
Mongabay series: Conserving Agro-biodiversity
The Conserving Agrobiodiversity series looks at a gamut of stories from the fields of India -- from technological advances to traditional knowledge, from saving seeds to modifying them -- all focussed towards protecting the diversity of crops and food we eat and efforts to ensure food security for generations to come. In the quest to feed a burgeoning population, India's agriculture is scrambling for ways to keep up production in the face of climate change and livelihood challenges. Whether it is going back to basic natural farming methods, unlocking genetic diversity of primary crops or bringing traditional grains back into vogue, institutions and individuals across the country and working on new and old ways of conserving agrobiodiversity.


Horseshoe crab decline sparks urgent conservation plea

Production of rugra, a nutritious mushroom found in Jharkhand, impacted by weather changes

[Commentary] Soil degradation in India spells doom for millions

Architect of India’s Green Revolution, agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan passes away

Excavating farmlands for highways

Increasing carbon dioxide is making our food less nutritious

Ecosystem-based adaptation takes nature-based, people-centric approach to agriculture

[Commentary] How grassroots-led natural farming at the landscape scale can support communities and heal the planet

Community-based natural farming outshines other farming practices in Andhra Pradesh

[Video] Bihar’s makhana and the wetlands they grow in

Unseasonal rain, temperature variations affect Alphonso yield and increase prices in Maharashtra

How a drought-prone village in Maharashtra attained agricultural success with millets

Thirunelly’s seed festival celebrates traditional climate-resilient seeds and farm produce

[Explainer] Why is 2023 the International Year of Millets? What do we achieve by celebrating such years?

Nations adopt Global Biodiversity Framework amid concerns over watered-down targets

[Commentary] A renewed CGIAR can better support South Asia to determine its food future

Equitable benefit sharing of digitised genetic information to span across discussions at COP15

Making sense of rainfall changes in Karnataka’s coffee estates through old records

Adivasi honey harvesters demand forest control and criticise ‘unfriendly’ conservation measures
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
- [Commentary] Neglecting household biomedical waste management can lead to adverse environmental effects
- No magic bullets to deal with snakebites
- Six years on, cyclone Ockhi survivors battle lingering mental health impacts
- Gig workers in India are exposed to highly polluted air and carcinogens, finds preliminary study

Almost Famous Species
- Genetic insights of the Kempholey night frog offer better conservation strategies
- Saving India’s only ape, the hoolock gibbon
- [Interview] “Favourable conditions and diet important for ex-situ conservation of wild cats”
- A 100 camera traps to monitor rusty-spotted cats in Keoladeo National Park

Eco Hope
- Green pilgrimage model balances faith and conservation
- [Video] Restoring the perennial Thamirabarani river with people power
- [Interview] Conservation scientist Joli Rumi Borah on integrating traditional knowledge in research
- [Interview] Scientist Ruth DeFries on deforestation: There isn’t one driver, there’s a different context in different places

India's Iconic Landscapes
- [Commentary] Up close and personal with the fragility of the Himalayas
- Studies reveal impact of land use on species diversity in rock outcrops
- Improved tiger numbers come with hidden messages on invasives, habitat connectivity
- Gymnosperms that are critical for coniferous forest health may be steadily declining in response to climate change

Beyond Protected Areas
- Grassland loss threatens endemic birds in Arunachal sanctuary
- Genetic insights of the Kempholey night frog offer better conservation strategies
- Loss of forest cover in Kashmir is pitting a protected animal against the world’s costliest spice
- India following a global trend of forsaking environment protection for “national security,” paper says

Conserving Agro-biodiversity
- [Commentary] Erratic weather, altered social dynamics disrupt mahua economy in eastern India
- Horseshoe crab decline sparks urgent conservation plea
- Production of rugra, a nutritious mushroom found in Jharkhand, impacted by weather changes
- [Commentary] Soil degradation in India spells doom for millions

Just Transitions
- [Video] Rooftop solar, an emerging solution to Bihar’s land shortage that’s stalling renewable progress
- India needs to face challenge of funding thermal power plant closure, says new report
- With no primary data on impacts, government approves an oil extraction technique 500 m outside forests
- Climate action not on track to meet Paris Agreement goals, says Global Stocktake report
