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The Union government has approved key amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, aiming to strengthen oversight of foreign funds flowing into India. The proposed bill, cleared by the Union Cabinet, introduces stricter timelines for utilisation of funds and a new mechanism to regulate assets created through foreign contributions. India currently has around 16,000 FCRA-registered associations, receiving nearly ₹22,000 crore annually from foreign sources. These funds support a wide range of activities, including social work, education, and development projects. However, concerns over misuse and lack of transparency have prompted the government to tighten regulations. A major provision in the amendment mandates that organisations must utilise foreign contributi...

    New research suggests that Neanderthals may have used sticky tar made from tree bark not just as a tool-making adhesive, but also as a medicinal substance to treat wounds, highlighting their surprising knowledge of natural remedies. The study, led by Tjaark Siemssen from the University of Oxford, focused on birch bark tar a substance commonly found at Neanderthal archaeological sites across Europe dating back to the late Pleistocene period. While it has long been known that this tar was used to attach stone tools to wooden handles, researchers wanted to explore whether it also had medicinal properties. To investigate this, scientists recreated birch tar using methods that would have been available to Neanderthals. They collected bark from species such as Betula pu...

    A growing wave of human wildlife conflict in western Nepal is placing rural women at heightened risk, particularly in forest-edge communities surrounding Bardiya National Park, where daily survival activities are bringing them into dangerous proximity with wild animals. In villages like Madhuwan, women routinely enter nearby forests at dawn to collect fodder, firewood, and other essentials. These same areas are also key wildlife corridors used by animals such as tigers and leopards, creating frequent and often deadly encounters. Recent incidents have highlighted the severity of the situation, with multiple fatalities reported within weeks, many involving women engaged in routine tasks like cutting grass or grazing livestock. The increasing danger is closely linked...

    A new scientific study has challenged a long-standing idea in evolutionary biology, offering fresh insight into why some groups of organisms rapidly evolve into thousands of species while others remain limited. The research, inspired by questions first raised by Charles Darwin, suggests that the speed of evolutionary change rather than specific traits may be the key driver of biodiversity. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Reading, focuses on cacti, one of the most diverse yet threatened plant families in the world. Despite being known for their slow physical growth, cacti have evolved rapidly over millions of years, producing around 1,850 species in just 20 to 35 million years a relatively short period in geological terms. For decades, sc...

    In Rajasthan, a powerful grassroots movement is gaining attention as villagers undertake a 700-kilometre foot march from Jaisalmer to Jaipur. Their goal is to demand protection for sacred groves, grazing lands, and water catchment areas that are increasingly threatened by large-scale solar energy projects. The march began near the India-Pakistan border at the Tanot Mata temple and is expected to conclude in Jaipur by the end of March. What started with around 100 villagers has now grown into a large movement, with thousands joining along the route. Villages on the way are supporting the marchers with food, shelter, and solidarity. At the center of the issue are “orans,” sacred groves that have been protected for generations by local communities. These lands are no...

A new study highlights that climate change could significantly reshape the future of cassava farming across Sub-Saharan Africa, a region where the crop is a lifeline for millions. While warming temperatures may allow cassava to grow in more areas, they are also expected to accelerate the spread of a devastating plant disease. Cassava, a starchy root crop, supports the food security of more than 800 million people worldwide. It is especially crucial in African countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Mozambique. Known for its resilience, cassava can grow even in poor soils and low rainfall conditions, making it a dependable crop in a changing climate. Researchers used climate models and historical data to predict how cassava cultivation and a major disease known as cass...

    A new study highlights how a simple plant like moss could play a powerful role in making roads more environmentally friendly, especially in regions facing rising pollution and extreme weather. Across Europe, roadside embankments are usually covered with grass to stabilise soil and maintain a neat appearance. However, researchers now suggest that moss could be a more effective and sustainable alternative. Unlike grass, moss does not rely on soil for nutrients. It absorbs water and minerals directly from the air, allowing it to grow in thin soils, shaded slopes, and exposed surfaces where grass often struggles. Once established, moss requires very little maintenance, as it grows slowly and does not need frequent cutting. This could significantly reduce maintenance c...

    In a remarkable discovery, scientists have identified tiny ruby-like crystals embedded within rocks on Mars, marking the first time such mineral formations have been found on the Red Planet. The finding was made by Perseverance rover, which continues to explore Mars in search of clues about its geological history and potential for past life. The crystals, discovered inside Martian pebbles, are composed of corundum a mineral that forms rubies or sapphires depending on the trace elements present. On Earth, corundum is known for its hardness and brilliance, commonly used in gemstones and industrial applications. The discovery was led by Ann Ollila and her team at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Researchers first detected signs of corundum while analyzing a rock named...

    A new global study has identified India as one of the four largest contributors to rising pesticide toxicity worldwide, raising concerns about environmental damage and human health risks linked to intensive agricultural practices. The research, published in the journal Science by scientists from University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, analysed 625 pesticides used globally and found that India, along with China, Brazil and the United States, accounts for 53–68 per cent of total global pesticide toxicity. The study assessed pesticide impact using a metric called “total applied toxicity” (TAT), which considers not just the volume of chemicals used but also their harmful effects on different species. This benchmark aligns with global biodiversity goals set under the Conv...

    A remote forest community in Gabon has successfully defended its ancestral rainforest from industrial logging by using participatory mapping to document its cultural and historical significance, highlighting the growing importance of local knowledge in global conservation efforts. The case centers on the village of Massaha, located in northeastern Gabon, where residents mobilised to protect a forest known locally as Ibola Dja Bana Ba Massaha, meaning “the reserve of all Massaha’s children.” The forest, long used for hunting, fishing, farming, and cultural practices, had been allocated as part of a logging concession, putting it at risk of large-scale destruction. What made the community’s effort unique was its use of “biocultural mapping” a collaborative process t...