
Mongabay series: Wetland Champions
Among all the ecosystems in a biologically and ecologically diverse country such as India, the wetlands are the least reported in the media space, and in turn get less discussed in the public and the policy space. Amidst this rather bleak story for wetlands, there are individuals and communities that have understood the ecological significance and the importance of the ecosystem services that wetlands provide, and have been working to conserve them. We feature these individuals and communities in our Wetland Champions series. For many thousands across the country, a wetland is more than a pretty picture. It is intrinsically linked to their very survival – it is a source of water for drinking and domestic use, for fishing and for agriculture. In many other places, this water body is where migratory birds and other wildlife thrive. And for some, it is part of a region’s environmental heritage. Through 25 features, our series goes around the country, from the coast to the mountains, from big rivers to small streams and from individual heroes to active communities.


[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

Managing waste to save the wetlands of Himachal Pradesh

The monks who protect the Bhagajang wetland

A community-created mangrove forest protects a village from eroding away

When an army of women came together to revive a river

Septuagenarian ensures Kole’s wetland status remains intact through farming

Meet the man conserving otters in Maharashtra’s Western Ghats

As threats increase, community’s effort to save Pulicat lake continues

Chowkidar turns conservationist for winged friends in Chambal

World Wetlands Day: Celebrating the champions who protect our wetlands

[Explainer] What are wetlands and why do we need to protect them?

Women revive ponds for water security in Bundelkhand

A community movement saves a Goan heritage lake and brings hope

A birder involves community and authorities to protect Haiderpur wetland

Returning to traditional practices to save Vidarbha’s ‘Lake District’

Story of a river bed, a geological marvel and community pride

People power to clean up Pune river, bit by bit
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
