
Mongabay series: Just Transitions
Are the transitions in the mining sector in India “just” for the environment and the community? World economies are in transition for two reasons. One is the routine growth or deceleration of different national economies, and the other is the changes that public opinion is forcing upon economies as almost all parts of the world feel the impact of climate change. Both the factors are at play in India. The Indian economy has been decelerating in the past half-decade due to various reasons. There is also an increasing public opinion and governmental will to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, move from fossil fuels to renewable energy, make industrial processes carbon neutral and increase green cover to strengthen sequestration. While transitions are happening in the mining sector – fossil-fuel and non-fuel mines – due to economic reasons, the question is whether these are happening in a 'just' manner. The first question is whether the transitions from mining to other operations are reducing the environmental destruction? The second question is whether those losing employment due to the closure of mines are able to find sustained employment in less- or non-environmentally destructive sectors? If not, the transition is neither just nor sustainable for them. The problem is that unjust changes are happening, and in the long run, the transitions lose their long-term sustainability. Greater awareness of the vicious cycle of environmental destruction, which has to a disproportionate impact on poor and marginal communities, is need to support just transition away from extractive industries. Mongabay-India intends to increase awareness about "just transitions" in this series.


Electricity transition in India’s renewable-rich states needs to accelerate, says study

[Interview] Ajay Kumar Rastogi on leading India’s first just transition task force

Helping wildlife navigate road and railway infrastructure

Energy transition offers a ray of hope to farmers struggling in chilly winter

With a new policy, Odisha aims at 10 GW of renewable energy by 2030

[Commentary] The missing caste from commons: A reflection from a Telangana village

India needs to weigh options before partnership with G7 countries to accelerate a just energy transition

Oil refinery sparks protests over livelihood concerns in Ratnagiri

After little success in past, India revisits plan to repower its ageing wind turbines

Land banks in Jharkhand may become a recipe for conflicts

Unaccounted deaths lay bare the dark side of sand mining

In the midst of coal shortage reports, a coal mine extension is approved in pristine Hasdeo forests

As India looks to shift to renewables, Jharkhand’s coal mine workers fear loss of jobs and social security

Are power lines turning Kutch into a bird graveyard from a bird paradise?

India’s coal crisis exposes power sector woes

The canaries in the coal mine

After starting off slow, Jharkhand eyes mega projects to boost clean energy in state

India proposes a battery swapping policy to expedite EVs growth

Sand mining a threat to the mahseer and other aquatic species in the Narmada
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
- Brahmapuram fumes over waste
- Transgender activists highlight the impacts of climate change and environmental issues on the community
- Stubble burning is back, smothering north India with concerns for the upcoming winter
- Humans are contaminating Earth’s waterways with medicines, pharmaceutical ingredients

Almost Famous Species
- Ibisbill, the poorly understood Himalayan waterbird faces threats, finds study
- India garners international support to save two endangered freshwater turtles
- What protecting the slender loris could mean for forest communities in Tamil Nadu
- [Video] Hangul, the shy Kashmiri deer, is facing the threat of extinction as its habitat shrinks

India's Iconic Landscapes
- 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

Beyond Protected Areas
- [Interview] Conservationist MK Ranjitsinh Jhala on the need for a grassland policy in India
- Women take the wheel for safer tourism in Satpura Tiger Reserve
- Habitat preservation in the Western Ghats can help enhance biodiversity in the hotspot
- Climate change and catfight in the Himalayas: tigers, leopards venture into snow leopard land

Conserving Agro-biodiversity
- 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

Just Transitions
- Incentives to boost demand, increase in e-buses in Tamil Nadu’s latest EV policy
- Electricity transition in India’s renewable-rich states needs to accelerate, says study
- [Interview] Ajay Kumar Rastogi on leading India’s first just transition task force
- Helping wildlife navigate road and railway infrastructure
