Humans have been cutting Ethiopian forests for fuel and agriculture for centuries. Only about 35,000 fragments remain in the northern highlands, ranging in size from 3 to 300 hectares. These fragments escaped deforestation because of their religious and spiritual importance; they are protected by, and are an integral part of, the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido Church. (Letter)

Noise levels in most Indian cities have crossed safe limits. Lack of awareness has led to ailments ranging from hypertension to heart diseases. But the authorities dont's seem bothered. Read this special report in Down To Earth.

Pollution is passe. Millions of Kumbh pilgrims bathing in the Ganga did not know they were taking a plunge right in the filth of untreated sewage. A CAG report reveals the shocking saga of the Uttarakhand government's callous mismanagement.

Throughout the ages the temple of Lord Jagannath, Puri had been invaded and plundered for eighteen times in the annals of history. The temple was a lucrative place of wealth for invaders to plunder. To non-Hindu invaders the temple was a good place to display Zihad
(Religious War). To loot its property and profane idols were motives behind every invasion. Owing to series of inroads on the temple of Lord
Jagannath the triad were exiled at various regions of Orissa.