Petition against NTCA: Illegal Order by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in violation of the Forest Rights Act

We are very sad to hear of the passing away of Dr. Dhrubajyoti Ghosh (on 9 Feb. 2018), one of India’s most intrepid and persevering environmentalists. His campaign to save the East Kolkata wetlands (its ecosystems, its fisherfolk and vegetable-growing communities) from the rapacious gaze of ‘developers’ has become the stuff of legend. Without him, undoubtedly, many more of these incredible wetlands would have been drained out and built over. Even at an advanced age, his sharp intellect and sense of humour was intact, and his humbling humility remarkable. At a time when we most need such inspiring figures, this comes as a great loss. In 2016 he won the Luc Hoffman Award for conservation work of extraordinary significance, from the IUCN, at the World Conservation Congress.

Latha Anantha, one of India’s most untiring activists against the madness of ‘development’ and for alternatives, undoubtedly one of the main voices for saving rivers, especially in Kerala, against dams and other destruction, passed away on 16 Nov. 2017. She had set up the River Research Centre, and the Chalakudypuzha Samrakshana Samithi, the latter to struggle to save the Chalakudy river from damming. The Samithi recently became a core group member of the Vikalp Sangam process. Our deep condolences to her family and friends

2nd National Food Vikalp Sangam: Organised by URMUL, Banyan Roots and Kalpavriksh at Bajju (near Bikaner, Rajasthan), on 6-9 October 2017, with lots of discussions and visits on food politics, culture, diversity, etc and some great local food and singing; see https://ashishkothari51.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-confluence-of-food-alternatives.html.

Civil society groups and individuals sent a detailed response to the draft Energy Policy put up by the NITI Aayog for public comments. Please Read The Comments on NITI Aayog Energy Policy drafton NITI Aayog Energy Policy draft