Shrouded in controversy
A mountaineering expedition into the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve revives the debate on ecotourism and people's rights over forests.
SC upbraids Centre for 'conniving with tobacco industry'
Directs it to effectively implement rules that severely restrict advertisement, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products
Durban turning futile as EU buries head in sand
With the carbon market in doldrums, emerging economies like India will have to announce bolder schemes for a low carbon future
Drug affordability test
Natco’s bid for a compulsory licence to manufacture a Bayer anti-cancer drug is a test of the law’s ‘reasonable price’ …
Dangers ahead at WTO
The trade facilitation agreement paves the way for fresh pressures on developing countries such as tariff cuts on industrial products
A lethal secrecy in trade deals
Why do democratic governments hide trade negotiations that have dire consequences for public services?
Odisha village takes up tendu trade, but finds no buyers
Government does not provide market linkages or support price after deregulating trade in the minor forest produce. It's a conspiracy, say activists
Caught in the net
The recent ban on shark hunting is only a partial victory for the conservationists. To make it a success, better networking between the coastal …
ACTA fury goes viral
Europe is on the boil over an anti-piracy bill that will curb Internet freedom but its impact on trade in generic medicines is not on the radar
What drives illegal trade in Asian bears
2,801 bears have been traded dead or alive for their parts and derivatives between 2000 and 2011 in Asia, especially in Cambodia and China, …
Khadi Industries gets flak for wanting to promote ivory production
Wildlife Crime Control Bureau says proposal to include ivory production and trade under prime minister's employment scheme violates wildlife law
Obama’s grand climate plan doesn’t add up
Obama used all the right words. He tried to please all. But ultimately it will not curb emissions in the US to the required levels. Further, it …
18 tribal villages in Maharashtra get tendu rights, finally
Sulking contractors refuse to put in auction bids; state tribal development corporation to the rescue
Shark in a soup
The fish, high in demand for its fin, is dwindling in the Indian waters. Will a mere ban on finning protect it?
Vietnam proposes legalising use of tiger parts in traditional medicines
International community, activists say move will undo tiger conservation efforts
Government rolls back ban on cotton exports
Commerce ministry had imposed ban on March 5 saying 9.4 million bales have already been shipped out of the country as against estimated exports …
Winged wonders: We should not resent bats, because we need them
The pandemic has magnified fear of bats, but their conservation is crucial to prevent such events from arising again
UN Crime Congress adopts Doha declaration on combatting wildlife crimes
International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime calls on members to recognise wildlife and forest crime as a transnational organised crime …
Standing up to the US
India does not have to be apologetic about its patents law, which is fully compliant with WTO requirements on intellectual property protection
Rechargeable batteries: UNCTAD report warns of raw material uncertainties
A few countries control reserves of key inputs like cobalt, manganese, lithium, graphite
The Bali myth of $1 trillion trade gains
Trade facilitation is a major imposition on developing countries with little likelihood of promised benefits
‘PESTICIDES’ IN DRUGS
Sharad Pawar’s provision for protecting test data in the Pesticides Bill could spill over into trade agreements and hit the drugs industry, too
A look at some of the world’s most threatened forests
Unplanned and unrestrained activities for agriculture, industry and urbanisation are ruining our most important ally in nature—the forest
EU parliamentarians vote against propping up carbon prices
Proposal to artificially boost carbon prices fails to receive support, sends prices crashing further
Elephant Task Force report: 10 years of a progressive policy that nobody talks about now
The report laid out a solid, actionable and progressive framework for elephant conservation, with innovative changes in governance, increased …