Science
Down To Earth
Zeroing In
The debate over the origins of zero is not yet over.
3 min |
April 01, 2017
Down To Earth
`Religion Is Not Doing Enough to Help Wildlife'
GEORGE SCHALLER is one of the first scientists to study and rediscover several rare and charismatic species. These include the mountain gorillas in the Congo, lions in Tanzania, tigers in India, jaguars in Brazil and the Asiatic cheetahs in Iran. He has also been researching the wildlife in China, including the giant panda, the Tibetan antelope and the snow leopard. On a recent visit to India, he spoke to RAJAT GHAI on emerging conservation issues. Excerpts from the interview.
4 min |
April 01, 2017
Down To Earth
Bright and Black
Female tigers at the Similipal reserve in Odisha are increasingly giving birth to black or melanistic breeds and catching rare worldwide attention.
4 min |
April 01, 2017
Down To Earth
The Murder of Workers' Unions
The case of Maruti workers reflects the anti-labour stance of companies, governments and media.
3 min |
April 01, 2017
Down To Earth
Scraps Tamil Nadu Over Farmer Suicides
THE SUPREME Court has expressed unhappiness over the silence maintained by the Tamil Nadu government on the suicides committed by farmers in the state that was declared "drought-affected" in February.
1 min |
May 1, 2017
Down To Earth
No Noble Gases
A new government policy has made it easier to dig deeper for unconventional oil and gas. But a village in Tamil Nadu is up in arms against the risks involved in the extraction of these fuels.
4 min |
May 1, 2017
Down To Earth
Imminent Violation
It is necessary to change consent conditions for upcoming coal-based power plants to ensure that they do not violate new pollution control norms.
4 min |
May 1, 2017
Down To Earth
Status Quo
Political cooperation at multilateral organisations for the preservation of international peace and security will continue to be biased heavily in favour of the major powers.
4 min |
May 1, 2017
Down To Earth
In My City, Without My Car
From an object of desire, cars will turn into an asset of shared mobility.
4 min |
May 1, 2017
Down To Earth
Unlock the Grid
Cities all over the world are checking car population to free their road space. Where is India headed?
1 min |
May 1, 2017
Down To Earth
A Tool to Settle Scores
Contests over water are set to increase, intensify.
6 min |
May 1, 2017
Down To Earth
Purple Bites
With a size that of an almond, this rare variety of potato from Assam is relished for its unique taste.
4 min |
May 1, 2017
Down To Earth
Those Brilliant Forgotten Women
Women scientists were part of life-changing discoveries but they were sidelined by male colleagues in awards and patents
2 min |
May 16, 2018
Down To Earth
`Energy Poverty Hurts Women'
Women's participation should be considered while making policy on access to energy and management
2 min |
May 16, 2018
Down To Earth
On Track To Miss Target
India is unlikely to reach its rooftop solar power generation target of 40 GW by 2022
3 min |
August 16, 2017
Down To Earth
Don't Rubbish The Court
Here's how local authorities in Delhi can enact imaginative by-laws to clean up the city
3 min |
August 16, 2017
Down To Earth
Shadows Of LED
Exposure to LED lights could be harmful.Scientists suggest a simple solution
3 min |
August 16, 2017
Down To Earth
"I Have Asked The Government To Re-examine Amendments To Land Laws"
Jharkhand's first tribal governor, DROUPADI MURMU, has been featured in the news more than Raghubar Das, the state's first non-tribal chief minister. Murmu refused to give her assent to two bills approved by the Legislative Assembly seeking amendments to the Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act, 1908, and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act, 1949. The state has witnessed widespread protests against these amendments, which seek to allow the use of tribal lands for commercial purposes. She speaks to DEEPANWITA NIYOGI in Ranchi
3 min |
August 16, 2017
Down To Earth
Sainted Trademark Blues
Mother Teresa's blue and white sari has been trademarked so that it is not misused. But to what end?
3 min |
August 16, 2017
Down To Earth
Not A Minor Lapse
Why has tendu leaf revenue failed to reach forest dwellers even 50 years after its nationalisation?
4 min |
August 16, 2017
Down To Earth
What Are We Breathing?
New analysis shows an alarming increase in the early deaths from particulate and ozone pollution. India accounts for over a quarter of these deaths.
4 min |
March 01, 2017
Down To Earth
Two Steps Ahead
After becoming the first large state to achieve total sanitation, Himachal Pradesh is all geared up to manage its waste and ensure cleanliness. But tourist influx may derail its efforts.
4 min |
March 01, 2017
Down To Earth
Interim Relief
The Supreme Court's order to compensate endosulfan victims within three months is a welcome move, but India still needs to strengthen its pesticide management system to avoid a similar crisis in the future.
5 min |
February 01, 2017
Down To Earth
Lake Chad Forgotten Crisis
Ecological degradation in the Chad Basin has triggered Africa's latest humanitarian crisis. It's time, the basin countries looked beyond the excuse of insurgency.
8 min |
February 01, 2017
Down To Earth
A Phoenix of a Tribe
A nomadic community in Odisha insisted on its right to live and farm even after forest officials burnt its houses
4 min |
November 01, 2016
Down To Earth
Immune to Drought
Jhabua continues to flourish and maintain its status as a model district while many others fail
4 min |
May 16, 2017
Down To Earth
Practical Matters
Despite growth in renewables, coal-based power will continue to fulfil a large share of India's power needs. Instead of resisting the new environmental norms, power plants would do well to clean up their act
8 min |
May 16, 2017
Down To Earth
Fields On Fire
The pattern of burning crop residue in India is changing. The practice is no longer limited to the post-monsoon crop of rice or the northern states of Punjab and HaryanaJITENDRA, SHREESHAN VENKATESH, ISHAN KUKRETI, KUNDAN PANDEY, DEEPANWITA NIYOGI and POLASH MUKERJEE travel to five states across the country to study the trend.
10+ min |
May 16, 2017
Down To Earth
Muted Presence
India's participation at the recently concluded 22nd Conference of Parties was passive and lacked vision.
6 min |
December 01, 2016
Down To Earth
How Trump Happened!
Widespread anger stemming from the loss of trust in government decided the new presidency of the US.
4 min |