Mass deaths of birds in Faridkot linked to use of chemicals on fruit trees
Punjab’s former princely state, Faridkot has over a thousand jamun and mango trees that are very old and produce fruits every summer that are a feast for birds. But birds…
Articles by Vivek Gupta
I am Vivek Gupta, I have worked in several media outlets including The
Hindustan Times, The Indian Express and The Tribune. Writer can be reached on Twitter at @journoviv.
Groundwater depletion in Haryana a cause of serious concern
India is the world’s largest user of groundwater with over 80% of the rural and urban domestic water supplies met by available groundwater. But each year the water table keeps…
Another veterinary painkiller, nimesulide, causing vulture deaths in India: study
A veterinary pain killer drug, nimesulide, has been causing the death of vultures in India, finds a new study published in the latest edition of the international scientific journal, Environmental Science…
Haryana’s first community reserve, ancient Brahma Sarovar pond, awaits restoration
In July 2017, the Haryana government had declared a 100-acre pond site at village Thana in its Kurukshetra district as the state’s first community reserve site, to conserve its rich…
Chandigarh’s Sukhna wildlife sanctuary remains unprotected as Punjab, Haryana delay on eco sensitive zone
The Sukhna Wildlife sanctuary, home to unique flora and fauna, on the outskirts of Chandigarh, remains unprotected as Punjab and Haryana, in which part of the sanctuary lies, delay the…
Winter drought in Himachal impacts agriculture and drinking water supply
Madan Lal, a farmer from Bagtheru village in Himachal Pradesh's Bilaspur district, was hoping for a good return this year for his wheat crop sown last December. But with scanty…
As depolluting Sutlej river delayed, impact on health continues
Two shades of river water passing through Ludhiana’s Manewal village explain it all. It is at this village where the Sutlej river, which originates in Tibet before it enters Punjab…
Scientific survey maps 73 snow leopards in Himachal Pradesh
Till recently, the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh (HP) was only making wild guesses about the population status of the snow leopard, the state animal of HP. After three years,…
Gharials bounce back in Punjab but the real test is breeding
Over half a century after they were considered extinct in Punjab, the critically endangered long-snouted gharials have bounced back to life in the northern state, thanks to a reintroduction programme,…
Smoke from stubble burning in Punjab may aggravate COVID-19 symptoms
Stubble burning in Punjab has annually been cited as the main contributor to the smog in Delhi and parts of northern India in pre-winter months. Delhi’s air quality levels in…
Punjab’s Mattewara forest and Sutlej river under threat from upcoming industrial park
The Punjab cabinet has approved an industrial park near the Mattewara forest range and Sutlej River in the Ludhiana district. The approval has triggered protests against the project, while the government…
The Indus dolphin is struggling in India, thriving in Pakistan
“Have you seen dolphins in your area?” “You mean Bhulan Machi (long-lipped fish),” replied 22-year-old Bagha, a boatman who ferries people on the banks of the Beas river in Karmuwala village of Punjab’s…
Special series
Wetland Champions
- [Commentary] India establishes the largest network of Ramsar Sites in South Asia
- [Commentary] Wetland champions: Promise from the grassroots
- The story of Jakkur lake sets an example for inclusive rejuvenation projects
- Welcome to Tsomgo lake: Please don’t litter
Environment And Health
- Marine plastic pollution is not just a waste problem; reducing production is needed too
- Stitching sustainability amidst climate change challenges
- Gujarat bans exotic Conocarpus tree amid health and environment hazard
- Malaria-carrying mosquitoes shift homes from forests to rice fields
India's Iconic Landscapes
- Majuli’s shrinking wetlands and their fight for survival
- Saving India’s wild ‘unicorns’
- Indrella ampulla’s genetic tapestry unveils colour morphs isolated across the Palghat Gap
- [Commentary] Up close and personal with the fragility of the Himalayas
Beyond Protected Areas
- The dietary habits of endangered vultures
- Waterbirds adapt to nest and roost in the urban oases of Udaipur
- Understanding the elevational movements of Himalayan birds to improve conservation efforts
- Nilgiri pipit seeks better status as habitat shrinks
Conserving Agro-biodiversity
- Pricey guests: Urban invasive species cost the world billions every year
- [Commentary] GROW with agroforestry, a step towards sustainable land management
- Millet tradition loses flavour among Madhya Pradesh’s tribals
- A village nurtures traditional food systems in response to climate change
Just Transitions
- How unplanned coal mine closures in India are affecting dependent communities, especially women
- Green Credit Scheme’s ‘methodology’ doesn’t inspire confidence among experts
- Conflict over critical mineral prospecting in Odisha signals need for better community involvement
- Fuel leak in Manipur raises concerns over water contamination
