let’s make our planet greener!
There is a growing interest for children’s literature on the environment and climate, that aims to tackle complex subjects while infusing them with hope and humour. While the genre is not new in India, teachers, librarians, and parents are increasingly recognising the need to have these conversations with children. Image credit – Children’s literature joins the climate conversation | Mongabay…
The uniqueness of India and its Indianness lies in its natural diversity. The ancient sages and saints made efforts to bind man with nature. Since ancient times, poets have composed verses in Telugu language with nature as the focal point. In Telugu literature, animals like snakes, spiders and elephants were shown crossing the boundaries of devotion. The epic Kalahastishwara Mahatmyam Kavya, written by Dhurjati, the court poet of Sri Krishna Devaraya, is an example. Humans learnt the form of Satvik Bhakti from Shri (Spider), Kaala (snake) and Hasti (elephant), which are not domestic creatures.
The Andaman Islands are an archipelago of around 300 islands with rich ecological and cultural diversity. Dr. Madhuri Ramesh, Associate Professor at Azim Premji University, has spent considerable time studying the food practices of the different communities in the islands. The food habits are heavily influenced by the customs, beliefs and cultural practices. In this talk organised by the Indian…
‘Net Zero’ and ‘Green Transition’ are used quite loosely today by those who understand little of what it entails. It is not their fault. Like most climate and sustainability concepts, these, too, are full of jargon. This makes the life of policymakers, academia and students difficult. And jargon-heavy books, papers and talks have hindered open and constructive conversations. The Net-Zero Trio authors…
Sometimes, it’s not just about saving nature—it’s about becoming a part of it by truly experiencing its beauty. The Tortoiseshell Beetle, written by Yuvan Aves and illustrated by Reshu Singh, brings this idea to life. The book emphasizes the importance of connecting with the natural world, highlighting how it can make us feel alive and whole, reminding us that nature…
It is said that until the third epoch of human consciousness, people identified themselves collectively as a group and it was only during the fourth epoch that individualism surfaced. What does it mean to live and identify as a collective in modern times? Landscapes of Wilderness is a discourse on land and the people deeply entwined with it. This is…
Trees do not mean timber alone. Trees also mean oxygen, soil and water. Those who believe that economy and ecology are at two different ends of the spectrum are mistaken. Ecology, in fact, is a permanent economy. For a world madly consumed by ‘development’, this quote by the famous environmental activist Sunderlal Bahuguna, the man behind Chipko Aandolan, mentioned in…
If you wish to learn about the dark realities of our planet that surface from deep within Fairyland, then it is this book, When Fairyland Lost Its Magic by Bijal Vachharajani and Rajiv Eipe, published by Harper Collins, that you definitely need to read. The readers are kept sitting on the edge of their chairs throughout, for every line is…
Author: Kalpana Manivannan With the unprecedented rise in urbanisation, the need to create and preserve green spaces is becoming crucial. These spaces help bridge the growing gap between humans and nature and ensure that other species co-exist in harmony without losing their habitat. Sunbirds in the Morning, Grey Hornbills at Dusk is a birdwatcher’s delight and an informative read for…
Author: Sangeetha Menon “Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.” – Pablo Picasso This was the overarching feeling I had when I finished reading ‘The Boy Who Built A Secret Garden: Nek Chand’. This book is a part of Duckbill’s ‘The Dreamers’ series, written and illustrated by Lavanya Karthik. This story is…