CATEGORIES

Monkey Menace in HP - Human–Animal Conflict And Other Issues

Hassled by troops of monkeys which frequently attack passers-by and destroy crops in Himachal Pradesh (HP), the government has been trying hard to get rid of the monkey menace in the state. Indeed, it is no monkey business to deal with the monkey menace and for now this continues to be a big challenge that may not be overcome too soon, says Sarita Brara.

Khadi On Postage Stamps

Mahatma Gandhi encouraged and promoted khadi and the charkha in a big way as part of the Swadeshi Movement during the Indian freedom struggle. As we come together to celebrate the sesquicentennial (150th) birth anniversary of the Father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, N Kalyani takes a look at khadi, the fabric that Gandhiji endorsed in a big way, and how postage stamps of India, have, over the years, commemorated khadi and Gandhiji.

Viability And Sustainability Of Natural Resources - Strengthening Institutions And Strategies

Biba Jasmine says that since time immemorial Indian tradition has promoted frugality and moderation in consumption. She feels that in today’s times, it is imperative to use resources more effectively with less damage to environment and public health. On the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, let us all strive to strengthen institutions and strategies for the conservation of natural resources. Let us all join hands and have a collective vision to promote sustainable production processes and lifestyle.

District Mineral Foundations

Fetching a Good Deal for Mining-Affected Communities?

High Pesticide Levels In The Human Body - Linked To Chronic Kidney Disorders

A number of studies from Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Central America, and Mexico, have brought to light that patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have high levels of pesticides in their body. A study from the national capital of India, Delhi, is a recent addition to this list. This study published in the journal Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine has set the alarm ringing loud. In this report, Bhavya Khullar discusses the possible link between CKD and high levels of organochlorine pesticides found in the bodies of patients in some recent studies that associate pesticide levels with kidney disorder. These alarming findings raise a big question mark on the widespread use of these pesticides.

Pearls - Soft, Shiny, And Alluring

The finest quality natural pearls have been highly valued as gemstones and objects of beauty for many centuries. Due to this, pearls have become a metaphor for something rare, fine, admirable, and valuable. Here, Dr Pradeep Kumar Mukherjee discusses the process of creation of natural pearls and the cultured pearls, and also highlights the reasons why pearls fit different tastes and attract so many different people.

Green Waste Reprocessor (GWR)

Green Waste Reprocessor (GWR)

Tiny Pygmy Hog

This Hog Needs to Hog Some of the Limelight!

Eliminating Blood Honey

Supporting Tiger Conservation in the Sundarbans

Carbon Neutrality - A Vision Worth Pursuing For India

Carbon neutrality, or having a net-zero carbon footprint, refers to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset. It is used in the context of carbon dioxide-releasing processes associated with transportation, energy production, and industrial processes such as production of carbon neutral fuel. In this article, Adv. Karthik S Nair discusses a customized model of carbon neutrality through which India could strive to achieve lowering of its carbon footprints in the years to come.

All Is Well That Ends Well

Journey of Youngsters in Skill Development Programmes in India

World Comics

When we think of comics, we may imagine the histrionics of Superman, Batman, Spiderman, et al.

Antibiotic Misuse In Poultry Farms - Leading To Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

Misuse of antibiotics in poultry farms is leading to a proliferation of multidrug-resistant bacteria. To make matters worse, these bacteria are now spreading in the environment because of unsafe disposal of poultry litter and waste in agricultural fields—this has a potential to infect human beings, says a new study from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Waste Equals Food A Case For A Circular Economy

At a philosophical level, humans have always believed that life is cyclical in nature—what goes around, comes around; or in more relevant terms, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Quite literally, waste generated from one process can well act as fodder for another process elsewhere. Why then do we continue to live our lives in this linear manner?

Fipronil​ - Pesticide In Eggs

Europe has destroyed millions of eggs because they contained traces of a dangerous insecticide Fipronil. But Maneka Sanjay Gandhi says that India's poultry and milk industry uses this freely, inspite of an international ban.

India's Vivid Wildlife Diurnal And Nocturnal

M Krishnan was a pioneering Indian wildlife photographer, writer, and naturalist. Krishnan was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government in 1960 for his work and the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship in 1968. Here, N Kalyani reviews M Krishnan’s book Nights & Days: My Book of India's Wildlife. Although the book was written more than 30 years ago in 1985, N Kalyani feels that nature literature of the past lets us take stock of wildlife and their habitats in time series.

Rhinos Find A Second Home At Dudhwa National Park

Three female and one male greater one-horned rhinoceros have been introduced to a rehabilitation area in Dudhwa National Park by the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department, in partnership with WWF-India. Keep reading to know more…

Navigating Uncertainty Today For A Better Tomorrow

We live in a world of great political, economic, and environmental flux.

Flooded Cities

Is it the Weather or a Mismanaged System?

Living Close To Green Spaces - Associated With Better Attention In Children

An ISGlobal study analyses for the first time the impacts of lifelong residential exposure to greenness in children. In the current study, the authors expanded on this finding by evaluating the impact of greenness surrounding all the residential addresses of children since birth and characterizing cognitive development at earlier stages in life.

Youth And Conservation​ - Active Real World Experiences

Declaration‘As MAB Youth Forum delegates, we ask all Biosphere Reserves to commit to creating attractive and long-term employment opportunities linked to the values of Biosphere Reserves (in particular conservation of Biodiversity and habitat restoration), involving local enterprises and cooperating with local stakeholders….’(Excerpt from the MAB 2017 Youth Forum Deceleration)

Elements Of A Market-Based Energy Access Intervention A Basic Insight

In spite of being very progressive on the universal energy access goal, the world is home to billions of people who are still reliant on traditional fuels and inefficient technologies for lighting and cooking. In this article, Martand Shardul and P B Singh discuss that in the context of social justice, economic development, and climate change mitigation, facilitating the transition of communities to cleaner and efficient solutions is a must. For a community to transition from grants to a market-linked system, complementary interventions will be helpful.

Horticulture For A Green And Beautiful Environment

Horticulturist Shiv Kumar Sharma headed the horticulture department as director in NDMC, before he retired in 2012. Sharma was also part of the design, development, and landscaping work of Delhi’s stadia and has made notable contributions in the field. Here, N Kalyani tells us about the remarkable work done by Shiv Kumar Sharma in making Delhi’s landscape more beautiful.

Advocating Sustainable Agriculture Practices In Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve Villages

Agrarian distress due to poor rainfall in successive years, compounded by a shift in cropping patterns and the widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, as well as loss of onfarm diversity were some of the important issues affecting the farmers in Tamil Nadu. With an aim to address these issues, and promote sustainable agriculture and secure livelihoods for the locals, WWF-India, in 2017, extended their support to communities living under Gundri and Koothampalayam Panchayats of Erode district in Tamil Nadu.

Predators Under Threat March 3: World Wildlife Day

In December 2013, the United Nations declared March 3 as the World Wildlife Day—a day every year when the threat to wild animals, birds, and plants are highlighted in as many ways as possible.

Water Scarcity In India A Grim Reality

World Water Day, on March 22 every year, is about focussing attention on the importance of water. The theme for World Water Day 2018 is ‘Nature for Water’—exploring nature-based solutions to the water challenges we face in the 21st century. In this article, Viraj Desai highlights the distressing scenario of water scarcity in India as rapid urbanization and industrialization is expected to take a toll on the water availability in India in the future. He also discusses initiatives by the government and corporate companies for water conservation.

Green Energy From Garden Grass-A Sustainable Source of Hydrogen

A new way of deriving hydrogen from grass has now been developed using just sunlight and a cheap catalyst. Garden grass could become a source of cheap and clean renewable energy, scientists have claimed in a new report.

The Indo-Gangetic Plain as a Vital Link - Prospects for India's Food Security

We are bound to face unprecedented competition for food due to the world’s increasing population. Feeding the world’s growing population is a great challenge of the present times. In this regard, Monika Kumari and Md Maroof Azam assess the present scenario of food security in India highlighting the current situation of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) that not only fulfils the food needs of the vast majority of Indians but also generates employment and is a source of livelihood for millions of people. They analyse what needs to be done to mitigate the effects of global environmental change to ensure India’s food security.  

Respect for Wildlife- Need to Shirk Unruly Tourism with Ethics

Tourism and wildlife viewing in protected areas are intricately linked to each other. We in India especially need to understand, as human beings, that there is a need to give proper respect and space to wild animals while we amuse ourselves watching them as tourists in the wild. Subir Ghosh feels that we must learn to observe wildlife through quiet observation so that they are not scared or forced to flee their habitats. He also examines the developments that have taken place in the sphere of ecotourism since the United Nations’ Rio Summit in 1992 and also dwells on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) involving tourism and wildlife protection.

Alternative Products from Mahu -Ensuring its Future in Liquor-Banned Regions

In early April this year, Bihar was declared a ‘dry’ state with the government imposing a total ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol, including liquor, made from mahua. Dr Chandra Prakash Kala says that the need of the hour today is to produce alternate products from mahua so that mahua’s demand remains in the market and it continues providing livelihood opportunities to the rural population in liquor-banned states such as Bihar.