Local govts must be empowered to act against desertification: Developing nations
Lack of power devolution between state and local governments exacerbates the problem of degradation, say experts
Cold desert regions need special attention: Experts
The expanse of deserts in these regions appears to be growing because of progressive melting of glaciers due to climate change
‘Only plantation cannot restore degraded land’
Down To Earth speaks to Ravindra Adusumilli of the Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture (RRA) Network, India about government policy on tackling …
Beijing is sinking due to excessive groundwater extraction
A new study has found a direct correlation between depression in the surface and pumping out of groundwater
Assessing poverty-deforestation links: evidence from Swat, Pakistan
This blog is based on a paper that contributed to the debate on the links between poverty and forestry degradation; the view that due to poverty …
Bay watch!
COASTAL WATERS OF THE WORLD: TRENDS, THREATS, AND STRATEGIES·Don Hinrichsen· Island Press, Washington, 1997· 276 pages
Crop risks, environmental damages, hunger and the 2020 farm laws
Improved access to new markets, better yields and higher income need to safeguard environmental sustainability and farmers’ indebtedness
42% of India’s districts use 85% of its chemical fertilisers
A parliamentary standing committee blamed Agriculture Ministry’s skewed policy for the inequality in fertiliser usage
Rare bee found after 100 years, but under pressure to survive: Study
Land fragmentation, climate change and wildfires pose threat to the remaining invertebrate species
Not enough funds to combat desertification, degradation: UNCCD chief Ibrahim Thiaw
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification executive secretary bats for private funds
How to create an oasis
Communities across the world are building on their traditional experiences to achieve land degradation neutrality
70% of global forests at risk of degradation: UNCCD report
The Amazon, Borneo and the Greater Mekong regions will lose the most forest cover by 2030, it says
A grain revolution for Africa
In just a few decades, Africa has become a net food importer. But it has to feed more and more people in the future. Estimates suggest the …
Pitching eco-messages and washing machines
A recent exhibition in Delhi drew crowds looking for discounts and new gadgets. But how many paid attention to a special section on the danger to …
From riches to rags
The wealthy people of Nauru face a future of poverty because most of their only natural resource, phosphates, has been exploited ruthlessly by …
Bandwagon role for joint forestry
Though programmes involving villagers in the regeneration of forest lands have been successful, caution should be exercised while bringing new …
Wisdom from an obscure archipelago
In Down To Earth's first Country Report, ANIL AGARWAL and SUNITA NARAIN look at Papua New Guinea, its short but volatile transition to the market …
Lost in the Thar
The Indira Gandhi canal project is a costly failure that has led to destruction of habitat and loss of arable land
TOXIC TRAIL
A small area in northern Vadodara is cluttered with nearly 200 industries, most of them dealing in chemicals. This has created serious …
Guiding growth
When nothing seemed to stop the desertification of the Banni grasslands, a government institution stepped in and showed the people how they …
Why insects are crucial for ecological balance
Several species of insects are at the brink of extinction; this can have a cascading effect on upper levels of the food pyramid and shake …
Extreme rainfall acidifies land in India's northeastern states
The vicious cycle of frequent heavy rain events degrading land, which again cause more floods and hence further degrade land, cripples …
Challenges stand in way of African agricultural transformation
Land degradation and soil erosion can play a detrimental role in limiting Africa’s agricultural transformation
When defending environment came at a price — of life
At least 227 land and environmental defenders were killed in 2020. But the year also saw communities winning against industries and governments
World Environment Day 2021: Why we need to restore contaminated land
Even after 21 years of waste management legislation, a majority of urban local bodies do not have an engineered landfill for disposal …