Matheran’s prized possession, exclusivity, has—over the years—turned into its biggest scourge. The hill station that thrived on exclusivity of reach and access triggered by the inability to use any other motorable transport service other than horse or hand-pulled rickshaws to retain its fragile ecosystem and an image to boot is now struggling to provide… easy access.
Residents of the hill station have grown and with them have their aspirations. With time being the first casualty with development, Matheran’s locals find themselves deprived of just that and ease in access. With the exclusion of an Ambulance and a Fire Engine in case of casualty, locals and tourists alike are unable to use any vehicle and depend entirely on horses or hand-pulled rickshaws to reach the hill station from a 2.5 km distance at Dasturi Naka and within the table-top tourist zone.
So, it was inevitable for Matheran to join the all-electric green bandwagon that aims to resolve the issue of transport, access and reach without harming the environment. A much-awaited three-month-long E-Rickshaw trial was kickstarted on December 5, 2022 after an arduous journey. For those driven: it was not an easy one but a fulfilling one at that.
It is not short of a tightrope walk for those keen on maintaining a balance at eco-fragile zones like Matheran whose residents struggle without basic amenities and means solely to continue to qualify for the ‘eco-friendly tag’ associated with Asia’s only non-motorable hill station.
This story is from the December 2022 edition of TerraGreen.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2022 edition of TerraGreen.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Empowering Tomorrow's Workforce The Rise of Vocational Education in India
The young population in India presents both opportunities and challenges, as the workforce needs practical skills that conventional education often lacks. Vocational education and training VET) is essential to provide job-specific expertise, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry demands. In this article, Amarpreet Kaur and Vidhi Rani highlight that vocational education and training serve as a cornerstone in India’s efforts to propel economic growth and empower its burgeoning workforce. Vocational education and training are a fundamental component of modern education systems, addressing a pressing need in society. The alignment of VET with the G20 objectives emphasizes its crucial role in inclusive growth, employment, and human capital development.
Eco-conscious and Sustainability-focused Brand Kheoni Paving the Way for a Greener Future
\"If you really, truly are into sustainability, you cannot operate in isolation. You need to be transparent.\" -Khayal Garg, Green Warrior
Water Sustainability Flexible approaches for managing and conserving water resources
In this article, Vijeta Thakur and Dr S K Bhardwaj discuss innovative technologies for water conservation along with urban water management solutions. They also explore policy and governance approaches regarding water conservation. Implementing Integrated Water Resource Management IWRM) helps coordinate the management of water resources across different sectors and stakeholders, balancing competing demands and ensuring sustainable use. Developing transparent and equitable water allocation systems, coupled with appropriate pricing mechanisms that reflect the true value of water, can incentivize conservation and efficient use while ensuring access for all.
Lady Banks' Rose A Lady's Shady Rose
The world may have been having an irate look towards China, cursing her for COVID-19 virus, assertions in South China Sea, and her alleged expansionist policies and so on. Whether she really deserves these insinuations may be a matter of academic discussions; there however, is no denying to the fact that the old Dragon has bestowed the world with things beautiful enough to capture anybody's attention
The Vanishing Bristled Grassbird
In this article, Dr Surya Prakash tells us about the bristled grassbird, known scientifically as Chaetornis striatus. Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, the bristled grassbird finds itself perilously perched on the brink of endangerment, classified as a‘Vulnerable Species’ by the IUCN since 2010. The relentless decline in its population can be attributed primarily to habitat loss. Keep reading to know more...
Embracing Climate Disclosure Governance India's Banking Sector's Resilient Step
With the introduction of the Disclosure Framework on Climate-related Financial Risks 2024)’ by RBI, it is quite apparent that the banking sector is continuously striving towards sustainability and climate sensitization. The new framework evolves the narrative, acknowledging the inevitability of climate change affecting these entities and, consequently, the broader financial stability. The framework not only acts as a means to inform the various stakeholders about climate-related issues but also to develop a narrative of financial resilience in the face of unprecedented challenges related to climate risks. Naman Mishra and Dr Megha Jain say that the framework is built upon four main pillars—Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, and Metrics Targets. Keep reading to know more...
India's Carbon Market On the Verge of Reality
In this article, Yukta Anand and Prof. Asheesh Pandey throw light on carbon market, which is soon going to be a reality for India.
Water Equation India and the Nordics
The Nordic countries, known for their commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection, offer invaluable knowledge and technologies to improve water management practices. From state-of-the-art water purification systems to sustainable irrigation techniques, Nordic expertise provides crucial tools to mitigate the effects of climate change on water resources. In this thought-provoking article, Biba Jasmine discusses that by utilizing the expertise and cutting-edge technologies from the Nordic region, Indian industries can enhance their water management systems, reduce pollution, and increase resource efficiency.
Charging towards Sustainability The Circular Revolution of EV Battery Recycling
Ankit Sharma is the Co-Founder & Director, Vidyuta Materials Pvt. Ltd., which stands at the forefront of innovation in the energy storage industry, pioneering the manufacturing of cutting-edge battery materials for the batteries used in energy storage systems (ESS), electric vehicles (EVS), mobiles, laptops, etc.
The Magic of Traditional Indian Barbeque Strengthening local economy and sustainability
Manu Shrivastava's article highlights the traditional dishes of South Gujarat and Maharashtra's Konkan region-ubadiyu, undhiyu, and popti.
