Lava-ka-Baas: The blame game

When one contests the dominant, it is of utmost importance that all actions and their outcome be above doubt. There isn't the faintest margin of …

The goat gamble

It has been a slow and steady shift over decades. Forced by declining returns from farming in ecologically fragile areas, small farmers have been …

A belief in tradition

It was a unique ceremony for a unique award given to a unique rural community of India. In what is perhaps the first ceremony of its kind, …

India's Cow Crisis Part 2: Threat of decline looms over livestock economy after 35 years’ growth

The circular economy of cattle has ruptured, threatening livelihoods of India’s poorest. The value output of the livestock economy is Rs 9.…

Climate change is destroying women’s lives in Alwar

A host of climate change-related problems bedevil the district’s women and girls, unlike men and boys

River of joy

Rejuvenation of the Ruparel river in Rajasthan has brought about a wave of prosperity in the region. The gains are manifold

Possessed by land

Landholding can affect marital prospects. It can also affect sex ratios and lead to polyandry. A village in Alwar provides a snapshot

'The mining lobby tried to suppress our voice'

Chairperson of Tarun Bharat Sangh writes about their fight against illegal mining that started in the 1980s

Small is more

A small water harvesting structure can produce amazing economic crossover effects. The same may not be true for large canals

Rainwater rights

The government- NGO friction at Lava ka Baas has opened a Pandora's box water ownership, archaic laws and hopeful communities that want to hold …

Aravallis razed

Repeated court orders fail to save part of the primitive mountain range in Alwar from mining

Vindicated

The Magsaysay award for Rajendra Singh has meant volte-face by critics of community-based water harvesting

Razing Aravalls (Video Special)

Residents of Harla ki Dhani in Rajasthan discuss effects of illegal mining in the Aravallis

Who owns the river?

The Rajasthan government believes that it has a right over every raindrop and makes a move to demolish a water harvesting structure set up by …

NGT orders complete ban on mining in Rajasthan's Alwar

Mine leases continued to operate without requisite clearances despite a previous ban on mining, says an RTI response

Billionth carbon credit issued

Kyoto Protocol device marks impressive milestone, but its effectiveness remains doubtful

Lies, deceit and relocation

People shifted from Sariska tiger reserve allege they have been deprived of forest rights

Manufactured Chaos

How the Delhi government evaded the Supreme Court order on CNG to engineer a state of anarchy?

Solo Performances

Besides the communities who have done exemplary work in the field of environment, several individuals are making a difference in the lives of …

Hamlets reborn

Although Bhaonta-Kolyala village walked away with the Down To Earth-Joseph C John Award, the judges came across several such communities worthy …

Awarded : Bhaonta-Kolyala

... for reviving the Arvari river, for showing that a healthy ecology and good water management mean prosperity, for proving that drought is a myth

Cash transfers do not benefit

Jitendra visited three districts in Rajasthan to meet people who are supposed beneficiaries of UPA government’s much-touted Direct Benefit …

Transition failure

With an eye on the 2014 general election, the UPA government is expanding its ambitious Direct Benefit Transfer programme that promises welfare …

Green signal: 90% brick kilns in Alwar adopted clean tech

Nearly all brick kilns in Alwar have started using biomass fuel as mandated by CAQM

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