Ecology and Environment

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/topics/ecology-and-environment

Featured Articles
June 9, 2024 India’s funding jumped from $225 million in 2018 to $1.5 billion in 2023, marking a compounded annual growth rate of 140%
Green startups: Powering a sustainable future (Image: Needpix)
June 7, 2024 Scientists question effectiveness of nature-based CO2 removal using the ocean
Ocean ecosystem (Image: PxHere, CC0 Public Domain)
May 19, 2024 The surprising connection between Wikipedia, beaches, and your water bottle.
A top down image of a lush green forest in a sacred grove in Meghalaya (Image created by: Sreechand Tavva)
May 11, 2024 Deforestation, expansion of agricultural land, encroachment into forested areas, and unplanned urbanisation alter landscape connectivity, fragment habitats, and increase fire ignition sources.
Uttarakhand's wildfire wake-up call (Image: Pickpic)
May 8, 2024 What is the ecosystem based approach to water management? How can it help in solving the water woes of states in the Deccan Plateau?
An ecosystem based approach to water management (Image Source: India Water Portal)
April 1, 2024 Decoding the problems and solutions related to stubble burning
Burning of rice residues after harvest, to quickly prepare the land for wheat planting, around Sangrur, Punjab (Image: 2011CIAT/NeilPalmer; CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED)
The Mahanadi tussle: Why Chhattisgarh and Odisha spar
A video provides an overview of the water conflict between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the Mahanadi. Posted on 08 Aug, 2018 05:08 PM

The interstate dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the Mahanadi's water is an ongoing one and it looks like both the state governments have no interest in finding a long-term solution.

The Hirakud dam on the Mahanadi (Source: India Water Portal)
Toxins on our plate
There is a need for better regulation and monitoring to bring toxin-free food to the Indian market. Posted on 08 Aug, 2018 03:45 PM

“The recent scare due to the detection of formalin-laced fish across Goa, Kerala, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Meghalaya points to a link between water quality and food safety. Fish traders find it cost-effective to use formalin, a carcinogen, instead of ice to prevent the decomposition of fish during transportation to distant markets.

The quality of food products and their safety are mostly decided at the primary production stage itself which is unregulated. (Image: Masahiro Ihara, Flickr Commons CC BY 2.0)
Antibiotic-resistant genes in Kerala mangroves
Researchers believe there could be serious consequences if antibiotic-resistant genes move from harmless microbes to pathogens. Posted on 06 Aug, 2018 04:11 PM

Antibiotic resistance is increasing in various microbial populations. A new study by Indian researchers has revealed that antibiotic-resistant genes are present in microorganisms of mangrove regions in Kerala also.

Mangrove forest located in the coastal regions of Kerala. (Pic courtesy: India Science Wire)
NGT anguished over pollution in Ganga, Yamuna rivers
Policy matters this week Posted on 31 Jul, 2018 12:56 PM

NGT slams NMCG and DJB over pollution in Ganga and Yamuna rivers

The Ganga river (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
The mystery of the monsoon
While scientists try to understand this unique phenomenon, the moody and often mysterious monsoon continues to challenge us to explore its different facets. Posted on 30 Jul, 2018 07:38 PM

Monsoon, the season of rains, has a unique place in the heart of the people of India. This passionate burst of showers has been extensively documented, observed and studied by travellers, poets, scientists, farmers and more.

Extremely vital for agriculture and survival in India, the monsoon continues to be a mystery. But why?

Monsoon remains a mystery even now. (Image Source: IWP Flickr photos)
How industries ruined Ratlam’s groundwater
Toxic industrial waste has polluted groundwater in Ratlam. Residents wait for action from authorities. Posted on 25 Jul, 2018 04:53 PM

A resident of Bajankheda village in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh, Sitabai Tindor shows her pot full of water to us. A strange red, the water looks unusual. “We have been using this red water for domestic use for the last two decades. Industries in Ratlam has spoilt our land and water. The government has not provided us with any alternatives.

Women pump contaminated water from the hand pump at Bajankheda. (Source: India Water Portal)
Delay in 16 major irrigation projects, reports CAG
Policy matters this week Posted on 24 Jul, 2018 11:04 AM

CAG pulls up water ministry for delay in 16 major irrigation projects

Ganga river at Kachla, Uttar Pradesh. (Source: IWP Flickr Photos)
Mudflats erosion changes Gulf of Khambhat shoreline
Researchers find out that a total of about 28.66 sq km area of high tidal mudflats has got eroded within a span of just three-and-a-half years. Posted on 19 Jul, 2018 12:38 PM

Tidal mudflats of Gulf of Khambhat on west coast constitute an important ecosystem on India’s coastline. Scientists have now found that these mudflats are experiencing severe erosion which is threatening the vital habitat. 

Erosion in high tidal mudflats. (Pic courtesy: ISW)
National Waterway-1: Dolphin population declines
News this week Posted on 17 Jul, 2018 10:31 AM

Decline in Dolphin population observed in India's only dolphin sanctuary

Gangetic Dolphin (Source: Arati Kumar Rao)
“Agriculture alone cannot provide for our teeming millions.”
Watershed management is not just to harvest and store water but also to create democratic processes at the village level and enable inclusive, sustainable development that meets the people's needs. Posted on 06 Jul, 2018 03:15 PM

In India, although we have approximately four months of monsoon (which is basically 45 days of effective rainfall), in drought prone areas, there are only 10-15 days of harvestable rain in the entire season. If you don't get enough rain during those days, it's a cause for worry.

Watershed management. Image source: India Water Portal
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