Drought is in the mind
GOOD NEWS: There is more evidence to show that water harvesting can go a long way in dealing with drought and solving the water crisis, and even …
Political harvest
Report card: A scheme that can help solve the water crisis has become a tool to promote political interests of the ruling party Success level: Poor
Learning the mantra
Report card: The government realised its failures and learned from the civil society. Despite cases of corruption and some errors in planning, …
How Indigenous cultural practices can improve waste management in communities
Applying cultural practices is not common among community members because of the impacts of colonisation
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 …
Why we need to listen to hunters
Biologists have often used the hunter's knowledge for wildlife studies. But strict laws have silenced their voice
Plant a bone
Plant-based treatment of osteoporosis is gaining ground. The Central Drug Research Institute is adding new dimensions to ancient remedies
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
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