Crazy for GI? Think again
The protection of Geographical Indication is not a guarantee that the artisan or producer will benefit; traders can corner the premium
Farmers in tech trap
Cotton cultivators are on a seed and pesticide treadmill that is draining them of traditional skills
EU to stop import of herbal products
By May 2003, the European Council was supposed to have reached a consensus on a directive that seeks to regulate the supply of herbal products in …
The inside story
Bad health is good business. The pharmaceutical industry knows that. But now bad health is turning out to be good business for the food industry …
Legislation for a few
Benefits of the Act that encourages conservation of plants reach few farmers
CBD’s Geneva meetings: Benefit sharing on traditional knowledge & digital sequence information on agenda
Recommendations to be presented at upcoming meeting of Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical & Technological Advice as well as COP16
Sweet ’n’ sour
Moringa and tamarind are popularly known as the trees of life for Indians. Moringa is in fashion as the world eyes India to feed its frenzy for …
It’s official: Australia is set for a hot, dry El Nino. Here’s what that means for the flammable continent
Australia, with its wealth of scientific knowledge and long history of Indigenous land management, should be well placed to manage fire …
‘Govt is cheating us, destroying traditional agriculture’
Farmers living in tribal areas in Jharkhand alleged that industrialists and the government are conspiring to ruin diverse traditional seeds and crops
Science or Snake Oil: can turmeric really shrink tumours, reduce pain and kill bacteria?
Turmeric is often reported to have anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties, but there is not sufficient evidence to draw definitive conclusions
Community management of ponds has been a success'
Mohit Kumar Ray, convener of Kolkata-based non-profit Vasundhara Foundation, says the city has been losing nearly 200 ponds each year for the …
Which way out?
Industry and people's rights organisations in India are at loggerheads over the shaping of the biodiversity bill and amendments to the existing …
This DROUGHT is sponsored by Govt. of India
Who is really behind our water problems?
Bitter ABS medicine for AYUSH
Manufacturers cry foul as they receive notices from state boards to pay royalty
Touch that heals trees
Green lore
Environment has been intrinsic to our oral traditions much before we developed writing. But it is only in the past decade or two that …
Blind to rain
Hunters turn protectors
Traditional hunters Phase Pardhis are part of an initiative to save critically endangered lesser floricans
Green buildings: it’s common sense
Frenzied growth in real estate and changing lifestyle in Indian cities are inciting resource guzzling. Architects have innovative ideas to build …
Bamboo flowering
People in northeast India fear bamboo flowering. According to an ancient belief when bamboos flower, there is death and destruction.
Aaj Ka Roadshow
Liberalisation in India has not only affected humdrum life, but also popular cultural forms. This is palpable in the changing dynamics of the big …
‘Ecology on steroids’: How Australia’s First Nations managed Australia’s ecosystems
A return to First Nations management is long overdue, as human-made climate change intensifies
Kenya's struggle to modernise traditional medicine is far from won
In the last two decades, neglect of traditional medicine has been replaced by renewed focus and a raft of policies and new laws
These 9 smart foods are often overlooked
They are good for human and environmental health but have been ignored due to a lack of awareness, research, policy support and market oppurtunities
The fire-fighting children of the Khasi Hills and the decline of traditional farming in north-east India
In North-east India, children of the Khasi Hills (Meghalaya) learn slash and burn cultivation, an intergenerational yet controversial indigenous …