Stories By Category

Case studies
The Goba of Ladakh: Report

This study focuses on documenting the present status of the traditional governance system of Ladakhi villages, with a focus on the goba (or lambardar/nambardar).

Assessment of traditional rainwater harvesting system in barren lands of a semi-arid region: A case study of Rajasthan

During the monsoon season, the excess rainwater from Chauka and ponds flows into the river. This seasonal river meets a larger dam downstream that provides water to many districts in Rajasthan

Case Studies on Development Action and Impact

'Stories of Change' initiative by Azim Premji University, encouraging social sector organisations to document their work and develop a grounded knowledge base

Economics and Technologies
India at 75: Stepping back from an ecological abyss

The biggest challenge: can ecological sustainability be ensured while generating livelihood security and dignity for more than a billion people?

Artisanal soaps to lavender tea, Chhattisgarh’s gobar revolution is helping rural women

It is now in the process of transforming these gauthans into what it calls rural industrial parks, or centres for cottage industries that the government hopes will create retail products that can “compete with the market”.

How One Man’s Conviction Put Jibhi Valley on the World Tourism Map

Jibhi Valley's first homestay paves the way for eco-tourism showing that it's possible to build sustainable livelihoods without harming nature

Energy
This Unique Mud Hotel Harvests Rain, Has No ACs & Runs on the Sun

"In the future, even if the building is being demolished, I wanted to ensure that the materials would become one with the earth again,” says Lokesh, Founder of Hotel Sunyata

Statement to Bharat Jodo Yatra

On the need for innovative, fundamental alternatives to currently dominant economic and political system.

Parisar Founder and Trustee Sujit Patwardhan passes away

Mr. Patwardhan was one of the first to provide a vision of sustainable transport for the city based on walking, cycling and public transport.

Environment and Ecology
P.V. Satheesh: A revolutionary passes on

One of the icons of civil society activism in India, he championed issues of agri-biodiversity, food sovereignty, women's empowerment, social justice, local knowledge systems, participatory development, and community media.

কৃষি ও খাদ্য উদ্যোক্তা: আসামের ভঙ্গুর অর্থনীতি এবং পরিবেশের পুনর্গঠন (In Bengali)

শিক্ষা ব্যবস্থায় শিশুদের প্রয়োজনীয় দক্ষতা প্রদান করা দরকার, যেমন বৈজ্ঞানিক পদ্ধতি ব্যবহার করে খাদ্য উৎপাদন করা

Empowering Chennai’s climate-vulnerable communities

A group of young naturalists work towards empowering the public in Chennai, especially children and youth from marginalized communities, through nature based learning/education

Food and Water
P.V. Satheesh: A revolutionary passes on

One of the icons of civil society activism in India, he championed issues of agri-biodiversity, food sovereignty, women's empowerment, social justice, local knowledge systems, participatory development, and community media.

কৃষি ও খাদ্য উদ্যোক্তা: আসামের ভঙ্গুর অর্থনীতি এবং পরিবেশের পুনর্গঠন (In Bengali)

শিক্ষা ব্যবস্থায় শিশুদের প্রয়োজনীয় দক্ষতা প্রদান করা দরকার, যেমন বৈজ্ঞানিক পদ্ধতি ব্যবহার করে খাদ্য উৎপাদন করা

ASHA Kisan Swaraj Sammelan

Healthy portions of both critique of the mainstream system and a plethora of alternatives were dished up at the sammelan, alongside literal platefuls of delectable traditional organic foods

Health and Hygiene
 किचन से संभव है सेहत का ख्याल़ (in Hindi)

फूड फेस्टिवल ने लद्दाख में तेजी से बढ़ रहे पर्यटन के बीच नई राह दिखाई, जिसमें लद्दाखी खान-पान, पर्यावरण व श्रम संस्कृति का संरक्षण संभव है।

Statement to Bharat Jodo Yatra

On the need for innovative, fundamental alternatives to currently dominant economic and political system.

Paramparika Vaidyas of Rural Bengaluru

The series explores Vaidyas’ diverse notions of health and well-being which are often non-anthropocentric and situated in multidimensional physical, social, and spiritual eco-spaces

Knowledge and Media
Sisters of Tezpur: Assam’s little-known feminist collective which pushed for fixed meal times, women’s leisure

Northeast Lightbox shines the light on Assam’s little-known feminist history by documenting the history of the Tezpur Mahila Samiti

‘Our identity lies in these songs’: saving the music of India’s Biate

Goswami said the festival performance was just the beginning for the project, and the main focus was getting “this generational transfer of knowledge going once again”.

What Wisdom Should We Carry Forward from Our Past?

Victor Hugo Gomes in an effort to understand, restore, and archive Goa’s heritage and culture while paying ode to its traditional knowledge.

Learning and Education
কৃষি ও খাদ্য উদ্যোক্তা: আসামের ভঙ্গুর অর্থনীতি এবং পরিবেশের পুনর্গঠন (In Bengali)

শিক্ষা ব্যবস্থায় শিশুদের প্রয়োজনীয় দক্ষতা প্রদান করা দরকার, যেমন বৈজ্ঞানিক পদ্ধতি ব্যবহার করে খাদ্য উৎপাদন করা

Empowering Chennai’s climate-vulnerable communities

A group of young naturalists work towards empowering the public in Chennai, especially children and youth from marginalized communities, through nature based learning/education

NGO Uses Bamboo Products To End Village’s Agrarian Crisis, Uplift 200 Artisans

Bamboo is good for the environment, as it helps preserve soil, grows fast, and is termite-resistant. It is the green gold material of the 21st century,” says Sivaranjan

Livelihoods
Sisters of Tezpur: Assam’s little-known feminist collective which pushed for fixed meal times, women’s leisure

Northeast Lightbox shines the light on Assam’s little-known feminist history by documenting the history of the Tezpur Mahila Samiti

P.V. Satheesh: A revolutionary passes on

One of the icons of civil society activism in India, he championed issues of agri-biodiversity, food sovereignty, women's empowerment, social justice, local knowledge systems, participatory development, and community media.

How Sarmoli became a poster child of ecotourism in Uttarakhand

The core of this women-led enterprise was designed around village forest commons (known as Van Panchayats).

Politics
Huts of knowledge: These tribal women in Odisha teach their next generation about forests through ‘kutir’ meetings

Apart from sharing traditional knowledge, the women at these meetings also spread awareness on ownership rights

Secular Theology of Religions

This essay explores the possibility of re-formulating a secular theology of religion in the contemporary context of violence, violation, and virulence in the name of religion. 

India Budget 2023: Green only in name?

All economic activity must be regenerative, in that it sustains the ecological and socio-cultural conditions it depends on for a thriving society

Settlements and Transport
P.V. Satheesh: A revolutionary passes on

One of the icons of civil society activism in India, he championed issues of agri-biodiversity, food sovereignty, women's empowerment, social justice, local knowledge systems, participatory development, and community media.

How Sarmoli became a poster child of ecotourism in Uttarakhand

The core of this women-led enterprise was designed around village forest commons (known as Van Panchayats).

When the Forest is our Garden, the garden also becomes a place for Conflict (of Interests)

Community mobilisation under the Tribal Yuva Sangathan: Fight for rights under FRA and CFRR, Conservation & revival of traditional practices, Creation of educational spaces

Society, Culture and Peace
Sisters of Tezpur: Assam’s little-known feminist collective which pushed for fixed meal times, women’s leisure

Northeast Lightbox shines the light on Assam’s little-known feminist history by documenting the history of the Tezpur Mahila Samiti

P.V. Satheesh: A revolutionary passes on

One of the icons of civil society activism in India, he championed issues of agri-biodiversity, food sovereignty, women's empowerment, social justice, local knowledge systems, participatory development, and community media.

‘Our identity lies in these songs’: saving the music of India’s Biate

Goswami said the festival performance was just the beginning for the project, and the main focus was getting “this generational transfer of knowledge going once again”.

Videos on Alternatives
Empowering Chennai’s climate-vulnerable communities

A group of young naturalists work towards empowering the public in Chennai, especially children and youth from marginalized communities, through nature based learning/education

The South Asia Community Conserved Areas portal is officially launched

The portal aims for information exchanges between platforms, and help in expanding the spaces for conservation data and dialogue

Paramparika Vaidyas of Rural Bengaluru

The series explores Vaidyas’ diverse notions of health and well-being which are often non-anthropocentric and situated in multidimensional physical, social, and spiritual eco-spaces