-The Pioneer Pollution alarm bell might be ringing aloud in Delhi, but several other cities are also facing similar grim situation due to rising air pollution and its impact on the health of the citizens. Recent data available from the Government shows that number of people suffering from respiratory DISEases believed to be associated with air pollution exposure has shot up from 3.16 crore in 2012 to 3.48 crore in 2014. The...

-The Hindu A new report lays bare the link between environmental degradation and the health of Indians. The numbers cited are cause for concern “Every poison we put out into the environment comes right back at us, in our air, water and food. These poisons slowly seep into our bodies and take years to show up as cancer or as immune system disorder or as hormonal or reproductive system disorders — affecting...

-The Times of India NAVI MUMBAI: Borze, a tiny village in the water-starved Pen taluka of Raigad district, stopped waiting for the state government and their local politician of various hues to give them the much-needed clean water. Instead, the villagers recently tied up with a private company to set up an innovative "water ATM" that locals refer to as "ATW," or any time water. This is the first time in the...

-Down to Earth Black rice is drought resistant and has rich medicinal properties. Manipur and Assam are reviving this variety Not very long ago, black rice (Oryza sativa) was forbidden in China. Not because it looked poisonous for its black colour, but because it had nutritional values, and found a place only on an emperor’s menu. For centuries, the nutritional values of this wild rice eluded common people. It is only now...

-Outlook Haryana’s new, ‘progressive’ panchayat election rules skewers the chances of women and the marginalised In rural Haryana, last year’s drought-hit fields are finally giving way to the verdant yellow and green of mustard, but the people are restive, even angry. All along the glittering 250-km highway that connects Rohtak with Nuh—Haryana’s west and east, also its best and worst—a wedge has been driven between the rich and the poor by...