What is the future of India’s forests?
Earlier this month, on October 2nd, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change released a ‘consultative paper’, which recommended 14 amendments to the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) of 1980.
The Act, which was put in place to control deforestation, might now find its power diluted by some of the recent recommendations. They broadly propose to exempt some categories of infrastructure developers from requiring the Central Government’s permission to use forest land for non-forestry purposes. But, confusingly enough, the amendments also signal a huge push for plantations and preserving certain ‘pristine forests’.
So what exactly are these changes? What do they really mean for our forests? How will this impact the many forest-dependent communities of India? We spoke to Meenal Tatpati of the Kalpavriksh Environment Action Group, Manoj Misra, Convenor of Yamuna Jiye Abhiyaan and Prakash Bhandari of the Himdhara Environment Research and Action Group to understand more.
Here is the link to the video: https://thebastion.co.in/politics-and/environment/what-is-the-future-of-indias-forests-explaining-the-proposed-forest-conservation-act-amendments/
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‘Chitty and her forest farm’, our new book for children!
We are delighted to announce our new book for children!
Chitty and her forest farm by Serow, a moving account of a dog’s life on a forest farm in the Western Ghats, illustrated by Rajiv Eipe.
Chitty lives a free-spirited life on a forest farm in the Western Ghats. She has hair-raising encounters with wild animals, gobbles up termites, and plays tricks on the other dogs. You’ll love her antics! But she is also wise, a loyal friend, and has an extraordinary mind and soul.
To buy the book head on to Our Store
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Bringing to you ‘Pedru and the Big Boom’
We are delighted to announce our new book for children!
Pedru and the Big Boom by Nandita da Cunha, award winning author of The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street, illustrated by Niharika Shenoy
A quiet Goan village is invaded by a mysterious gang of ear-shattering ‘diggers’. Meet young explorer Pedru, find out why he was all set to run away from his village, and what happens when he stays back and confronts this gang.
This book is being released during the Bookaroo event!
To buy the book head on to Our Store
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People in Conservation: Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Security. Vol 10, Issue 1, March to August 2021
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Marathi Maharashtra Protected Area Update, October 2021, No: 7
Protected Area Update (October 2021) about Maharashtra in Marathi language is out, to read the entire Newsletter, please click here
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Rights of Nature Tribunal in Glasgow
You are invited to the International #RightsofNatureTribunal happening in Glasgow, Scotland, UK in parallel to COP26!
The #RightsofNatureTribunal seeks to demonstrate how the Rights of Nature can be applied, putting a series of urgent, real-world cases before a panel of distinguished judges, who examine and rule on the cases from a Rights of Nature perspective.Join us in defending the #RightsofNature!
Add your voice to the popular demand for governments and courts around the world to play their part in stopping the ecological crises of our day.
Nov 3rd & 4th
Sign up to attend:
Virtually: bit.ly/rightsofnaturetribunal
In-person in Glasgow: bit.ly/tribunalinperson
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Latest Protected Area Update Newsletter, October 2021, No. 153
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Ladakh Food Vikalp Sangam, Sept 2021
The Ladakh Vikalp Sangam on Food & Agriculture was co-organised by Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Agr. Dept of Ladakh UT, Local Futures Ladakh, Snow Leopard Conservancy – India Trust, Ladakh Art and Media Organisation, and Kalpavriksh Vikalp Sangam at Saboo village from 19th-20th September, 2021.
The over-arching focus of the sangam was to focus on how to implement Ladakh’s Mission Organic (target to make the region 100% organic by 2025), along with saving its food traditions, sustaining livelihoods, and protecting its fragile ecology. A detailed discussion was facilitated on imagining and re-defining the wellbeing of Ladakh (in the context of agro-tourism, food and pastoralism).
A number of follow-up actions have emerged post the two-day gathering that will be taken up by the Council and civil society groups. The Sangam saw active participation of farmers, NGOs, scientists, food entrepreneurs, govt officials and the Exec. Councillor (Agr). All of this was accompanied by displays of organic / local produce, and of course, delicious traditional lunches! And a trip to the farms of organic farmers in Saboo village.
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‘The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street’ won the Neev Book Award for the Emerging Reader category!
We are so pleased to share that one of our books, The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street, has just won the Neev Book Award for the Emerging Reader category!
This heartwarming and inspiring story was written by Nandita Da Cunha and beautifully illustrated by Priya Kuriyan .
Buy the book here: kalpavriksh.org/our-store OR write to us at [email protected].
- Published in Announcements
‘The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street’ won the Neev Book Award for the Emerging Reader category!
We are so pleased to share that one of our books, The Miracle on Sunderbaag Street, has just won the Neev Book Award for the Emerging Reader category!
This heartwarming and inspiring story was written by Nandita Da Cunha and beautifully illustrated by Priya Kuriyan .
Buy the book here: kalpavriksh.org/our-store OR write to us at [email protected].
- Published in Announcements