Lohri 2023: There is an agrarian backstory to the legend of Dulla Bhatti
Ishwar Dayal Gaur's 2008 book notes that the Mughal state, with an elaborate network of centralisation, endeavoured to control agrarian society …
DTE Exclusive: ‘Shamlat’ lands hold key to Dalit empowerment; alleviation of rural poverty in Punjab
Dalits, who form 31.94% of Punjab’s population, own just 3.5% of the state’s land
Decision 2022: Will AAP make a difference to Punjab Dalit issues? Watch this space
For the moment, the only thing clear about the verdict is that it reflects a narrative of change rather than continuity in Punjab
Contentious farm laws: Agri-reforms led to farm income decline, land concentration in Bihar
It is imperative to know that without the existence of regulated markets, agriculture markets are deprived of efficient marketing infrastructure …
Transforming land use can make world carbon neutral by 2040: Study
Immediate measures on agriculture, forestry, wetlands and bioenergy can cut down a third of the emissions to keep temperatures below 1.5°C
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 …
Centre uses SC order to turn forest land into revenue land
11-year-old order for relocating three Maharashtra villages used for conversion in 18 states
Land injustice, Aadhaar problems dog Jharkhand. Is the Opposition listening
Activists under Jharkhand Janadhikar Mahasabha highlight issues that should make a buzz before the Lok Sabha elections
Land acquired forcefully for Adani's Godda power plant
Recent visit by a fact-finding team shows that Adani's functionaries have resorted to forceful land acquisition, intimidation and even police …
MoEF&CC takes back advisory to avoid honeycombing of forest land under FRA
An official from the environment ministry says the advisory was withdrawn as there is no provision under the Forest Rights Act to club land together
Land clearing isn't just about trees – it's an animal welfare issue too
More than 50 million birds, mammals and reptiles are thought to be killed each year in New South Wales and Queensland by the removal of native …
Science, environment not a priority as Brazil announces major cuts in budget
The government has announced 51 per cent and 44 per cent cuts for environment and science & research respectively to reduce overall budget deficit
Humans may have transformed the Sahara from lush paradise to barren desert
The world's biggest desert used to be green, lush and full of hippos. A new theory suggests humans could have tipped the environment over the edge
Aggressive oil extraction spells disaster for Amazon rainforests
Copious amounts of carbon is emitted when the rainforests are cut down to establish drill sites
Revegetation on Loess Plateau putting pressure on water resources
Expansion of vegetation cover in areas marked by limited water availability creates “conflicting demands for water between the ecosystem …
Centre rolls out Agriculture Land Leasing Act, 2016
NITI Aayog's Panagariya wishes to extend the Act to non-agricultural uses as well, which farmer leaders oppose
The efficient way of looking at waste disposal
Urban waste will cease to be a problem if it is treated as a resource rather than refuse from consumption, which requires disposal.
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 …
Taking the lead
India's chief ministers are beginning to take note of environmental problems. But just about. The Centre for Science and Environment conducted a …
Lavasa above law
Lavasa continues to bypass norms. But the environment ministry may give clearance to the the maiden planned hill city in India, Sakshi C Dasgupta …
Keep on the grass
Alpine pastures are thriving despite policies to encourage grazing. But Himalayan pastures languish despite strong conservationist policies
Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 3, 2023)
Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Punjab shamlat lands: We will give land for housing, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal tells DTE
Punjab reserves 33 per cent of cultivable shamlat land for Dalit households, who can lease it for a year through competitive bidding. In reality, …
Himalayan plunder: Why Sikkim geologists fear Joshimath-like disasters
Sikkim, also in eastern Himalayas, is plagued by unchecked development & lacks strong civil society to voice concerns
RE-powering Jharkhand: Solar objectives great, but execution may be tough
Coal to clean transformation will need structural transformation of age-old communities