Women in Odisha village take charge to fast track community forest rights
This isn’t the first time women have come together to not only protect forests, but also voice their demand for recognition of the Forest …
Political economy of welfare
The BJP-led government's change of heart for big-ticket rural programmes says a lot about its dwindling political fortune
Coal mining to be allowed in non-forest areas after Stage I of forest clearance: Government
Environment ministry takes decision after coal ministry complains of delay in projects due to mining ban in these areas
CAG flags community centre under FRA actually MP govt tourist lodge in Pench
CAG slams action as being tantamount to misuse of powers by forest department and against spirit of Forest (Conservation) Act
How can India overcome policy and institutional gaps in forest management
We need to recognise the Gram Sabha as empowered by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment
New Consumer Protection Bill promises a much wider scope
The establishment of the Central Consumer Protection Authority empowered to take action against defaulters is the most novel feature of the Bill
How tribal leadership in Chhattisgarh is helping people access rights
The civil society’s intervention in the tribal regions began in early 1980s on two issues-sustainable livelihood, particularly in forest …
NGT orders complete ban on mining in Rajasthan's Alwar
Mine leases continued to operate without requisite clearances despite a previous ban on mining, says an RTI response
Kalahandi Gram Sabhas write to NCST, invoke atrocities act against Jharkhand DFO
DFO illegally seized consignment of kendu leaves being transported from Odisha to West Bengal, federation of Gram Sabhas alleges
Indigenous people in India and the web of indifference
On the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, we bring together the stories of exclusion, oppression, and at times, recognition
Two-minute wake-up call
Nestle's resistance to the nationwide ban on Maggi noodles shows why the country needs an urgent policy on recall of harmful food products
Rights overruled
States are making their own rules to reclaim the authority over forests from tribes, derailing community forest rights
‘No need to decommission Mullaperiyar dam’
As the impasse over Mullaperiyar dam continues, T Hanumantha Rao, former chief engineer of Andhra Pradesh's irrigation department tells Bharat …
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
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 …
Green tribunal suspends environment clearance of Scania sponge iron plant in Raigarh
Environment ministry granted clearance even though mandatory public consultations were not held
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