TerraGreen - May 2023

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In this article, Sharada Balasubramanian highlights that a series of flames have been breaking out, year after year, at the Brahmapuram landfill in Kerala. Yet, it was not taken seriously. This year, the massive uncontrollable fire breakout urged the Kochi Corporation to take serious steps to resolve this issue as it impacted the health of people, and the environment. Brahmapuram is the only landfill that is a bone of contention in Kerala where solid waste management, otherwise is decentralized and systematic. Plans are underway to solve this crisis that the Kochi Corporation is facing after the Brahmapuram incident.

Hiccups in the Himalayas - Reading the Warning Signs in Uttarakhand

Joshimath, also known as Kartikeyapura named after Kartikeya, the God of Katyuri kings and the son of Lord Shiva, is the ancient and picturesque town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, which has been breaking for some time now, however, the urgent appeals to mend it has been ignored every time. The town lies in seismic zone V, which makes it the most active earthquake prone area in the Indian Himalayan geographical region and is anyway precariously positioned when it comes to frequent as well as high intensity earthquakes. Read on to know more...

3 mins

Elephant Ecosystems in Decline - Points towards Conflict between Elephants and Humans

Study examining habitats across centuries reveals an urgent need for sustainable land-use and conservation strategies to avoid dangers for wildlife and human communities. Global space for Asian elephant habitats has been in rapid decline since the 1700s, a new report reveals. More than 3 million square kilometres of the Asian elephant's historic habitat range has been lost in just three centuries and may underlie present-day conflicts between elephants and people.

3 mins

The Aluminium-Air Battery: The Holy Grail for India's EV Market?

In this article, Manish Vaid says aluminium-air (Al-air) batteries offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries for the Indian electric vehicle ecosystem. As India makes strides towards adopting other sustainable mobility options such as green hydrogen as transportation fuel, compressed biogas, and ethanol blending, it has also begun its quest for alternative battery technologies such as sodium-ion and Al-air.

8 mins

Nano Steps towards Climate Smart Agriculture

Nanotechnology may work at a small scale, but the minuscule size of nanomaterials belies their efficiency. Its deceptively small size is no measure of its impact. Little wonder then that the technology is being increasingly applied in agriculture to enhance efficacy and, importantly, to shrink the adverse impact of conventional chemical fertilizers on the environment and health. The TERI-Deakin Nanobiotechnology Centre has been working to evolve ways of effectively using nanobiotechnology to provide sustainable agriculture solutions. In this ‘In Conversation’ section, Dr Pushplata Singh, Senior Fellow, Centre of Excellence in Agri-nanotechnology, TERI, talks to Palak Khanna from the Communications Team, TERI, about the incisive role the technology can play in the fields of agriculture and beyond.

7 mins

Brahmapuram Landfill Fire: Points towards the Need for Decentralized Waste Management

In this article, Sharada Balasubramanian highlights that a series of flames have been breaking out, year after year, at the Brahmapuram landfill in Kerala. Yet, it was not taken seriously. This year, the massive uncontrollable fire breakout urged the Kochi Corporation to take serious steps to resolve this issue as it impacted the health of people, and the environment. Brahmapuram is the only landfill that is a bone of contention in Kerala where solid waste management, otherwise is decentralized and systematic. Plans are underway to solve this crisis that the Kochi Corporation is facing after the Brahmapuram incident.

10 mins

Bite into a Peach - While You are in South Carolina

In this article, Dr Marianne Furtado de Nazareth recollects her wonderful experience of eating ripe South Carolina peaches. She realizes that South Carolina averages more than three times the amount (in pounds) of peaches harvested in Georgia in a typical season. Peaches do have many health benefits also as one large, juicy globe of peach delivers an impressive quantity of vitamin C and is a good source of vitamins A and B. It also offers three grams of fibre.

6 mins

Drought and Desertification in the Horn of Africa History Same as India

The Horn of Africa is one of the world's most conflict-prone and fragile regions. Countries such as Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Eritrea (along with some other countries) form the Horn of Africa. In this thought-provoking article, Faiza Mustafa says Africa contributes 3-4 per cent of global emissions and 17 per cent of the world's population. So, it is not responsible for the drastic climate events and yet faces the worst consequences of natural disasters such as droughts. She also addresses the vital question that how India after facing the same situation during the colonial era was able to overcome these challenges.

6 mins

Stop Food Waste Day: The Fight Against Food Waste Is More Important Than Ever

With food waste contributing to around 8–10 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions each year, and with global food inflation and cost of living pressures, the need for action to reduce food waste has never been more important,” says Compass Group PLC, the world’s largest food services company.

4 mins

Hindustan Zinc Nurturing Biodiversity with Miyawaki Plantation

On this Biodiversity Day, Miyawaki Plantation delved into the ingenious technique that is transforming barren land into thriving green havens. Revolutionary reforestation technique restores nature's balance as Hindustan Zinc has planted 32,500 saplings of 65 diverse species in Debari, Dariba, and Chanderiya in Rajasthan.

1 min

Inspiring and Nurturing Young Minds Dr Kalam's Exceptional Story-Telling Skills

Children who visited Dr APJ Abdul Kalam witnessed the absolute power of his story-telling. His anecdotes caught them in rapt attention. Almost everything a child heard and saw in Rashtrapati Bhavan is preserved in their memories, waiting to resurface exactly as it was experienced—just as the heart desires. He was probably the only Indian President who really knew how to tell a story. The more they listened to him, the better they connected with him. Like the stories he told, his life too was filled with extraordinary twists and turns. An article by Dr Elsa Lycias Joel.

5 mins

Electrocution of Animals: Can We Reduce Domestic Power Supply Volts?

In this article, Nava Thakuria says that today electrocution has emerged as a major cause of death of wildlife such as elephants. Various government sources confirm that India lost over 470 elephants (along with more than 220 flamingos, 150 leopards, 45 tigers, etc.) to electrocution injuries during 2014 to 2020 fiscal years. To prevent such fatalities in the future, the decrease of domestic supply voltage will definitely be a major policy shift for the vast country with the high population as it would need a huge volume of resources with adequate preparedness and public awareness. A long-term plan will be needed with a strong political will from both the Centre and State governments.

4 mins

Sustainability Version 2.0 - Revisiting ESG

In light of recent changes and AI-augmented awareness of society, the ESG-oriented approach has an indispensable role to play in its applied linkage to sustainability revisited in the contemporary version. As per India Finance Corporation's definition, sustainability is an approach that ensures long-term business success along with socioeconomic development and a healthy environment. Keep reading to know more...

3 mins

Manipur Black Rice: Nutritious And Exotic

In this article, Onam Vaid highlights that aromatic black rice is dense in nutrients and contains powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins. The nutrients present in the black rice help to flush out toxins from the body. It also aids in the functioning of the brain. Aromatic black rice helps in body metabolism. It also has low glycaemic index; hence it is beneficial for diabetic and heart patients. In comparison with other types of rice, black rice is the lowest in calories and highest in protein. It is expected that the GI tag and the renewed interest in the healthy properties of this rice variety will encourage commercial cultivation and marketing across the world.

5 mins

Nature is Changing: As Land Abandonment Increases

When people leave their rural lives behind to seek their fortunes in the city or agriculture is no longer profitable, the lands they toiled on are often left unused. A new perspective piece in Science shows that these abandoned lands could be both an opportunity and a threat for biodiversity, and highlights why abandoned lands are critical in the assessment of global restoration and conservation targets.

3 mins

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TerraGreen Magazine Description:

TerraGreen is one of the most respected monthly magazine dedicated to informing and enlightening its readers on issues of environment, energy, and sustainable development. Launched in 2004, TerraGreen has made an indelible impression on the minds of readers, both in India and across the world. Today, it enjoys a readership of over 40,000 and a subscriber base of close to 5,000. Helping the magazine along in its endeavour to take issues of absolute importance to the people is the fact that it is the only publication of its kind in the market; not only does it inform and educate, it does so in a subtle and reader-friendly manner. After all, the aim is to reach as many people as possible!

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