Atmospheric rivers over California’s wildfire burn scars raise fears of deadly mudslides
Wildfire burn scars are particularly risky because wildfires strip away vegetation and make the soil hydrophobic — meaning it is less able …
In the Parliament on July 20, 2018
Here’s a round-up of today’s debates and reports on environmental and developmental issues
Forests under fire
We need not burn forests to get good fodder for cattle. Our lands are rich with green grass without the fires
Atmospheric implications of burning forests
Global Biomass Burning -- Atmospheric, Climatic, and Biospheric Implications Edited by: Joel S Levine Publisher: The MIT Press, Cambridge, …
Here are some ways to combat forest fires in chir pine belt of Uttarakhand
The plantation of suitable broad-leaved species like oak and rhododendron can help lower the overall fire susceptibility
Desertification expands in areas on front line of climate change
The latest IPCC report does not clearly link climate change to desertification, but it does say desertification is a “function of both …
Aggressive oil extraction spells disaster for Amazon rainforests
Copious amounts of carbon is emitted when the rainforests are cut down to establish drill sites
Major wildfires in western US can increase severe storms in central states: Study
Climate change has been a major factor in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States
Similipal fire shines light on dark hole in India’s real-time air quality monitoring network
Most cities do have manual monitoring systems of air quality but related data becomes available only a year later
Climate change could deal a blow to carbon storage capacity of forests: study
While temperature rise will affect growth of some tree species, large-scale wildfires due to drier conditions will lead to release of larger …
A delicious affair
During a trekking trip to the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, Chandra Prakash Kala discovers the succulent kafal fruit, which has found its way …
Water wise in Uttarakhand
Scientific implementation of developmental programmes is needed for the optimal utilisation of water resources
Wildfires destroy twice the forest cover today compared to 2 decades ago
9.3 million hectares of tree cover was lost globally in 2021
How climate change has pushed the koala towards ‘Endangered’ status
The Australian bushfire season of 2019-20 killed thousands of the marsupials and could have hastened the drop in their numbers
Two successive fires in Bandipur National Park; officials suspect role of tribals
The residents of a small tribal village are known for setting dried elephant dung on fire which might have caused the flame to spread
Extreme wildfire events will intensify; Australia and US most at risk
Overall increase in extreme wildfires is linked to climate change as global temperatures continue to rise in areas that were already prone to fires
Forest fires in Uttarakhand: Absence of real-time air quality monitoring plagues Himalayas
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh do not have a single official real-time air quality monitor
Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 30, 2019)
Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
The butterfly effect
As India continues to lose its rich butterfly diversity at an alarming rate, a handful of individuals work towards creating newer habitats
Forests are critical resources in halting poverty
Forests play a vital role in securing rural livelihoods through generating income in the form of goods and environmental services
Dousing flames
The Uttarakhand forest fires that lasted for over 100 days should come as a warning to the rest of India since half of its forests are vulnerable …
Armageddon
The fires in the Amazon forest show no signs of abating. Lax environmental laws have added fuel to them
Climate crisis: Uttarakhand may see forest fires round the year
It is winters but state forests are on fire. Experts say lack of soil moisture due to insufficent rainfall aided spread
The ‘good fire’: Prescribed burning can prevent catastrophic wildfires in the future
Building a culture where fire is respected rather than feared is essential to maintain resilient landscapes
Forest fires in Europe could increase by 200 per cent by 2090, says a study
Study highlights the importance of adaptation measures in combating the effects of climate change