Down To Earth Magazine - January 16, 2024

In this issue

RICE AND WHEAT HAVE LOST NUTRIENTS: Rice and wheat have lost nutritional value since the Green Revolution. Instead, they are accumulating toxic elements, says study.

Paddy warriors

A couple in Karnataka is preserving rare native paddy varieties through cultivation

2 mins

Madagascar faces year's first cyclone

THE FIRST cyclone of 2024 made landfall near Morombe in Madagascar on January 1, affecting around 16,100 people.

1 min

That Lonely Feeling

WHO has recognised loneliness as a public health crisis and is trying to devise a way to measure the condition that affects a quarter of the world population

10 mins

Fight for land

From stricter land laws to revising domicile rules, Uttarakhand residents demand government action to stop the sale of agricultural land to outsiders

3 mins

SILENT FAMINE

For the past 50 years, the country has introduced high-yielding rice and wheat varieties at breakneck speed to achieve food security. A study led by scientists with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has for the first time looked at the food value of these modern-bred grains, and delivers some dire warnings: the food grains that we eat have lost food value; instead they are accumulating toxins. Worse, by 2040, the grains will become so \"impoverished\" that they would worsen the country's growing burden of non-communicable diseases.

10+ mins

Pencil in this shortage

India's 'pencil village' faces uncertain future due to raw material crises

3 mins

Narkya and the plunder of biodiversity

Dilution of biological conservation rules and lax enforcement of forest laws are giving free rein to the drug industry and trade

4 mins

Forced evolution

Plants shift towards self-pollination as they see disruption in interactions with insects due to changes in climate

5 mins

UNTAPPED POTENTIAL

India's two-decade journey with Geographical Indication tags has shown limited outcome and there is an urgent need to simplify the registration processes to ensure that the protection mechanism helps producer communities

5 mins

Worthy alternative

A new field experiment shows that fertiliser derived from faecal sludge can improve crop yields

3 mins

Twist in the (fairy)tale

How might fairy tales read if written in today's times? When Fairyland Lost Its Magic is an attempt at that-a retelling of eponymous fables with climate change factored in on every page.

4 mins

SOUR SURPRISE

Fermentation can help make uniquely tangy healthy dishes while also reducing food waste at home

3 mins

Read all stories from Down To Earth

Down To Earth Magazine Description:

Down To Earth is a fortnightly magazine published by the Society for Environmental Comm, a non-profit research and advocacy organization based in New Delhi, India. It is one of the most respected environmental magazines in the country.

The magazine covers a wide range of topics related to the environment and sustainable development, including:

* Climate change: DTE provides in-depth coverage of climate change, including its causes, impacts, and mitigation and adaptation strategies.
* Energy: DTE covers a variety of energy topics, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and fossil fuels.
* Water: DTE covers a variety of water topics, including water pollution, water scarcity, and water management.
* Pollution: DTE covers a variety of pollution topics, including air pollution, water pollution, and soil pollution.
* Biodiversity: DTE covers a variety of biodiversity topics, including forests, wildlife, and conservation.
* Sustainable development: DTE covers a variety of sustainable development topics, including green economy, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable transportation.

Down To Earth magazine is known for its high-quality journalism and its commitment to environmental protection. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the environment and sustainable development in India and around the world.