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Despite the Forest Rights Act (FRA) granting autonomy to tribal communities over minor forest produce (MFP) and community forest resources (CFR), the ground reality across many states reveals continued exploitation and bureaucratic control. Tribal gatherers, often unaware of their legal entitlements, remain trapped in cycles of economic dependence, selling valuable produce like tamarind for as little as Rs 30 per kilogram to local middlemen, far below its real value. In Odisha’s Koraput district, the situation is even more stark. Gram Sabhas that hold CFR titles legally recognising their right to collect and sell high-value forest products such as kendu leaves are systematically denied the ability to exercise those rights. The state forest department continues to dominate the lucrative ...

A new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) suggests that China, India, and Indonesia the world three largest coal growth markets are on track to see their coal power use and emissions peak by 2030. The think tank calls this a potential “global breakthrough” in the fight against climate change. Together, the three countries accounted for 73 percent of global coal consumption in 2024 and have been the biggest contributors to rising carbon dioxide emissions since the Paris Agreement. If all three nations successfully curb coal power growth within the decade, it would mark the first time that major coal-dependent economies collectively reverse fossil fuel expansion, reshaping the global energy landscape. Lauri Myllyvirta, CREA co-founder and lead analyst, sa...

  In a striking blend of art, engineering, and ecology, Austria has unveiled a visionary concept that transforms traditional power pylons into stunning animal-shaped sculptures. Known as the “Austrian Power Giants,” these innovative structures are being designed in the shapes of animals such as a stork and a stag, symbolising harmony between technology and nature. Developed by Austrian Power Grid (APG) in collaboration with Meissl Architects, the project aims to replace conventional, industrial-looking transmission towers with aesthetically appealing, regionally inspired designs. Two prototypes the stork and the stag have been developed so far to test both structural feasibility and electrical safety. The stork represents Burgenland’s annual bird visitors, while the stag reflect...

In a remarkable environmental turnaround, land in Delhi Dwarka once among the city most groundwater-stressed zones is rising again. A joint study by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), IIT Kanpur, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, and the University of Miami has revealed that after years of gradual sinking, Dwarka’s land is now lifting, indicating groundwater replenishment. The study, published in Water Resources Research and titled InSAR Reveals Recovery of Stressed Aquifer Systems in Parts of Delhi, India, analysed satellite data from October 2014 to October 2023. Researchers found that land subsidence in Dwarka has not only halted but reversed with certain areas lifting by 5 to 10 centimetres since 2016. The upward movement, averaging 2 cm per year across nearly 4 sq km, points to the sl...

As air quality in Haryana deteriorates with the onset of the pollution season, the state’s ability to monitor real-time data has taken a major hit. Nearly 65% of its air quality monitoring stations went offline on Wednesday, severely crippling pollution tracking efforts at a crucial time. Out of 32 stations across the state, 20 were non-functional including three key monitors in Gurugram. The outage left only the Vikas Sadan station operational in the city, which recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 150, categorised as ‘moderate.’ However, with the majority of monitors down, officials lacked an accurate picture of pollution levels or the composition of the haze that blanketed the city. According to Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) officials, the stations at Gwalpahari,...

A devastating wave of child deaths in India due to toxic cough syrups has reignited concerns over the nation’s fragile pharmaceutical oversight. In October 2025, at least 24 children in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara district died after consuming Coldrif syrup, followed by three more deaths in Rajasthan’s Sikar and Bharatpur districts linked to another dextromethorphan-based syrup from Kaysons Pharma. All victims, aged below five, exhibited signs of acute kidney failure caused by diethylene glycol (DEG) poisoning. The World Health Organization (WHO) later confirmed DEG levels as high as 48.6 percent in Coldrif batches a staggering violation of safety norms. In standard formulations, safe solvents like propylene glycol are used, but unscrupulous manufacturers often substitute them with chea...

UNESCO has launched the world’s first Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, a digital space unlike any traditional museum. Instead of expanding its collection, this museum aims to one day empty itself by returning every stolen item it showcases to its rightful home. Unveiled in September at UNESCO MONDIACULT 2025 conference, the museum is the first global platform dedicated to stolen and trafficked cultural artifacts. It seeks to raise awareness about the illicit trade of cultural property while providing a free, immersive, and interactive experience accessible worldwide. Currently the museum displays 240 stolen or missing objects from 46 countries rendered in 2D and 3D formats. Visitors can browse artifacts ranging from ancient manuscripts and coins to sculptures and paintings....

Gurugram: Making Model Gurugram (MMG), under the aegis of Rurban Initiatives, has submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) to reform the city’s sanitation, waste collection, and monitoring mechanisms. The framework, titled “A Submission on Waste Management,” outlines actionable strategies to address four major urban challenges construction debris, road dust, horticulture waste, and garbage burning. Construction Waste Tops the List of Concerns According to the report, Gurugram generates more than 2,000 tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste daily, far exceeding the 1,500-tonne capacity of the Basai processing plant. MMG has proposed setting up 30–35 demarcated dumping points across the city and ensuring direct waste collection un...

A new study has revealed that baleen whales including species such as blue, fin, minke, and humpback whales play a far greater role in ocean health than previously understood. Their waste releases vital nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron into the water, which can increase ocean primary productivity by up to 10%, according to research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. For years, scientists knew whales helped recycle nutrients, but this is the first time their precise impact on marine productivity has been measured. Researchers collected and analyzed feces and urine samples from minke and fin whales to determine nutrient concentrations. They then used ecosystem models to estimate how the nutrient release from several baleen species affects phytop...

In a significant milestone for Indian agriculture, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal announced that the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has facilitated the first-ever air shipment of GI-tagged Indi Lime from Karnataka and Puliyankudi Lime from Tamil Nadu to the United Kingdom. Calling it a “major boost to farmers,” Goyal said the achievement would empower cultivators, open new export avenues, and strengthen India’s agricultural presence in global markets. Earlier this year, APEDA had successfully exported three metric tons of GI-tagged Swadeshi Lime from Vijayapura, Karnataka, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking another step toward global recognition of India’s regional specialties. The Geographical Indication (GI) tag is awarde...