Ecology and Environment

Featured Articles
December 16, 2022
Healthy soil critical to human health and for achieving SDGs
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
Categorising watersheds for freshwater ecosystem conservation in India
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
Improving community resilience in ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction in India
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
Slow disaster: Political ecology of hazards and everyday life in the Brahmaputra valley, Assam
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
Deteriorating landscapes and threatened ecosystems of Jammu and Kashmir
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
Ichamati: River of poetry is dying a slow death
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)
When streets get smart
While the states prepare to build their smart cities, we look at the feasibility of the government’s smart city mission.
Amita Bhaduri
Posted on 17 Apr, 2017 05:13 AM

India's urbanisation continues unabated but most of its 53-million plus cities offer an appallingly low quality of life.
Smart city model at Trade Fair, New Delhi (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Farm loan waivers for Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 10 Apr, 2017 08:32 PM

Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu governments waive off farm loans
A farmer on his field. (Source: India Water Portal)
Project power plants fear
A 1,320 MW power plant near mangrove forests of Sundarbans may have irreversible consequences.
Manu Moudgil
Posted on 09 Apr, 2017 12:59 PM

The mangrove forests of the Sundarbans are the biggest barriers against cyclones from the Bay of Bengal, saving both India and Bangladesh from irreparable damage.
The mangrove forests of the Sundarbans are the biggest barriers against cyclones from the Bay of Bengal. Source: Laskar Sarowar/Wikimedia Commons
Uttarakhand to conserve its natural resources
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 04 Apr, 2017 06:21 AM

Uttarakhand takes decisions to save its natural resources
The Ganga emerges from the Gangotri glacier in Uttarakhand. (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
Problems of mine: When coal threatens Raigarh
From increasing health issues among residents to declining forest produce, coal mining in Chhattisgarh has devastating outcomes.
Makarand Purohit
Posted on 30 Mar, 2017 05:50 PM

It was in the late 90s that Raigarh emerged as the hub for power, coal mining and sponge iron in Chhattisgarh. The coalfield in Mand Raigarh is spread over an area of more than 1,12,000 hectares with an estimated 21,117 metric tonnes of coal. 
A villager looks at the changing landscape due to coal mines at Kosampalli village in Raigarh.
Can Sewri get back in the pink?
Sewri wetland is known for many winged visitors including flamingos that come for blue green algae annually. It is under threat, thanks to rapid urbanisation.
Aarti Kelkar-Khambete
Posted on 24 Mar, 2017 09:59 AM

Mangroves form an integral part of the landscape of Mumbai and are essential in maintaining the stability of the coastline.
The pink guests of Sewri. (Source: India Water Portal)
What's conservation without local hand?
A study from the Sundarbans shows that conserving biodiversity by excluding indigenous populations has threatened not only the survival of the forest but also the sustainability of the region.
Amrita Sen
Posted on 24 Mar, 2017 09:48 AM

Can forest conservation policies that ignore the livelihood needs of local, indigenous populations succeed in protecting biodiversity and wildlife?

Experiences from the Sundarbans show that such policies not only result in the suffering of the local population, it also leads to the exploitation of natural resources and biodiversity in the region.
Mangroves of the Sundarbans. (Source: Nature Environment & Wildlife Society - NEWS)
Interstate river dispute bill introduced in Lok Sabha
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 20 Mar, 2017 05:23 PM

Water ministry introduces interstate bill in Lok Sabha
The interstate Mandovi river (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
When wetlands refuse to wilt away
The revival of Narayanapuram wetland is a fitting example that good things can come out of government’s willingness to associate with independent organisations for the betterment of the society.
Seetha Gopalakrishnan
Posted on 19 Mar, 2017 03:58 PM

Once home to over 400 water bodies, Chennai’s development story is similar to most metropolises across India. Urbanising at a hurried pace, the concrete city spilled over its waterways and wetlands, leaving behind a sorry tale of ecological destruction.
The desilted Narayanapuram wetland.
Bottled water MRPs to remain the same everywhere
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 14 Mar, 2017 10:19 AM

No difference in MRPs of bottled water at different places
Mineral water bottles (Source: Pixabay.com)
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