CATEGORIES

Devalsari A Biodiversity Hub with Immense Potential for Ecotourism

Dr Pradeep Kumar Mukherjee writes about the hamlet of Devalsari in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, which is rich in biodiversity with diverse species of butterflies, moths, birds, animals, and plants. Devalsari has a lot of potential for ecotourism. The author feels if the region is declared as a biodiversity heritage site, it will attract more tourists leading to economic development of the area. This in turn will ensure protection of rare species of Devalsari in a better manner.

Contaminants in Aquatic Environments - NIVA's Commitment and Persistent Efforts to Mitigate the Same

Dr Merete Grung is Senior Research Scientist at Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA). Here, she is in an exclusive email conversation with us for TerraGreen. Contaminants in Aquatic

Indian Agrochemicals Industry Moving from Products to Solutions

Rajesh Aggarwal is Managing Director, Insecticides (India) Limited. Here, he is in an exclusive email conversation with us for TerraGreen.

India's E-Mobility Transition Shifting Consumer Preferences and Speed Breakers Ahead

In this article, Anita Khuller discusses the targets and challenges for the implementation of e-mobility in India. She talks about various policy initiatives as well as the ways in which various states and cities in India are planning to promote and introduce electric vehicles in the country on a larger scale.

Virtual Conferences More Inclusive and Better for the Environment

A research team led by engineers found that virtual conferences are more inclusive than in-person events, and also carry a smaller environmental footprint.

The Moghiyas From Poachers to Protectors

“Remapping the Moghiya community’s role in conservation, and weaning them off their last resort of hunting through necessary and much overdue capacity-building—supplementing existing efforts—can help break the systemic poverty trap that limits their horizon of opportunity.”

Engaging Youth with Mother Nature For a Better Tomorrow

In this article, Sumanta Kar tells us about environmentally-significant initiatives —zero budget natural farming and the nutrition garden programme, both aimed at enhancing well-being and self-reliance.

Ecobari

Upscaling Ecosystem Restoration through Collective Action

E-waste Recycling Cutting the Gordian Knot

In this article, Dhruv Verma discusses some facets of e-waste recycling that will leave you to ponder on this pertinent environmental issue.

Critically Endangered Forest Owlet Under Threat from Habitat Loss

Forest owlets are an endemic species to India. They are found only in small pockets of forest patches in India, and nowhere else in the world. The species were thought to be extinct, until a group of scientists rediscovered the species, and then started working on them. The forest owlets are threatened by severe habitat loss and development projects, apart from changes in climate. Sharada Balasubramanian writes about the birds, their rediscovery and how their habitat is threatened by ancient climate change and landscape modification.

Delhi Homes Record Poor Indoor Air Quality Low Willingness for Demanding Clean Air

In this article, Ashirbad Snehdip Raha tells us about a new research paper that measured indoor air quality in thousands of Delhi homes (across socioeconomic groups) between 2018 and 2020 and found very high levels of indoor air pollution and yet low demand for clear air or adoption of defensive behaviors. The study also observed that indoor PM 2.5 levels were consistently higher than those reported on the nearest outdoor government monitors. Surprisingly, PM 2.5 levels even inside more affluent homes were only 10 per cent lower than those found in poorer homes.

An Inspiration for All Delhi Teens Change Pollution Discourse in the Capital

As the National Capital Region continues to gasp for fresh air, two Delhi teens— 17-year-old Vihaan Agarwal and his 14-year-old brother Nav’s efforts have changed the discourse of pollution in the country. From the government to the Municipal Corporation and the court, they have become active on this issue and are trying to make Delhi breathable.

Dreaming Of A ‘Green' Christmas? Shop Sustainably!

We are all aware of the effect we are having on the planet and many of us are making conscious choices about how we can be more sustainable. So, for this festive season Cath Kidston in the United Kingdom have come up with a handy guide on how to make your Christmas more green. We in India can also learn to make sustainable choices in the upcoming Christmas and New Year season.

Integrated Air Quality Monitoring System: It an Effective Tool for Deploying Strategy?

In this article, the authors highlight that the first step in solving the problem of air pollution in India is to create a national and sub-national integrated monitoring structure. The structure will include the conventional monitoring set-up, dispersion models, and the new strategies of low-cost sensors and satellite measurements. This structure will provide the information of absolute concentrations and pinpoint the polluting sources both temporally and spatially, resulting in intensifying the efforts from all stakeholders towards a common aim of a cleaner future.

Assam Disposes of Rhino Horns: On World Rhino Day

Nava Thakuria informs us that recently the world witnessed a unique event in Assam, where the authority set 2479 rhino horns on fire as a mission to spread the message that the horns don’t have any aphrodisiac value, because of which the gigantic animals are hunted in Asia and Africa.

Found! Let Us Welcome Some New Species

For some years now, we have been bringing you information on species that are critically endangered. Of course, we need to stand forewarned to try and save them, but the end of the year is also time to celebrate the good! Benita Sen celebrates species we just stumbled on to across India.

Gross Environmental Product and Agroforestry

Understanding the Value of Ecosystem Functionaries and Services in Financial Terms

COP26 Why It Matters to Me

In this article, Jency Samuel says that climate change mitigation measures may be the responsibility of nations’ leaders at COP26. But we need to acknowledge that every action of ours contributes to climate change. While we can’t go back in time, each of us can watch our consumption pattern of food, products and resources to bring about a cumulative impact.

The Mounting Challenge of the Mountains: World Mountain Day

Local communities and the wildlife, whose sustenance depends on the mountains, are constantly under threat because of deteriorating conditions. The mountain ecosystem, thus, needs constant attention and restoration in order for many species to survive and the mountainous communities to thrive, thereby sounding the alarm bell. In this article, Namrata Gulati Sapra examines why the mountains and their ecosystem are in dire straits and what can be done about it on World Mountain Day.

Plastic Pollution in Oceans and Land

“We must look to land-based sources of plastic to the environment to make a meaningful impact on global plastic pollution.”

Silk Industry in India

The Story Behind the Sheen of the Indian Queen of Textiles

UNESCO's World Heritage Forests

Play a Vital Role in Mitigating Climate Change

Skilling The Youth Ecosystem - Can It Be an Antidote to Society's Overstretched Job Scenario?

International Youth Day is celebrated annually on August 12 to bring youth issues to the focus of the international community and to celebrate the potential of youth as active partners in the global society. In this article, Dr Livleen K Kahlon expounds on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and feels that we need to act now to catch the ‘potential workforce’ at an early age and equip them with soft skills and technical expertise so that once they step out of their formal education stage they are able to earn their living. Avenues are to be created to match the skills of every youth and some of these areas are being addressed by the NEP.

Floods In India - Causes And Challenges

Flood is a very common phenomenon in India during the monsoon season. In this article, Dr Sughosh Madhav tries to find out the different reasons that cause floods and has made an attempt to link this phenomenon with the changing climate.

Educational Institutes for Children - That Emphasize on Teaching Compassion Towards Nature and Animals

“The aim is to add love and compassion in society, to add meaning to human life and to pass on virtue to the kids who become the flagbearers of kindness.”

Scientist Pens Comic Book - To Educate School Children on Hedgehogs

Madras hedgehogs, one of the less studied and less known species is not much talked about, unlike large mammals such as tigers, elephants, or even birds. Sharada Balasubramanian tells us about Brawin Kumar, a researcher with the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), who has been working on finding these hedgehogs spread across the arid geographies of Tamil Nadu. He has published a comic book in the local language Tamil. This book talks about hedgehogs to school children who live in these geographies. Brawin believes educating students, and giving training programmes to teachers on this species, would really bring more awareness. In turn, it will help in conservation of these species, which are disappearing due to land-use changes and development.

Solar Cold Rooms - Helping Struggling Strawberry Farmers through India's Lockdown

2021 has been a traumatic year for India’s farmers—coronavirus has slashed their incomes, and they face the impact of new agriculture policies. Growers in the country’s strawberry capital are among those badly hit by the pandemic. But cutting-edge green technology has been a lifeline, protecting the small-scale farmers most at risk. Let us read how…

Aahwahan

Provides Free Education and Digital Literacy to Rural Children

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.

Urban Indigenous Groups in India - COVID Restrictions Pushing Them to Extinction

In this series of articles, Gajanan Khergamker talks about the daily life and the plight of local city tribals in metropolitan cities such as Mumbai who were already buckling under the apathy of urban attitudes, but now the COVID-related lockdowns have hit the city tribals the hardest. The author feels while the lives of urban indigenous groups are mired with controversy, they form an integral part of modern India’s present.