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 …
‘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
Burning rubber
Tyres that never tire are an automobile's glamourous footwear, but producing these sophisticates is an environmental nightmare
Wood does a lot of good
It was the bane of the rubber tree, as the fungus Phytophthora literally ate into its every part. With the discovery of antifungal wood extracts, …
New technique may help recycle used tyres
Devulcanisation of rubber is a better way of repurposing used rubber. The few conventional methods to devulcanize rubber material are prone to …
World Bank funding hits Brazilian Indians
The World Bank continues to finance a development project in northwest Brazil, despite warnings that it would adversely affect the Uru Eu Wau Wau …
Rubber plantations in Tripura affecting monkeys, vegetation, suggests paper
Authors warn against monoculture farms, suggest eco-friendly measures to increase biodiversity
Low rubber price compels Kerala farmer to commit suicide
The rubber grower chose Kottayam which falls in finance minister K M Mani’s constituency
Centre sets up panel to form national policy on rubber
Committee asked to submit its report on what ails rubber sector and its future growth in six months
'Belgium does owe reparations to the Congo'
Down To Earth talks to American historian, Adam Hochschild about his book on King Leopold of Belgium whose reign is responsible for the deaths of …
Making rubber recycling eco-friendly
Scientists at Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi identified bacteria involved in breaking down natural rubber in order to make it …
A weed and a tale
In the forests of Kanyakumari, an invasive species has been proliferating since the 1960s. It is time to remove it altogether
Tigers fall prey to development
In southern Maharashtra an area rich in wildlife is being opened for plantations and mines
This is no apology: Congo activists on King Philippe’s words
‘Regret’ is not the right choice of word; and yes, Belgium should pay reparations to the Congo, they say
Death in the devil’s paradise
British colonial history is tainted by its involvement in rubber collection from the Peruvian Amazon, writes Survivor International
Help Kerala’s rubber sector recover from crisis, urges state finance minister
In the run up to Union Budget 2015, M Suchitra speaks to Kerala Finance Minister K M Mani to draw up a list of the state’s expectations …
Bullets for water
During a chance visit to Weliweriya, Sugandh Juneja wonders what took the Sri Lankan government so long to heed people’s complaints against …
Recycling rubber
A different ball game!
Tennis stars are being served and volleyed to fuel a new and unique experiment
Oil from rubber
An oil extract from old tyres could be used to make chewing gum mouthwash and soap
KAMPUCHEA
Rubber soles for crops
Scrap tyres buried underground could reduce irrigation costs
INDIA
Flexible option
A step forward in finding an alternative to the rubber tree
Rubber alternative