India’s total forest cover is 21.71 per cent of its total geographical area and the target is to reach 33 per cent. The Forest Survey of India defines ‘forest cover’ as all land with minimum one hectare of tree patches and canopy density above 10 per cent... Read more.

How often does an older relative strike a conversation with you that begins with ‘back in our days...’? And how often do you switch off after hearing this apparently insipid conversation starter? If you do it often, then hang on! We have some news for you. These stories of the past from your elders, particularly about the environment, can provide a lot of crucial information and insights to you…

You know Jackie Chan, right? Or was he a superstar when I was growing up? Yes, you are right, you probably do not know Jackie Chan, the greatest martial artist to have ever walked the earth. The world changes fast these days. Heroes of my childhood are not the heroes of your childhood. Jackie Chan was a household name in urban India when I was growing up. He was an action hero who did all of his stunts himself. Yes, that’s right, no stunt double, no CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery), nothing, and he got hurt, really hurt, while performing his stunts, but he just went on and on like a trooper...

Climate change is no longer a discussion that can happen in silos. Increasing carbon footprint and its impact on the 21st century environment is becoming part of many daily conversations in schools. But to achieve long term goals, more needs to be done.  India has the lowest per capita emissions compared to the major world economies including the US, China and the European Union. Despite this fact, the impact of climate change has become evident in our country through rising levels of air pollution and extreme weather situations. Therefore, India is an active stakeholder in shouldering the responsibility with its global …

Held as usual a few days before COP (October 28-31 last year), this youth conference is the biggest so far, with thousands of participants having registered from over 140 countries. This is leaps and bounds ahead of the few hundred participants that would attend the conference a decade ago. The sixth edition of the conference, for instance, held in Cancun, Mexico in 2010, saw just 500-odd attendees. The main agenda of the youth conference this year, as per Heeta Lakhani...

Where happiness comes in small packages—the ever-delightful house sparrow. ************************************************************************************ We often ignore our immediate periphery in our quest for finding excitement. Just think of the house sparrows! As a kid, out of sheer ignorance, I recall embarrassingly how I plundered their nests. But now, I compensate by feeding their chicks, watering them, and sheltering them in their cushy abodes. In all this while, these humble birds never ever deserted their homes nor me...

A Freedom Pledge on greenery—a promise to protect the forests and biodiversity of our planet.

A Freedom Pledge on water—a promise to conserve every drop for our present, before we even reach the future. ************************************************************************************* My friends call me ‘Water Maniac’. They say I suffer from a ‘reverse’ hydrophobia— perennially worried about water. Basically, dreading the prospect when we won’t have any of it…  

The Great Barrier Reef should be put on a list of World Heritage Sites that are "in danger", says UNESCO. UNESCO's World Heritage Committee recommended the listing, recognizing the destruction of the world's largest coral reef. The committee is also urging Australia to take "accelerated action" on global warming. But the Australian government said it would "strongly oppose" the recommendation and argued the reefs are best managed.