This week’s environment and conservation news stories rolled into one.
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Save tiger reserves and reap trillions in economic benefits, says report
For every rupee spent, the tiger reserves gave benefits of Rs 2,500 per reserve. Benefits related to water provisioning (from the 10 reserves analysed) is over Rs.330 billion — more than the budget of the new Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Can climate-resilient clones save Darjeeling tea?
Darjeeling tea is facing the brunt of climate change, with both flavour and production taking a hit. Climate-resilient clones hold the promise of quality and higher yield.
Does the NCR need another airport – at the cost of the environment?
Environmentalists warn of major threat to biodiversity from the construction of the Noida International Greenfield Airport, which will be 70 km away from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
Tharuvaikulam’s palmyra climbers turn sustainable fishers
A village of palmyra climbers have embraced sustainable fishing practices, after realising that trawl nets were destroying the corals that were homes to the fish.
A social venture on the road to improve lives, reduce emissions with e-rickshaws
The electric rickshaws are helping drivers earn a decent livelihood, lowering the city’s vehicular pollution and carbon emissions, and even empowering women.
Declare UP’s Mirzapur forests as a conservation reserve, says study
A camera trap study has now recorded thriving wildlife, including several protected species that have been recorded for the first time, such as the Asiatic wild cat, rusty-spotted cat and leopard.
Air pollution could negate Swachh Bharat benefits for children
Exposure of foetus and newborns to outdoor air pollutants is associated with deficits in child height, according to a study. This could negate the benefits from the national sanitation campaign (Swachh Bharat).
Spotlighting the rising stars: Neglected crops in saline areas
Neglected and underutilised crops may help sustain agricultural production in marginal areas, especially salinisation-hit swathes, according to a review.
The Tamilian Warrior becomes a state symbol
Tamil Nadu has recently declared Tamil Yeoman (Cirrochroa thais) as its state butterfly to symbolise its rich natural and cultural heritage, in a move aimed at boosting butterfly conservation.
Does India’s tiger conservation policy impact local people and the forest?
In this commentary, Nitin Rai from ATREE argues that increased tiger numbers have come with high social, economic and ecological costs for the tribal communities that have been living in the forests for generations.
