In this issue

In the cover story titled, 'Harnessing Solar Potential in India: The Developments and Challenges', the author says that due to its pollution-free nature, virtually inexhaustible supply of light and warmth, and a remarkable global distribution—solar energy is an important energy resource; more so for India as the country is blessed with abundant sunlight for most parts of the year. The author examines the growth of solar energy in India as the Government of India (GoI) has set an ambitious target of 175 GW renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar power. While the cumulative solar energy capacity installed in India so far is encouraging, there are certain grey areas brought to light by the author that need to be addressed if India is to effectively make the most of this wonderful energy resource.
The special report titled, 'Igniting a Revolution: Movies on Environment', highlights that the power of cinema is unparalleled since it holds the potential to bring about a remarkable change in people’s opinion about the prevailing social, economic, or political issues. No wonder then, that the medium has been instrumental in bringing to light the drastic after-effects of some of the most vexing environmental challenges staring us in the face, which could have otherwise escaped notice or swept under the rug. The author looks at some such movies from around the world that have left an indelible mark on our conscience and consequently, led to monumental changes aimed at preservation of the ecosystem.

GRIHA Rating For Existing Buildings- Enhancing Resource Efficiency In EBs

Whilst there is a lot of focus on making the new construction resource efficient and sustainable, the potential opportunities to save energy and water in the existing building stock remain largely unexplored. In this article, Ar. Namrata Mahal and Ms Shabnam Bassi talk about the need for transforming existing buildings through ‘GRIHA for Existing Buildings’ that has been developed by the GRIHA Council as a cohesive tool to evaluate performance of the existing building and at the same time provide solutions for energy and water efficiencies, enhanced thermal and visual comfort, and reduced operational and maintenance costs.

3 mins

Coral Gardening - Benefitting Caribbean Reefs

Researchers have found that Caribbean reefs are benefitting from ‘coral gardening’ process. They have provided scientific benchmarks for the restoration and recovery of threatened corals.

2 mins

Live A Green Life - Advantages Of Energy-Efficient Appliances

Amongst the barrage of technological advancements, home-improvement appliances constitute a considerable portion demanding its own share of investors and consumers. While there is no denying the numerous advantages that have indeed facilitated a better standard of life, the flip side, however, is rather grim. In our urgency to outdo ourselves by creating faster gizmos that hardly seem to take any time to complete tasks, not all is well and balanced in this technologically driven cityscape. Sadly, our environment is at the receiving end of this story, and, in this article, Guy C Noronha draws our attention to the damage caused to our environment on a daily basis. He also suggests some methods or practices by which we could try and improve the energy efficiency of our gadgets, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners.

6 mins

Sparking Conversations On Sustainability

Mr Ankush Patel, Co-Founder and CEO, Treeni Sustainability Solutions and Dr Sunita Purushottam, Head of Sustainability Consulting, Treeni Sustainability Solutions, in an exclusive email conversation with Abhas Mukherjee for TerraGreen.

4 mins

Harnessing Solar Potential In India - The Developments And Challenges

Given its pollution-free nature, virtually inexhaustible supply of light and warmth, and a remarkable global distribution—solar energy is an apposite and attractive energy resource; more so for India as the country is blessed with abundant sunlight for most parts of the year. In this context, Harun Trikha examines the growth of solar energy in India as the Government of India has set an ambitious target of 175 GW renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022, which includes 100 GW from solar power. While the cumulative solar energy capacity installed in India so far is encouraging, there are certain grey areas brought to light by the author that need to be addressed if India is to effectively make the most of this wonderful energy resource.

10 mins

‘Protectors Of The Environment'

Connecting Children with Nature

3 mins

Coexisting With Elephants - One Fence At A Time

Conflict between animals migrating or foraging for food, and local communities are reported from many parts of India, with crop raiding as the main form of conflict. WWF-India has been working to conserve elephant population by securing elephant habitats and addressing human–elephant conflict across four of its landscapes—Western Ghats Nilgiris in southern India, the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, Kaziranga and Karbi-Anglong, and in parts of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

4 mins

Killing Animals For Superstition - It Needs To Be Stopped!

A superstition is any irrational belief or practice that arises from ignorance or fear of the unknown and faith in magic or luck. Thousands of animals are killed every year . Maneka Sanjay Gandhi says that we must do something about it very soon.

4 mins

The Spiti Challenge

Nestled in the Himalayan valleys in the north-eastern part of Himachal Pradesh, Spiti, literally translating as ‘middle land’, is as challenging a terrain as it is picturesque. Known for its pristine beauty, Spiti, thanks to the relentless efforts of young pioneers to bring sustainable livelihood opportunities to its people, is on its way to becoming a unique hub of alternative practices that are compatible with the ecology. In this article, Dr Rakesh Agrawal ‘Ridh’, talks about how local resources, for example, the underrated sea buckthorn berry, are mobilized to generate not just income, but an interest in the ways in which the communities cope with the intermittent difficulties.

5 mins

Sacred Groves

For Conservation of Ecosystems

5 mins

Read all stories from TerraGreen

TerraGreen Magazine Description:

TerraGreen is one of the most respected monthly magazine dedicated to informing and enlightening its readers on issues of environment, energy, and sustainable development. Launched in 2004, TerraGreen has made an indelible impression on the minds of readers, both in India and across the world. Today, it enjoys a readership of over 40,000 and a subscriber base of close to 5,000. Helping the magazine along in its endeavour to take issues of absolute importance to the people is the fact that it is the only publication of its kind in the market; not only does it inform and educate, it does so in a subtle and reader-friendly manner. After all, the aim is to reach as many people as possible!

Table of contents
• News • Comments • Worldview • Features • In Conservation • Red Alert • Cover Story • Special Reports • Perspective • TerraYouth • Wild Wonders • Green Product • Pioneer • Breakthrough • Review
• Environmental Research • Green Events • Wake-up Call