Ungreening the revolution

A programme initiated with much drum-beating, the green revolution has not just backfired but even eroded traditional systems of farming. Farmers …

Major battle for minor stuff

Trilbals dependent on the jungle's gifts fight it out in Bilaspur district

Learning made easy

The Education Guarantee Scheme of the Madhya Pradesh government is a new approach to encouraging rural children to attend school. And the scheme …

The range of rage

How the villagers of Pujara Ki Chowki foiled hamhanded attempts of the state forest department to force-start a plantation on a forest already …

Down with the reservoir

Scuttling scabs

The days when the word leper was almost an invective, and the disease itself considered a scourge, are over. Patients, voluntary workers and …

Illegal eagles

The Madhya Pradesh government's decision to call in the private sector to convert state forest lands into captive plantations, impinges on people'…

Mughal system stilll supplies water at zero cost

Mughal builders are known the world over for the Taj Mahal. But their water engineers built a supply system in 1615 that still provides water to …

The unsilenced valley

The Bhils of Madhya Pradesh are armed with a simple, effective and practical system of irrigation to mend the ruin inflicted by the state's …

Upholding the right to hygiene

The citizens of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh continue to put up with a filthy, malodorous town despite a landmark Supreme Court ruling 13 years ago, …

Experiments with truth

Innovative science teaching scheme relegated to supplementary status

Dying for a river

In Raigarh district of Madhya Pradesh, tribals are fighting to save their only source of water from an industrial house. A woman has already died …

A tinge of green

Issues relating to the environment, though not on top of the agenda, did make their presence felt in the just-concluded assembly elections.

A tinge of green

Issues relating to the environment, though not on top of the agenda, did make their presence felt in the just-concluded assembly elections.

Development is not a road

To feed the cattle of the West

Extensive soya bean cultivation in Madhya Pradesh to supply fodder to the West has cut a swathe of degradation

The contours of repression

The government has consistently steamrolled opposition to the Sardar Sarovar project

Stars in stripe

Is the ban on "tiger shows" at Kanha and Bandhavgarh really in interest of the big

The joke's on the panchayat

The recent panchayat elections in Madhya Pradesh was the latest edition of the mock ritual of decentralisation

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

Mandla Brimful of thirst

Average rainfall: 1,300 mm Irrigation: 2% of gross cropped area

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

Is India ready?

Effective social schemes need more than cash transfer