How alien invasive plant species threaten Western Ghats
Forest fires and man-eating tigers make for easy headlines but what about invading flora in a forest?
Ethnic bonding
Neglected Nilgiri tribes gathered together to celebrate their ethnic identity and work towards community development
Famine in the rainforest
The idea of a desert in the middle of the Western Ghats sounds unbelievable, but it may be on the cards
Toda traditions in peril
Can this tribal community in the Nilgiris survive the concrete trappings of civilisation? Tarun Chhabra on the eco-friendly Todas
Peril in the hills: Extreme weather a danger for Nilgiri ecosystem
Despite consecutive years of extreme precipitation over short periods in the Nilgiri Biosphere, hardly any step has been taken to address …
Endemic Western Ghats flycatchers could lose third of their range due to climate change: Study
The Black-and-orange Flycatcher could lose up to 31% and Nilgiri Flycatcher 46% of its range by 2050, according to a recent study
Nilgiri Tahr to face drastic habitat loss due to climate change
One Tiger Reserve and three wildlife sanctuaries will become unsuitable for the wild mountain ungulate in the future due to climate change
Nobody's children
A plantation economy, land grabbing and migrations from neighbouring states have forced Gudalur's tribals into destitution
The battle over forests
Are the recent eviction drives misdirected? (Read full article)
High risk
Problem: Tall buildings risky in high seismic zones; Status: Hill-stations are getting concretised and growing vertically; Challenge: Use local …
What goes down
Problem: Lack of space for garbage disposal; inadequate sewerage; Status: Garbage disposed on hill slopes ends in streams/rivers; Challenge: …
Defying gravity
Problem: Terrain forbids water supply systems that work in plains; Status: Water crisis in peak season every year; Challenge: Develop …
Local travails
Problem: Tourist influx too large; earnings flow downhill; Status: Residents forced to share meagre facilities with tourists; Challenge: Regulate …
Boom
Problem: Terrain forbids sprawl as in cities in the plains; Status: Alarming population density (people per sq km); Challenge: Policy question is:…
Seal them within 48 hours: SC to TN govt on illegal private resorts in the Nilgiris
The resorts have been built in the major elephant corridor in the area, something that the court was especially displeased about
Crisis brewing
Collapse of the former Soviet market and an indifferent attitude to quality clips Nilgiris tea industry
Roots of water scarcity
Contrary to popular belief, afforestation programmes that blindly plant trees in the hope of conserving water only end up consuming more water
Desperate to relocate
Chetty communities living in the core area of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve have been demanding that they be shifted out of the forest for three decades.…
Saseendran’s ‘tiger cull’: Kerala forest minister made a gaffe; but state’s human-wildlife conflict needs redressal
Removing invasive plants, restoring vanishing wildlife corridors and eco-restoration inside forests should be the solution to human-wildlife …
Swachh Bharat Mission: Nilgiris sets example of community effort
More than 100,000 tribals, dalits and women raised a loan of Rs 20 crore to build toilets, after the incentive of Rs 12,000 per household was …
Dump yard in elephant corridor poses threat to wild animals
The dump yard is attracting animals for food and has waste of an entire town of a population of about 50,000 people
Red List Assessment of Indian grasshoppers to kickstart
The assessment will include a recently-discovered grasshopper in Eravikulam National Park in Kerala
Agasthyamala included in UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserve
The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve comprises of tropical forests and is home to 2,254 species of higher plants including about 400 that are …
Climbing the machan: Poverty and animal conflict in Karnataka
Human-wildlife conflict is a monumental issue for farmers living in subsistence, conflict with wild animals disproportionately impacts the poor
Criminal neglect takes toll on Attappady tribes
30 infants die in five months as result of malnutrition; rural development minister announces Rs 125 crore package