For project in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, trees set to be planted 1,000 km away — on already forested land
“The idea that destruction of a single contiguous 937-hectare patch of dense forest can be offset by 23 fragmented patches in a completely different ecological zone is untenable,” said Sharachchandra Lele, distinguished fellow at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment. “The FAC itself notes that a majority of the land already […]
The Forgotten Wilderness: Indian Grasslands
Across the vast sweep of the Indian subcontinent lies a landscape long misunderstood, frequently dismissed, and quietly vanishing – grasslands. To the untrained eye they may appear empty, even barren, especially when compared with forests clothed in towering trees or wetlands alive with shimmering waters and aquatic and semi-aquatic life.
What does India’s new Paris Agreement pledge mean for climate action?
Dr Sharad Lele, professor of environmental policy and governance at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, tells Carbon Brief that the increase in India’s forest NDC target is “concerning” for several reasons.
These four women are helping their communities conserve freshwater
Rising Temperatures Begin to Reshape Behaviour of Plants and Wildlife Across India, Say Scientists
Unusually high temperatures across India are disrupting the natural cycles of plants and wildlife Scientists report early flowering, delayed bird nesting and altered behaviour among amphibians and reptiles Ecologists warn that seasonal mismatches between species could have long-term impacts on ecosystems Heat stress, drying water bodies and early forest fires are compounding the risks for […]
Invasive Trees, Roaming Dogs, and the Fragile Balance of Thar’s Desert Predators
“For example, mesquite can alter grasslands and convert them into woody-dominated states, and thus favour generalist species. Species (of rodents) such as Rattus are more commonly found in mesquite thickets compared to open grassland specialists such as Millardia. Habitat structure driven by invasive species, and the associated differences in predation risk, microclimate and food availability, […]
Tamil Nadu: Rare Little Stint Arrive in Thoothukudi, Environmentalists Flag Habitat Loss of Migratory Birds
“Every winter, lots of migratory birds travel from Europe to India to overcome the climatic conditions and for the food resources. So here we are seeing the little stint. They are coming from Europe to India every winter in large numbers. They prefer seashore areas, especially the sulfans, mangroves and other seashore areas, where we […]
Western Ghats Under Siege as Years of Ignored Warnings Trigger Ecological Alarm
“Not only was the number of individuals higher in the forest stretch, but the number of species was also greater, indicating higher overall diversity along the section passing through the forests,” said K S Seshadri, then a research assistant and now a faculty member at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, Bengaluru.
Study finds urban nature-based solutions overlook biodiversity
As the world looks for long-lasting solutions to environmental challenges, nature-based solutions (NbS) are often presented as a promising pathway. A new study assessing the benefits to biodiversity from NbS in urban areas of the Global South aims to better understand how effectively these interventions address urban challenges.
TIST 2026 Marks Decennial Edition at Salesian College
The Deanery of Sciences at Salesian College (Autonomous) successfully hosted the Two-Day National Conference on Trends in Science and Technology (TIST 2026) on 27–28 February, marking the decennial edition of the event launched in 2017.
