Lost in plantation

Millions of growers and workers are in distress in Kerala, the plantation capital of India, as domestic and international prices of cash crops …

The science of planting (and nurturing) trees

Why monsoon plantation programs can benefit from a more nuanced, evidence-based approach

Tilting at poplar trees

Poplar is not behind the spike in allergy cases in Kashmir, yet the tree is being felled

Biodiesel in India: The Jatropha fiasco

Several factors have led to slow progress in the country’s biodiesel development programme, nbotably, the Jatropha plant

Surprise! India and China are greening faster than rest of the world

China and India — the two economic powerhouses of Asia — are contributing significantly to the greening of the …

Money plants?

How green is your money? Investors try to figure out as plantation companies take them for a ride

Water in forests: Finding the blue in the greens

It is time we rediscover forests as a ‘water commons’ to aid India’s fight against climate change

Why increase in global tree cover does not call for celebration

Much of it could be due to the increase in planted forests, which are more vulnerable to extreme climatic events

Plantation mission may destroy Odisha’s forests and river ecology

The Green Mahanadi Mission would fiercely impact the livelihood of farmers and cattle herders

Desertification in India: How Green Revolution hastened the man-made soil degradation

The biggest threat of desertification emanates from the major crops of the Green Revolution — wheat and paddy

Green peace in black curls

Traditional tea cultivation in China's Jinuoshan area, unlike in most other places, ensures ecological balance

Labour union raises concerns over housing scheme for Bengal tea workers

Pashchim Banga Cha Majoor Samiti Study presents analytical report based on RTI, workers’ replies; shows scheme will reduce income, …

‘Rubber Bill 2022 makes Rubber Board redundant, doesn’t ensure fair price’

James Jacob, former director of the Rubber Research Institute of India, talks to Down To Earth on the proposed amendments

Tamil Nadu’s innovative methods of seed plantation

The state has been trying out a number of novel and unique ways to plant seeds of various tree species and ensure that they survive and make …

The logic of mass tree plantations

Such plantations can succeed in India only if farmers are given proper incentive and protection to grow them

Climate change is real: Assam tea did not see a second flush this year

Measures to mitigate the impact of climate change on the tea industry need to be urgently undertaken, say tea experts

Plantation drives not enough to fight air pollution

A sapling cannot do what a mature tree can as it takes it decades to be able to support environmental needs

Removing alien plants can save water: We measured how much

Positive effect of clearing alien trees higher in dry years compared to wet years, study predicts

Harness silvopasture systems for local climate resilience

Silvopasture systems buffer against temperature and wind extremes, providing a favourable living environment for livestock

Bringing the Aravallis back to life

Tree species like sheesham, babool and others planted over 75 hectares of land that was previously mined illegally are helping restore greenery …

Guess what's helping Indian coffee: Blockchain

It took two seasons, but farmers have taken to Coffee Board of India’s blockchain-based portal 

Coconuts: Goa's trees or grass?

Goa government's decision to derecognise coconut palm as a tree has left the state's trademark tree at the mercy of developers

Air is foul, where foul is fair

The forest fires and the consequent choking smog over Southeast Asia have proven over the last two months that the economic and industrial …

As told to Parliament (September 19, 2020): 51 coal projects okayed since last year

All that was discussed in the Houses through the day  

Evaluating collaborative governance in Panchayat plantation programme in Odisha

Even after more than a year, the survival rate of seedlings in GPs is merely less than 1%