Cyclone Yaas: Bengal to double number of disaster shelters to avoid COVID-19 spread

Cyclone Yaas is predicted to strike Bengal, which is recording 20,000 COVID-19 cases daily, on May 26 

COVID-19 update: India education ministry cancels board exams for Class X

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gehlot test positive for virus  

West Bengal rolls out COVID-19 vaccines even as politics creeps in

Political parties blame each other of ‘vaccine theft’ in the poll-bound state

Amphan aftermath: Sundarbans villagers try to pick up pieces

Theft at relief centres, lack of toilets add to villagers’ woes five days after cyclone Amphan struck Bengal

COVID-19: ‘Bengal hospitals turning into epicentres of novel coronavirus’

At least 80 healthcare workers, including 38 doctors, have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in the state  

After Mahanadi floods, Odisha farmers at mercy of Sitrang

Farmers harvest immature standing crops in fear of greater losses due to cyclonic storm 

Futile deadlines: Afforestation drive in 5 states along Ganga is over with just 22% of target being met

Experts have questioned as to whether the Ganga catchment area is really available for afforestation

Bengal MGNREGA workers lost up to Rs 6,046 crore in wages during April-December 2022

 A study estimates that workers have lost income by 83%, compelling them to borrow money for survival 

Monsoon 2022: Why a drought wasn’t declared in 4 states with drought-like conditions

A report shows drought-like situation in over 700 blocks of 91 districts of Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar & West Bengal

Above-normal rainfall, cyclones: Why September 2021 was a unique month for India

September of 2021 the second-wettest September in 27 years; Several states that experienced enhanced rainfall were staring at drought in the …

Cyclone Gulaab: Heavy rain lashes West Bengal, 2 dead

Large swathes of land in Murshidabad, Nadia, Birbhum, Bankura and the coastal areas inundated

Cyclone Amphan may batter Sundarbans. How ready is Bengal

State govt plans to evacuate at least 0.2 mln people from three districts in the region  

Centre identifies 62 new elephant corridors; total now 150

East central region has the most corridors at 52; among states, West Bengal tops list at 26 corridors

West Bengal: Illegal acquisition of forest land for Turga and Bandu Pump Storage Projects, claim tribal residents

Gram Sabha consent not taken for transferring the land, says forum for tribal communities

West Bengal Panchayat election: Candidates in fray campaign on green issues

Environmentalists welcome trend, but point out slack from mainstream political parties 

Labour union raises concerns over housing scheme for Bengal tea workers

Pashchim Banga Cha Majoor Samiti Study presents analytical report based on RTI, workers’ replies; shows scheme will reduce income, …

Graft claims in MGNREGA squeezing poor workers, millions unpaid for months

Zero funds to Bengal, Lakshadweep this year, Centre admits in Parliament; activists ask to use pre-existing mechanisms to handle graft

Rains fall short: Major losses ahead, fear Bengal paddy farmers

Heavy rain for rest of monsoon might complete the deficit, says IMD, but will that be enough?    

Two cyclones and a gas leak: Journey of migrants between urban precariousness and ravaged villages

A report narrates the story of three migrants from Assam and West Bengal who have been uprooted from their hometowns by extreme climate events or …

Court Digest: Major environment hearings of the week (May 18-22, 2020)

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

‘Less atmospheric aerosol may have intensified Cyclone Amphan’

Low concentration of aerosols due to COVID-19 pandemic strengthened Amphan, said experts. Aerosols weaken an existing tropical cyclone by …

Higher incidences of water-borne diseases in fishermen drinking from Ganga: Survey

Consumption of and exposure to contaminated water has also led to predominance of skin diseases among fishing community

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 13, 2020)

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

COVID-19 outbreak: Cities with higher air pollution at more risk, say experts

Kolkata’s average exposure level was the highest in the country, because of the city’s compactness

Indo-Gangetic Plain residents live 7 years less than other Indians: Study

This is because air quality in the region fails to meet the WHO’s guidelines on particulate pollution