-Down to Earth GroundWater contaminated with arsenic is extensively used for irrigation and finds its way into the food chain  Arsenic contamination in groundWater has been a growing concern in several parts of the country. Now, the chemical has found its way into the food chain — mainly rice, wheat and potato — a recent study has found. Ashok Kr Ghosh, one of the leading scientists of the team that led the research...

-IANS/ Business Standard More than 12,000 people in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district are suffering from viral fever, according to the state health department officials. Firozabad:  More than 12,000 people in Uttar Pradesh's Firozabad district are suffering from viral fever, according to the state health department officials. Four more deaths have been reported from the district in the past 24 hours, taking the toll to 114 that includes 88 children. The deaths have continued despite...

-Counterview.net The people of Kendrapada district of Odisha are fighting peacefully for last two years to save their river Kharasrota. This river is the lifeline of farmers, fishing communities and other communities living besides the river. The Kharasrota river is the source of life and livelihoods for the people of Odisha in general and people of Kendrapada and Jajpur in particular. The successive governments have failed to provide safe drinking Water to...

-Down to Earth Tanks have fallen into disrepair for lack of a clear community ownership; but farmers, mostly women, are now being paid for its upkeep There is a reason why tanks — Water bodies that store rainWater for irrigation — are in abundance in Karnataka. The state does not have many rivers; nor does it receive a lot of rainfall.    Karnataka’s Kolar district is dotted by these tanks, which have assumed...

-The Hindu Environmental experts and politicians raise concern over Centre’s proposal. Given the widespread destruction of rainforests and native biodiversity caused by oil palm plantations in Southeast Asia, environmental experts and politicians are warning that the Centre’s move to promote their cultivation in India’s northeastern States and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands could be disastrous. Other concerns include the impact on community ownership of tribal lands, as well as the fact that...