Contesting the future of forest governance
Gautam Aredath, sharachchandra Lele The Hindu | July 16, 2025 Chhattisgarh forest department issued a letter designating itself as the nodal agency for implementing community forest resource rights (CFRR) under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. CFRR, a transformative provision of the FRA, recognises the right of gram sabhas to manage their customary forests. It […]
Why Must India Recognise Its Open Ecosystems?
Abi Tamim Vanak, Anuja Malhotra The Hindu | July 14, 2025 Deserts are often imagined as failures of nature, and barren wastelands in need of redemption. This worldview fuels grand ambitions to “green” the desert, through afforestation, irrigation schemes, or even climate engineering. This gives way to the idea that deserts are broken ecosystems.
Springs of Gangtok: Hidden Veins of the City
Niharika Bindal Sikkim express | July 13, 2025 Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, is known for its scenic landscapes, rich biodiversity, and natural water sources. Among these, springs locally called dharas have always been a vital part of the city’s everyday life. These springs, fed by rainfall and groundwater recharge, provide water for drinking, household […]
Tracking Otters Along the Cauvery
Seshadri K S Deccan Herald | July 10, 2024 A documentary on otters reveals the connections between rivers, wildlife, and human livelihoods, showing why biodiversity conservation must extend beyond national parks
Perception vs Reality: is Free Filtered Water at Restaurants a Safe and Plastic-free Choice?
Priyanka Jamwal, Durba Biswas Citizen Matters | July 8, 2025 Across urban India, environmental awareness is increasing, and one of the ways people practise their commitment to minimise their environmental footprint is by reducing their plastic waste. In restaurants, where the sale of plastic bottles and free “filtered water” are both ubiquitous, the decision regarding […]
A Sanctuary for Fish and a Future for the River is Shivanasamudram’s Conservation Story
Anirban Roy Down To Earth | July 8, 2025 WASI has implemented several tree-planting initiatives along selected riparian sites to enhance habitat quality and ecosystem resilience. One notable effort is a 3-acre restoration project at Malligemaradahalla Lake, a unique swamp wetland at SFS that supports diverse aquatic species. However, the SFS, located downstream of multiple […]
How Mumbai Neglected Its Groundwater – Only to Become Dependent on It
Sachin Tiwale Scroll | July 8, 2025 Another concern that must also be addressed is that under current laws, groundwater ownership is linked to land ownership: whoever owns the land owns the water beneath it.This legal framework allows private landowners to sell groundwater, often resulting in over-extraction and profiteering. While the government and other public […]
Perception vs reality: Is free filtered water at restaurants a safe and plastic-free choice?
Priyanka Jamwal and Durba Biswas Citizen Matters | July 8, 2025 Across urban India, environmental awareness is increasing, and one of the ways people practise their commitment to minimise their environmental footprint is by reducing their plastic waste. In restaurants, where the sale of plastic bottles and free “filtered water” are both ubiquitous, the decision […]
Without Tabebuias or Jacarandas, is It Still Bengaluru?
M. Soubadra Devy Bangalore Mirror | July 7, 2025 Between February and May, Bengaluru gently transitions into summer. Yellow Tabebuias bloom first, followed by the lilac haze of Jacarandas. Their petals drift down, forming vivid carpets along the city’s roads. For many, this flowering season offers a rare pause to look up, breathe in, and […]
Fighting antimicrobial resistance with insect-based livestock feed
Irfan Shakeer, Iswarya Lakshmi The Hindu | June 24, 2025 Studies show that the use of insectbased feed can be more costeffective because it provides better digestible proteins than fishor soybased feeds. It is also attractive because of its lower cost and the ease with which it can be made a sustainable act.
