This week’s environment and conservation news stories rolled into one.
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Women in slums, stranded migrant workers grapple with water access in Bhubaneswar
The Odisha government, though proactive in this regard, should form a task force to monitor the water access situation, suggest experts.
COVID-19 lockdown dents the economy of India’s forest dwellers
The nationwide lockdown has affected the economy of India’s tribal population, which depends highly on the sale of minor forest products.
A post-lockdown pathway for forest-edge communities of central India
In this commentary, Ruth DeFries from Columbia University discusses the harsh reality of forest fringe dwellers in the Central Indian Landscape.
Lakshadweep unveils world’s first sea cucumber conservation reserve
Extending over a 239 square km radius of Cheriyapani reef, an uninhabited atoll, it will be known as Dr. KK Mohammed Koya Sea Cucumber Conservation Reserve.
Despite lockdown, envt ministry’s expert panels race to clear projects
Over 190 projects are on the agenda of the expert panels including the new building for India’s parliament, diamond mines, and hydro projects in pristine forests.
Karnataka government okays rail line in the Western Ghats
About 2.2 lakh trees in the Western Ghats are to be felled to lay a railway line between Hubballi and Ankola.
Uttarakhand eyes a part of Rajaji Tiger Reserve for Kumbh
Environmentalists emphasise that this could damage forest land and negatively impact the flora and fauna of the region.
Absence of human presence impacting monkey behaviour in Ayodhya
The lockdown has the potential to disrupt their daily activity budget and increase the intergroup and intragroup competition among monkeys, leading to more conflicts.
Concern for birds grounds Mumbai’s marina project for now
An expert panel has deferred decision on the Mumbai marina project, for now, while expressing its concern over the possible impact on the route of migratory birds.
[Interview] “We really have to find a way to exist with the planet”
Science writer Alan Weisman discusses the threats that confront humanity and the lessons we may learn from the pandemic.