“Mountain ecosystems also needed by urbanized areas”: International Mountain Day (11 December) – United Nations

Women move mountainsThe theme of this year’s International Mountain Day (IMD) on 11 December will be Women move mountains.Women play a key role in mountains’ environmental protection and social and economic development. They are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture, and experts in … Read more

Switching over to a more sustainable farming approach in the Western Ghats – Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala

Terming the expansion of commercial plantations in Western Ghats as the reason behind its ecological “degradation”, an expert panel has recommended urgent curtailment in the “disastrous” farming practice in the ecologically sensitive zone. The expert panel, which was set up by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, has also suggested a policy directive for various … Read more

Bhil communities’ success story: Reviving the custom known as “halma” to conserve water – Madhya Pradesh

Ritesh Mishra, Hindustan Times, Indore, 13-3-16 Halma has united tribes people to conserve environment and water Until now, tribes people have planted more than 11,000 trees in 110 villages, repaired more than 250 hand pumps and dug more than three dozen big ponds in the region, under the drive. More than 10,000 Bhil tribes people from more than … Read more

Video | Jun Beel Mela: A fair “maintaining cordial relations among the tribes and non-tribes” (January) – Assam & Meghalaya

Source: National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Ministry of Culture, Government of IndiaURL: http://www.indiaculture.nic.in/national-list-intangible-cultural-heritage-ichDate visited: 5 October 2020

Video | Votive Terracotta of Molela: Cultural heritage sustained by tribal communities – Rajasthan & Gujarat

Votive terracotta painted plaques produced by the terracotta artisans of Molela is a hand modelled hollow relief of Hindu deities, especially of the neo-Vaishnava deity, Dev Narayan. Dev Narayan is accompanied by his characteristic snake symbol in the plaque. Made from clay, mixed with rice husk and donkey dung in required proportion, the plaque is … Read more