Environment and Ecology

Environmental conservation and sustainability, respecting ecological integrity and limits

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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.

Bangalore bus Commuters’ Forum

The Bangalore Bus Prayaanikara Vedike was formed by commuters, who, intending to oppose the hike in bus fare, also formed this forum to deal with varied issues relating to the bus service and the bus terminus.

Life of Pi-yush- 21st Century activist, Salem

Piyush Sethia is an activist of the 21st century. Candid, honest and passionate to the core. He has for the city of Salem, Tamil Nadu with every last drop of integrity. Rejuvenating lakes, creating co-operative forests, teaching organic farming to children and running a Citizen’s forum. Attached is a short glimpse into the life of an activist.

Community-based Homestays: Innovation in Tourism

Rural homestays are becoming a valuable source of livelihoods and sustainable tourism in parts of the Himalayas. Here are some stories of such facilities.

Lure of the homestay

In the Himalayas and various other parts of India, a new model for low-impact tourism is needed to protect the fragile ecosystems that provide youthful adventurers the wild and exotic experiences they seek, and homestays are a sustainable tourism option in such surroundings.

Conservation through democratic governance

Can an adivasi community save the forests and wildlife they live amidst? According to the sentiments echoed by about 160 Soliga adivasis, the answer is a resounding yes. Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary is part of an ecologically critical landscape in the meeting point of the Western and Eastern Ghats, known for its plant and animal diversity, including elephant, tiger, and gaur. Soligas have resided in the area for several centuries.

Natwar Sarangi of Odisha, the individual revolutionary

Natwar Sarangi of Odisha is an extraordinary farmer, collecting and trying several hundred traditional varieties of paddy and redistributing them to willing farmers.

Built to last

A Rajasthan village has cylindrical houses that help people cope with extreme weather events

A Journey to the Sacred Forest of Sariska

A Londoner describes her experience of the worldview of a community that lives in a remote part of Rajasthan without modern comforts, and what she learned from them. Such as that to bring about change all stakeholders have to see each other as equals, and that Trust between all stake-holders is essential, especially between those who have very opposing views.

The Nawabs Of Garo Hills (eco-tourism in Meghalaya)

Samrakshan’s Meghalaya field-base had undertaken community-based conservation programmes in the landscape for the last few years but our latest attempt was a community-based ecotourism programme with multiple goals. -