Environment Explained News

All the what, why and how of the environment, explained. In this series, we break down complex concepts of the natural world into simple, easy-to-digest explainers. With our expertise in environment and conservation, we guide you through aspects of the topic that you are curious about and help you make sense of the news around you.

What is non-economic loss and damage? [Explainer]

Priyanka Shankar 20 Oct 2025

What is non-economic loss and damage? [Explainer]

Priyanka Shankar 20 Oct 2025

An aerial view of the Sundarbans, showing the species-wise zonation. Image by Touhid Biplob via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

What is ecological succession? [Explainer]

Phalguni Ranjan 1 Sep 2025

A man rows past a bus partly submerged in flood water in Rishikesh in June 2013. Extreme rain during the monsoon led to flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides during this time in the Western Himalayas. (AP Photo)

What are cloudbursts? Why do they occur and how can cloudburst risks be reduced? [Explainer]

Max Martin 27 Aug 2025

Striped tigers congregate in Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Maharashtra. Image by Dr. Raju Kasambe via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Why are butterflies migrating across the Indian peninsula? [Explainer]

Sandhya Sekar 12 Aug 2025

Field biologists at work, monitoring tropical rainforest tree phenology in the Anamalai Hills. Image by T.R. Shankar Raman via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

What are green jobs? [Explainer]

Aditi Tandon 1 May 2025

A wild dog sunbathing in Kanha National Park. Image by Abhiraj1996 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

What is heat stress? How does it affect animal hormones? [Explainer]

Phalguni Ranjan 18 Apr 2025

What are earth observation satellites? How do they support environmental research? [Explainer]

Anusha Krishnan 24 Mar 2025

An indigenous Santhal woman engaged in daily work in West Bengal. While climate finance prioritises mitigation, adaptation—crucial for vulnerable communities—remains underfunded. Image by Soumyabrata Roy via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-4.0).

What is climate finance? [Explainer]

Kundan Pandey 21 Feb 2025

youth engaging in invasive alien plants removal

[Explainer] How are invasive alien plants removed?

Divya Kilikar 10 Feb 2025

[Explainer] What is blue carbon?

Phalguni Ranjan 20 Jan 2025

Claim filing process for the habitat rights in Mayurbhanj district. Image courtesy of Vasundhara (Shyam Sundar Sahoo)

[Explainer] What are habitat rights?

Shuchita Jha 13 Jan 2025

Making sense of the environment: Explainers in 2024

Aditi Tandon 31 Dec 2024

[Explainer] Why is the International Court of Justice deliberating global climate action?

Simrin Sirur 19 Dec 2024

[Explainer] What is teal carbon?

Aisiri Amin 21 Oct 2024

[Explainer] What is recycling? How does it work in India?

Phalguni Ranjan 1 Oct 2024

[Explainer] What is micro irrigation?

Vandana K. 10 Sep 2024

[Explainer] Is tree transplantation a solution for conservation or a short-term fix?

Laasya Shekhar 9 Aug 2024

[Explainer] How does habitat fragmentation impact India’s biodiversity hotspots?

Divya Kilikar 15 Jul 2024

[Explainer] What is a People’s Biodiversity Register?

Laasya Shekhar 9 Jul 2024

[Explainer] How are species named?

Anusha Krishnan 4 Jun 2024

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Visitors examine green capsicum at the fully elevated Section 1 of the agrivoltaics plant near Parbhani. Image courtesy of NSEFI & GIZ

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Often called ‘living fossils’, the fern Alsophila spinulosa is found in the Bailadila hills of Dantewada district, Chhattisgarh. Image by Devendra Shukla