In this issue

A PASSAGE TO RIGHTSTO RIGHTS - Forest communities across India are reclaiming ownership rights over their territoryreclaiming territory

Perfect decomposition

A Goa-based startup offers a homegrown biodegradable polymer as an alternative to single-use wrappers

2 mins

Dry monsoon for east, northeast

EAST AND northeast India may continue to see a deficit of rainfall in August and September this monsoon season, as per the recent analysis by the India Meteorlogical Department (IMD). Most parts of the regions have been receiving below normal rainfall since June. July rainfall, 44.7 per cent less than normal, was the lowest in 122 years, says IMD.

1 min

Fuelling problems

With LPG price crossing the ₹1,000-mark, the poor are forced to return to unclean cooking fuels

5 mins

Illusive oilseed

Without the Centre's push, niger seed might vanish from the tribal food plate in near future

5 mins

Sequence for a just future

Without a robust regulatory framework, digital genomic data will not allow benefits from biological resources to reach communities

3 mins

Acquired shortage

India's HIV drug shortage is real and could have been averted

7 mins

TAKING OWNERSHIP

There is a surge in demand by forest communities to not only access the resources of their habitat, but also to establish their ownership over forests. They are doing so by wielding a previously underused provision of the Forest Rights Act. The forest department, however, is reluctant to let go of its control. SHUCHITA JHA and ZUMBISH travel across Odisha and Chhattisgarh to understand how communities have gained through this law and the mechanisms they are setting up to ensure sustainable use of forest resources PARTY

10+ mins

Imposed choice

Rise in hysterectomies among younger women and at private hospitals signals imminent public health crisis

3 mins

Not an easy fix

Global warming could be depleting forests and grasslands of a key macronutrient, nitrogen. This will have far-reaching consequences on the growth and survival of the animal world

3 mins

Does Rajasthan's Wage Employment Scheme Tick All The Boxes?

Rajasthan's attempt to provide income security to urban poor shows challenges of designing a wage guarantee scheme for towns and cities

6 mins

Organic takeover

A federation of farmer-producer organisations taps into the growing organic market to help members raise incomes

5 mins

PURPLE POWER

Packed with nutrients, the deep-coloured jamun gives an excellent health boost during the monsoon while ensuring year-round wellness

3 mins

Read all stories from Down To Earth

Down To Earth Magazine Description:

Down To Earth is a fortnightly magazine published by the Society for Environmental Comm, a non-profit research and advocacy organization based in New Delhi, India. It is one of the most respected environmental magazines in the country.

The magazine covers a wide range of topics related to the environment and sustainable development, including:

* Climate change: DTE provides in-depth coverage of climate change, including its causes, impacts, and mitigation and adaptation strategies.
* Energy: DTE covers a variety of energy topics, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and fossil fuels.
* Water: DTE covers a variety of water topics, including water pollution, water scarcity, and water management.
* Pollution: DTE covers a variety of pollution topics, including air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution.
* Biodiversity: DTE covers a variety of biodiversity topics, including forests, wildlife, and conservation.
* Sustainable development: DTE covers a variety of sustainable development topics, including green economy, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable transportation.

Down To Earth magazine is known for its high-quality journalism and its commitment to environmental protection. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the environment and sustainable development in India and around the world.