Is permaculture a real solution to agricultural distress?
Permaculture farming, which spread across the West as part of the hippie movement, is fast gaining ground in India among subsistence farmers and …
What drives innovation?
The new Intellectual Property Rights policy is based on a tenuous premise that having more IPRs will result in more innovation
Plant a bone
Plant-based treatment of osteoporosis is gaining ground. The Central Drug Research Institute is adding new dimensions to ancient remedies
After India, China rejects patent claim for hepatitis C drug Sovaldi
Activists claim that the drug was developed using previously published information and an existing compound
A natural secret
Policymakers don't need to go too far to eradicate poverty. The solution is as close as is a village well to a villager
Sarguja Losing battle
First district for tribal development Rampant deforestation Malnutrition and starvation deaths
Dungarpur A 'common' death
Once rich in forest and grazing land Now known as 20th century desert 68% population 'marginal and unemployed'
Phulbani Access to poverty
Sal forest worth: Rs 30,000 crore 85% population dependent on forest 65% people below poverty line
The weather mart
Met department is not the only one predicting weather in India. Forecasts are now sold by businesses to businesses
REVIVING WISDOM
Rainwater is abundant in India. So is its mismanagement. This has led to a human-made water scarcity. The only way to solve modern India's water …
Highs and lows
The government's vanaspati van scheme is good news, but for it to succeed small-scale farmers and local communities have to be brought in its fold
Grow more
There is no land to cultivate medicinal plants, neither are there any legal provisions, nor market access. At present, the risks involved are …
A Himalayan Tragedy
People who have no idea about forests step in to further trade, while the indigenous herb gatherers get exploited further
Herbal heist
Hand-in-glove with the forest department, traders of medicinal plants and herbs make hay while communities who depend on herb gathering for …
World Food Day: our agriculture must keep pace with changing climate
To feed the world, agriculture, along with forestry, fisheries and livestock, needs to become more resilient and productive
Obituary: Pushpa Mitra Bhargava, a conscientious scientist and advocate of scientific temper
In the death of Dr Pushpa Mittra Bhargava, India has lost one of the most vocal advocates of scientific temper and rationality in India
Third side of a coin!
We must not manifest prejudices against societies with primitive technology, without understanding their challenges completely
Disclosure-shy industry
Pharma and biotech firms are lobbying hard to block disclosure of origin of genetic material used in inventions, but they also raise thorny issues
Printers' devil
The Jaipur bench of the Rajasthan High Court has ordered the relocation of Sanganer's polluting dyeing and printing units within a year. Failure …
India has a living tradition of healthy food
Our country has the opportunity to be different in its food journey. With our ancient wisdom, we can prevent McDonaldisation of food
New leaked chapter of Asia trade deal shows RCEP will undercut farmers’ control over seeds
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership threatens to increase corporate power in member countries, leaving ordinary people with little rights
Why Nairobi must spread the right food message in an unhealthy environment
Residents in Nairobi's urban slums are opting for fast food rather than healthy alternatives, which is increasing their risk of …
India opposes patent application by British company
Earlier, an attempt by Colgate-Palmolive to use patent on a mouthwash was also foiled
Fishery degradation in Pakistan: A poverty-environment nexus?
The number of fishing vessels in Pakistani coastal waters has been steadily increasing but the fish catches steadily decreasing. Press reports …
Shark in a soup
The fish, high in demand for its fin, is dwindling in the Indian waters. Will a mere ban on finning protect it?