Gods’ Gardens

In Tamil Nadu, the relationship between humans and plants extends beyond utility into culture, tradition, and religion. Tree worship is among the earliest known forms of human devotion. In Sangam literature, the heroine of Natrrinai addresses the punnai tree (Alexandrian laurel) as her sister. Trees like neem, banyan, peepul, fig, and palmyra are still worshipped […]

Traditional Fishers Turn Rescuers in a Win for Declining Marine Wildlife [Commentary]

Coastal fishers in Tamil Nadu are forgoing hunting practices and instead increasingly rescuing dolphins, turtles, and dugongs during nearshore fishing operations. Long-term ecological knowledge, combined with fishing methods such as shore seine and hook-and-line fishing, enables rapid release of bycatch and adaptive responses to changing marine conditions. Incentive schemes, social recognition, and youth participation have […]