-Hindustan Times According to the Central Ground Water Board’s 2019 report, state tops the country in over-exploitation of groundwater at 79% Patiala: The proposed reduction in the area to be covered under traditional water-guzzling paddy in Punjab this year due to labour shortage is likely to give some respite to already depleting groundwater table in the state. As per the target set by the state agriculture department, the department is expecting to reduce...

-Press release by VikasAnvesh Foundation, Sambodhi, Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), BAIF Development Research Foundation (BAIF), Action for Social Advancement (ASA), SATHI-UP, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP), Grameen Sahara and Transforming Rural India Foundation (TRIF), dated 13th May, 2020 One of the largest surveys to assess the impact of COVID 19 and the lockdowns on the rural poor was recently undertaken by leading Indian NGOs. The collaborating NGOs have footprints...

-Mongabay.com * The nationwide lockdown has affected the economy of India’s tribal population, which depends highly on the sale of minor forest products. * However, state governments are hoping things will become normal soon as the lockdown norms get relaxed in the coming days. Chhattisgarh’s Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel even praised the tribal population in his state for maintaining social distancing properly. * Experts and organisations working with tribal communities demand removal or...

-The Week Flower growers across the country might be forced to discontinue cultivation Times have never been so rotten, say flower growers as the sight of wilting flowers across fields during the nationwide lockdown are driving them to despair. If the government does not step in to help them, these floriculturists might be forced to discontinue flower cultivation. Ram Chander, a 40-year-old flower grower in the village of Ramnagar (Mal block, Lucknow) has...

-PTI/ The Hindu Apart from jobs, the 6,979 ‘Jhumiya’ families will also be provided with seeds for cultivation under the ‘Jhum Sahayata Prakalpa’, according to Minister Nath. Agartala: The Tripura government has launched an initiative to create jobs under MGNREGA for 6,979 families practising shifting cultivation in the State, a senior Minister said on April 29. Apart from jobs, the families will also be provided with seeds for cultivation under the ‘Jhum Sahayata...