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)
Community conservation of forests is successful when women participate
Van Panchayats have only been successful in conserving their forests with the enthusiastic participation of women. This is how to increase women's leadership in forest conservation.
Chicu Lokgariwar
Usha Dewani-Das
Posted on 24 Oct, 2015 04:34 PM

When I first spoke with Bhagoti Devi, I attempted to break the ice by telling her how warmly our mutual acquaintances spoke of her. She was nonchalant. "Of course they will recommend you speak to me”, she said. “After all, it took a lot of hard work to have such a thick forest standing here.”
These two neighbouring oak trees, one untouched and the other over-lopped, are both managed by the women of one family and illustrate the impact that women have on forests
Respect tribal goverments; conserve forests
Tribal governments can manage village natural resources better than elected Panchayats. Jarjum Ete, President of the All India Union of Forest Working People, explains why.
Chicu Lokgariwar
Posted on 24 Oct, 2015 04:31 PM

The Galo tribe has lived in the Eastern Himalayan forests for centuries. Like their neighbours, this tribe had a well-defined territory, the boundaries of which were marked by various topographical features such as rock formations or mountain ridges.
Arunachal's tribes have a tradition of managing their natural resources (Source:Wikimedia Commons)
Environment Ministry allowed to clear hydel projects in Uttarakhand, except in Alaknanda-Bhagirathi basins
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 20 Oct, 2015 07:10 PM

MoEFCC can approve hydel projects in Uttarakhand, except in Alaknanda-Bhagirathi river basins: SC
Bhagirathi river at its source, Gaumukh (Source: IWP Flickr Photo)
China operationalises one of the biggest dams on the Brahmaputra
News this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 20 Oct, 2015 07:01 PM

China's Zangmu Hydropower Project, one of the biggest dams on Brahmaputra, is operational
Brahmaputra river in Tibet (Source: Luca Galuzzi via Wikipedia)
After Cyclone Aila, farming nurtures food, faith in Sunderbans
In 2009, Cyclone Aila caused significant damage to livelihoods in the Sunderbans. While saline soil is subversive to agriculture in the area, integrated farming gives many the courage to start afresh.
Usha Dewani Das
Posted on 14 Oct, 2015 09:53 PM

“Another flood like Aila should never happen again, but if it does, we have the knowledge to start working on our soil again”, remarks Binota Munda of Nebukhali village in Hingalganj block, North
Seed-banks are an effective instrument to preserve local varieties and keep people together
National Watershed Management Project gets a go ahead
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 13 Oct, 2015 01:50 PM

Cabinet approves the National Watershed Management Project, worth Rs.2,142 crore
Irrigated fields of Uttarakhand (Source: IWP Flickr Photo)
Dolphins in the Ganga and its tributaries nearly doubles in 3 years
News this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 12 Oct, 2015 09:30 PM

Ganga and its tributaries, except the Ramganga show increased dolphin numbers
The Gangetic Dolphin (Source: Arati Kumar Rao)
Step back in time into 'Ugrasen ki baoli'
Hidden amidst the crushing madness of Delhi's life, this stepwell offers a glimpse of a monument centred around water which is both fascinating and 'past' functional.
Sabita Kaushal
Posted on 12 Oct, 2015 08:28 AM

Tucked away in a quiet by-lane of Delhi's busiest commercial centre Connaught Place, Agrasen or Ugrasen ki baoli waits imperially for a lost traveller to reach its steps.Called 
The old and the new: Ugrasen 'baoli' against the backdrop of Delhi.
Monsoon 2015: Nearly half of Indian districts reeling under drought
News this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 05 Oct, 2015 11:38 PM

Monsoon leaves the country with 39% area still parched
Drought affected area in Karnataka (Source: Pushkarv via Wikipedia)
India submits its new climate plan to UNFCC
Policy matters this week
Swati Bansal
Posted on 05 Oct, 2015 11:38 PM

India announces its new climate plan
Climate Change (Source: Sourabh Phadke on IWP Flickr Photo)
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