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.
The container terminal that could sink the Great Nicobar Island
North India’s hills are feeling the heat too, but differently
[Commentary] Is expansion of aquaculture in the Indian Sundarbans an ecological threat or a pathway to sustainable development?
One year of Similipal forest fire: The hits and misses
Grasses spur mangroves to grow in an erosion-riddled Sundarbans patch
Scientists raise caution as mangroves erode faster along the Bengal coastline
Glaciers at Pangong in Ladakh retreated 6.7% since 1990, says recent research
Climate mitigation should not come at cost of biodiversity conservation, warns tropical savannah ecologist
Tracking rivers, the highways of plastic waste
Snug in Kashmir’s meadows, ox-eye daisy worries scientists
Assam to destroy nearly 2500 seized rhino horns in anti-poaching message
Rethinking tourism could save Udaipur from its pressures
[Commentary] India establishes the largest network of Ramsar Sites in South Asia
Maharashtra’s first endemic tree rediscovered after 180 years at Harishchandragad hill
To escape floodwaters, Kaziranga’s large herbivores risk moving through human-dominated spaces: study
Large-scale removal of Banni’s invasive ‘mad tree’ Prosopis is not the solution: study
The toxic love for Ladakh is weighing heavy on its natural resources
[Video] Mapping Tamil Nadu’s grasslands to protect them and know their role in carbon storage
The development plan that could end up sinking Lakshadweep islands
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