Ecology and Environment

Featured Articles
December 16, 2022 Soil research must focus both on technology development and implementation
The ability of soils to support soil functions or services is decreasing (Image: Katrin Park/International Food Policy Research Institute)
November 25, 2022 These maps at the watershed scales have been made to not only ensure inclusion of different freshwater ecosystems, their connectivity and hydrological processes, but can also provide a spatial context for conservation decisions.
A stream at Anini, Arunachal Pradesh (Image Source: Roshni Arora)
November 16, 2022 Adoption of hybrid solutions - grey and green structures appropriate for resilience building
Healthy wetland ecosystems help in reducing disaster risks and managing climate risks (Image: Pxhere)
October 30, 2022 This book by Dr. Mitul Baruah presents a fascinating, ethnographic account of the challenges faced by communities living in Majuli, India, one of the largest river islands in the world, which has experienced immense socio-environmental transformations over the years, processes that are emblematic of the Brahmaputra Valley as a whole. This is an excerpt from the book.
Floods are recurrent phenomena in Assam (Image: Mitul Baruah)
October 6, 2022 Rapid urbanisation and faulty land use policies are rapidly destroying forests, grasslands and wetlands in Jammu and Kashmir, India and the ecosystem value services they provide. Can these valuable ecosystems be saved?
Deteriorating ecosystems of Jammu and Kashmir, India (Image Source: tkohli at Flickr via Wikimedia Commons)
July 14, 2022 The river is faced with the dual problem of flood plain encroachment and growing levels of water pollution
Illegal transverse check dams (Badhals) built on Ichamati near a village in Basirhat (Image: Prithviraj Nath @ TheWaterChronicles)
Their world is hot, flat and crowded
Mountain farmers are reaping greater economic benefits but that is coming at the cost of traditional crops and natural resources. How long can this type of growth be sustained? Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 11:16 AM

Mountain farmers are facing a very volatile situation right now. Food crops are being replaced by cash crops, which return better dividends. Due to this, their overall economy has gotten much better. As a whole, more of them are migrating from rural to urban areas.

Terraced farming is the norm in mountain states
Money alone won't do for the mountain states
Exclusive policies, preservation of traditional practices and efficient trade linkages can help mountain farmers reap a good harvest. Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 11:14 AM

Can we really address the special needs of mountain states by allocating them more money? Isn't it essential that we leave the 'one size fits all' approach and recognise the exclusive challenges and opportunities which mountain farmers face as compared to farmers in the plains? 

Traditional crops need institutional support.
Applications invited for a special grants programme on sustainable river basin management 'Life for Rivers', World Wide Fund for Nature
The programme envisions creating a critical mass of knowledge and a vibrant network of ‘River Saviours’ who will contribute towards sustainable management of key rivers in India.
Posted on 24 Nov, 2013 10:10 AM

For more information on the World Wide Fund for Nature, India, please click here.

To view details on the special grants programme, click here or download the brochure from below.

Athirapilly falls under threat
Another proposed power project blurs the lines between cost to environment and need for development. Will it ever cease to be a dichotomy and become a win-win situation for both? Posted on 23 Nov, 2013 07:54 AM

Athirappilly falls is situated 70 km from Kochi city in Kerala's Thrissur district. The 80 ft high falls is a part of the Chalakudy River and originates in the upper reaches of the Sholayar ranges in the Western Ghats. Lush greenery and little streams that cover the winding route up and down to the falls exhilarate and intimidate all at once.

Athirapilly waterfalls Source:Sangfroid, Wikimedia
Call for proposals 'Securing Water for Food: A Grand Challenge for Development', United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
A programme that will identify and accelerate innovative technologies and market-driven approaches that improve water sustainability for boosting food security.
Posted on 21 Nov, 2013 09:39 AM

For more information on the competition, Securing Water for Food, please click here.

For further details download the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from below.

Applications invited for the post of ' Research Associates and Project Associates', Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
The positions offer an opportunity to gain first-hand field management experience in an organization undertaking cutting-edge development research.
Posted on 20 Nov, 2013 07:40 AM

For more information on Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, please click here.

For more on the vacancy , click here.

Opening for position of 'Junior Research Fellow (JRF)', Indian Centre for Climate and Societal Impacts Research (ICCSIR), Navrangpura, Ahmedabad
Opportunity to research in the science of climate evolution and in societal adaptation to climate evolution.
Posted on 20 Nov, 2013 07:07 AM

For more information on the Indian Centre for Climate and Societal Impacts Research (ICCSIR), please click here.

To view details on the vacancy, click here.

Applications invited for the post of 'Research Assistant', Centre for Wildlife Studies, Multiple states
People extremely adaptable to field conditions, with a strong passion for wildlife and good people skills are welcome to apply.
Posted on 20 Nov, 2013 06:52 AM

To know more on the Centre for Wildlife Studies, click here and here.

For information on the vacancy, please click here.

 

Environment Ministry withdraws controversial amendment
Policy matters this week: Environment ministry withdraws amendments to waste rules, Odisha sanctions 12 crores for water in slums and the NGT halts dam construction in Manipur. Posted on 19 Nov, 2013 11:48 AM

Environment Ministry withdraws amendment to waste rules

New amendment to waste rules withdrawn (Wikimedia)
Phailin rain increases Andhra groundwater levels
News this week: Rainfall after Phailin increases groundwater level in Andhra, poor sanitation in eastern UP and activists rise against petroleum investment zone in Visakhapatnam. Posted on 19 Nov, 2013 10:21 AM

Phailin increases Andhra groundwater levels

Phailin raises groundwater in Andhra (EU-ECHO)
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