let’s make our planet greener!
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…
The Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost landmass in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. The mega infrastructure development proposed on the island will destroy the delicate ecosystem and the indigenous communities that have safeguarded the island for generations. This book is a compilation of articles and reports published in Frontline and other news platforms that examine the disaster this project is likely to create in one of the most biodiverse regions in India.
‘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…
Author: Vaishali Shroff When we are asked to name heroes from various walks of life, almost all of us may give the same answers because our school textbooks typically depict the same popular examples—whether it’s scientists, freedom fighters or warriors. While it’s important to learn about them, it’s also essential to learn about common people hidden around and amongst us…