Environment (Protection) Act: 39 changes made to rules in 2 years of pandemic, shows report

Most relaxations & exemptions made for development projects through gazette notifications, office memorandums, orders

Cabinet approves National Population Register update

The exercise will be held in 2020 from April to September, along with the house-listing phase of Census 2021

Here's why the latest push for pre-2020 action at COP23 is likely to fall flat

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad stressed on the importance of meeting pre-2020 commitments on which there has been little progress so far

Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill: Why ‘religious or any other purpose’ clause has enraged animal activists

The term could potentially increase the demand for illegal capture of wild elephants, followed by cruel training, they say

Centre's order allows granting of mine leases to applications without environment clearance

The ministry’s order, however, states that mining activity cannot begin before the environment clearance is obtained

'India is one of the major hubs for illicit drug trade'

Report flags surge in sale and seizures of synthetic opioids, narcotic and designer drugs

Did developing countries miss the trick at Bonn?

While going on an overdrive to push pre-2020 climate action, the developing countries have perhaps lost precious time and initiative to focus on …

Rajya Sabha passes Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill 2021

Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Bill allows for the transfer of elephants for ‘religious and other purposes’  

Taking farm laws to Supreme Court won’t dampen farmers’ protests: Kerala agriculture minister

Kerala’s decision to move the apex court against Modi government’s new farm laws have sparked discussions. DTE spoke to minister VS …

New mining leases deemed to have all approvals for 2 years: Environment ministry

New lessee will take on water, air, forest rights and other liabilities from the previous lessee

The futility of CoP23

Although in its 25th year, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is still struggling to find a way out of this century's …

Parliament passes controversial Polavaram Bill

The legislation provides for transferring villages in the submergence area in Telangana to Andhra Pradesh

After Ozone layer, cooling industry now burns the whole planet

It first drilled a hole in the ozone layer and is now damaging the entire environment with large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions

Drugs and cosmetics amendment bill withdrawn from Rajya Sabha

Newer areas like stem cells, regenerative medicines, medical devices and clinical trial cannot be effectively regulated under the existing law, …

Will intensify protest: Farmer leaders reject Union govt draft seeking to break deadlock

Farmer unions call for major countrywide protest December 14; blocking of Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Yamuna Expressway by December 12

Let people-centric natural resource governance be the new regime’s agenda

India must strengthen the mechanisms of natural resource management that is people-centric and sustainable to ensure economic and social stability

Duty on minor produce will violate forest rights: Experts

The first draft to amend Indian Forest Act proposes to impose duty on minor produce that several tribals depend on for livelihood

High court notice to Haryana on new criteria for panchayat elections

The court had earlier stayed the decision to make academic qualifications more stringent

The beginning of the end of Andaman & Nicobar’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups

The Indian government’s recent removal of Restricted Area Permit from 29 islands in the archipelago reeks of avarice and tokenism, and …

The amendment to the Indian Forest Act, 1927 will create new markets & jobs for poor communities

After amending Section 2(7) of Indian Forest Act, 1927, bamboo is no longer a tree. This enables the livelihoods of forest communities as well as …

Why experts want govt to withdraw draft Electricity Bill

Experts question urgency of introducing a draft bill at a time when states struggle with COVID-19 

Uncertainty over emissions reduction in near future

Only 21 nations have so far accepted Doha Amendment to Kyoto Protocol for emissions reduction up to 2020

Plantation land for tourism

President's assent to Kerala Land Reforms Act amendment legalises resorts on plantations, which mostly border sanctuaries

Government introduces land amendment bill amid protests, walkout

Farmers and civil society groups march on Delhi streets to protest Narendra Modi government’s anti-farmers and anti-people bill which …

Maharashtra pushes for relaxing norms around Mumbai’s silence zones

Activists accuse government of abdicating fundamental responsibility of ensuring good health of citizens