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 …
Indians have lived with drought since time immemorial. Communities have built water-harvesting structures and learnt to treasure the value of every raindrop. All this has been done keeping in mind that it does not rain throughout the year and it may not rain next year. Therefore it would not be …
the rural planning approach in India has mainly been one of trials and errors. Piles of documents are gathering dust in the national archives to substantiate the belief that the reforms in the countryside have not been based upon a well-researched positive and integrative approach to village life. The main …
Should right to a clean environment be made a fundamental right? It is a fundamental right that can be enforced in the court of law. A person who is affected by environmental pollution can enforce his right to life. Should there be harsher laws to deal with pollution? There are …
sectarian violence is passe. In keeping with the latest trends today, blood is being spilt over water - an inalienable right which can no longer be taken for granted. The daily news contains harrowing accounts of people facing the drought in Gujarat. With the worst days still ahead, the situation …
Venu Srinivasan, the current head of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers ( siam ), needs a pat on his back for the first proactive step proposed by the auto industry to control the growing pollution. siam recently proposed vehicular norms for different types of vehicles going well into the …
Ninety per cent of the 50,000 persons who died in the October 29, 1999, super cyclone that hit the Ersama block in coastal Orissa would be alive today - if only the population there had been evacuated inland, beyond the reach of the three 10-metre-high tidal waves that swept away …
The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (unfao ) has launched a study to determine how government policies to control tobacco consumption impact the world tobacco economy. The study has been funded by fao and the Swedish International Development Agency (sida), and together they have contributed us $250,000. Announcing the …
during the general elections in 1997, the uk Labour Party's web-site stated it would "reduce and then reverse traffic growth." This was also emphasised in the handbook of the candidates. The party had, in fact, capitalised on environmental issues and used them as a campaign strategy to win the elections. …
Although marginal, the recent hike in prices of diesel and petrol with low sulphur content may defeat the very purpose of promoting cleaner fuels. While the price of petrol with 0.05 per cent sulphur has been hiked by 13 paise per litre, diesel with the same sulphur content will cost …
Tired of government apathy towards patenting of knowledge indigenous to the people of India by individuals and groups in foreign lands, a petitioner has moved the Supreme Court. Earlier, neem, amla, mustard, castor, turmeric and basmati were patented by foreign companies. Now it is the turn of the karela (bitter-gourd), …
The deadline for completing the tasks laid down by the Montreal Protocol is fast approaching, but India seems to be nowhere near to fulfilling its obligations, warn experts. Under the international treaty signed in 1987, India is supposed to phase out Ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like chlorofluoro carbons (CFCs) by January …
The heavily polluted Pasig River, Metro Manila's main waterway in the Philippines, is beginning to show signs of revival. Already locals have resumed fishing activities in the river. Lauding the efforts of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority ( mmda ) and the public in restoring the river, environment secretary Antonio …
one could feel the palpable air of unease in the courtroom as the additional solicitor general Kirit N Raval tried to plead on behalf of the Delhi Transport Corporation ( dtc ) before the Chief Justice Bench of the Supreme Court ( sc ). Without success. For every excuse Raval …
How can there be sustainable development when so many people are dependent on forests for their livelihood? Sustainable development generates revenue. One must understand that there is no trade-off between sustainability and development in the long-term perspective. When sustainability is achieved, there will be a transitional period when you have …
There is no doubt in the minds of anybody that the world is steadily heading towards a global water crisis. For one water was always a scarce resource and of late the scarcity is growing. Coupled to this is the problem of pollution of water sources by domestic sewage, agricultural …
The Supreme Court has had to force the government to take hard decisions When it comes to pollution control, it is only the hammer of the honourable judges of the Supreme Court (sc) that seems to push the government to do anything. Without creating a crisis, first for the auto …
CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY In force December 29, 1993, Ratified by 175 countries The convention The Convention on Biological Diversity ( cbd ) recognises the rights of countries on their genetic resources. It emphasises - the conservation of biodiversity - its sustainable use - fair and equitable sharing of benefits …
UN CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION In force from December 1996, Ratified by 145 countries The convention The persistence of countries from Africa, where two-thirds of the land area is either desert or dryland, led to the decision to adopt the Convention to Combat Desertification ( ccd ) at Rio in …
Ongoing negotiations on a legally binding instrument for international action on certain PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS Deadline for the treaty to be signed:2001 The negotiations National governments have now come together to negotiate a global treaty to control and eventually eliminate pop s from the environment. - European countries have been …
INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS ON FORESTS Intergovernmental Panel on Forests set up in 1995 Intergovernmental Forum on Forests set up in 1997 Forest diplomacy Forest trade, particularly of finished wood products, is dominated by a few Northern countries in both exports and imports. Their timber lobbies have prevailed upon their governments to …
