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Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
First native grass nursery in western Maharashtra yields encouraging results
The first-ever dedicated native grass nursery in Western Maharashtra is now flourishing in Gulunche village, located in Purandar tehsil of Pune district. What began as a modest ecological restoration initiative one and a half years ago has blossomed into a thriving hub of native flora, offering new hope for the revival of degraded grassland ecosystems in the semi-arid regions of the state. It is spearheaded by The Grasslands Trust in collaboration with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and the Pune district administration. (HT) Established in January 2024, the nursery was envisioned as a critical component of a long-term, science-driven grassland management program. It is spearheaded by The Grasslands Trust in collaboration with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and the Pune district administration. The project, rooted in the heart of Purandar's semi-arid agro-climatic zone, is already showcasing tangible results. The nursery currently houses over 28,000 grass saplings across two structured enclosures and maintains a seedbank of 8,000 mature saplings, which serve as both a genetic reservoir and planting stock for restoration efforts. Plans are already underway to expand this seedbank to accommodate an additional 24,000 saplings in the coming months. Native grasses such as Cenchrus ciliaris (Anjan), Dicanthium annulatum (Marvel), and Sehima sulcatum (Pavanya), once common across the Deccan plateau, are now reclaiming soil where fertility had been eroded by decades of overgrazing and land degradation. Other species nurtured in the nursery include Chrysopogon fulvus (Dongri), Sehima nervosum (Sheda), Dichanthium foveolatum (Lohkhandi), as well as native tree species like Senegalia catechu (Khair) and Vachellia leucophloea (Hivar). Each of these plays a specific ecological role, ranging from enhancing soil fertility and controlling erosion to providing critical forage for herbivores like chinkara and blackbuck. What sets the Gulunche nursery apart is its community-driven model. Locals, including women and landless farmers, are deeply involved in every stage of the restoration process, right from seed collection and nursery maintenance to transplanting and post-plantation care. This participatory approach not only brings ecological benefits but also promotes socio-economic inclusion, offering livelihoods and skill-building opportunities to communities who have historically been marginalised in conservation dialogues. 'Restoring native grasslands is not just about growing grass—it is about restoring entire ecosystems,' says Mihir Godbole, founder and trustee of The Grasslands Trust. 'These landscapes support rural economies, provide habitats for endangered wildlife, and act as natural infrastructure to combat climate change. The success we are seeing in Gulunche is proof that ecological restoration can be both science-led and community-anchored,' he said. One of the project's major milestones came last year, when the team—backed by the Suzlon Foundation—successfully transplanted 45,000 grass saplings across a 5-hectare pilot plot. This year, they plan to scale up further by planting another 33,000 saplings and seedballs in an adjoining 5-hectare tract. The increase in scale reflects not only the confidence the team has built through data and field results but also the rising interest from environmental organisations and policy stakeholders. The nursery's work is reinforced by quarterly monitoring surveys to assess parameters like vegetation density, root development, soil moisture content, and biodiversity indices. Preliminary findings from these assessments indicate that plots restored with native grasses show improved soil structure, enhanced water retention, and signs of returning biodiversity—a clear indication that native species are better adapted to the local environment and more resilient to climate fluctuations than exotic alternatives. Despite their immense ecological and economic value, grasslands remain one of India's most overlooked ecosystems, often dismissed as wastelands in both land-use planning and conservation policy. Yet, these ecosystems serve as critical carbon sinks, support high biodiversity, regulate hydrology, and provide sustainable fodder that supports traditional pastoral livelihoods.
Scroll.in
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Why a letter by Chhattisgarh's forest department ignited protests
In 2020, when forest communities living near Chhattisgarh's Achanakmar Tiger Reserve laid claim to their legal right to conserve and manage the forest, they faced an unexpected roadblock. The district authorities asked them to get a no-objection certificate from the forest department. Activists pointed out that this defied logic – the Forest Rights Act, 2006, under which the communities had filed the claim, had been enacted to rectify historical injustices to forest-dwelling communities, many perpetrated by forest administrators in the name of conservation. It sought to restore the traditional rights of forest-dwelling communities, which effectively amounted to a curtailing of the powers of the forest department. Recounting the episode, an activist from the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve Sangharsh Samiti said the communities had to resort to a lengthy process to advocate for their rights, holding several meetings with officials of the forest department, the tribal welfare department, and even the chief minister. 'It took us four years to finally get the rights,' said the activist, who requested anonymity. A recent letter sparked fears that those hard-won rights stood threatened again. In May, the Chhattisgarh forest department issued a letter that effectively amounted to giving itself overarching powers to manage forests where communities' rights under the Forest Rights Act had already been recognised. The letter, dated May 15, cited an older 2020 letter, which stated that the forest department would be the nodal agency for any work pertaining to such forests. Although the 2020 letter was withdrawn after a wave of protests, the new letter ignored that withdrawal, and cited its order as one that was in force. The letter stated that these forests would be managed through working plans prepared by the forest department – these plans follow an approach that takes into account details of tree cover and ecosystems, and estimates of how much carbon was stored in the forest. Experts argued that under the Forest Rights Act, this process should not be controlled by the forest department. 'This is completely violative of the letter and spirit of the act,' said Sharadchandra Lele, a distinguished fellow with Bengaluru-based Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment. Lele has served on an expert committee that looked at how the Forest Rights Act was faring in Chhattisgarh. He explained that according to rules formulated by the ministry of tribal affairs, once a community's rights are recognised under the law, the community itself is to form a committee to draw up a conservation plan, based on which it will manage and protect the wildlife and biodiversity of the forest. 'Gram sabha is a statutory body and fully empowered to take on this responsibility under the act,' he said. 'The forest department is neither the nodal agency, nor does it have the power under the act to stop the community's management plan.' In June, Chhattisgarh's forest department issued a clarificatory note of a single line, stating that rather than serve as the nodal agency, the department would 'play a coordinating role for the verification of community forest resource rights'. But this did not quell the disquiet – on July 1 and July 2, gram sabhas across several districts in Chhattisgarh, including Kanker, Surguja and Bastar, participated in protests, demanding a withdrawal of the May letter. Late evening on July 3, the forest department withdrew the letter. But experts noted with concern that while issuing the withdrawal, the forest department stated that it was awaiting model community forest management plans based on working plans from the tribal and forest ministries. Lele said the department's 'repeated invocation' of such plans 'reveals that it still wants to impose highly technical and irrelevant formats on communities'. Scroll emailed the state's forest department, seeking responses to criticisms over the recent letter – this story will be updated if it responds. Supporting role At the central level, the Union tribal affairs ministry, and not the forest ministry, is the nodal agency for the implementation of the Forest Rights Act. Experts pointed out that this was in effect an acknowledgement that the interests of forest administrators and communities are often at odds. 'The act envisioned to have either a neutral body as the nodal agency, or at least a body that would favour the welfare of the forest communities,' said a development practitioner who has previously worked on the implementation of forest rights in the state. Under the act, the forest department was only given a supporting role – it was responsible for physically verifying the extent of forest land in sites under consideration, providing maps and documents to communities that would help them compile evidence in support of their claims, updating forest maps when rights were vested with communities, and training gram sabhas in the implementation of the act and forest management. In some ways, Chhattisgarh's apparent attempts to grant greater powers to the forest department are in contrast with its record – it is India's leading state when it comes to recognising forest rights. As of March, the state had recognised 52,000 claims by communities to access and use forest produce. Further, of these, more than 4,000 claims to manage these forests had been legally recognised, the recent letter notes. But experts said, as in many states, in Chhattisgarh too, the forest department had often failed to perform even its supporting role adequately – for instance, in many instances, it had not provided forest records to gram sabhas, and not imparted training to them. 'Communities do need support from the forest department to prevent poaching or illegal tree felling,' said Anubhav Shori of the Chhattisgarh Van Adhikar Manch. 'But the forest department does not want it to be an actual partnership, and instead wants full control.' Forest departments' interference Forest departments in several states have had a long history of interfering in the Forest Rights Act process. In 2010, two years after the act began to be implemented, a committee headed by NC Saxena, a former secretary of the Planning Commission, published a report after examining the role of the departments across states. It found that in some states, such as Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh, it was playing a 'much greater role' than intended under the act, and inserting 'various conditions and screening processes that are not required or even permitted under the Act.' This included, in some instances, asking forest guards to take up Forest Rights Act work instead of the tribal welfare department, or allowing forest department officials to veto decisions of district level committees. Lele, who was also a member of this committee, said they had recommended that the forest department only provide 'support' and 'not engage in hands-on management' in areas where communities' rights over forests had been recognised. He added, 'But since this committee report, there has been no clarification or implementation of the recommendations. That is why the forest department is constantly trying to reassert its power that it has lost when communities get rights over forest resources.' 'Scientific' management plans By asserting that community forests would be managed by the forest department's plans, Shori argued, the May letter appeared like an attempt to impose a 'unilateral directive' and 'curtail community participation in forest management'. Such a move would be particularly unjust given that 'an estimated 8,000 more villages are still awaiting similar recognition' of their community rights, he noted. Activists were also worried about the recent letter's mention of drawing up plans for the 'scientific management' of forests. Given that the letter seemed to seek to limit the rights of communities to manage their forests, they argued that such an assertion implied that their traditional strategies were flawed. 'When forest fires occur in these forests, the forest department works with the communities to douse it,' said the activist from the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve Sangharsh Samiti. 'Forest officials alone are not enough to patrol these large extents of forests. They take our help through joint forest management committees. So now how is it that suddenly traditional knowledge is not scientific?'
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink
World Environment Day was celebrated on June 5. It was a moment to reflect on the fragility of our planet and how collective action can help protect it. The theme for this year's day was 'Beat Plastic Pollution', a problem which the United Nations estimates costs between $300 billion and $600 billion annually but is perhaps also one of the most fixable environmental challenges we face. More than 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year worldwide, and less than 10% is recycled. An estimated 11 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers, and seas annually. Microplastics find their way into food, water, and air. We must continue to increase levels of recycling, but the simplest way to tackle the issue is to try and avoid single-use plastics. Last year, I began exploring a related challenge: Could Bengaluru's consumers reduce their reliance on bottled drinking water if they had greater confidence in the quality of alternative sources? The idea for this project came one morning when, while driving to a meeting, I realised that my water bottle was empty and that I would struggle to fill it up anywhere without making a detour. I began to think how, in a city which was once known for its lakes, it can sometimes seem disproportionately difficult to access safe drinking water outside the house without resorting to a plastic bottle. Around the world, bottled water consumption continues to grow rapidly. According to a UN University report, bottled water sales have now surpassed half a trillion litres annually, driven in large part by concerns around water safety and the reliability of alternatives. Yet with this convenience comes a cost: the environmental burden of single-use plastic. Having begun to dig into this field, and reflecting on the incredible talent which calls Bengaluru home, I started considering whether there was a way in which technology could help address this problem. The U.K.-India relationship can be based on mutual interest. We can learn from each other, especially on climate and sustainable development. The U.K. is working with India in providing expertise through programming; partnering with India on science and technology; providing support on climate finance; and collaborating on initiatives on renewables, green power connectivity, and adaptation. Over the past six months, the U.K. has partnered with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment to better understand this issue, specifically in Bengaluru. Focusing initially on water sources in restaurants and through consumer research and testing, we now have a body of evidence that confirms that some consumers choose bottled water because of the uncertainty around the quality of other sources. Our research has highlighted how, if consumers had access to reliable data about water quality, many would feel more confident choosing alternatives to bottled water. Consumer fears around the quality and consequences of drinking non-bottled are justified, as many water samples tested during this research fell short of the standards for safe drinking water. So what does this mean? We know that around the world, plastic has both an environmental and social cost — we see it on our streets and even in wild spaces such as our national parks. We routinely drink filtered water at home because we are confident that the system is being effectively maintained. We know that drinking sufficient water and staying hydrated is essential to maintaining our long-term health and we are witnessing how the manufacturers of filters systems, designed to clean water at the point of use, are increasingly using technological solutions to allow consumers to track their water consumption; and provide data on when their filters should be serviced. Making this same information available outside the home — for example, by communicating the maintenance status of filters and displaying it in restaurants, malls, or offices — would help ensure consumers have peace of mind when drinking filtered water. By bridging this gap in trust, Bengaluru, which is renowned for innovation, could lead the way in reducing our dependence on plastic. In doing so, we would not only ease the burden of plastic waste but also set an example of how local solutions can feed into global progress. James Godber is the Deputy Head of Mission at the British Deputy High Commission, Bengaluru
Mint
05-06-2025
- General
- Mint
A new exhibition spotlights the impact of heat stress on informal workers
Madhe Gowda, a fruit vendor in Bengaluru's Whitefield area, noticed the rising heat in the city about four years ago. Working for more than12 hours a day, mostly under the scorching sun, means headaches and falling sick frequently. 'There isn't a way for us to avoid this heat," he says. Gowda is among the over 400 million informal workers in India's labour force who bear the brunt of heat stress every day. A new exhibition in Bengaluru, Sweat and Concrete 2025, explored how art can draw focus to the heat stress crisis. The exhibition was organized on 29-30 May by People First Cities, an initiative by social movement incubator Purpose. 'If you look at the narrative around heat stress right now, it's alarming. How do we shift this to a more solutions-focused narrative?" says Sonali Bhasin from People First Cities. At the heart of the exhibition was an interactive exhibit, The Neralu Heat Shelter, conceptualised by architects and urban planners Ankrtiya Diggavi and Sagar Kandal. The collapsible shelter was the winning entry in a heat-shelter design competition run by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). The microclimate shade features a recyclable metal frame, a tin canopy, a jute curtain that doubles as a hand-pulled fan, and built-in bench for seating. The idea was born out of Diggavi's urban studies in Ahmedabad and Kandal's research in Peenya, Bengaluru, where they documented how informal workers created makeshift shade using broken billboards, tarpaulins, and discarded umbrellas. At a time when rising heat and heatwaves are posing serious health and livelihood risks for informal workers, the architects aimed to design a solution based on informal worker's need and functional use of public spaces. 'We designed the shelter in such a way that it doesn't touch the ground or interfere with public space and folds up onto itself," says Diggavi. The chassis and frame set-up which includes a cycle wheel to move the jute curtain costs about ₹20,000. Scalability is a strong focus. Everything in blue is pre-made of recycled or fabricated metal which can be shipped to different locations. 'Depending on the region it's being shipped to, the canopy, the bench, and the front curtain can be replaced using local materials," Kandal explains. They are hoping to have a conversation with the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) about this shelter and how it can be taken forward. 'The larger idea is to force discourse on why we have to think about these solutions in the first place - our current urban designs and plans have all but failed to meet the requirements," Kandal explains. For informal workers visiting the exhibition, it was also a platform to discuss heat as a problem. 'We are often told to just adjust to the heat, never see it as a problem," says Gowda. Rising heat also impacts their physical and mental health. Bhagyamma H, a construction worker, describes how the rising temperatures take a toll on her body, especially when working with materials like cement. 'There's no shade nearby where we can just sit and rest," she says. 'We eat right next to the cement, which radiates heat. Even when we're menstruating and dealing with body aches, we have to keep going in the sun." Mangala, a field worker with the NGO Association for Promoting Social Action (APSA), speaks of the health effects she faces due to constant exposure. 'I get a lot of rashes and itching," she says. Reflecting on the Neralu Heat Shelter, Bhagyamma says spaces like these could offer vital respite. 'At least I can sit and eat my lunch in the shade," she says. I.S. Patil, community coordinator, APSA, emphasises the importance of having solutions-centric conversations and recognising the impact of heat on informal workers. 'Be it BBMP or local hospitals, they see heat only through the lens of health. If people are falling sick because of heat, it's seen as a health issue but not in relation to heat," he explains. The opening day also included a performative play by a theatre collective, Kahe Vidushak. From spotlighting how heat affects women workers in overcrowded factories where they can't drink water or use washrooms to silent struggles of construction workers who have to deal with unreasonable work timelines under the blazing sun, the play gave a glimpse the lived realities of vulnerable communities. On the second day, there was a panel discussion between informal workers with experts and practitioners of climate resilience on how to make city-level responses to heat stress inclusive and needs-oriented. 'This was an opportunity to bring all solutions providers together. We need solutions on-ground, and for that, the conversation must start on-ground," says Bhasin. Also read: 'Loal Kashmir' review: Stories of love and longing from Kashmir
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
ATREE researcher makes rare plant discoveries in Sikkim
A researcher from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) has recorded the discovery of Eulophia siamensis, a rare plant species, for the first time in India. Pramod Rai, a research associate at ATREE, found the wild orchid species along with Isodon neorensis, another rare plant species, in Sikkim. Eulophia siamensis is previously known only to China, Myanmar and Thailand. Isodon neorensis, which belongs to the mint family, is newly noted for Sikkim, having previously been recorded only in West Bengal's Neora Valley and Bhutan. Mr. Rai chanced upon the rare plants during a field survey in the state. These findings underscore Sikkim's ecological richness and emphasise the critical need for ongoing conservation efforts, said a release from ATREE. A chance discovery Eulophia siamensis, belonging to the genus Eulophia R. Br. ex Lindl, was found in the Sirisay forest of Namchi district. A single plant was found in a rocky and pebbled area, while another was discovered in a shaded forest floor rich in humus. 'This suggests the plant can survive in different types of environments. The orchid's genus, Eulophia, is particularly noted for its remarkable morphological diversity,' said the release. The researchers from ATREE also documented Eulophia siamensis co-existing with native plants such as Cissus discolor, Aristolochia cathcartii, Aeginetia indica, Tephrosia candida, Clerodendrum infortunatum and Begonia picta, highlighting its integral role in the local ecosystem. The findings have been published in the journal 'Acta Phytotaxonomica et Geobotanica', co-authored by Santosh Kumar Rai from Sikkim University, Prakash Limboo from Sombarey Senior Secondary School and Sudhizong Lucksom, a retired Director from the Forest and Environment Department and orchid expert. Haven for unique flora The second discovery, Isodon neorensis, was found growing in a disturbed habitat on a highway roadside in the Daragaon area of Tadong. It is characterised by attractive red flowers on elongated inflorescences. The species found in the Daragaon area exhibits unique features, such as heart-shaped leaf bases and an extended flowering period into late October and November – traits previously unrecorded in this species. This discovery was documented in the 'Journal of Threatened Taxa.'
