Environmental activists as politicians
Forest Rights Act: From rights on paper to rights in practice
Local civil society organisations play a vital role in helping forest-dwelling communities assert and exercise their collective rights
Confucian beliefs hindering organ donation in China
According to Confucianism, an intact body is needed in the afterlife, which is cited by relatives of terminally-ill patients to prevent them from …
Two more vulture species under threat
Is it diclofenac?
Science and Technology - Briefs
Hope is not the same as optimism, a psychologist explains — just look at MLK’s example
Long-term hope is a mindset that helps people endure challenges, tackle them head-on and keep their eyes on the goal
Ebola vaccine closer after scientists discover key protein
Presently, there are no authorised treatments to cure the disease
Water at the drop of a coin
An experiment in north Karnataka promises to solve rural drinking water woes
For free flow, Ganga gets a plethora of regulations
Here’s an analysis of the government’s proposed Ganga Bill in comparison to the alternate people’s draft bill presented by activists
Bombay High Court orders demolition of Adarsh Society
The HC has stayed the order for 12 weeks, giving time to the Maharashtra government to appeal in the Supreme Court
Ivory poaching: scientists trace origin to two hotspots in Africa
Researchers from the University of Washington matched the DNA fingerprint of ivory to the DNA profile of elephant dung to come to the conclusion
Rare copy of world’s first geological map of a nation found
The map and its theories, prepared by William Smith in the nineteenth century, led to the development of geology
Bihar district launches scheme to provide emergency healthcare through community donations
Kaimur district administration urges around 400,000 above poverty line households to donate Rs 10 each
India's first white paper on rare inherited disorders released
Paper asks government to improve diagnostic and treatment facilities for patients suffering from these disorders
COVID-19: Every third student in Indian Himalayan region couldn't access online classes
A rapid assessment studied pandemic-induced challenges & opportunities; it captured Himalayan students’ perspective of digital …
Proposed WTO reform aims to bully developing nations: Civil society members
Reform proposed at Ministerial Conference of World Trade Organisation will undermine participation & say of developing countries, feel experts
India’s proposed rules to curb web content to undercut digital freedom, privacy
Changes envisaged are far-reaching, making intermediaries accountable for content on their platforms; no longer eligible for safe harbour …
Will Olive Ridleys skip Odisha’s Rushikulya this time?
They are already a month late in turning up for mass nesting and experts suggest climate may be the one to blame
Kargil landslide: Centre considers controlled explosions
As the artificial lake created in the Phutkal river grows and with snow melt season around the corner authorities fear flash floods
Pro-poor schemes in plenty, but no end to tribal community struggles
Governance has virtually collapsed in tribal regions; most welfare and development schemes hardly reach even 10% of the targets
Olive Ridley turtles stay away from Rushikulya in Odisha this year
Experts say Olive Ridley turtles staying away from Rushikulya rookery in Odisha’s Ganjam is a natural phenomenon and is not unusual
'Relations between non-profits & govt are waning since liberalisation'
In the wake of arrests of 5 human rights activists by Maharashtra police, Down To Earth speaks to activists about what is bringing …
Monarch butterfly numbers rise even as scientists sound extinction alarm
Monarch numbers rose to 56. 5 million this year from a record low of 34 million last year
Abused, abandoned, neglected: The plight of India’s older women
Restoring dignity in women’s labour can give older women the care and respect they deserve in late life
SC stays own decision to transfer environmental cases from high courts to green tribunal
Adarsh housing case underscores lack of clarity on which cases can be decided by NGT