The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
The Sahanis are known as "masters of water'. This fishing community had been living in the wetlands of north Bihar for aeons, relying on them for sustenance. They did so by fishing or helping people cross the surging rivers that crisscross the floodplain. Or by displaying their art of trapping …
Before buying a car in Singapore, it is mandatory to first buy a right to own a car. The "Certificate of Entitlement" system introduced in 1994 requires would-be car owners to bid for the right to buy a vehicle. The prospective owner will first have to buy the certificate. The …
The year 1999 registered the highest number of disasters since the last 10 years. The trend for the last decade shows that the Asian continent is most frequently hit by disasters. In 1999, nearly 40 per cent of the total disasters took place in Asia. Africa has also seen a …
Forest fires raging in various parts of Indonesia have led to the country's air pollution reaching hazardous level. The smog has spread to parts of neighboring Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. The fire has been allegedly set by farmers and plantation owners to clear the bushes. Antung Deddy of the Environmental …
Why is Veerappan popular with the residents of some 175 villages from where he operates? Simply because he not only gives them employment, but also facilitates smuggling of small amount of sandalwood in the nearby Salem market in Tamil Nadu. Considering that he has not been actively involved with smuggling …
Hospitals no longer present a pic ture of neglect with a distasteful lingering aroma of disinfectant. Some of these modern institutions of succor are indistinguishable, in every way, from the glitzy structures that abound in the city. However, time has stood still in the area of waste manage ment and …
According to laws in both Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, a sandalwood tree is a state property and the government has exclusive rights over its harvest, selling and movement. "Since local people do not get any benefits from these trees, they do not take interest in its protection," says Madhav Gadgil …
it has taken ten years for the government of India to come up with a national agricultural policy. Yet, the document just highlights the challenges of Indian agriculture and does not address the issues and problems that confront the sector. "It is a general statement and does contains any mechanisms …
every year, a series of conflicts between the villagers and the forest officials disturbs the tranquillity of the Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan. This year, on 21st July the forest guards even resorted to firing 17 rounds during a clash with 10 villagers of the Uliana village, who were found …
it all happened on a dark Sunday night. The Kannada screen idol Rajkumar was in Doddagajanur village in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, for a house-warming get together with his family and relatives. The bandit was on the prowl. Before anyone knew what was happening, he had whisked away their dear …
You had mentioned in your article about the attitude and the activities of Indian politicians, officials and the persons responsible for causing pollution. The problem we are facing is a classic example of the above. We have been fighting for the past year to get justice and three of our …
What is traditional ecological knowledge? The agricultural practices of indigenous people perfected over a period of time is termed as traditional ecological knowledge. Most of the farmers have been using this knowledge for making their agricultural production more yielding. Are there instances were such knowledge has not been validated? The …
Bangalore, India's Silicon Valley, ground to halt in the first week of August. The rich and the powerful of the software industry would probably have failed to understand why. Ironically, their operating systems have crashed under the collective burden of the cries of the thousands of poor villagers and tribal …
If you are a self-respecting Hindu, have deep religious feelings for the river Narmada, and are worried about what the Sardar Sarovar Dam might do to the river, you don't matter. At least not to the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (vhp). But a dam on the river Ganga in Tehri is …
goa has been unable to implement its Biodegradable Garbage Control Act of 1996, which was to have been implemented eighteen months ago. The state government says the law aimed at stopping plastics and non-biodegradable wastes from ending up in public drains, roads and fields has to be implemented by panchayats …
the C P Ramaswamy Iyer Memorial Park in Nagercoil, the district headquarters of Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, is under threat from more quarters than can be imagined. The park is 1.8-hectares park is right in the heart of the city and was inaugurated on December 19, 1943, to commemorate the 60th …
" what is the big fuss about 12 tigers dying?" This insensitive statement of A P Singh, Orissa's environment and forest minister reflects and adequately sums up the attitude of the bureaucracy towards wildlife in the country. With the authorities displaying such a total lack of concern for the animals …
some right-wing religious groups of Pakistan have come out with statements that give an indication of a hate campaign against non-governmental organisations ( ngos). Media reports indicate that ngos are concerned about this as the Pakistan government has maintained a stony silence on the issue. A July 10 report in …
it is an example that many industries in India will find hard to emulate. The successful run of a power plant in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, has proved that commitment of employees and their wholehearted approach towards building a green environment can even make an 50-year old coal-based power plant run without …
at least 90 people were killed in a landslide that crushed an entire slum in Mumbai. The Azad Nagar slum in Ghatkopar was located at the foot of a hillock, which collapsed due to heavy rainfall sending down a mass of mud on about 100 houses. More than 150 firebrigade …
