It is not often we hear about hedgehogs in India, not as much as we hear about them in Europe. Globally, there are 17 species of hedgehogs, and India hosts three species. There were only 16 species, but recently the 17th species was found in China. In Europe, the hedgehogs live in cold desert, and in India, they thrive in arid deserts. Where one species resides in deserts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the other species, the Madras hedgehogs, also known as mull eli in Tamil, are found in pockets of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. These are local endemic species, and cannot be found anywhere else in the world, hence we need to take care of them.
“About a century ago, there was a mention of this hedgehog in the gazette written by the British, which mentioned that the mammal was commonly seen, and mostly lived in arid environment— but it was not studied or observed. Nothing is known about their behaviour, ecology. Even now, no one knows. After 2016, after we started working, data started trickling in,” says Brawin.
“Even now, if you actually research about Madras hedgehogs on Google Scholar, you will not find a single paper,” says Brawin. Also, he adds, “The access to research papers is also tough as they are expensive.”
Natural Behaviour
Hedgehogs live in thorny areas, semi-dry lands, bushy deserts, grasslands, edges of cultivated fields and dried ponds. The availability of food determines the distribution of the hedgehogs within their home range. “It is a unique animal, and has teeth that can grind, just like humans. It is a nocturnal animal and also insectivorous. They respond to sounds,” says Brawin.
This story is from the September 2021 edition of TerraGreen.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2021 edition of TerraGreen.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
AI Writing, Illustration Emits Much Less Carbon than Humans
With the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) comes discussion of the technology's environmental impact. A new study has found that for the tasks of writing and illustrating, AI emits hundreds of times less carbon than humans performing the same tasks. That does not mean, however, that AI can or should replace human writers and illustrators, the study's authors argue.
Decreasing Emissions with Sustainable Practices
In this article, Sanjay Gupta highlights the significant role of the construction sector in global greenhouse gas emissions. The construction industry accounts for 19 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions mainly result from energy consumption, material production, transportation, and the construction process itself. Nevertheless, there is optimism for the future, as technological advancements and increasing environmental awareness are driving the transition towards a more sustainable construction industry. Through the incorporation of innovative solutions, this sector has the potential to exert a strong influence on environmental consciousness. For the journey ahead, industry players should come together and unite in taking a collective responsibility against climate change to shape a world that is environmentally pure for generations to come.
Seeds of Contamination
Microplastic pollution in terrestrial environments poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health.
Beyond Crop Yields - Building a Future Where Biofertilizers Aid Farmers, Feed Families, and Fight Climate Change sustainable future for all.
This article by Dr Mandira Kochar and Dr Vatsala Koul engages the readers with the concern of rising global food demand which is highly likely to escalate by 70% by 2050. To increase crop yield, farmers make extensive use of chemical fertilizers. This practice has a number of negative consequences on both environment and human health. This calls for sustainable practices of augmenting crop yield. By promoting these practices, we can mitigate climate change impacts, empower vulnerable communities, and build
India's Energy Transition - Unravelling Fiscal Challenges and Institutional Concerns
India’s transition towards clean energy is certain to pose significant fiscal challenges. Fossil fuels have traditionally been a significant revenue source for the government, this article by Dr Laveesh Bhandari and Dr Rajat Verma, has been dedicated to the fiscal implications that are to be borne in mind to arrive at equilibrium in the taxes. Policymakers can navigate through these issues and establish a robust fiscal framework by considering a mix of conventional and non-conventional forms of taxes.
Women Farmers' Leadership in Climate Change Adaptation
‘Feminization’ of Indian agriculture sector forms the subject matter of this engaging article contributed by Dr Nitya Nanda and Dr Susmita Mitra. Addressing the challenges faced by women farmers is crucial for achieving climate justice and sustainable development. Moreover, sustainable development emphasizes the need to enhance community resilience and strengthening the resilience of women farmers could contribute to the overall resilience of rural communities.
Role of Local Leadership in Attaining Sustainable Development Goals -
The present article makes the readers aware on the pertinence of local leadership in realizing the mandates of SDGs. Anuradha Saigal and Divya Bawa have relevantly explained the motivating factors that could drive local leaders to contribute to the SDGs, followed by the reasons attributable for their failure, and concluded by the solutions for strengthening local leadership, for fostering effective and sustainable solutions. Authors are of the opinion that empowering local leaders with diverse support is crucial for achieving local outcomes that not only align with community priorities but contribute to global sustainability goals.
Sustainable Delivery of Green Power -Enabled by Core, Power Electronics, and Digital Technologies
This article by Akilur Rahman reinforces our comprehension of some of the relevant issues and solutions pertaining to green energy generation. In this regard, power electronics and digital technologies have responsible roles to play for realization of seamless and emission-less generation, distribution, and consumption of energy.
Addressing Urban Floods in Indian Cities - Bridging Inequities for Enhanced Resilience
Reducing flood vulnerability can play a significant role in reducing inequity among the urban poor even if exposed to recurrent floods. Article by Dr Debolina Kundu and Vaishnavi T. G. Shankar stresses on the investment in well-designed storm water drains, upgraded housing infrastructure, and improved access to basic services. It is not merely an infrastructure upgrade; it is a vital step towards ensuring safety, well-being, and future sustainability of marginalized communities. As cities evolve, prioritizing the resilience of those who are most vulnerable becomes not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for building a more inclusive and resilient urban landscape.
Pioneering Climate Finance in India
Through this article, Manish Chourasia, has shed light on the significance of climate finance to reduce repercussions associated with climate change. India’s plans on mitigating climate change are facing limitations, largely due to the insufficient capacity of the involved institutions. This has created a void in sector’s understanding, hindering the flow of channelled capital into the sector. The author has explained how Tata Group has been instrumental in mainstreaming the renewable energy sector and is working to make the emerging cleantech segments more attractive. The organization is focused on its chosen sectors and markets, working with partners to channelize necessary expertise, capital and realize India’s climate goals.
