ENVIRONNMENT/WILDLIFE
A lost emperor's cry for sovereignty
Where co-existence is an inescapable reality, the political will to minimise the human imprint, and sensitising forest dwellers, are both critical, writes Malini Shankar.
Wildlife
January 2013

FOREST RIGHTS ACT
Rights Act, not working right
There is wide-spread failure in safeguarding the rights of forest communities protected under the Forest Rights Act. Governments are complicit in diluting it.
Orissa
February 2012

FOREST RESOURCES
Plentiful, but for whom?
The forests of India have enough treasure to power the economy of the whole country, it seems, but not enough to empower the adivasis who live there.
Film reviews | Adivasis | Jharkhand
November 2011

THE QUIET INDIAN
A man to match his mountains
Chandi Prasad Bhatt said that for him every river was a Ganga, a source of life and renewal, abused or ill-treated at one's peril. His work has been an education for others.
Ramachandra Guha
September 2011

CARBON TRADING
My fossils, your land
The BioCarbon Fund promises to plant trees across a swathe of Himachal Pradesh, amidst questions about its environmental value and fairness.
Energy | Himachal
September 2011

INTERVIEW
Is the Forest Rights Act working?
Environmentalist Ashish Kothari discusses the politics behind the approval of the POSCO project, and how the FRA is faring in Orissa.
Adivasis | Orissa
May 2011

FOREST CONSERVATION
Keeping the roots in place
How can forests be protected and sustained during these times of changing climates and the related uncertainties? This question was explored at a recent conference.
February 2011

ILLEGAL MINING
Lokayukta slams mining in forests
A long history of questionable practices in the mining industry catches up with its practitioners, landing the whole affair in the Supreme Court.
Mining | Karnataka
January 2010

EYES ON THE FORESTS
A miner's shortcut goes awry
A Jindal group-Government of TN firm attempted to get clearance for mining in the Eastern Ghats forests. Both MoEF and a Supreme Court committee said 'No'.
Mining | Tamilnadu
October 2009

PROTECTING WILDLIFE
Winning the battle against poaching
India's forest staff operate in appalling conditions: open-toed footwear, lack of facilities like torches, jeeps and wireless sets. How is the fight against poaching to be won?
Wildlife
November 2008

HILL ECOLOGY
Lessons up the hill
A Supreme Court empowered committee calls for the blacklisting a construction firm, alleging HP state officials' connivance in violations of law.
Environment regulation | Himachal Pradesh
October 2008

TIGER CONSERVATION
Consent under duress
Villagers in Jamni village protest the against the manner in which they are being relocated under wildlife conservation effort.
Relief | Maharashtra
October 2008

FORESTS AND CONFLICT
Tribals, forest interdependence, and integration
Defining a clear land-use policy, integrating tribals along with their skills can help make the process of change easier.
Adivasis
October 2008

APPIKO ANNIVERSARY
Hug and save the trees
It was 25 years ago this month when villagers in Karnataka undertook an eight-kilometre-long trek to resist massive tree-felling at the Kalase forests.
Karnataka | Society
September 2008

PROTECTING THE TIGER
Relocation of settlements is healing Sariska
Twenty-one families were relocated out of the core area of Sariska Tiger Reserve last year. The signs are that this has gone off well, reports Malini Shankar.
Relief | Rajasthan
September 2008

FOREST DWELLERS' RIGHTS
Uttarakhand Gujjars being ousted without compensation
A large number of Ban Gujjar tribal families remaining within the Rajaji National Park are facing constant harassment from the state forest department.
Human rights | Uttarakhand
September 2008

NATURAL RESOURCE GOVERNANCE
Early gains from Forest Rights Act
The new law's provisions are infusing into the proceedings of the Gram Sabhas a democratic character that they have lacked so far.
Panchayats | Orissa
August 2008

COMPENSATORY AFFORESTATION BILL
Institutionalising compensation for lost forests
A new Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha, ostensibly to re-green India, is actually a blow to the environment.
Laws
August 2008

PROJECT APPROVALS
Still advising the Forest Committee?
The Central Empowered Committee's oversight of the FAC may be coming to an end.
Environment regulation
June 2008

PUBLIC FINANCE/ENVIRONMENT
Compensatory afforestation a hoax in M.P.
The CAG's comprehensive audit on the diversion of forestland exposes significant cases of violations.
Environmental regulation | Public finance | M.P.
April 2008