https://smogandsoot.com/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-home.svg https://smogandsoot.com/news/brazil-indigenous-policy-makes/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-brazil-indigenous-policy-makes.svgBrazil's Indigenous Policy Makes Progress, But Challenges PersistBrazil's Indigenous policy has made significant strides in recent years, but critical problems persist, according to a recent analysis. https://smogandsoot.com/news/indonesia-captive-coal-decarbonisation/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-indonesia-captive-coal-decarbonisation.svgIndonesia's Captive Coal: A Decarbonisation ParadoxIndonesia's ambition to dominate nickel and electric vehicle battery supply chains may undermine global decarbonisation efforts due to its reliance on captive coal-fired power plants. https://smogandsoot.com/news/bomb-fishing-tracked-sonically/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-bomb-fishing-tracked-sonically.svgBomb fishing tracked sonically across Indonesian coral reefsA study has used thousands of hours of underwater audio recordings to track blast fishing in the Spermonde archipelago, off the south-western edge of Indonesia's Sulawesi island. https://smogandsoot.com/news/african-ai-governance-must/2026-08-19https://smogandsoot.com/share-african-ai-governance-must.svgAfrican AI Governance Must Respect Indigenous Peoples, Expert SaysAfrican governments are developing national AI strategies, but experts say they are neglecting the impact of AI on the environment and Indigenous rights. https://smogandsoot.com/news/women-led-rice-crab/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-women-led-rice-crab.svgWomen-led rice-crab farming offers climate-resilient alternative in AssamFarmers in Assam are adopting a climate-resilient farming method that combines rice and crab cultivation, providing a second source of income and reducing the need for agrochemicals. https://smogandsoot.com/news/pollution-uncertainty-brazil-steel/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-pollution-uncertainty-brazil-steel.svgPollution and Uncertainty in Brazil's Steel CityVolta Redonda, a city in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state, is plagued by pollution from the country's largest steelmaker, CSN. Residents and environmental groups are calling for action to address the... https://smogandsoot.com/news/india-young-farmers-embrace/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-india-young-farmers-embrace.svgIndia's Young Farmers Embrace Agri-Tech to Bridge Generational GapYoung Indian farmers are turning to technology to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impacts in the country's agricultural sector. https://smogandsoot.com/news/ladakh-glaciers-losing-speed/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-ladakh-glaciers-losing-speed.svgLadakh Glaciers Losing Speed as Ice Melts, New Study WarnsA recent study has found that glaciers in the Zanskar Himalayas in Ladakh are losing speed, with implications for water availability in the region over the long term. (Source: Mongabay India) https://smogandsoot.com/news/supreme-court-upholds-centre/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-supreme-court-upholds-centre.svgSupreme Court Upholds Centre's Power to Notify Post-Facto ClearanceThe Supreme Court has struck down the central government's 2021 Office Memorandum on post facto environmental clearances, but stated that the central government can frame statutory amnesty schemes... https://smogandsoot.com/news/clues-how-animals-evolved/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-clues-how-animals-evolved.svgNew Clues into How Animals Evolved an Internal Compass to Navigate EarthScientists have made new discoveries about how animals evolved an internal compass to navigate the Earth, but the origins of this ability remain elusive. (Source: Mongabay India) https://smogandsoot.com/news/assam-activist-detention-sparks/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-assam-activist-detention-sparks.svgAssam Activist's Detention Sparks Widespread CondemnationRights groups condemn the detention of Assam-based environmental and Indigenous rights activist Pranab Doley under the National Security Act, calling it a clear attempt to punish and vilify activists... https://smogandsoot.com/news/heatwaves-lightning-recognized-national/2026-08-18https://smogandsoot.com/share-heatwaves-lightning-recognized-national.svgHeatwaves and Lightning Recognized as National Disasters in IndiaThe Indian government has officially recognized heatwaves and lightning as national disasters, making them eligible for relief under the State and National Disaster Response Funds. https://smogandsoot.com/news/indian-peafowl-expanding-range/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-indian-peafowl-expanding-range.svgIndian Peafowl's Expanding Range Sparks Conflict with Farmers in Eastern HimalayasThe Indian peafowl, a national symbol and protected species, is causing significant agricultural damage in the eastern Himalayas, exacerbating tensions between farmers and conservationists. https://smogandsoot.com/news/india-online-ornamental-plant/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-india-online-ornamental-plant.svgIndia's Online Ornamental Plant Trade May Be an Overlooked Pathway for Invasive SpeciesA new study has found that a majority of ornamental plants sold online in India are alien species, many of which are known to be invasive or naturalised in other countries. (Source: Mongabay India) https://smogandsoot.com/news/mine-closures-india-complex/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-mine-closures-india-complex.svgMine Closures in India: A Complex TransitionIndia's mine-closure framework has expanded in recent years, but challenges remain in implementing scientific closure and ecological restoration. Local communities are often unaware of developments... https://smogandsoot.com/news/herders-quitting-occupation-threatens/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-herders-quitting-occupation-threatens.svgHerders Quitting Occupation Threatens Human-Tiger Coexistence in Kanha-Pench CorridorHerders play a vital role in mediating between villages and the forest department in the Kanha-Pench corridor, but many are quitting due to low wages, loss of pastures, and the risk of being attacked... https://smogandsoot.com/news/tourism-human-disturbance-linked-e27606/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-tourism-human-disturbance-linked-e27606.svgTourism and Human Disturbance Linked to Elevated Stress in India's TigersA study across five tiger reserves in India reveals that tigers exposed to higher levels of tourism and human disturbance exhibit elevated stress hormone levels. Female tigers appear to prefer less... https://smogandsoot.com/news/assam-floods-expose-crisis-39a5da/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-assam-floods-expose-crisis-39a5da.svgAssam Floods Expose a Crisis Beyond Heavy RainThe recent floods in Assam and Nagaland have left a trail of destruction, with over 100 people reported dead and thousands displaced. While heavy rainfall is being cited as a primary cause... https://smogandsoot.com/news/himalayan-pheasants-face-mounting-e75726/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-himalayan-pheasants-face-mounting-e75726.svgHimalayan Pheasants Face Mounting Human PressureA study on the white-crested kalij pheasant in the northwestern Himalayas has identified habitat degradation, hunting, and human disturbance as major threats to the species. The findings serve as an... https://smogandsoot.com/news/western-ghats-states-odds-4c3220/2026-08-17https://smogandsoot.com/share-western-ghats-states-odds-4c3220.svgWestern Ghats States at Odds Over Eco-Sensitive Areas NotificationThe Union Environment Ministry has released a new draft notification defining Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) across 56,825 sq km of the Western Ghats, but states including Kerala and Goa continue... https://smogandsoot.com/news/nine-anchor-species-could-94f623/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-nine-anchor-species-could-94f623.svgNine Anchor Species Could Boost India’s Biodiversity and Climate GoalsNew research identifies nine key species whose habitat conservation could protect over 700 vertebrates and 1.1 gigatonnes of carbon in India, offering a pathway to meet biodiversity and climate... https://smogandsoot.com/news/carbon-market-bets-invasive-fe7b24/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-carbon-market-bets-invasive-fe7b24.svgThe Carbon Market Bets on an Invasive TreeBig companies are paying to convert invasive trees in India into charcoal-like substances to solve climate change, but the process raises several questions about its effectiveness and impact on local... https://smogandsoot.com/news/free-ranging-dogs-threaten-8387ab/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-free-ranging-dogs-threaten-8387ab.svgFree-ranging dogs threaten livelihoods in Spiti's agro-pastoral landscapeA new study finds that free-ranging domestic dogs are a growing threat to livestock in Himachal Pradesh's Upper Spiti, with many herders considering them a greater risk than traditional predators. https://smogandsoot.com/news/india-bats-ecological-guardians-48d7f3/2026-08-16https://smogandsoot.com/share-india-bats-ecological-guardians-48d7f3.svgIndia's Bats: Ecological Guardians Under ThreatIndia's diverse bat species play vital roles in pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal, yet face declining populations due to habitat loss, persecution, and wind turbine collisions. With only... https://smogandsoot.com/health-policy/2026-08-19 https://smogandsoot.com/about/ https://smogandsoot.com/sources-and-methods/ https://smogandsoot.com/corrections/