Tamil Nadu says no to Indian Neutrino Observatory project in Theni
The Tamil Nadu government filed an affidavit in the apex court stating the project in Theni would cause irreparable damage to the Western Ghats
MoEF&CC chooses minerals over biodiversity, clears rail track in Western Ghats despite red flags
The Hospet-Vasco Da Gama project has the potential to “damage the integrity of the last remaining wilderness of the Western Ghats” …
Labour scarcity makes coffee plantation ecosystem in Western Ghats fragile: Study
Rising labour costs, urbanisation and increased use of pesticides point to a growing conservation concern in the Ghats
Over 60 species of plants that can survive extreme dehydration found in Western Ghats
Genes of these desiccation-tolerant vascular plants can be used to create high temperature tolerant variety of crops to improve climate resilience
South India records its lowest June rainfall in 122 years
Interactions between Cyclone Biparjoy, Typhoon Mawar, Bay of Bengal winds and the blocking of the monsoon trough for a couple of weeks likely to …
Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (October 17, 2022)
Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal
Legalise sand mining in Mysore, MP tells government
The demand was made at a meeting of the environment ministry to discuss issues related to the protection of the Western Ghats
Erasing the dots
Even as Goa's politicians and the mining mafia employ multiple strategies to denotify two sensitive wildlife sanctuaries in the state's Western …
Beetles high on coffee
Erratic weather is fuelling the growth of a pest which destroys Arabica coffee. In the absence of effective pest management, India's coffee …
Tamil Nadu must sustainably manage its rattans
The plants have seen huge commercial exploitation in the state and need restoration to safeguard their survival
Western Ghats conservation: Kerala panel seeks dilution of Kasturirangan report, stirs controversy
Activists say recommendations of the state panel dilutes will encourage activities that damage ecology of eco-sensitive areas
Big idea
Monsoon vegetable jackfruit has caught the fancy of entrepreneurs in India, one of its biggest producers
Out of favour
Focus on Alphonso has resulted in neglect of native mango varieties grown in the Western Ghats, some of which are on the brink of extinction
Implementation of Western Ghats reports will be stopped: CPI(M) manifesto
Green activists accuse party of not only stooping to garner votes but also playing to the tunes of industry lobby
Bandh in Kerala against Kasturirangan panel report on Western Ghats
The report bans environment-damaging activities in 123 villages across 12 districts in the state
Kerala overlooks environmental aspects of proposed small hydropower plants
No information available on location of dams and whether the projects are in ecologically sensitive areas like the Western Ghats
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 …
Hubballi-Ankola railway line will augur desertification, water crisis, warn experts
The proposed 164-kilometre railway project cutting through Western Ghats will prompt deforestation and accelerate climate change …
Conflicts are no less around national parks, sanctuaries
First-of-its-kind study in India carried out in Karnataka finds number of villages affected by human-elephant conflict and the compensation paid …
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 …
Too cut & dried
Does the style of conserving forests currently dominant in India require an overhaul? Yes, say state governments and affected people. ruksan …
Book The economics of biodiversity conservation valuation in tropical forest ecosystems
Book>> The Economics of Biodiversity Conservation Valuation in Tropical Forest Ecosystems