In search of an alternative
Drastic reduction in the cycle of shifting cultivation and soil erosion are forcing the Karbi tribe of Assam to explore sustainable agricultural …
The good earth
SOIL CONSERVATION EXTENSION: FROM CONCEPTS TO ADOPTION· Edited by S Sombatpanit, M A Zobisch et al·Oxford and IBH Publishing …
Soiled future
At a time when agricultural topsoil continues to be eroded, researchers make efforts to put an end to the crisis
Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (April 4, 2024)
Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Ganga on the road
Fruitful passion
One man has helped transform a barren valley in Jammu into a veritiligle orchard
Farmers panic
United Nations
Danger mark
Scientists monitor riverbank erosion to predict floods
Himachal Pradesh: Floods hit 16th state this monsoon, to impact crop yield
The hill state got 15 times its normal rainfall on Sunday owing to a depression settled over west MP and east Rajasthan
The Yellow River has been known as ‘China’s sorrow’. Now we know who was responsible
Deforestation, erosion on the Loess Plateau caused the Chinese to construct levees to tame the river, in turn, worsening the risk of flooding
Dust storms to become more intense if degradation of Aravallis continues
Withering of Aravallis, mainly due to erosion of forests along the northern and central tracts, is making dust storms more intense
Combating soil pollution vital for addressing climate change
Soil pollution refers to the presence of chemicals in soils that are either out of place or at higher-than-normal concentrations
Human activity causes increase in landslides
Indiscriminate tree felling, mining and quarrying, and widespread wastage of land resources seem to be increasing the incidence of landslides in …
Land degradation makes containing floods and droughts tough
Water erosion accounts for more than 50 per cent of total degraded area in India
Trees against deserts
Grow more trees around fields and along waterbodies to prevent desertification
Desertification in India: Slash-and-burn farming destroys Nagaland
Experts blame shifting cultivation for land degradation as about 20,000 hectares of forest is felled every year in the state for it
Soil erosion triggers ravine expansion in Gujarat
Ravines have increased by 60-70 per cent in four districts of Gujarat in the last 4-5 decades and this threatens agriculture and livelihood there
How to stabilise sand dunes in Thoothukudi’s theri land
A wind break or shelter belt is a carefully raised tree and shrub structure that can prevent the wind from beating on the land surface and …
Scientists assess how continuous use of fertilisers affects soil bacteria
Application of Nitrogen Phosporus Potassium with farmyard manure increases the minerals' availability in the soil as compared to other treatments
Chambal's land leveling experiment leads to socio-economic disruption
The ravines of Chambal used to provide multiple livelihood options for its poor and marginal farmers. Leveling of land is triggering conflicts …
Challenges stand in way of African agricultural transformation
Land degradation and soil erosion can play a detrimental role in limiting Africa’s agricultural transformation
Increasing tree cover in drylands can ensure food security, solve water crisis
The world’s drylands must be restored as they provide habitat for biodiversity, protect against erosion, help combat desertification and …
Dams and sea deliver death blow to Nile delta
Sandwiched between an encroaching sea and dams that prevent silt from reaching it, the Nile delta seems doomed.
Homeless blues
THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S REFUGEES. A HUMANITARIAN AGENDA·UNHCR, Oxford University Press, UK·Rs 625
