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The Sounds of Silence in Matheran
The Sounds of Silence in Matheran

By Nidhi Jamwal

The eco-sensitive hill station in Maharashtra has no pucca roads and vehicles are a strict no-no. The only sound is that of birds in the daytime, and crickets at night. Or, perhaps the pitter-patter of raindrops on the window panes and on the red-tiled roofs of cottages. Matheran is a perfect getaway from the high-on-steroid urban lifestyles.

The eco-sensitive hill station in Maharashtra has no pucca roads and vehicles are a strict no-no. The only sound is that of birds in the daytime, and crickets at night. Or, perhaps the pitter-patter of raindrops on the window panes and on the red-tiled roofs of cottages. Matheran is a perfect getaway from the high-on-steroid urban lifestyles.

Several tourist places in India have exceeded their carrying capacity
Several tourist places in India have exceeded their carrying capacity

By Chandra Bhushan

Tourism is a significant contributor to global warming. While many tourist hotspots have managed to keep pollution and resource degradation within check, most are struggling and getting polluted and degraded

Tourism is a significant contributor to global warming. While many tourist hotspots have managed to keep pollution and resource degradation within check, most are struggling and getting polluted and degraded

Three ways in which over-tourism is hurting Uttarakhand
Three ways in which over-tourism is hurting Uttarakhand

By Anoop Nautiyal

Days before this year's Char Dham Yatra started, the state government had set a daily limit of 47,500 pilgrims for the Yatra, which it withdrew in the face of protests. Urgent action is needed to reverse the existing, destructive model of over-tourism.

Days before this year's Char Dham Yatra started, the state government had set a daily limit of 47,500 pilgrims for the Yatra, which it withdrew in the face of protests. Urgent action is needed to reverse the existing, destructive model of over-tourism.

Floods and Landslides in Assam: A warning or an opportunity to reorient development?
Floods and Landslides in Assam: A warning or an opportunity to reorient development?

By Subrata Chakrabarty

By taking steps to reorient Assam’s development to mainstream climate concerns, the state can heed the warning from the floods of May 2022 and emerge stronger and more resilient to future climate risks.

By taking steps to reorient Assam’s development to mainstream climate concerns, the state can heed the warning from the floods of May 2022 and emerge stronger and more resilient to future climate risks.

Assam floods: No respite from heavy rains, residents astonished as usually soothing 'Bordoisilla' turns destructive
Assam floods: No respite from heavy rains, residents astonished as usually soothing 'Bordoisilla' turns destructive

By Puspanjalee Das Dutta

Pre-monsoon showers are not uncommon in Assam but the intensity with which they have unleashed destruction in the northeastern state hasn't been witnessed by its residents in the months prior to the arrival of the monsoon. Here is how the state population is coping up with the mayhem caused by heavy rainfall, floods and landslides. Details here.

Pre-monsoon showers are not uncommon in Assam but the intensity with which they have unleashed destruction in the northeastern state hasn't been witnessed by its residents in the months prior to the arrival of the monsoon. Here is how the state population is coping up with the mayhem caused by heavy rainfall, floods and landslides. Details here.

"Smoking one cigarette a day reduces lifespan by six years. We breathe in stone dust 24 hours a day"
"Smoking one cigarette a day reduces lifespan by six years. We breathe in stone dust 24 hours a day"

By Brijendra Dubey

Whether it's the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, or the monuments devoted to political leaders in Lucknow, it is hard to ignore Mirzapur's contribution to the coveted pink sandstone. But the real cost is borne by the district's villagers who suffer diseases including tuberculosis, due to stone mining that has turned the region into a toxic dust bowl. A ground report.

Whether it's the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, or the monuments devoted to political leaders in Lucknow, it is hard to ignore Mirzapur's contribution to the coveted pink sandstone. But the real cost is borne by the district's villagers who suffer diseases including tuberculosis, due to stone mining that has turned the region into a toxic dust bowl. A ground report.

Lighting up Nepal’s Future by Marrying its Hydro and Solar Sectors
Lighting up Nepal’s Future by Marrying its Hydro and Solar Sectors

By Nidhi Jamwal

The Himalayan nation is known to have over 6,000 rivers and 96 per cent of its electricity needs are met through hydroelectric power. But, with climate change, as temperatures rise, glaciers melt and rainfall patterns become erratic, it is important to adopt an energy mix that promotes solar power generation. And this can be achieved alongside Nepal’s hydropower projects.

The Himalayan nation is known to have over 6,000 rivers and 96 per cent of its electricity needs are met through hydroelectric power. But, with climate change, as temperatures rise, glaciers melt and rainfall patterns become erratic, it is important to adopt an energy mix that promotes solar power generation. And this can be achieved alongside Nepal’s hydropower projects.

The land beneath their feet slips while authorities sleep
The land beneath their feet slips while authorities sleep

By Anoop Nautiyal

The districts of Rudraprayag and Tehri in Uttarakhand rank first and second in the country out of the 147 districts with a substantial landslide exposure. Since 2015, at least 3,601 major landslides have occurred in the Himalayan state.

The districts of Rudraprayag and Tehri in Uttarakhand rank first and second in the country out of the 147 districts with a substantial landslide exposure. Since 2015, at least 3,601 major landslides have occurred in the Himalayan state.

The Kiwi Farmers of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand
The Kiwi Farmers of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand

By Gaon Connection

Farmers from eight villages in the Shama cluster are associated with a growth centre that processes and sells kiwi products. The fruit is locally grown by the hill farmers. In 2021, nearly 20 quintals of kiwi were pulped for juice. The sale of these products has increased the income of farmers.

Farmers from eight villages in the Shama cluster are associated with a growth centre that processes and sells kiwi products. The fruit is locally grown by the hill farmers. In 2021, nearly 20 quintals of kiwi were pulped for juice. The sale of these products has increased the income of farmers.

The Kiwi Farmers of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand
The Kiwi Farmers of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand

By Megha Prakash

Farmers from eight villages in the Shama cluster are associated with a growth centre that processes and sells kiwi products. The fruit is locally grown by the hill farmers. In 2021, nearly 20 quintals of kiwi were pulped for juice. The sale of these products has increased the income of farmers.

Farmers from eight villages in the Shama cluster are associated with a growth centre that processes and sells kiwi products. The fruit is locally grown by the hill farmers. In 2021, nearly 20 quintals of kiwi were pulped for juice. The sale of these products has increased the income of farmers.

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