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    A simple and cost-effective water solution is helping drought-prone regions in South Africa restore their groundwater supplies, offering hope for communities facing growing climate stress. Researchers from the University of the Free State have successfully implemented small-scale managed aquifer recharge (MAR) systems across five towns, demonstrating how excess rainwater can be stored underground for long-term use. South Africa is among the driest countries globally, with over 400 towns relying heavily on groundwater. In recent years, severe droughts have pushed some areas, including Sutherland, to “Day Zero” — when water supplies effectively run out. Traditional solutions like water-shedding have only provided temporary relief, especially as rainfall patterns bec...

    A recent scientific study has revealed that road dust re-suspension is a major and often overlooked contributor to air pollution across key stretches of New Delhi. The findings highlight a serious environmental concern along an 82.5-kilometre corridor stretching from Mayapuri to Punjabi Bagh via major highways including NH-44 and NH-9. The study, conducted by CSIR-NEERI and the Central Road Research Institute for the Commission for Air Quality Management, found that poor road conditions are significantly worsening dust pollution. Only 34 percent of the examined road stretch was classified as being in good condition, while the remaining 66 percent fell into moderate to poor categories. These degraded surfaces allow dust to accumulate easily and become airborne with pa...

    Scientists have created the first global map showing how ocean tides influence rivers far inland, revealing a major but overlooked flood risk affecting millions worldwide. The research, led by Technical University of Munich, shows that tides do not stop at coastlines. Instead, they travel upstream through rivers, increasing flood risks in inland areas. The study found that over 725 million people live in regions affected by tidal river influence, with more than 175,000 kilometres of rivers impacted globally. In some cases, tidal effects extend hundreds of kilometres inland, such as in the Amazon River. This new mapping tool helps identify vulnerable regions and track how risks may shift with climate change and rising sea levels. Researchers say the data will be...

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...