CATEGORIES

‘Friluftsliv' - Healing Touch of Mother Nature

Dr Surya Prakash throws light on the importance of spending time in nature to reap amazing physical and mental health benefits.

“We Have a Great Responsibility Towards Our Planet”

Prachur Shah is Deputy CEO, Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Ltd. Here, he is in an exclusive email conversation with Abhas Mukherjee for TerraGreen.

Climate Change And Fires

Shaping the Forests of the Future

Efficient Water Use in Agriculture

A Learning from ‘Paani Bachao, Paisa Kamao’ Scheme

How COVID-19 Affected My Senior School Year - From the Diary of a Youngster

Through this article, Arvind Arnav reminiscences how he felt on cloud nine after completing his grade Xth examination in March 2020. However, to his bewilderment and lakhs of other students, lockdowns had to be imposed in India and all over the world due to the threat of spreading of highly contagious COVID-19. Life has not been the same since then as the schools have not re-opened since that time and social distancing became a necessity, travel was restricted, and schooling became online. Arnav also feels that the continuing experience of living in COVID-19 times is direct evidence of how disturbing our natural environment and ecosystems can lead to an unstable environment and grave consequences for the mankind.

Driving Global Demand for Indian Cotton Farmer

With Adaptation of Scientific Agriculture Practices

Marina - Adversely Impacts the Environment Around It

In the light of multiple coastal infrastructure projects coming up across the country, such as marinas in the planning stage, this story by Rashi Goel aims to focus on the impact of such anthropogenic modifications to waterways, on the existing quality of seas, biodiversity, quality of water, quality of air, and the environment as a whole.

Greening the Grid

How Close is India to Meeting its Renewable Energy Targets?

The EcoMap

Creating Awareness on Environmental Issues

Plasticeating Mushrooms - Environmental Superstars

Mushrooms, which have quietly been breaking down dead plants for millennia, recycling important nutrients back into the soil, are finally getting recognized as superstars in saving the planet. Recently we learnt that a mushroom called Pestalotiopsis microspora can turn polyurethane into organic material. If governments and scientists take this seriously and harness the power of plastic-eating mushrooms, we could clean up the planet

Trailing the Grey Ghost in the Eastern Himalaya

Rohan Pandit shares his vivid experiences during his survey of snow leopards in Arunachal Pradesh. The surveys were designed to rely on the immense body of traditional ecological knowledge of the local communities.

‘Superbug' Spread

Due to Human Waste Contaminating Urban Water

Your Home's Indoor Air Quality - Ways To Improve It For Better Health

The air in your home could be at times much dirtier than the air outside, and it can make you sick. Here’s what makes it so dirty and how to improve your indoor air quality, elaborates Lorena Romo. She presents it from the perspective of the environment in the USA and we in India could also learn from her experience.

Hope On Climate Change - Reasons to Be Optimistic

The total commitments made under the Paris Agreement were too little to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius, whereas scientists agree that limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is vital. Ajay Shankar says that recent developments give cause for optimism for the first time as the President of the USA has brought the USA back into the Paris Agreement and is providing leadership for a net carbon-neutral global economy. Also, India could set an example in the deployment of renewable energy installations as it is already leading the way with the dramatic increase in renewable energy generation in the last decade. Keep reading to know more about the latest developments…

Bottles for Change - PET Recycling Initiatives by Soft Drink/Drinking Water Giants

In this article Anita Khuller talks about PET bottle recycling initiatives of some major organizations, which proves that with responsible disposal, PET bottles can be recycled or upcycled, and cause less strain on other natural resources. Despite such environment-friendly initiatives, the biggest challenge faced by bottled water companies in India is counterfeiting, especially in the case of 1-litre bottles. She talks about such challenges in this article.

Hyderabad Metro Follows Delhi Instance - Opts for Solar

Even as the number of railway stations using solar power is on the rise in India, metro trains are following their example as well—after Delhi metro, the Hyderabad metro will utilize solar, thereby reducing emissions and paving the way for cleaner air.

Returning Glass Bottles - For a Sustainable Future

Today, glass is one of the primary domestic and business waste streams in the country. For the same, Carlsberg India has initiated conversation on the grave danger glass poses to the environment. By returning a glass bottle, one can do their bit in reducing carbon footprint, saving energy and even creating job opportunities. Returning a glass bottle is different than reusing one, as reusing does not solve the purpose. Returning a glass bottle after consumption ensures proper handling and reduces single-use glass substance.

Smart Water Management in Ladakh - Results and Outcomes of a Project

In this article, Neha Upadhyay and Enoch Spalbar discuss smart water management in high-elevation villages in Ladakh to transform them into a vibrant land-based economy with diversity of crops grown. They have compiled this article based on the work done by them under the project, ‘Solar technology for post-harvest processes and sustainable agriculture for income enhancement of tribal communities living in Cold Desert Region of Ladakh, Kargil’, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

Artificial Insemination in Poultry - Unclean, Unsafe

Most chickens in India are born through artificial insemination. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi highlights how both sexes of birds are caused extreme pain through a dirty, rough process that spreads disease.

Elvira Rat - Can We Reverse the Disturbing Decline in Its Population?

Rats! Someone out there needs a bit of help. Is there a Pied Piper who can reverse the disappearance of a rodent? The Elvira rat needs a little magic to help it survive, says Benita Sen.

Sultanpur National Park - A Paradise for Birds and Birdwatchers

In this series of articles, Amarjeetsingh Bishnoi and Shakti Bishnoi share their wonderful experiences with their family in the lap of nature in Sultanpur National Park in Haryana. So far, you have read about their experiences in the winter and summer season. In this concluding part, read more about their vivid experiences during the monsoon season. They also discuss various challenges faced by this Sanctuary.

Sunderlal Bahuguna - The Earth Warrior Who Devoted His Entire Life to Save the Environment

Noted environmentalist and Padma Vibhushan Sunderlal Bahuguna, who was being treated for COVID-19 at AIIMS hospital in Rishikesh, passed away on May 21 this year. We pay homage to the great environmentalist by remembering his life and pioneering work.

Are We Ready For A Circular Economy?

Challenges and Solutions On the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5, Ram Ramprasad presents his views on circular economy and feels that it is time for all stakeholders, individual citizens, companies, and global leaders to start dismantling old paradigms of thought and action. Building a circular economy is the responsibility of every individual, not just governments.

River Yamuna to Get Bubble Curtain

Geocycle—the global waste management arm of Lafarge-Holcim, that manufactures building materials, will implement the innovative ‘bubble curtain’ technology for the first time in India to stop plastic from entering the Yamuna River.

Sustainable Nitrogen Management

Desideratum of the Decade and Afar. In this article, Dr Anil Pratap Singh highligths that there is an urgent need for sustainable nitrogen management as nitrogen pollution threatens to become a major environmental challenge in the years to come.

Vegan Leather

Prevents Pollution and Animal Cruelty. The leather industry is not only death for animals but also extremely dangerous for us as the rivers are polluted with toxic chemicals. The industry is a major contributor to global warming. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi writes about plant-based leather or vegan leather, the ethical and cruelty-free alternative to traditional leather.

New NASA Earth System Observatory to Help Address Climate Change

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will design a new set of Earth-focused missions to provide key information to guide efforts related to climate change, disaster mitigation, fighting forest fires, and improving real-time agricultural processes.

‘Paani Bachao, Paisa Kamao' Scheme

Another Innovation in Punjab. To address the electricity–water–agriculture nexus problem in Punjab that has long confined the farmers, power utilities, consumers, and governments, an innovative approach was the need of the hour. In this article, Apoorva Bamal, Prajnasish Swain, and Amit Kumar tell us about the innovative ‘Paani Bachao, Paisa Kamao’ scheme in Punjab.

Who Killed Assam's 18 Asiatic Elephants?

Thunderbolt or Man–Animal Conflict? Can a herd of wild Asiatic elephants be killed by a thunderbolt? What would be its impact on the soil and trees if such a massive lightning strike at all hit the planet? Why the surrounding villages could not experience the sound of thunder along with bright rays of light? In this article, Nava Thakuria tries to find answers to these questions.

Restore Land; Sustain Lives; Promote Equality

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. In this article, Biba Jasmine helps deconstruct various ways in which the rate of land degradation and desertification can be seized. Given an understanding, desertification has an impact on the land area causing poverty rise, food insecurity, and high mortality rates, among other hardships, further leading to impoverishment, migration, and conflict. It is imperative to gauge ways in which land degradation and desertification have implications on ecosystem functioning and livelihoods. Let us come together this World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought and identify need for the concurrent attainment of social equity, environmental health, and economic wealth through addressing the challenge of land desertification, and degradation.