N2O emissions from Arctic soils not as low as previously thought: study
Until recently, scientists assumed that nitrous oxide emissions were negligible in colder climate regions like the Arctic and sub-Arctic
Nigeria shows way to reverse land degradation
Launched in 2015, NEWMAP — a World Bank project — has successfully restored gullies, along with catchment planning, soil and …
Is permaculture a real solution to agricultural distress?
Permaculture farming, which spread across the West as part of the hippie movement, is fast gaining ground in India among subsistence farmers and …
'Ours is a model of natural farming'
A couple in Kerala demonstrate that barren land can be brought back to life without using any external inputs.
Year-long tenancies deter soil conservation
The present land tenure laws do not encourage the conservation of agricultural land and lead to fallow patches, as is evident from the condition …
A third of India’s coastline underwent erosion in 28 years, Bengal worst affected
27% of coastline expanded between 1990 and 2018, according to a report by Union Ministry of Earth Sciences
Neem-coated growth
The Union government's decision to produce neem-coated urea will not only improve soil health and agriculture, but also halt its illegal …
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 …
Economic Survey 2019-20: Agriculture growth stagnant in last 6 years
Document emphasises sustainable agricultural practices to support farmers and avert water crisis
Dwindling tree cover dilates storm havoc
Cyclones that traverse the Indian peninsula from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea are a common enough feature. But over the past few years, …
Askew
As Parliament mulls the Seeds Bill 2004, there is intense opposition to it. It's likely the government will redraft it. sopan joshi and sourav …
Barges carrying fly ash from India to Bangladesh eroding Sundarbans: Bengal minister
Ghoramara island erosion cited as proof by a scientist; central agencies deny allegation
Secret lives of cougars: Pumas might be ‘gardening’ to attract prey to hunting hotspots
Study suggests prey carcasses fertilise the soil to grow nutrient-rich plants that attract large hooved mammals to hunting areas
'37% of natural springs, which contribute directly to the Ganga, are drying up'
Increasing instances of extreme rainfall are slowly leading to the crumbling of the Ganga's catchment area, says P C Tiwari, professor of …
Global warming increases carbon emissions from soil
Results of this study can help develop more accurate soil carbon and climate models, say researchers
A swami and sand mafia
Uttarakhand banned mining along Ganga over and again. Will it obey court order this time?
Not just groundwater, flouride has poisoned agricultural soil, crops in Bengal
Farmers in Bankura and Purulia rely on groundwater, heavily contaminated with flouride, to cultivate crops
Choking Mahananda: How Siliguri’s waste, water crisis is turning on its people
Rapid urbanisation, inefficient waste management and encroachment have turned the Mahananda into a drain. And farmers are losing livelihoods
Rising air pollution in West Bengal no longer a Kolkata syndrome
Lack of adequate monitoring of polluting industries beyond Kolkata among causes behind the trend, claim activists
India needs to protect its wetland flora
Wetland flora help maintain ecological balance and need to be conserved. However, only 68 wetlands are protected in India so far
Flushing down its traditions
A good society knows how to clean its rubbish. But instead of setting an example for the world through its traditional handling of human excreta,…
Forest fires - a trailblazer
Controlled burning of woodlands can be an effective tool for enriching the land and ecology. Dipanjan Ghosh looks at the possibilities
NASA confirms water on moon’s sunlit surface: What does it mean for lunar science
Water distributed across surface of the moon; can help understand how the solar system evolved
Flash droughts hit nearly 15% rice, maize areas in 1951-2018 monsoons: Study
At least 39 flash droughts occurred in 1951-2018; 82% occurred during the monsoon season, the study found
How communities in China helped keep desertification at bay
A fast-ageing population could deter efforts to achieve the United Nation’s target of zero land degradation by 2030