How FRA helped India’s forest communities during COVID-19
Stories of hope have been reported from across the tribal areas of how communities survived due to FRA even as attempts have been made to dilute it
Kerala’s Kadars continue fight for assertion of their community forest rights
Their Gram Sabhas have passed resolutions under the Forest Rights Act as work has progressed on the Anakkayam Small Hydro Power Project
One in five voters in Odisha are tribals. But do they get their due?
Odisha's record in addressing forest rights is poorer than the national average, despite the Union Tribal Minister hailing from the state
Chhattisgarh village under demolition for Hindalco mine, villagers claim foul play
At least 50 families have been relocated, claims official. A house was razed on June 2
Delhi government exempts small industries from seeking environmental clearance
The decision is likely to benefit 500 kinds of processes which required consent from Delhi Pollution Control Board earlier
Inter-ministerial panel for FRA: A giant step backwards, say experts
Forest experts raise concern over the Union environment ministry assuming central role in matters originally meant for the tribal ministry
The fortnight in brief
Himachal villages are first to claim forests rights, J&K's Russian poplars to be felled, Delhi's increasing appetite for power …
Green clearances not required for new coal mine leaseholders
Environment ministry transfers environment clearances of previous leaseholders to new allottees
Green tribunal suspends environment clearance of Scania sponge iron plant in Raigarh
Environment ministry granted clearance even though mandatory public consultations were not held
India has approved ratification of Nagoya Protocol
Environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan calls for partnership between developed and developing countries to meet the challenges of protecting …
Bamboo liberation day
According to former environment minister Jairam Ramesh, minor forest produce is a ownership right vested by Parliament under Forest Rights Act
Mass protests in Mumbai, Dehradun against Centre’s attempts to undermine forest rights
Demonstrations follow T S R Subramanian Committee report recommending measures to fast-track environmental clearances
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 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
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 …
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 …