Settlements and Transport

Human settlements with sustainability, equity, and fulfillment. Sustainable, equitable means including non-motorised and public transport

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This features both rural and urban areas, and the search to make human settlements sustainable, equitable, and fulfilling places to live and work in. This includes: sustainable architecture, localized generation of basic infrastructural, water and energy needs, urban biodiversity conservation, waste/garbage minimisation and recycling, efficiency and frugality in the use of these basics, the defense and revival of common and open spaces, participatory budgeting and planning of settlements.

We would also like to include stories of sustainable, equitable means of transport that can be accessed by all and that do not create ecological and social problems as is the case with a focus on privatized motorized transport. Stories on the promotion of public transport, cycling, walking, human/animal powered and other forms of ecologically sustainable and equitable transportation, planning for equitable access, reclaiming the roads and parking lots for public use, and so on, are featured.

Expensive, elitist models that may be ecologically sustainable but are not relevant for most people, are likely to be avoided here.

Reviving Naulas, The Ancient Water Temples Of The Kumaon Himalayas

Naulas are fine examples of dry-masonry, stone architecture as well as the art and science of water purification

Bhimshankar village makes the most of nature’s trail

While promoting ecotourism, the villagers try to maintain a balance between conservation, livelihood and convenience

These Two Friends Started Goa’s First Zero-Waste Store To Beat Plastic Pollution At Its Root

How a zero-waste store can actually substitute conventional departmental stores.

Success Story — How they reduced packaging waste in Auroville, India

A Significant reduction in packaging waste for consumer products is possible with a little bit of effort and consumer awareness.

Re-Store sells all stuff you’d like to discard

Trivedi, who initiated Re-Store, hopes to take the message of re-use, exchange, rent, repair, as opposed to buying new, to many more people.

Urban birds can be the ideal ‘canary in the mine’ if we are willing to accept their signs

A strong mesh of urban birders will be able to collate data in real time and alert administrators about the health of the environment.

शहर में प्रकृति के करीब जीवन (in Hindi)

शहर में भी कम खर्च में बिजली और पानी का प्रबंध सुचारु रूप से किया जा सकता है

Darjeeling Himalayas gets a people-centric early warning system for landslides

All it takes for the system to work is a tipping bucket rain gauge, a rainfall threshold chart, whistle, mobile messenger and a billboard.

Delhi’s social Butterflies: Why the city’s citizen scientists are counting butterflies in crowded residential areas

They flutter like eyelashes, dip like fish, or float languidly in an undulating rhythm that is mesmerising to watch, like ripples on a lake.