Ecology & environment

“In Central India, individual plant species figure in the first fruit ceremonies of the adivasi (indigenous) communities. During certain periods of the year, their fruits, flowers, leaves or seeds are not collected or consumed. This allows those species to rest for a few weeks or months during crucial periods for their growth or regeneration. The norms around these practices or methods are often embedded within the cultural-religious traditions of communities. As a knowledge system being transferred between generations, seldom are they explained or discussed in terms of ecology or conservation.” – Madhu Ramnath in “How culture threatens species A note on Caryota urens in South India” (Current Conservation 16.3, accessed 4 December 2022)
https://www.currentconservation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/16.3.pdf
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=20305

Revisiting India’s reservoir of knowledge traditions: The creative sector seen as as an organic agency for human development and sustainability

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Sharada Ramanathan, The Hindu, June 5, 2012 India must pay more attention to its creative industries not just for the profits they generate but as enablers of sustainable human development The Copyright Act (Amendment) Bill, 2012 passed recently by Parliament, is a landmark beginning for the Indian creative sector. In an era that is overwhelmed by … Read more

Video | Kalpvriksha, the “heavenly” coconut tree: Useful and eco-friendly household items made by the Gawda community – Goa

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For more information, visit videovolunteers.org >>  Coconut is used widely in Goa, but it’s only the tribals such as Gawdas who weave mats out of the coconut fronds. The Gawdas are a tribal community living in Cotigaon forest of south Goa. Devidas, the correspondent of this video belongs to the community. As forest-dwellers, the Gawdas rely heavily … Read more

Making “their” voices heard: In support of the Paniya community’s efforts to save their sacred groves – Tamil Nadu

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A Voice Unheard : The Case of Paniya Sacred Groves | Read the full blog here >> Is the ‘holiness’ of a century old Hindu temple in a city of Pakistan different from that of a Paniya sacred grove in a remote tribal village in the Gudalur valley? […] Onan is a Paniya Karnavar (traditional … Read more

Traditional Millet Festival: Counteracting diabetes, hypertension and other lifestyle diseases – Tamil Nadu

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Due to the growing change in the diet of the village people to more “easy” foods like ration rice, vegetables grown with heavy chemical usage and inorganically grown fruits, the health of the people is deteriorating fast and many new diseases are evolving. The cases of diabetes, hypertension and other lifestyle diseases have dramatically increased, diseases … Read more

Protecting and restoring the Sal forest: The all-women, Maa Tarini Ban Surakshya Samiti – Odisha

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Manoj Misra, The Hindu, September 10, 2013 Armed with pebbles and conch shells, women in an Odisha village took on the task of protecting and restoring the Sal forest, and succeeded The onset of the new millennium brought with it a new challenge for the determined women of Kalamachua village in Baleswar district of Odisha. Appreciative … Read more