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)
Two states and a river: More power or more water?
The latest addition to India’s interstate river water conflicts, the Mahanadi will soon go water deficit if Odisha and Chhattisgarh don’t control their hunger for coal-fired power. Posted on 25 Nov, 2018 12:26 PM

A new study, Mahanadi: Coal Rich, Water-Stressed sheds light on how both Odisha and Chhattisgarh have locked horns over the distribution of waters of the Mahanadi river. The 851-km-long river originates in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh, flows through the state and then Odisha before joining the Bay of Bengal at Odisha’s coast.

The Hirakud dam (Image: Makarand Purohit, India Water Portal)
Cyclone Gaja leaves 80,000 stranded, 40 dead
News this week Posted on 18 Nov, 2018 06:55 PM

Cyclone Gaja creates havoc in Tamil Nadu

A file photo shows a severe cyclonic storm in progress. (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Himalayan State Regional Council constituted
Policy matters this week Posted on 18 Nov, 2018 06:34 PM

Himalayan council constituted for sustainable development of the Himalayas

A view of the Himalayas. (Source: IWP Flickr photos--photo for representation purpose only)
Groundwater decline increases carbon emission
The latest study shows declining reserves and rising carbon dioxide emissions from pumping groundwater add to India’s environmental woes. Posted on 16 Nov, 2018 03:28 PM

Over-extraction of groundwater is a major environmental challenge in many parts of India. It is not only leading to a rapid decline in groundwater reserves but also contributing to India’s carbon emissions, a new study has warned.

Billions of litres of groundwater pumped out every year contribute to carbon emissions. (Photo: IWP Flickr photos)
New data shows Indian landmass warming
The warming of Indian landmass has been confirmed through past climate records captured in depths of the earth. Posted on 14 Nov, 2018 02:40 PM

Scientists are literally looking into the ground for clinching evidence of climate change. A new study of geothermal records across India has shown that the country has experienced about one degree of warming over the baseline mean temperature of the 19th century.

Researchers collect geothermal data through boreholes. (Pic: ISW)
Gene revolution adds to farmer distress
This study finds that Bt cotton has not helped but worsened the situation of farmers in Telangana. Posted on 14 Nov, 2018 11:14 AM

Farming is said to be witnessing a “second GR” or Gene Revolution, after Green Revolution, with the introduction of genetically modi?ed Bt cotton in India.

A farmer picks cotton. (Image Source: Claude Renault via Wikimedia Commons)
Mazhapolima recognised for its work in Kerala
News this week Posted on 13 Nov, 2018 06:16 PM

Mazhapolima wins accolades for offering sustainable solution to overcome water scarcity

Mazhapolima helps recharge wells. (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
NOC must for groundwater use: Centre to infra projects
Policy matters this week Posted on 13 Nov, 2018 05:57 PM

Centre mandates NOC for using groundwater for infra projects

NOC for using groundwater for infra projects becomes mandatory. (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
WWF study reveals grim picture of wildlife
News this week Posted on 08 Nov, 2018 03:06 PM

Global wildlife populations have fallen by 60 percent in the past four decades: WWF

Indian wild deer (Source: Tjdeena via Wikipedia Commons)
Wind turbines impact Western Ghats ecology
Wind farms reduce the number of predatory birds which in turn results in an increase in the density of vertebrates like lizards in Western Ghats. Posted on 07 Nov, 2018 07:33 PM

Wind energy, considered a clean source of energy, does have a carbon footprint and is also known to disturb bird life. Now a new study done in the Western Ghats has found that wind farms in biodiversity-rich areas can have deeper ecological consequences beyond already known impacts. 

Sarada superba lizard (Pic courtesy: Abi Vanak)
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