Environment and Ecology

Environmental conservation and sustainability, respecting ecological integrity and limits

This section relates to initiatives that promote the principles of ecological integrity and limits. These are initiatives which envision models of decentralized conservation of land, water and biodiversity, based on a respect for both local and modern knowledge, and considering environment as an integral part of life and work. It also highlight attempts at linking livelihoods to ecological regeneration and restoration at local and landscape level. It will feature innovative attempts to deal with problems of pollution and waste. Overall, this section will try to work towards an understanding of the ecosystem which includes sociological, historical and geographical considerations while deciding on the path that local urban/ rural communities and the larger society take towards well-being.

Some heritage for your halwa

Black carrots are grown for their health benefits, while the yellow ones are tasty and used to make pickles.

Usharmukti project: A confluence of institutions for rejuvenating rivers

The efforts of the villagers in planning, executing, and monitoring the watershed plans are being facilitated by three institutions.

This town in Kerala has set its sights on becoming India’s first carbon-neutral panchayat

We tried to find out how much greenhouse gases are being emitted within the panchayat boundaries.

3R Bazar

Within months it had collected and sold items generating Rs 75K in revenue, which proves the concept ... in a small town like Ujjain.

Principles of Transformative Alternatives

To build various kinds of systemic alternatives together into a larger movement ... and to jointly envision a future

Young eco-crusaders across the country lend a refreshing rigour to the climate movement

It’s amazing that young ones are leading the climate movement now ... catalysed by hands-on environmental education by schools.

Lessons from the Earth

A 22 year old quit formal education in the middle of his 12th grade in order to pursue his passion for organic farming

No fertilisers, no pesticides, this Karnataka farmer uses only solar energy

Over 300 horticulture trees and timber trees in his farm prevent raindrops from directly falling and checking soil erosion.

From rubbish to rice: the cafe that gives food in exchange for plastic

One day a whole family came in with huge sacks of plastic waste, weighing seven kilos.