Sunita Williams affirms her commitment to protect the earth
Happy to share this message received from astronaut Ms Sunita Williams, who has become a legend, in response to my note of congratulations on her recent feat. I am so…
Environmental Protection
The necessity for green spaces in cities
Green spaces, including parks, urban forests, gardens, and green rooftops are crucial for cities. This note will discuss the primary reasons for having green spaces in cities at greater length,…
“KGF”: New Chapter Or, the Case of a Forest called Kancha Gachibowli, that Seeks to Be
Prologue: In memoriam of all the trees, green spaces and life forms of all shapes and sizes that have been uprooted, maimed and sacrificed to make a city of the…
Africa at a Crossroads: A Future of Ruin or Renewal?
Africa, the cradle of civilization, stands at a critical moment in history. Once home to thriving ecosystems and abundant resources, it now faces severe crises: relentless droughts, disappearing forests, vanishing…
The Invisible Threat of Microplastics: From Chewing Gum to Bottled Water
Several new national and international research surveys have warned that hazardous microplastics are present in our breath, drinking water, and crops. Various research journals worldwide continuously publish alarming findings from…
Water-management and Conservation Can Improve Significantly with Community Based Local Solutions
Water scarcity for many months in a year is becoming a significant problem in many rural communities of the world. In many areas it has become a survival issue and…
Women’s Water March Brings out the Firmness of their Social Commitment
When a man agrees to walk for 300 km to take the message of water conservation to many villages, this is great. However when a rural woman decides to do…
How Foot-Marches Can Achieve Durable Development Gains
India has a great tradition of organizing foot marches, including some which become historically very important, the most obvious example being the Dandi Salt March under the leadership of Mahatma…
An Understanding of Water Crisis that Encourages, Participative People-Based Solutions
As the water-crisis spreads to many areas, it is important to have an understanding of the crisis that encourages participative, people-centered solutions. Without such an understanding solutions that are imposed…
These villages show the extent to which water conservation can improve life within a relatively short time
Till just about five years ago, in Nadna village of Shivpuri district (Madhya Pradesh) in Central India, the situation for most households was quite distressing. As several women of this…
Jal Sahelis–Water Conservation based on Community Strength and Women Volunteers
At a time when several environmental problems have become so serious as to threaten the basic life-nurturing conditions of our planet, thoughtful and concerned people all over the world are…
Urgency of Checking Spread of GM and Gene Editing Technologies as well Control of Multinational Companies on Farming and Seeds
As consciousness regarding the many-sided adverse impacts and high hazards and risks of GM crops have grown, some promoters allied to the same big business interests and multinational companies directly…
Protection of Indigenous Cows and Bullocks Needs Much Higher Emphasis
Often we pay a high price for neglecting our heritage. In the context of indigenous breeds of cattle a recent report in The Indian Express (7 March 2025) with…
Do not kill the River Rushikulya
On 16 th March Padayatra began from Pipalapanka and will end at Ganjam in Odisha on 25 th March to create public opinion and call for the State Government to…
The wilding of Rivaldo, An elephant learns to “forget”
My hosts asked if they could fix a drink for me adding that there may be visitors dropping by later. Seated in the verandah facing the natural expanse of trees…
Butterflies declined by 22% in just 2 decades across the US – there are ways you can help save them
If the joy of seeing butterflies seems increasingly rare these days, it isn’t your imagination. From 2000 to 2020, the number of butterflies fell by 22% across the continental United States. That’s…
Why Government Must Join Hands with Local People to Save Thousands of Threatened Trees near Gangotri
Probably the most ecologically sensitive area in India, also known for its great cultural and spiritual heritage, is the Uttarkashi-Gangotri area near the origin of the Ganga River in the…
Making Erhai Lake Bloom Again: A Story of China’s Ecological Transformation
On a clear morning in June 2023, I arrived in the city of Dali, located in China’s southwestern province of Yunnan, and was received by He Licheng, a local resident…
With just 5 years to go, the world is failing on a vital deal to halt biodiversity loss
by Justine Bell-James and James Watson Almost 200 nations have signed an ambitious agreement to halt and reverse biodiversity loss but none is on track to meet the crucial goal,…
Citizens from across India stand up to protect the young activist fighting to save Delhi’s Dwaraka forest
The National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ) and the Delhi chapter of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) have written to the Commissioner of Police and the…
The Intricate Connection of Birdsongs to Human Language
Introduction Birdsongs have inspired poets and lovers, becoming one of the philosophical focal points in ancient Greece and Rome. They have also led to several long-ago debates about the relationship between birdsong…
Taking the Message of Water Conservation to Remote Villages of Bundelkhand
Bundelkhand region in Central India, comprising 14 districts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, has often been in the news due to water scarcity but at the same time it…
NACEJ writes Open Letter to MoEF & CC: Demands immediate withdrawal of notifications exempting industries from Consent to Establish and Operate of SPCBs
11th Feb, 2025: The National Alliance for Climate and Ecological Justice (NACEJ), a pan-India initiative of the National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) to address the climate crisis through an…
Apathy Towards Air and Water Pollution: Who is Responsible?
Despite the continuously deteriorating air quality in the country, air pollution has not become a major topic of national discussion. It is unfortunate that this crucial public health issue neither…
While plastic dominates human consumption, the global economy will remain hooked on fossil fuels
In early December 2024, hopes for a landmark global treaty to curb plastic pollution were dashed as negotiations in South Korea stalled. Leading the campaign against the deal were major oil-producing…
Biodiversity Crisis: A Question of Earth’s Future
Biodiversity and environmental conservation have become some of the most pressing global concerns today. The diversity of life on Earth, the interconnections between species, and the balance of natural ecosystems…
A Voice silenced: The Premeditated Murder of Environmental Rights Defender Jagabar Ali
Jagaber Ali, son of Kareem, is a resident of Vengalur, Konapattu (PO), Thirumayam Taluk, Pudukkottai District. He is a AIADMK functionary in Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu, apart from his political…
A Brief Note on Recent Events in the Tijmali Region, Odisha
Compiled By: Randall Sequeira and Ranjana Padhi Since May-June 2023, the Adivasi and Dalit communities of Tijmali, Kuturumali and Majhingimali, in Kashipur and Thuamal Rampur blocks in Raygada and Kalahandi…
Ganga, our sacred link from Himalayas to Sundarban is truly a world Heritage
For millions of Indians, Ganga starts from Gaumukh and culminates its journey at Gangasagar in Bay of Bengal at Sundarban. Every year, thousands of pilgrims’ throng to Gangasagar to visit…
India should adopt a protective Himalayan policy
Himalayan policy should emphasize sustainable livelihoods, environment protection and decentralization based strengthening of communities linked closely to national interests Civil Society magazine has recently published a series of interviews with…
High risks of large dam projects in the Himalayas
Various countries are building large dams on Himalayan rivers. Apart from local factors this often gets discussed in terms of the conflicting interests of various countries. In the process the…
India’s Massive River Links Project Can Disrupt River Ecology like Never Before
Viswamitra sage : (Addressing Beas and Satluj rivers)—You move like chariots to the sea, through the power of Indira. You are full of water and wish to unite with each…
Green Taxation in India: Implementation, Challenges, and Pathways for Reform
by Abhilipsa Mohanty and Karshana Agarwal Introduction In this era of rapid industrialization and globalisation, where pollution has become a global problem, there arises a need to strike a balance…
The Earthquake Environmental Justice Aren’t Talking About
On December 15th, many people in Syria felt the earth quake. Seismic scales registered above 3.0 on the Richter scale and could be felt up to 500 miles away. Natural…
2024: People’s Resistance against Dam, Hydro Projects in Himalayan States
(Feature Image: Tribals in Siang river belt in Arunachal Pradesh demonstrating against a proposed mega hydropower dam. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement/The Hindu) All through 2024, the vulnerable communities across Himalayan states…
Interlinking Rivers: The story from scratch
The interlinking of rivers (ILR) is ill-conceived, ruinously expensive, technically questionable, ecologically devastating, and socially disruptive. Here’s why ILR needs to be scrapped, and integrated water resource management of river…
Jesting on the Environment: Australian Mining Gets a Present
Mining magnates seem to have it all. Far more significant than royalty, such figures are the unelected captains of industry who know that governments will do whatever they can to…
The False Promise of “Responsible Mining”
WASHINGTON, DC – In July, the Serbian government reinstated the permits for Rio Tinto’s lithium mining project, after canceling them in 2022 following public protests. The decision triggered demonstrations, with…
Rebirth of a River: An Account of the Tuni
During the heydays of military operations to steer the upswing of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) in early 90s, we would frequent a small but ravishing river, particularly…
Is it possible to revive a village economy using rainwater harvesting? Yes! Teen Pokhar shows the way
In the arid and undulating landscape of Rajasthan, this village stands out like a green oasis. Teen Pokhar, with a little over 48 households, is a drought-proof village one hour…
Responsible Mining Can Advance Global Environmental Goals
BOGOTÁ – Fueled by the clean-energy transition and surging gold prices, demand for critical minerals and metals is rising at an unprecedented pace. This trend has supercharged mining activities, posing…
The Need to Balance Development and Environment
In the blind race of modernization, we are increasingly neglecting the importance of the environment. Presently, various parts of the country are facing severe environmental pollution crises. In such a…
Navigating the Conservation Paradox in Loliondo: The Maasai Predicament
The intricate tapestry of global cultures and societal frameworks owes much to the myriad events that unfurled over the course of history. The foundations laid by the advent of agriculture,…
Nourishing the Future, One Soil Particle at a Time: Insights on World Soil Day
World Soil Day reminds us of the vital role soil plays in sustaining life on Earth. However, celebrating soil for just one day is not enough to address the urgent…
Toxic gas release at Tagoor laboratories and the deaths could have been avoided
To, Dr. P. Krishnaiah, I.A.S. (Retd.) Chairman, APPCB Sub: Misinformation and lack of transparency in toxic release incidents and accidents in general – Incident at Tagoor laboratories in particular Dear…
40 Years of Suffering and Injustice Since Bhopal Disaster
We should never forget that Dow Chemical was behind the infamous 1984 chemical leak in India. Neither should we forget the courage of those who have never stopped fighting for…
Major Plastic Polluters Win as UN Treaty Talks Conclude Without Agreement
Environmental groups on Sunday decried the conclusion of a United Nations summit designed to secure an international treaty to combat plastic pollution after powerful oil- and gas-producing nations refused to…
Serious Hazards of Pesticides for Humanity, Biodiversity and Environment Raise Questions about Their Usefulness
There are some products whose hazards are so overwhelming that serious questions need to be raised whether or not there are any net benefits (any proven benefits minus all the…
People of Bodhepurva village devastated by sand mining and neglect need urgent help
In these times can you imagine a village in which almost no child goes to school regularly? Bodhepurva village, which suffers from extreme poverty and neglect, is one such village.…
Rejuvenation of River by Women Water Protectors of Simravari
In recent months a story from a remote village of Jhansi district (Uttar Pradesh) that attracted attention and won much appreciation at the national level has been that of the…
Trouble Lurks Beneath the Surface of Ocean Conservation
by César Gaviria and Patti Harris BOGOTÁ – The ocean is our greatest natural resource. It provides half the planet’s oxygen, helps to feed half the world’s people, and, as…
Ruthless Settlements: BHP, Brazil and the Samarco Fundão Dam Class Action
The BHP Group, as with other mining giants, has much explaining to do in the way it has approached the environment. It has become a master of the greenwashing experiment,…
‘Musi River Rejuvenation’ should not a be a project of mega displacement, land grab and privatization!
Over a hundred activists & environmentalists across India call for a comprehensive review of the ‘Musi Riverfront Project’! Ensure the Ecological Free flow of Musi by ending pollution and not by…
When Complaints against Highly Hazardous Products Are Made, These are replaced With Even more Hazardous Products
In recent times a subject of great concern for health has been that powerful multinational companies are introducing several products which are highly hazardous for people, exposing them to several…
Welfare of Punjab Now is Closely Related to Strong Commitment to Environmental Protection
by Bharat Dogra and Jagmohan Singh Punjab has an exceptionally pervasive environmental crisis which can be seen in acute form even in relatively remote villages. In future the big steps…
Farmers of Punjab Must Shift to Ecologically Protective Farming with Strong Policy Support
by Bharat Dogra and Jagmohan Singh Conventional analysis of the well-being of farmers often looked at the productivity, yields and income derived from their farms. However it is increasingly realized…
Revoke clearance for Pumped Storage projects being set up by the Adani Group and others in the Eastern Ghats as they will lead to ecological disasters
To Ms Leena Nandan Secretary Union Ministry of Environment, Forests & ClimateChange (MEFCC) Dear Ms Nandan, I understand that your Ministry has denied clearance for a 1,500MW Pumped Storage Hydroelectric…
Mega Infrastructure Project in Greater Nicobar Islands- How can A&N administration divert large extents of forest lands for non-forest purposes, without fulfilling pari passu the compensatory afforestation condition?
To Ms Leena Nandan Secretary Union Ministry of Environment, Forests & ClimateChange (MEFCC) Dear Ms Nandan,You are aware of the statutory obligation on the part of your Ministry and the…
Appeal not to proceed with inauguration and establishment of Navy Radar Project in Damagundam Forest of Telangana
To, The Chief Minister, Government of Telangana Praja Bhavan, Hyderabad E-mail: [email protected], The Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF & CC) Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, Jor Bagh Road, …
Save Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary
A grave threat looms over one of Assam's most important wildlife sanctuaries, the *Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary*. In these difficult times, we must protect our precious sanctuary at all costs. 👉…
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