Chhattisgarh revokes: Forest dept no longer nodal agency for community rights
Chhattisgarh government reinstates the role of the forest department to coordinate claims that are to be filed by communities, …
Uttarakhand Van Gujjars allege forest officials assaulted women; probe underway
Rajaji National Park area villagers allege they tried to lodge two FIRs, but police did not register them
Forest depts as nodal agency for community forest resources: A political blunder
The Chhattisgarh government issued an order on May 31, making the state forest department the nodal agency for Community Forest Resource Rights
FSSAI's scientific panel reconstituted
But members of the panel now designated as “independent consultants” were a part of the panel as representatives of the industry till …
Nearly 213 ha in protected areas diverted between April and July
Standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife approved 21 projects for diversion, deferred 7 for later
Report flags violations in creation of India’s first critical wildlife habitats
CWH notification was first initiated in 54 of Maharashtra’s 55 protected areas, where rights of forest dwellers can be recognised under …
Nearly 500 ha forest land in protected areas diverted in 2019
Standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife gave nod to carry out 68 projects in protected areas
New green clearance procedures make coal mine expansion easy
MoEF office memorandums do away with public hearing for coal mine expansion and delink forest clearance from environment clearance for ultra mega …
FRA guidelines to help forest dwellers freely trade in minor forest produce
Tribals and forest dwellers don’t need to obtain transit passes to cart away the produce; minimum support price scheme for MFPs to be in …
India continues to lose forest land to non-forestry projects
Central environment ministry reports diversion of 11,467 hectares forest land in 2019 (up to first week of November)
Eat at your own risk
Junk food is bad for health. Its definition tells its inner story—food that is high on calories and saturated fat but low on nutrition.
CSE points out lapses in building regulations in India
The condition and quality of Indian building stock is poor when it comes to seismic performance. In Delhi, almost 80 per cent of buildings …
Why draft EIA 2020 needs a revaluation
The point of contention in the draft Environment Impact Assessment is post-facto clearance and less public participation with affected …
Village at POSCO site seeks community forest rights
Reiterates demand against diversion of forestland for industry, under amended Forest Rights Act rules
Rajasthan's amended mining rules could spell fresh legal trouble for state mining department
New rules allow cluster mine holders to circumvent environmental clearance; high court had stressed on obtaining the mandatory clearance
Demolition orders for Banyan Tree luxury resort
Seven-star deluxe villa resort was built on an islet in Vembanad backwaters, a Ramsar site, with full cooperation of state agencies
Bamboo rights: Maharashtra gives priority to paper mill over Forest Rights Act
Chief Minister Prithvi Raj Chavan says agreement with Ballarpur Industries predates the Act
POSCO villages resist land acquisition by Odisha government
Despite protests administration demolishes 37 betel gardens on the forestland. Land acquistion put on hold till June 17
Regulating small-scale mines below 5 ha
Will National Green Tribunal's restraint order curb haphazard and unscientific mining of minor minerals that includes sand?
Rare takes on the year just passing by
Being a Down To Earth reporter entails merging the personal with the professional. The magazine you so dearly own has a fascinating world hidden …
Court Digest: Major environment hearings of the week (July 6-10, 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
Court Digest: Major environment hearings of the week (June 29-July 3, 2020)
When mining interests prevail over SC order
Uttar Pradesh where IAS officer Durga Shakti got suspended after taking on politicians involved in sand mining is not the only state to bypass …
Wildlife during a pandemic: The other side of the coin
Instances of wild animals entering urban landscapes were reported the world over. But was everything about the lockdown hunky-dory for them?
Lessons from a pandemic: Urgency for climate action
Much like the claimed behaviour of an ostrich burying its head underground in the face of risk, we demonstrate our capacity to ignore risks like …