Thatched huts built using kheep grass have kept communities cool and protected in the harsh environments of the Rajasthan desert. But the traditional thatching material is fast dwindling as concrete structures are replacing homes built with age-old wisdom.

Biodiversity conservation is an absolute imperative but a recent analysis by Down To Earth magazine highlighted that there is no data available on the money received from companies and traders for access and benefit sharing. Similarly, the money collected has not been disbursed to communities, the analysis pointed out. Details here.