Research Papers

Feminisation of agricultural labour in India

India is experiencing masculinisation of labour and while the labour force participation rate (LFPR) of men is increasing, that of women is decreasing. 

This study explores the impact of social policies, specifically India's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) regulation of 2013 (Section 135), on corporate innovation.

Technological innovations in agriculture and fishing have been thought to increase production, productivity, and income, alleviate poverty and reduce workloads. However, they can affect men and women differently by reinforcing gender inequalities, restrict access, and displace women as newly mechanised tasks become the domains of men.

Inadequate sanitation poses significant global risks, affecting over four billion people. Insufficient access to proper facilities leads to social, psychological, and physical threats, contributing to 6.3% of global deaths. India, with one billion residents, grapples with open defecation, affecting half the population.

The Purandar lift irrigation scheme in Maharashtra

Between 1995 and 2015, 90% of disasters were weather-related, causing significant human and economic losses. In 2020 alone, weather-related disasters led to 15,000 deaths and a cost of approximately US$ 171 billion. India reported a loss of 6811 lives from hydro-meteorological hazards between April 2018 and March 2021.

In India, more than half of the net sown area is rainfed during the monsoon season, which runs from June to September. Climate change affects farming practices, which affects the crucial kharif crop and jeopardises food security. It also affects the monsoon onset in central and northern India.

The pricing and market return of businesses now reflect their sustainability practices. The scarcity of resources has prompted businesses to adopt a more efficient and strategic approach to resource utilisation. This prudent resource management has heightened the significance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability practices in today's context.

Wetlands are multi-functional landscapes between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems that provide habitat for wildlife, support groundwater recharge, moderate climate, control flood and fulfill the livelihood of the communities. Covering nearly 12% of the global area, these contribute significantly to ecosystem services, sustaining human well-being.

Wetlands are unique, complex and sensitive habitats that form a connection between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and provide a range of ecosystem services to humans. They are equally crucial for the survival of birds and provide critical foraging, roosting, nesting, chick-rearing, moulting, stop-over and wintering habitat for migratory and resident waterbirds.