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Current Issue - Volume 16 Issue 10 (January 2024)
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Cover story
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Sand Alert: Dredging Endangers Sand and Aquatic Life |
Sand is vital for a country like India due to its ever-expanding urban population and construction needs. In this insightful article, Dr Indumathi Somashekar highlights that sand dredging is the process of excavating sand, silt, and other sediment from the bottom of water bodies using large machinery. Dredging is carried out for various purposes such as beach reclamation and maintaining waterways for the smooth navigation of boats and ships. However, sand dredging could do more harm than good if not adequately planned. Widespread awareness of the importance of sand and the drastic effects of dredging is the first step to saving sand. Over the last decade, the Government of India has passed several regulations to curb sand mining, which could serve as a starting point.
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Feature |
National Saffron Mission: Has It Addressed Saffron Decline in Kashmir? |
In this article, Athar Parvaiz says 12 years on, Kashmir's climate-sensitive saffron is yet to get sprinkle-irrigation under National Saffron Mission (NMS). The NMS, launched in 2010 to rejuvenate saffron cultivation in Kashmir by helping counter erratic rainfall among other challenges, is yet to ensure reliable sprinkler irrigation for saffron crop, the most basic requirement for the crop which is extremely sensitive to climatic conditions such as droughts. Irrigation plays a crucial role in saffron productivity. Farmers say that they heavily rely on natural rainfall for getting a satisfactory saffron yield.
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TERI Analysis |
Competition Laws Must Adapt: To Support the ESG Mandate |
In this article, Ira Gayatri Jha reasons that in order to attain the overarching ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets, the government must consider making exceptions in competition laws to facilitate effective ESG-related collaborations. This, the author contends, is essential to realize the SEE (Social, Economic, and Environmental) security of both the present and future. read
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Green Challenges |
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Harnessing Solar Energy in the UK: Moving towards a Sustainable Planet |
Considering the UK's perpetually cloudy skies and limited sunlight, the author of this piece, Dr Marianne Furtado de Nazareth, was pleasantly surprised to observe numerous houses sporting solar PV technology panels during her recent visit to the UK. As a Science and Environment journalist focusing on renewable energy, she found herself curious about the sudden surge in panel installations on homes, particularly during her walks in Woking, Surrey. In this article, she shares her observations and insights on harnessing of solar energy in the UK.
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Special Report |
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Atal Setu: Addresses Concerns of Pollution, Environment with Deft |
On January 12, 2024, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the nation's longest bridge, spanning from Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava Sheva. This 22-kilometer-long engineering marvel stands as a symbol of progress and development, while also prioritizing environmental sustainability, rivalling top bridges worldwide. Gajanan Khergamker's article highlights the commendable aspect of Atal Setu: its environmentally friendly design. The bridge's construction demonstrates meticulous attention to environmental impact, utilizing sustainable materials and minimizing disruption to the surrounding ecosystem.
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Pioneer |
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Geeta Dham: A Museum with a Twist |
In this article, Rajshekhar Pant introduces us to Dr Yashodhar Mathpal—a multifaceted talent recognized internationally in academic circles as one of the top experts in prehistoric archaeology, particularly in the field of cave art. Additionally, as an acknowledged painter, he has to his credit numerous solo exhibitions in various European countries and the USA.
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In Conversation |
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India Animal Fund: India's Only Backbone Organization That Works in the Animal Welfare Space |
With growing impetus on the intersection of climate change, human health and animal welfare, Sandeep Reddy, COO, India Animal Fund, India's only backbone organization that works in the animal welfare space, talks about the need for interventions, challenges and possible solutions for this critical intersection.
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Special Feature |
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Micro-and Nanoplastics Invade Everywhere: Will it Take a Toll on Aquatic Organisms? |
In this article, Pritam Sarkar, Sudarshan S, SP Shukla, and Rathi Bhuvaneswari G highlight that microplastics/nanoplastics generate synergistic effects with other environmental pollutants, serving as vectors for contaminants to aquatic organisms. They advocate for future research to prioritize investigating the combined impacts of microplastics/nanoplastics with other contaminants. Furthermore, they emphasize the urgent need to establish a robust framework for reducing the utilization and discharge of plastics into aquatic ecosystems.
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Wildlife |
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Himalayan Birch: A True Miracle of Nature |
The Himalayan birch, popularly known as bhojpatra in Indian sub-continent, is one of most important tree species across the high reaches of the Himalayas due its highly significant properties and plethora of uses. The multiple benefits of the tree have indeed made it a true miracle of nature. Continue reading to learn more…
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