NO TO PRIVATISATION
MP town seeks to reclaim its right to water
An independent committee appointed by the state validates and upholds most of the objections raised by civil society against attempted privatisation of water supply in Khandwa. Shripad Dharmadhikary, Rehmat and Gaurav Dwivedi discuss the report.
Water | Madhya Pradesh
August 2013
MOBILE TELEPHONY HAZARDS
Mumbai fights the towers that trouble
As studies continue to highlight the potential health hazards posed by cell phones, Mumbai citizens are seen demanding stricter regulation and removal of cell phone towers from sensitive areas, but authorities respond with half-baked measures. Darryl D'Monte reports.
Hazards | Urban Environment | Maharashtra
August 2013
FOREST PROTECTION
Life in uneasy forest terrain
In July this year, the B Marappa Memorial Trust and the Karnataka Forest Department honoured 14 professionals for their commitment towards and excellence in forest and wildlife protection. Bosky Khanna talks to two of them about their work, motivation and challenges.
Forests | Karnataka
August 2013
PEOPLE AND THE JUDICIARY
'Courting' controversy
India has been witnessing a rising trend of judicial intervention and directives in cases involving a face-off between large institutional projects and the people they affect. Kanchi Kohli looks at two recent judgments as she tries to explore the real impact of such court rulings on the struggles at the grassroots.
Regulation | Mining
August 2013
CORRUPTION
'Maha' problems over minor irrigation
A tragic accident at the Chinchave Minor Irrigation Project in Maharashtra brings into focus long-simmering questions over the quality of minor irrigation works as well as the nexus between engineers and contractors. Parineeta Dandekar takes a look.
Water | Public funds | Maharashtra
August 2013
AMRUT MAHAL KAVAL
Diversion of forest land denounced
The grant of close to 10000 acres of forest land in Chitradurga district for non-forestry purposes threatens the ecology of the region, as well as local livelihoods. Irate villagers have decided to boycott the impending State Assembly elections. Malini Shankar reports.
Forests | Livestock | Karnataka
April 2013 BIODIVERSITY
The Sparrow: Concerns and conservation
Were mobile towers primarily responsible for the dwindling number of house sparrows across India? Deepa Mohan studies the findings of a recent survey to explore the more likely reasons behind this wane of the species.
Biodiversity
April 2013 NUCLEAR POWER
Kudamkulam: Ready to produce power?
Will the Kudankulam nuclear power plant finally become operational this month as assured by the Prime Minister? Krithika Ramalingam takes an in-depth look at the long history of delays and conflicts that has plagued the project since its inception.
Energy | Hazards | Tamilnadu
April 2013 WATER WOES
In support of a paradigm shift in water
A recent report by the UNICEF highlights the most critical issues faced by the Indian water sector today, urging the establishment to break new ground in resource management and utilization. Shripad Dharmadhikary discusses the key findings.
Water
March 2013 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 to conservation, writes Malini Shankar.
Wildlife | Forests
January 2013
MH POLITICS
White Paper, or whitewash?
Maharashtra's politics is in uproar, as the dubious record of the irrigation department provides fodder for a proxy NCP-Congress war. The issues, however, demand real attention, writes Shripad Dharmadhikary.
Water | Maharashtra
December 2012


WHOSE WATER?
One state, but divergent demands
Integrated river management is a serious business, and without proper attention can lead to politically difficult situations even within a single state, as seen in Maharashtra this year. Parineeta Dandekar reports.
Water | Maharashtra
September 2012


FRACKING
Shallow understanding of deep risks
Shale gas and oil reserves are being eyed hungrily by an industry that is looking at the sunset of conventional reserves. But fracking is full of risks.
Water | Energy
September 2012


MINING IN SENSITIVE REGIONS
Different reef, same barrier
As the Mundra project of the Adani group moves ahead relentlessly in Gujarat, a new front opens up in the company's troubles with environmental regulations, in faraway Australia. Kanchi Kohli reports.
Regulation | Gujarat
September 2012


VEHICLE FUELS
CNG isn't really the answer
Compressed Natural Gas is by no means a clear cut winner in the race to find a clean burning fuel for our vehicles. The real solution is in promoting public transport, and better design of our cities, writes Madhav Pai.
Transport | Urban environment
August 2012


WATER POLICY
Better, but needs more work
The latest draft of the Water Policy is a clear improvement over the previous one, and appears to have taken on board many of the objections to earlier provisions.
Water
July 2012


RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT
Going awry with the flow
For the third time in less than a decade, the dams that irrigate much of north-west India have been depleted to critical levels, as their management stumbles without clear policy directions.
Water
July 2012


IMPACT ASSESSMENT
POSCO ruling sets new terms
The National Green Tribunal's judgement in the POSCO case has implications for many other industrial development projects in the country.
Regulation | Mining
April 2012


FILM REVIEWS
Witness to a changing world
Akanksha Joshi's Earth Witness chronicles the changing world through the lives of age-old communities and the adaptations they are forced into.
Film reviews | Climate
April 2012


PUBLIC SPACES
Re-imagining public spaces
An innovative new approach to Mumbai's open spaces is an extensive mapping survey. The same approach can be used in other cities too.
Urban environment
April 2012


GOVT REPORTS
Nothing secret about Panel reports
Central Information Commission's order to MoEF outlines arguments that could be used for disclosure of many other documents.
RTI
April 2012