Mongabay series: Environment And Health
A clean environment, and actions to protect the integrity of ecosystems matter to human health and well-being. Every time we mess around with the environment, we feel it. These negative impacts on human health are brought on by a suite of changes such as land-use change, unjust energy transitions, climate change and biodiversity loss that interfere with the benefits of natural ecosystems that make life possible for people (ecosystem services). For example, polluted air, a river in peril, local food systems in decline, rapacious mining and rampant deforestation, harm human health. Climate change through extreme weather events such as floods, droughts and heatwaves, worsens the impacts. The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the urgency to protect, conserve and restore wildlife habitats and disappearing ecosystems. In Environment and Health, we probe these linkages and go beyond examining the impacts of the environment on human health to understand how we can shore up our actions to shape a healthier India and a resilient ecosystem.
Despite COVID lockdown, environment ministry’s expert panels race to clear projects
India’s polar missions hit pause
[Commentary] In a pandemic, a chance to make India’s recovery and growth equitable
Why do we keep falling for fake news about animals and what can go wrong?
Conservation biologists navigate the new normal
Fly ash slurry in Singrauli contaminates water reservoir after taking lives and homes
India’s wildlife veterinary system needs an upgrade to tackle zoonotic diseases
Can biodiversity loss lead to more infectious disease spread?
Involving traditional healers in public health initiatives to mitigate spread of COVID-19 in Bastar
Bats not the enemy in the fight against COVID-19
Using lessons from disaster management, Odisha takes on COVID-19
India’s power consumption falls by 19 percent during COVID-19 lockdown
[Commentary] Covid-19 and food security: Lessons for Indian Agriculture
[Interview] Lockdown throws up challenges for quarantine of plant samples for research
[Commentary] Degrowth and COVID-19: Are we drawing a simplistic connection?
Low-cost, paper-based device being developed for rapid coronavirus detection
Greens grown in urban kitchen gardens beat the lockdown blues
[Interview] Rumours linking livestock to COVID-19 unfounded, says expert
Energy policies could get reset in light of the COVID-19 pandemic
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
- 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
- [Commentary] Neglecting household biomedical waste management can lead to adverse environmental effects
India's Iconic Landscapes
- 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
- Studies reveal impact of land use on species diversity in rock outcrops
Beyond Protected Areas
- Rehabilitating trafficked star tortoises using genetic intelligence
- [Interview] Richie Mehta on addressing the elephant in the room in ‘Poacher’
- Scientists leap beyond Latin to give local flair to species names
- Deaths in human-animal conflict in Wayanad spark protests and debates
Conserving Agro-biodiversity
- [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
- Rising air pollution impacts India’s crop yields and food security
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