30 years after the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, Panchayati Raj institutions still leave a lot to be desired; HP a case study

On the ground, PRIs are totally subservient to the bureaucracy and politicians of a state; participatory governance, decentralised planning and …

Local govts must be empowered to act against desertification: Developing nations

Lack of power devolution between state and local governments exacerbates the problem of degradation, say experts

GST regime could reduce local self-governing bodies to mendicancy

Enforcement of GST will dry up sources of revenue for urban local bodies such as municipalities and municipal corporations

What desludging model should an urban local body adopt? Some suggestions

All models have their pros and cons and the model to be used differs from place to place; This isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of idea

Green protocol not being followed in Odisha local body polls: Activists

Candidates used non-biodegradable election materials such as flex posters and also nailed campaign materials to trees, claim activists

The problem with India’s spatial planning: Experts write to PM

Land use planning receives little attention in India, leading to urban sprawl, overcrowding, pollution, traffic congestion, urban flooding

Is Swachh Bharat Mission ensuring waste segregation systems?

Segregation is still not being followed in its true spirit across India due to the lack of adequate end-to-end infrastructure for waste …

Bonds to the rescue?

Urban local bodies across India are floating bonds to raise money. This may render them unviable and make city living costly

Solid waste management: Why integrating informal sector is a must

Engagement of formal waste management system remains low in the cities due to funds crunch, low sectoral development & lack of know-how

Origin & provisions of municipal bye-laws & solid waste management by urban local bodies

The bye-laws are instrumental in achieving solid waste management mandates, imposing penalties for wrongful garbage disposal / burning

Municipal expenditure declined from 2012 to 2018: RBI report

Report finds mismatch between functions & finances of ULBs

Digitalising waste management can make Indian cities & towns cleaner, more sustainable

Digital tools in waste management will help cities identify recycling trends of different dry waste categories, among other things

When Indian women negotiate with local authorities to improve their lives in a slum

Women in a settlement in the north-eastern peri-urban part of Indore learnt that gentle, perseverant negotiation was the best way forward

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (December 20, 2019)

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&…

CAG finds irregularities in Chhattisgarh local bodies

Delays in holding polls, no meetings for several urban local bodies, finds audit

A waste management model for small towns

Vengurla is one of the only towns in India which generates revenue from its waste

Quality of life in informal settlements: Basic sanitation services a luxury

The SC/ST community had the highest proportion of those who did not have access to a toilet

CAG report shows how Karnataka's solid waste management is in disarray

Faultlines at urban bodies: Lack of segregation, no identification of dump sites, absence of GPS

COVID-19: Hits & misses of Centre’s advisory on water supply, sanitation

A review of MoHUA April, 2020 advisory on safe management of water supply and sanitation 

Supreme Court gives go ahead to local polls in Andhra

Elections will be held as per existing reservation quotas

20 years down the line what ails the urban local bodies

Lack of money, capacity and states' unwillingness to cede power

Funds for clean air: Get the blueprint right

Committed funds for clean air action excites hope. Needs strong performance metrics. But there are also risks of underfunding some key sectors of …

Only 22 housing projects for poor completed under JNNURM, says CAG

Comptroller and Auditor General raps urban development and housing ministries for failing to bring about urban governance reforms  

Haryana shuts 41 slaughter houses

Action part of crackdown on pollution, illegal slaughter and cruelty to animals

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (November 3, 2022)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal