Climate change is impacting the world. It is the poorest who suffer the most. Yet often rural Indians are leading the way in sustainable advances and trialling schemes that – if rolled out on a macro scale – can create real change in the environment.
Environment
Lawyer-turned-farmer advocates for forest farming
Would you quit your professional job to be an organic farmer for the sake of healthier food? That’s what this Tamil farmer did – converting other farmers to his methods to boot.
Kerala’s backwater exodus
Villagers in the backwaters of Kerala are used to floods. But as homes become inundated by water throughout the year, many are fleeing.
Community ensures sustenance of vital ancient ponds
By ensuring regular maintenance and by preventing encroachment, villagers who consider their water bodies as sacred, protect centuries-old life-sustaining ponds.
Dry toilets to help Ladakh in organic farming
Bacteria boosters that help night soil decompose faster and increase crop productivity, help in promotion of traditional dry toilets, and thus organic farming and water conservation.
Haryana introduces crop diversification to prevent groundwater exploitation
Haryana’s groundwater extraction is much higher than the state’s annual extractable resources. Government encourages farmers to switch from water-intensive paddy to reduce depletion
Villagers demolish flood-ravaged homes to save recyclables
Families in the Champaran districts demolished their own houses to save construction materials before the entire house was washed away by River Sikrahna in spate
Where are the women in water governance?
Women contribute equally to livelihood activities involving water. Yet they are absent in the decision-making processes, since only domestic water management is seen as their responsibility
Eco-friendly sanitation wins proponent civilian award
Subburaman, who is credited with constructing India’s first community eco-san toilet, besides successfully installing various eco-friendly sanitation solutions, gets recognized with a Padma Shri
Water-starved villagers harvest rainwater in multiple tanks
Post-monsoon water scarcity was a common problem. By storing rainwater in many miniature plastic-lined tanks, villagers have solved their water woes and used it for remunerative cultivation