In this issue

In this issue of TerraGreen, we look at conserving turtles as part of fishing. Each year, many sea turtles are accidentally captured, injured or killed by fishermen. Many of these injuries and deaths take place while turtles are migrating through fishing areas. The turtles, attracted to the bait, get caught on the hooks used to catch fish. With each passing day, due to different anthropogenic activities and climatic conditions, the turtle population is declining throughout the world. This month’s cover story ‘Conserving Turtles in Tamil Nadu’s Fishing Village’ highlights that in the small coastal fishing village of Vanagiri, in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, some fishermen have turned into environmental conservationists by conserving turtles since 2009, while continuing their own fishing lifestyles. Part of this is by adapting changed fishing practices. This is because turtles face many hurdles due to current fishing practices. Modern fishing nets and speeding boats challenge their very survival today. With the collaborative efforts of the Forest Department and NGOs, local fishermen have modified their fishing habits due to the increased awareness, and their actions conserve turtles in this village. This is a good omen— and this practice should be followed in other coastal areas, not only in India but globally as well.

Flood Control to Flood Management

Floods in India have become an annual occurrence which abolishes lives and livelihoods. In this article, Mayuri Phukan and Niyati Seth say that there is an urgent requirement of conducting scientific studies that look at the nexus of hydrometeorological, economic and social dimensions related to floods. Flood management strategies should consider the river basin conditions and policy guidelines should incorporate adaptation measures in consultation with different stakeholders.

3 mins

Making Space for Nature in Our Cities: Promoting Urban Biodiversity and Landscape

The continuous urban area expansion is causing a direct impact on nature in terms of biodiversity loss and environmental degradation due to changing urban landscape and natural habitats. Here, Pratiksha Baruah says that urban biodiversity is crucial not only for a proper functioning of ecological processes, but also for the capacity of the urban area to absorb changing ecological conditions. Urban lakes are important part of urban ecosystem that perform significant environmental, social and economic functions, ranging from being a source of drinking water, recharging groundwater, supporting biodiversity, and providing livelihoods.

9 mins

“India Could Pave the Way for Sustainable Air Conditioning Systems”

Mr Atul Bagai is Head of Country Office (India), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Here, he is in an exclusive conversation with Abhas Mukherjee for TerraGreen magazine.

6 mins

Conserving Turtles in Tamil Nadu's Fishing Village With Collaborative Efforts

In this article, Sharada Balasubramanian highlights that in the small coastal fishing village of Vanagiri, in the Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu, a fisherman, Kutti Andi has been conserving turtles from 2009. Turtles, which come here, all the way from Odisha for breeding, face many hurdles due to changed fishing practices. Modern fishing nets, speeding boats, challenge their very survival today. With the collaborative efforts of forest department, non-governmental organizations, local fishermen, panchayat, and college students, there is increased awareness and action to conserve these turtles in this village.

9 mins

Immunity Insights: To Fight Against COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr Anil Pratap Singh throws light on some immunity-boosting measures that would surely go a long way in preparing individuals and the society to bravely face the current coronavirus pandemic.

7 mins

Natural Disasters that Rocked 2020

A lot has been said about the year 2020. About how it hasn’t started off too well. Or how it desperately needs a reboot. Given the lockdown across the globe, it is a fact for sure where each one of us has sat back and wondered if this is Mother Nature’s way to teach us all a lesson! In this article, Anjali Prasad lists some of the natural disasters that has rocked the world this year.

6 mins

Environment Education: A Way of Life

In today’s scenario, when the work culture comes to a halt due to excessive pollution, it is indispensable for each responsible citizen to play a unique role in building a perception for reform in nature and directing actions revolving around it. In this essay, Heemal H Bhat urges individuals to participate in the effort of saving the environment.

5 mins

Red Panda: Let's Stop this Animal from Going into the Red!

If you ask for a list of the cutest animals, the red panda ranks among the toppers, says Benita Sen. With less than 10,000 adults left, she hopes that the tide will turn for the adorable red panda.

4 mins

Ecosystem Engineers: Preserving the World

There are certain animals who have a huge impact on the environment. Wild boar are the main ecosystem engineers in India, says Maneka Sanjay Gandhi. Because of their large size and frequent rooting for food they have a significant effect on the forest floor.

5 mins

Ushering in a Plastic-Free World: Path-breaking Recycling of MLPs

In this article, Dr Rina Mukherji highlights the pioneering work done by Deeya Panels in recycling multilayer plastics (MLPs) into Ricron panels, which is of great significance.

4 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