Members of the “semi-nomadic” Kalbelia community of performers: Having nowhere to go – Rajasthan

Social activists and policy planners got together here [in August 2011] to listen to the woes of the Kalbelia community, better known by the folk dance form named after it, at a jan sunwai or public hearing. A nomadic community, also referred to as saperas or snake charmers, jogis and nats – going by their … Read more

Warning by Indigenous Rights Awardee Dayamani Barla: “The land will become infertile” – Jharkhand

Source: “World listens to ‘Iron Lady of Jharkhand’ in the Big Apple” by Narayan Lakshman, The Hindu, New York, May 25, 2013 The HinduAddress : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/world-listens-to-iron-lady-of-jharkhand-in-the-big-apple/article4747354.eceDate Visited: 11 March 2024 Anumeha Yadav, The Hindu, Ranchi, May 23, 2013 On Thursday, Cultural Survival, an international NGO, recognized the work of the leader of several of such people’s movements … Read more

A way to preserve biodiversity: India’s inspiring tradition of sacred groves – Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel

In commissioning a High-Level Working Group headed by the space scientist K. Kasturirangan to study the recommendations of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), the Ministry of Environment and Forests hoped to resolve an impasse. It now appears that far from nearing resolution, the question of preserving and ensuring holistic development of the Ghats … Read more

Butterfly survey by the Ferns Naturalists Society in North Wayanad Forest Division – Kerala

A recent butterfly survey in North Wayanad Forest Division of Kerala organised jointly by the Ferns Naturalists Society and the Forest and Wildlife Department reported the sighting of 140 species, including 17 which had not been hitherto reported in the region. The three-day survey was conducted at three locations under the division at Brahmagiri, Makkimala, … Read more

Commercial varieties of trees in tribal forest areas must not replace plants on which the Adivasis are dependent

Indu Netam, an Adivasi leader from Chhattisgarh, on Monday, slammed the plantation of eucalyptus and other commercial varieties of trees in tribal forest areas under Green India Mission (GIM), saying this was impacting their livelihoods. Addressing the media here on Monday, she said in the name of protecting the environment, fruit-bearing trees, medicinal and other … Read more