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.

Harvesting hope: the permaculture movement in India

Permaculture farms offer food throughout the year, reduce waste and pests and keep the soil healthy and productive.

Wetlands of Tamil Nadu soon to have protected status

Through notifying 100 wetlands as “priority wetlands”, the state’s choking urban wetlands may finally breathe.

Youth drive revival of traditional rice varieties in West Bengal

“Traditional rice cultivars are inherently endowed with higher nutritional value than their chemically grown counterparts.”

Ducks wade through paddy fields to bump up profits

"... considering our low cost/zero cost inputs in comparison to the chemically grown rice, our profits per bigha are higher,”

Heritage in every grain

"We give each farmer (signing a pledge to use organic methods) two kilos of seed; they bring double the quantity back the next year, ”

Shepherd from Karnataka builds 14 ponds on barren hill, turns his village green

"Wherever I take up 5-6 ft of digging, there will be water which will not dry up … even during summers.”

पक्षियों का गांव है मेनार (IN HINDI)

तरबूज-खरबूज की खेती छोड़ी पक्षियों के लिए !

A Village Where Farmers Adopt And Nurture Rare Birds Even If They Harm The Crops!

These villagers have happily adopted the birds. That is why, gradually, this place has become a hub of rare migratory birds.

Two conservation communities from northeast India win biodiversity awards

The realisation that the community-controlled forest was home to many endemic species helped ... provide protection to all species here.