Environment
Fin following: Gaga over golden mahseer
Efforts of conservationists like Saurabh Dewan are weaning away villagers of Baagi in Pauri Garhwal district from illegal fishing and helping them earn a decent income through recreational fishing as tourist guides
‘Planting trees is not forest restoration’
To learn about India’s forests, their significance and their relationship with people, we spoke with Neha Singh, founder of Forrest India, a Pune-based organisation working on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem connectivity and climate change.
Bringing the Aravallis back to life
Tree species like sheesham, babool and others planted over 75 hectares of land that was previously mined illegally are helping restore greenery and bring back wildlife
Assam’s wildest jungle safari
Nature lives in its full glory in Dehing Patkai, but illegal logging and coal mining are pushing the virgin jungle to the brink.
How ‘Canal Man’ channelled strength for Odisha village
Daitari Naik’s Talabaitarani village in Kendujhar district is no longer the parched land where people were forced to drink muddied water. The 3km canal he dug almost single-handedly ensures lush crops all year round.
The disappearing wild orchids of North Bengal
Known for their beauty, fragrance and medicinal properties, epiphytic orchids found in the Dooars and Darjeeling hills are dying out because of deforestation in their natural habitat.
Strawberry sweetens deal for Maharashtra farmers
The luscious strawberry is moving beyond its comfort zone of Maharashtra’s Panchgani-Mahabaleshwar region, bringing a smile to farmers in other regions of the state as well.
When livelihoods and disaster relief fall through the cracks in Joshimath
While the land subsidence in Joshimath is a disaster for those who cannot get compensation for their damaged houses because of lack of documents, for many others it is a loss of livelihood.
Will this stag party again?
Hangul, Jammu and Kashmir’s state animal, is critically endangered. While conservation efforts are leading to a small increase in its numbers, the struggle is far from over.
‘Only about 100 great Indian bustards remain now’
Radheshyam Bishnoi, 26, is on a mission to protect the critically endangered great Indian bustard, which is also Rajasthan’s state bird, and the other threatened animals. He tells us about the issues and the solutions.
‘Wildlife conservation isn’t anti-development’
All stakeholders need to make efforts for conservation since the ultimate beneficiary is humanity, says Dr Samir Kumar Sinha, Chief Ecologist at Wildlife Trust of India. Excerpt from an interview:
What’s it like to run on a frozen lake?
Ladakh’s picturesque Pangong Lake hosts the world's highest frozen lake half marathon with an aim to raise awareness about sustainable tourism and ecological concerns of the region.
Bengal village gasps for air – blames Bhutan
Indian residents near a Bhutanese industrial township are suffering from respiratory and heart diseases, and even cancer, because of air and water pollution from the factories.
Novel elephant alarm: Bengal villagers turn to the bottle
Bengal farmers create an innovative method to save their paddy crops and prevent conflict between humans and rampaging elephants in a West Bengal village in the Jalpaiguri district.
‘Ecological threat to next generation’, warn Chipko leaders
The women of Uttarakhand hugged trees to protect them from being axed in what is known as the Chipko movement. Fifty years since, how green is India?
Death on the tail of migratory birds in Kashmir
In the cold winters of Kashmir’s wetlands, migratory birds that roost and breed there under the shadow of hunters and trappers, never mind climate change, threatening their annual visit.
One man’s bamboo quest breaks records
With 96 varieties harvested, farmer Prashant Date sets the record for the largest collection of bamboo in India. His garden is growing and he may venture into the commercial space soon.
Ladakh’s Chipko: Mothers out on streets to save ‘sacred’ juniper trees
Women of Hanupatta high up in the Himalayas man checkpoints to stop felling and smuggling of juniper trees that are much in demand for their aroma.
Ills of eucalyptus drive Odisha tribals back to legacy crops
In southern Odisha farmers are switching from water-guzzling eucalyptus trees to diversified farming of traditional crops to boost soil fertility, crop yield, household income and dietary diversity.
Money blooms in India’s ‘flower village’ of Nikamwadi in Maharashtra
Farmers have almost abandoned water-thirsty sugarcane for more colourful, and profitable, crops – marigold and chrysanthemum – which fetch them around Rs 10 lakh a year.