India had the second highest number of cancer deaths in Asia in 2019: Lancet
Apart from tobacco smoking and ambient air pollution, high prevalence of smokeless tobacco public health concern in South Asian countries
Book Excerpt: The Peepal, a tree sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains of the Subcontinent
The peepal is native to India and other countries of south and southeast Asia; its cultural importance is immense in these areas, writes V Sundararaju
International Tropical Timber Council concludes with major decisions, including its extension
EU expresses desire to join efforts on conservation of world forests
Mocha: Most models predict storm will strike Myanmar. Is the country prepared?
The country’s last major cyclone, Nargis in 2008, claimed over 84,000 lives
Sumatran rhino is now extinct in Malaysia
Iman, the last Sumatran rhino in the country, passed away on November 23, 2019
Two cases of pneumonic plague reported in northern China
Chinese officials downplay, say both patients are being treated as rules mandate
Global seed market crossed $45 billion in 2018: Report
Asia, Europe and Middle East-Africa main drivers of growth
In Yemen, seven million people on the brink of famine: FAO Director-General
About 17 million people, two-thirds of the population, are severely food insecure
Saiga antelope numbers rise in Kazakhstan after mass die-off last year
Aerial census conducted by Kazakh government brings encouraging news
Transplanted maize taking root
Floating dump
CAMBODIA
UNITED NATIONS
Asian plentitude
Eastern Asia enjoys greater plant diversity due to climate change and habitat variety
The Bishkek bite
In Short
South Asia
Japan blames China for smog
A tough year for the scribe
From the blurbs
Why do tigers have stripes?
Tigers’ distinctive striped coats help them hunt successfully
Another species extinct: This time the Yangtze giant soft shell turtle
The last surviving female dies in a Chinese zoo
Female turtle returns to Maldivian atoll to lay eggs, finds runway instead
The turtle laid her eggs on the runway of Maafaru airport itself, on Noonu Atoll