Despite increase in cover, Indonesia is fifth largest loser of forests

In 2011-13, Indonesia lost an average tree cover of 1.6 million hectares per year

Global Eco Watch: Key Indonesia law incapable of protecting 80% of rainforest vulnerable to palm oil plantation

Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology

Why India doesn’t need palm oil but its greener alternatives

Palm oil is water-intensive and requires large patches of land

Kerala coconut industry gets a breather

Baked but no trans fats

ASEAN nations adopt transboundary haze monitoring system

System would keep an eye on fire-emitting hot spots across the region to curb emissions

EU takes note of negative impacts of biofuel, plans policy change

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Science and Technology - Briefs

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Domestic refiners fear losses as RBD palm oil import increases

Last year, capacity of domestic refining industry was 38-40 million tonnes but utilisation was only 18 million tonnes

Expanding palm oil cultivation in Africa can be risky for endangered primates

A new study says that it will be challenging to reconcile oil palm expansion and African primate conservation as most areas suitable for …

Andaman & Nicobar wants to take a reverse gear on oil palm

Sixteen years after the Supreme Court banned monoculture plantations in the islands' fragile ecosystem, the administration wants it revoked

World Environment Day: How our greed for palm oil is destroying tropical rainforests  

The rapid expansion of palm oil plantations has led to the destruction of huge areas of Indonesia and Malaysia’s tropical rainforests, …

Why India is unwilling to discuss forests at international fora

India’s recent spate of objections indicates an unwillingness to engage with issues related to forests and climate change, explained in …

Palm oil and environmental, social challenges in India: The road ahead

Deforestation, damaging effects on the environment and human rights violation are among major challenges related to palm oil production 

Palm oil consumption increased 230% in almost 2 decades, yet India imports most of it

India has not been able to achieve self-sufficiency in palm oil production despite 40 years of efforts. Down To Earth travelled to some of the …

Making sunlight liquid – a brief history of sunflowers

If we continue to adapt sunflowers to our needs as climates change, we must ensure diverse genes are conserved for future generations 

Wheat, palmolein, arhar: As the Centre takes anti-inflationary steps, what about the farmer, DTE asks experts

The entire burden of inflation is still borne by India’s farmers; this needs redress, say experts

How India can be ‘atmanirbhar’ for edible oil production

In 2019, India imported around 15 million tons of edible oils worth approximately Rs 7,300 crore

Palm oil giant IOI challenges suspension order in Zurich court

The compnay has challenged the suspension of its certification by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil in the Zurich district court

Oil palm plantations proved to be a disaster in Mizoram — is Assam next?

Oil palm plantations must be strictly prohibited in the region to protect its rich biodiversity

Lucrative rabi: Mustard farmers may reap good prices despite bumper output

Higher MSP, dearer imports expected to keep rates firm for local oilseeds    

Is biofuel use fit for both air and land?

While ICAO has proposed that biofuel use in passenger planes be increased rapidly to cut carbon emissions, environmentalists disagree