Is India’s national clean air plan on track?
After sustained pressure from both civil society and courts over the past few years, the Indian government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019. Now, one year…
A dose of eco-optimism: Stories of hope and inspiration in 2019
Don't lose hope. This is probably not the cliché you want to hear after what the past year has been like. Extreme weather events, wildfires, water crises, rampant deforestation, record…
Kuno, India’s second home for the Asiatic lion, is ready
“Still waiting for new beginning”. The words in bold, white, are painted alongside a mural of a lion and lioness, on a sign near the forest guest house in Palpur…
Without substantial progress thermal power plants get environment clearance extension
In the past year, two thermal power projects, have been recommended for an extension of their environment clearance, by an expert panel of the environment ministry even when there has…
Develop time-bound action plans for critically polluted areas: MoEFCC tells state governments
With about 100 industrial clusters polluting air and water across the country, India’s environment ministry has called for proper environmental management of these clusters. To restore the environment quality of…
India needs to double rate of forest cover expansion to achieve Paris Agreement target
The pledge made by India in the Paris Agreement 2015, to contribute to reducing global climate change is "insufficient", said a report released on November 5. It added that for…
Why the ancient Myristica swamps need more protection
The low-lying valleys of the evergreen tropical forests of the Western Ghats harbour a rare, ancient ecosystem: the Myristica swamps. Comprised mainly of evergreen trees of the Myristicaceae family—one of…
Wanted: An urgent political saviour for river Yamuna
“When the rain comes down, it starts looking like a river. Otherwise, it is just like this… a drain full of dirt and filth. If you have to see it…
Monitoring monkey business in Delhi
In ongoing efforts to deal with monkeys causing disturbances and impacting health in human settlements, the Delhi government is planning a census of monkeys (rhesus macaques) in the capital city.…
Mica scavenging in Jharkhand destroys lives and environment
Broken nails are possibly the least of all the horrors of mica scavenging in and around abandoned mines in the eastern Indian province of Jharkhand. Exploitative child labour, death by…
