This week’s environment and conservation news stories rolled into one.
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Idu Mishmi protect ancestral land through community conservation
The community conservation area serves as a way for the clans to protect the land, wildlife and cultural traditions.
[Podcast] Environomy: India Buys A Fast Car
After the economic reforms were introduced, increased incomes led to improved mobility, and many made their way to the mountains. But the ecological footprint of the mountains increased manifold.
In peninsular India, any threat to forests, or the shola grassland ecosystem that covers the mountains of Nilgiris, could impact rivers which are important for the water security of the region.
In the fourth episode of ‘Environomy’ the podcast host discusses how the economic reforms have impacted the environment of the mountains and the rivers in the country.
Crafting a sustainable future for artisans using bamboo
Bamboo artisans in Tripura have seen a surge in demand for bamboo-based products, leading to more business and higher earnings.
How the Sikkim flood drowned farming and fishing opportunities in northern West Bengal
The affected farmers and fishers are facing difficulties in accessing aid because of property rights and land ownership issues.
Study finds potential to restore native shola trees under the shade of the exotic Acacia
A recent study in the Upper Palani Hills indicates the possibility of native shola tree regeneration in existing stands of exotic trees.
[Interview] Camelia Dewan on how ‘climate change’ is becoming a development buzzword to continue business as usual
In conversation with Mongabay-India, Camelia Dewan, an environmental anthropologist, talks about climate reductivism, health of rivers in the Bengal Delta, and how development actors use climate change to “spice up” funding proposals.
In her book, Dewan finds embankments in the Bengal Delta have worsened flooding and the health of rivers, but that they continue to be pushed as solutions by large development institutions like the World Bank.
Read her full interview here.
Tapping traditional watermills for sustainable energy solutions
With increasing tourism, villages in the hilly state of Arunachal Pradesh are faced with an increased demand for seamless power supply which the state is not able to meet.
Traditional watermills or chhoskor in the state have the potential to solve some of this energy problem.
Supreme Court restores 1996 definition of forests in recent interim order
It is unclear whether states followed the orders of a 1996 judgement to record all forest areas falling within their jurisdictions.
Joshimath’s economy wanes as tourists dwindle
At Joshimath, a year on, local traders, hoteliers & homestay owners are bearing the brunt of dwindling tourism – a mainstay of the local economy.
[Commentary] Changing shore seines call for better support system for Kerala fishers
Kambavala is a traditional fishing method in Kerala that is fuel-efficient and with a lower impact on the environment.
An invasive plant is threatening sloth bear habitats and could increase conflict
Controlling invasive species and supporting wildlife conservation efforts are essential to protect sloth bears and their habitats.
