Feature Article

Activists question allowing China to participate in ivory trade, with estimates that as much as 90 per cent of retail items in the country are illegal.

Gadchiroli in Maharashtra may have acquired the model district status for clearing a record number of community forest rights (CFR) claims, but its 298 villages are angry with the forest department for stripping them of the basic right to manage forest produce.

The new Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation (MMDR) Bill, 2011 will ensure that the industry shares its profits with affected people. This is a special report by Down To Earth on this bill that will make mining companies shell out Rs 10,500 crore a year for affected people.

Multinational seed companies are luring farmers to grow hybrid maize with promises of high yields and high returns. The cereal is overtaking farms growing millets and other staples. Is it a threat to India’s food security? Read this report in Down To Earth.