/topics/ecology-and-environment
Ecology and Environment
Banni grasslands, a lifeline for Maldharis from Kachchh district of Gujarat
Posted on 16 Jul, 2024 03:03 AMBanni grasslands in the Bhuj taluka of Kachchh district in Gujarat are spread over an area of 2600 km2 and are the largest natural tropical grasslands in the Indian subcontinent that thrive in arid conditions with an average annual rainfall of a mere 317 millimetres. Droughts are a common occurance in Banni.
Maldharis, migratory pastoralists of Banni
![Maldharis grazing buffaloes on grasslands (Image Source: A. J. T. Johnsingh, WWF-India and NCF via Wikimedia Commons)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-07/Maldharis%20grazing%20buffaloes.jpg?itok=ytquyHZZ)
A silent crisis in Indian farmlands: The disappearing trees
Posted on 10 Jul, 2024 01:51 PMA silent crisis is brewing in India's agricultural heartland. It's a crisis that threatens not only the livelihoods of millions of farmers but also the ecological balance of the subcontinent. This silent menace is the disappearance of millions of trees from farmlands across the country.
![Disappearing trees over Indian farmlands (Image Source: WOTR)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-07/TREES.jpg?itok=ryJTbVRB)
Still near the bottom: India scores low in latest Environmental Performance Index
Posted on 16 Jun, 2024 11:46 AMPoor air quality, emissions drag India down in Environmental Performance Index
![Air pollution in India (Image: Jean-Etienne Minh-Duy Poirrier; CC BY-SA 2.0; Flickr Commons)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-06/air%20pollution.jpg?itok=izB8pCLA)
Valuing ecosystem services provided by land commons
Posted on 13 Jun, 2024 08:20 AMCommon lands make up one-fifth of India’s landmass and play an important role in meeting the subsistence and livelihood needs of more than 350 million rural population, and are of great social and cultural significance to rural communities. However, they are still officially designated as ‘wastelands’ since colonial times informs this paper titled '
![Land commons, valuable assets that need urgent attention (Image Source: India Water Portal)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-06/FORESTSA.jpg?itok=p2mSiYr9)
Environmental tech startups: Powering a sustainable future
Posted on 09 Jun, 2024 05:46 PMThe 21st century has witnessed an unprecedented rise in climate anomalies, with each year breaking new temperature records and experiencing more frequent extreme weather events. On this backdrop, environmental technology (environment tech) startups have emerged as crucial players in the global effort to combat climate change.
![Green startups: Powering a sustainable future (Image: Needpix)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-06/environmental-protection.jpg?itok=cOL9LBOy)
Misguided ocean carbon capture: Hype outweighs science
Posted on 07 Jun, 2024 09:03 AMLimited understanding of basic ocean processes is hindering progress in marine carbon dioxide removal, with the on-going commercialisation of some approaches “premature and misguided”.
![Ocean ecosystem (Image: PxHere, CC0 Public Domain)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-06/sea-ocean-animal-wildlife-underwater-tropical-1107225.jpg?itok=WubcEmGc)
Addressing arsenic in food chain: NGT orders inquiry
Posted on 31 May, 2024 01:33 PMConcerned about arsenic in food, NGT seeks government response
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in India has taken notice of a media report suggesting the presence of arsenic in food, particularly rice.
![Food contamination with arsenic raises concerns (Image: pix4free.org/](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-05/arsenic-poisoning.jpg?itok=fG9IpUi5)
The price of mining on indigenous lands
Posted on 24 May, 2024 05:28 PMIndia's centralised mining of sub-soil minerals is rapidly changing the forested landscapes.
![Work in progress in the coal mines in Odisha (Image: India Water Portal Flickr)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-05/mining.jpg?itok=z3OTXAmV)
How do your everyday choices impact the world's resources?
Posted on 19 May, 2024 08:41 PMWhat do forests, air, and groundwater have in common?
![A top down image of a lush green forest in a sacred grove in Meghalaya (Image created by: Sreechand Tavva)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-05/Sreechand%20image.jpg?itok=2WXVQcXj)
Unravelling the escalating forest fire crisis in Uttarakhand
Posted on 11 May, 2024 10:04 AMUttarakhand is grappling with devastating forest fires, with adverse effects rippling across various aspects of life in the region.
![Uttarakhand's wildfire wake-up call (Image: Pickpic)](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_articles/public/2024-05/wildfire-forest-fire-blaze-preview.jpg?itok=Z3t1lbTM)