Nature & wildlife

“We – forest-dependent communities, supported by others – declare: The natural forests are a nurturing mother to us. Our very identities, cultures and world-views are closely linked to the forests that provide our primary needs. […] Our cultures discourage greed, the root of scarcity, harm and sorrow.” – An appeal for a new consciousness of empathy and wise governance to protect our rich natural heritage, culture, and harmonious collective future by Kavitha (“Forest Foods & Ecology” Festival, December 12 to 14, 2014 at Sri Aurobindo Society, New Delhi)
www.kisanswaraj.in/2014/12/31/forest-foods-and-ecology/
https://indiantribalheritage.org/?p=16371

Video | “A living testimony of one’s love for nature, culture, tradition, history and posterity”: The Ever Living Museum at Mawshabuit (Shillong) – Meghalaya

by

The Ever Living Museum at Mawshbuit, located a stone’s throw away from Shillong, Meghalaya, is well known for its collection of the region’s natural and cultural heritage including crafts and fossils dating back decades and some, even centuries ago. But how many amongst us would know about the person behind this magnificent Museum that perfectly … Read more

Eco-spirituality in the face of climate change: Learning from the Kaani (Kani) community of Kanyakumari District – Tamil Nadu & Kerala

by

ECO-SPIRITUALITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE WITH REFERENCE TO THE KAANI TRIBE OF KANYAKUMARI FORESTS Davidson Sargunam (Nagercoil) & S Suja (Associate Professor, Women’s Christian College, College Road, Chennai) ABSTRACT The Kaani tribal people live in 48 Tribal Settlements in the deep jungles and forests of Kanyakumari in the Western Ghats. They live in consonance with Nature … Read more

The champions from Stuartpuram: Yerukulas as role models bringing hope to a new generation – Andhra Pradesh

by

The Yerukulas were first criminalised by the British and forced into a ‘reformatory’ colony named ‘Stuartpuram’ in 1913. P. Samuel Jonathan reports on the tragic history of a community devastated by colonial prejudice and tracks their struggle to reclaim a life of dignity. | Read the full story >> The Yerukulas were originally traders of grain and salt … Read more

Elephants – a way of life for the Korubas of South India – Karnataka

by

ASHOKA, ELEPHANT BOY, Age 17Excerpts from Mother India’s Children by Edward Rice Sometimes India reminds me of the ocean. It looks like one great undifferentiated mass of people, like so many identical waves. To the tourists who jump from Calcutta to the Taj Mahal in Agra and then to Bombay, it is. All Indians look … Read more

Learn from “insiders” to fight misconceptions: Ideas and practices worth sharing

by

There’s much to learn from the positive contributions made by tribal communities on a daily basis. To start with, let’s learn from insiders and others who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that a precious heritage will continue to make a difference to people from all backgrounds – all over India and even beyond: “[I]t … Read more