PM Modi’s Independence Day speech focuses on food security, clean energy

Social justice, clean energy, agricultural reforms and rural electrification find mention in PM Modi's speech

How true were PM Modi’s claims made during Independence Day speech?

A probing look into his claims reveals that not all that he said is in sync with the official data

Drought hinders efforts to make Maharashtra open defecation-free

The drought scenario in Maharashtra forces us to think what will happen to the ambitious plan of making the state 100 per cent Open Defecation-free

No more N-I-M-B-Y

Our excessive reliance on 'others' to manage 'our' waste has let the situation go out of hand

Half the public places do not manage waste water and litter

A government survey of 16 states in India finds that 51% and 53% public spaces in hills and plains respectively have unhygienic surroundings

Poor sanitation cost India 5.2% of its GDP

Lack of access to sanitation wiped off US $106.7 billion from India's GDP in 2015. It is almost half of the total global losses

Smart city financing laden with trouble

Allocation of funds is not equitable even as local bodies face difficulties in generating money

Inaugural issue of Down To Earth Hindi exposes poor progress of Swachh Bharat Mission

Besides pointing out the associated risks of poor sanitation, the analysis also shows the enormous challenge before the NDA government

Not yet clean

Swachh Bharat Mission completes two years, but India is far from achieving its goal.

Behaviour change at many levels needed to make India open defecation-free

National Consultation on Rural Sanitation calls for triggering mindset change, but lack of credible data on health and sanitation is a challenge

Twice bitten, not yet shy

The gross mismanagement of our city’s environment is making us sick

Sense of ownership is equally important: Kurukshetra DC

To look beyond toilets and establish a connection between sanitation and health to trigger a change of mindset in rural India was the central …

Rural Kerala declared open defecation-free

All city areas are expected to become ODF by January 1 and a majority of municipalities have already achieved the target

Improved water supply needed to reduce child mortality linked to sanitation: WHO

The study observes a general gradual decline in malnutrition with increasing access to water soruces

Could bio-toilets solve India's sanitation problems and save the Yamuna river?

The Indian Railways is now adopting bio-toilets in recognition of their affordability, ease of maintenance and water savings

The dirty truth

On the occasion of the World Toilet Day, we present some stark truths about sanitation challenges in India, including the progress report of the …

In Parliament on November 24, 2016

Here’s a round-up of environmental and developmental issues that were discussed and debated in the Lok Sabha

Why it's easier for India to get to Mars than to tackle its toilet challenge

For an emerging country like India, it is relatively easier to take part in exploratory missions to Mars than to tackle its sanitation challenge

Tying up with sanitation ecosystems

It is imperative to reimagine the role of the corporate beyond funding and infrastructure creation to achieve a sustainable sanitation ecosystem

Sanitary insights

January 2, 2017, is the 15th death anniversary of Anil Agarwal, founder of the Centre for Science and Environment and Down To Earth. This year, …

Blind spot in Namami Gange

By 2019, when Swachh Bharat Mission comes to an end, some 30 million septic tanks and pits would have been dug along the Ganga. It's time the …

Economic Survey underlines effect of demonetisation, lowers growth forecast

Fiscal prudence by the Centre as well as the states is needed in order to maintain overall fiscal health of the economy

Budget focuses on Gramin Swachh Bharat, clean railways

Swachh Bharat Gramin allocated almost 55 per cent higher funds; by 2019 all coaches of Indian Railways to be fitted with bio toilets 

Water-sensitive innovations to transform health of slums and environment

A five-year project announced today will implement an innovative water-sensitive approach tailored to informal settlements. The goal is to …

A first-of-a-kind campaign in Pune creates awareness about sanitary waste segregation

The Red Dot Campaign by SWaCH cooperative is sensitising people about the importance of proper handling and disposal of sanitary waste