This week’s environment and conservation news stories rolled into one.
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Is Indian monsoon turning into a string of extreme weather events?
Managing editor Gopikrishna Warrier lays out the links between the Indian monsoon and the Indian economy — and examines whether the country is prepared to deal with extreme weather events at the policy level.
Dam mismanagement worsens impact of extreme rainfall in Maharashtra
Flooding caused by extreme rainfall in July and August in Maharashtra was exacerbated by mismanagement of water in the dams on the Krishna River, feel experts.
Tribal way of life hits rock bottom even as mining hits new highs in Odisha
A total of 64 mining projects has led to the diversion of 10451.39 hectares of forest land over 38 years in Keonjhar district – the highest loss of green cover in Odisha since 1980.
New frog species from unexplored Jharkhand and Bihar brings cheer
The Magadha Burrowing Frog (Sphaerotheca magadha) from the family Dicroglossidae has been named after the ancient kingdom of Magadha in the southern Bihar.
NGT comes to the aid of Kharai camels and mangroves in Kachchh
For the indigenous “swimming camels” of Kachchh and their mangrove habitat, a decision by India’s green court has come as the saving grace from threats to the ecosystem.
How wild mushroom delicacies in Goa are threatening its forests
The popularity of edible wild mushrooms is turning into an ecological threat for the forests of Goa. Wild mushrooms play an important role as decomposing agents in forests.
Ken-Betwa river linking project may be economically unviable: SC committee
India’s first river interlinking project (Ken-Betwa), which received wildlife clearance in 2016, is under the scanner for its impact on the environment.
‘Delhi Declaration’ at desertification summit: So near yet so far
The “Delhi Declaration”, adopted by over 190 countries, has diluted the importance of the rights of indigenous communities and women over land, experts said.
Making children resilient to droughts
A recent study has found that factors such as good governance, nutritionally diverse crops, overall crop production and irrigation can make children resilient to droughts.
When smog travels from South Asia to the United States
The role of foreign air pollutants, such as those that blow from southern Asia, in contributing to local pollution levels in the United States has stirred debates.