How will environment fare as India prepares for elections?

Many of the issues that communities in villages, towns, cities and forest hamlets raise during the election period are environmental in their root. Some are about lack of access to the natural resources around them, about pollution, or vulnerability to extreme weather events. It is only during the election period that these communities can tag their issues on to the larger political process, and hope to highlight them to catch attention. MORE ... 

Editor's pick: Stories that made impact in 2018

Our stories did not move mountains. That was not our aim. We are happier if mountains are not moved, and the forests and wildlife on them remain. For this to happen the local communities also need to have equitable access to natural resources. MORE ... 

Will environmental issues drive the narrative in 2019 national elections?

The agrarian crisis due to environment issues and policy paralysis was one of the issues that surfaced during the state elections in November-December 2018. Could environmental issues will drive the narrative in the 2019 national elections? MORE ...

[Interview] Kerala agriculture minister: Organic and natural farming will give farmers self reliance and climate resilience

In mid-August 2018 there was a massive flood in Kerala. Two years ago, the state went through a drought. In an interview to Mongabay-India, Kerala Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar said that the state will move to organic and natural farming to strengthen farmers' self reliance and climate resilience. MORE ... 

A farmer returns home from his fields. 

Kerala floods: Time for introspection and amends as the water recedes

In middle of August 2018, Kerala had a once-in-a-century floods. The sorrow and suffering will be wasted if there isn't improved environmental understanding. MORE ... 

The cascade of dams in the Chalakudy, Periyar and Pampa river valleys.

Kole Birders: Learning habitat conservation from the birds

They have different day jobs, but they have one passion in common. They love to watch and photograph birds. Starting from this hobby, this group of citizen scientists have contributed some of the best bird surveys in the country. MORE ...

Birdwatchers in the midst of the kole fields. Photo by Kole Birders. 

Nipah infection in Kerala: Don't blame the bats alone

It is easy to blame the bats without introspecting on public health. MORE ...