Parched capital

While Delhi struggles to make rainwater harvesting compulsory even after 13 years of amending byelaws, Chennai shows the way

Unsteady buildings

Frequency of building collapses a big concern. Authorities are trying to fix the mess by introducing newer complications

Kochi Corporation issued building permits in violation of coastal regulations: CAG report

Multi-storey buildings up to 21 floors were allowed along Chilavanoor backwaters without even bothering to obtain clearances from coastal …

Funds a major constraint in implementing Cartagena Protocol

Parties to the protocol emphasise on need for capacity building for managing risks from genetically engineered products

Allahabad High Court continues tough stance on construction along Ganga

Development authority fails to give clear answers on fate of development in the river’s inviolate zone

United Nations environment awards for 2014 announced

Launched in 2005, the ‘Champions of the Earth’ awards recognise achievements of people from different categories

Decision on capacity building to handle GMOs tops biosafety meet agenda

Countries have reported they lack appropriate legal, institutional and technical capacity for decision making on genetically modified organisms

Buildings can cause sickness

But building biology helps remove harmful electromagnetic fields from architecture

Home truths

Buildings in India rarely follow quake codes

Bridge safety

Tiny magnets are the key to quake-proof buildings and bridges

The pucca LCM of growth

The lowly brick, that is

Trends in high places

Traditional timber-and-slate houses vs a neo-concrete nightmare in a Himachal village

Honing old homing skills

Missing the wood for the trees

Moneymakers

INDIA

Razing the past

A historic structure in Simla may be demolished to make way for a multi-storey building

Payback

Illegal construction around the Ranthambore National Park ought to go

Online

Green buildings: how to redesign

There is a buzz about green buildings

Matrix reloaded

Adding jute fiber to cement mix can make buildings stronger

Palatial eco-disharmony

Baker honoured

Self-shelter

Green roads