profit as a principle • Revival of an ancient Santhal system of governance

Unshakable: Nimalapedu (Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh)

Reminded India of its constitutional mandate for village autonomy • Fought bauxite companies for not getting gram sabha consent • Has …

A Republican Paradise: Mendha (Gadchirolli, Maharashtra)

Defied the Forest Act ÔÇó Every resident contributes part of annual income for community works ÔÇó If somebody bribes a …

Consumer information system on fuel economy can help car buyers go green

Fuel efficiency is rarely a consumer’s primary concern, and vehicle manufacturers have little incentive to innovate technology 

Union Budget 2019-20: Blue sky thinking hits grey sky limit

New budget gives miss to blue-sky mission. Offers only a few sectoral hooks in transport and energy to nudge clean air action

India’s smart cities will need smart transport

With many Indian cities set to become larger than most countries, both in terms of GDP and population, mobility should be high on agenda

Road safety bill: Can it help achieve zero mortality?

Experts attending a roundtable organised by Delhi non-profit Centre for Science and Environment urge for a people-centric law rather than one …

Unregulated import of used vehicles bad for Africa: Report

Trade in old and used vehicles from high-income countries causes massive environmental dumping and toxic pollution

Court Digest: Major environment hearings of the week (July 27-31, 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

Man-made reasons for Uttarakhand disaster

Expansion of hydel projects, roads and tourism is making the Himalaya in Uttarakhand crumble

On two legs and a prayer

Walkers outnumber people using vehicles in every Indian city. But city plans have no space for pedestrians, nor do urban roads. Will town …

Uttarakhand disaster was result of extreme rains and haphazard development: report

National Institute of Disaster Management suggests guidelines and action plans for development activities after compilation of comprehensive data