Climate change is impacting the world. It is the poorest who suffer the most. Yet often rural Indians are leading the way in sustainable advances and trialling schemes that – if rolled out on a macro scale – can create real change in the environment.
Environment
Villagers unite to battle forest fires in Odisha
As forests provide them sustenance, residents of Nitigotha village in Odisha unite to contain the forest fire spreading from neighbouring areas and take collaborative steps to prevent fire incidents.
Purulia farm transforms barren land into green oasis
Breathing new life into the arid, red soil and the souls of its people, this agricultural venture has transformed into a catalyst for community empowerment and ecological restoration in West Bengal’s Purulia district.
A journey of devotion and activism to revive Odisha’s Prachi river
As the once-glorious Prachi river languishes in neglect, a noble initiative known as Prachi Parikrama and led by spiritual guru Paramahamsa Prajnanananda seeks to breathe new life into its waters.
Sparrow Saviors of Jeypore: A Tale of Community Conservation
A contract worker pours in his savings, and efforts, for the cause of the sparrow in Odisha’s Jeypore city where urbanisation has taken its toll on the species.
Her rural oasis of green lends respite to Ludhiana
Agripreneur Ramandeep Kaur Sandhu’s dream project – a plant nursery in Birmi village near Ludhiana – offers over 1,000 varieties of plants and provides employment opportunities to villagers.
Spare a thought for the sparrows
One man's mission is to save the sparrows on his land after being devastated by the death of three little birds trapped in his house.
Birds worth – One for sparrow
Once a familiar sight at our houses, sparrows are now rarely seen in our neighbourhoods. This World Sparrow Day, we present a silver living – photographs of these tiny birds clicked at various locations in India.
Indian rivers in peril, and their saviours
This International Day of Action for Rivers, which is observed on 14 March, we revisit the stories done on Village Square to bring attention to the rivers facing risks, and what’s being done to conserve them.
Assam villagers ward off elephants with draw of lots
Over 160 villages located near Manas National Park in Assam participate in an annual lottery that funds upkeep of solar-powered electric fences to keep rampaging elephants off crop fields and homes, reducing human-wildlife conflicts.