Mongabay series: India's Iconic Landscapes
Stretching from tropical to temperate latitudes, with a 7,500 km long coastline, two archipelagos, some of the tallest mountains and the most extensive mangrove ecosystem in the world, iconic India harbours biodiversity hotspots of global importance. From these landscapes, we will bring you stories of people, animals, plants and their habitats. This series on the country's iconic landscapes spans the well known Himalayas and the Ganga river basins but also tells the stories of fascinating efforts of conservation in small pockets of the Sundarbans, the Western Ghats, the coastline and even the urban centres of the vast and varied country. As an emerging economy, the growth story of iconic India has had varying impact on the country’s habitats, natural resources, biological diversity and forest-dwelling communities. We highlight stories of neglect and destruction to some of the country's most important landscapes and through a mix of perspectives we bring to the fore the need for protecting them and growing through sustainable development.
[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
Experts call for coexistence, sustainable development as tiger population is close to saturation
Ain’t no mountain high enough: alien invasive plants increasing in higher elevations
Unplanned, faulty buildings tremble under weather events in the fragile Himalayan regions
Nourishing soils of Kashmir’s karewas crumble under infrastructure
Shielding hijol, a floodplain tree, from climate impacts
[Explainer] Mass flowering and why some plants bloom and die together
Uttar Pradesh reports an increase in rhino population since reintroduction over three decades ago
[Video] Hangul, the shy Kashmiri deer, is facing the threat of extinction as its habitat shrinks
Rajasthan is getting wetter and it’s not good news for the desert ecology
[Commentary] Traditional water harvesting structures in the Thar desert are vanishing
[Maps] Environmental path cleared for Great Nicobar mega project
[Commentary] India’s wildlife conservation journey has had great strides and many hurdles
All eyes on the next chapter: India prepares to host cheetahs after 70 years
Farming becomes tough in Himachal’s cold desert with changing climate and crop pattern
Manipur landslide sparks ecological debate
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
- 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
- Improved tiger numbers come with hidden messages on invasives, habitat connectivity
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
- 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
- Konkan Railways impacted agricultural lands more than forest cover, finds study
Just Transitions
- 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
- Has solar energy been deployed to the point of no return? Some researchers think so