Ecological Sustainability

Every living thing

The ecological messages in two recent poignant and thought-provoking films are unsettling and disturbing, but they also offer an alternative model to conservation

Multilateral bodies need to be rejigged for more climate finance: Kant

India would focus on sustainable development at the ongoing G20 deliberations

A tall order

Biodiversity targets will be hard to achieve

Nearly 200 nations adopt key biodiversity pact to protect 30% lands, oceans

The pact includes measures deemed critical to addressing the dangerous loss of biodiversity and restoring natural ecosystems

COP15: Japan commits 1 billion yen to make sustainable use of nature

At biological diversity meeting, Japan, Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation, UNDP, others have announced 4th phase of community development and knowledge management for Satoyama Initiative

PM Modi's vision of ecological harmony is taking shape: Bhupender Yadav

Union minister Bhupender Yadav held a review meeting in Kuno National Park with a team of researchers, scientists, and forest officials on Sunday

UP to develop one wetland in every district to promote eco-tourism

The Uttar Pradesh forest department has decided to develop one wetland in every district as an ecotourism site under the 'One District One Wetland' initiative

Most Asian countries behind biodiversity targets for protected areas: Study

Most countries in Asia have failed to achieve a global minimum target of protecting at least 17 per cent of land by 2020, according to a study based on data from 40 countries. Under current trends, the outlook for achieving the UN Global Biodiversity Framework's 2030 target to protect at least 30 per cent of land is bleak, with Asia set to miss this by an even greater margin, the researchers said. To counter the global biodiversity crisis, at the 2010 UN Convention on Biological Diversity, almost 200 countries pledged to protect at least 17 per cent of their terrestrial environments by 2020 (known as Aichi Target). To investigate whether they achieved this, researchers from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge in the UK, with collaborators in Asia, analysed data from official reports submitted to the World Database on Protected Areas. The study, published in the journal Communications Biology, found that only 40 per cent of Asian countries achieved the target of a minimum of 17

Vembanad lake continues to shrink, under threat of ecological decay

Vembanad lake, the second largest wetland system in India after the Sunderbans in West Bengal, is shrinking and its unique biodiversity is under threat of ecological decay despite it being declared as a Ramsar site 20 years ago. The lake, which is a source of livelihood for farmers of Kuttanad and the fisherfolk community, continues to undergo ecological degradation due to pollution and unauthorised constructions on its banks, with experts calling for "committed efforts" to save its wetland ecosystem. With a gradually shrinking area of over 2,000 square kilometres and a length of around 96 km, it is one of the largest lakes in Kerala and the longest in the country and is bound by the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam. According to ecological experts and various studies conducted over the years, the lake is facing serious environmental degradation due to recurring floods, increased pollution, reduction in water spread area and increased weed growth. Experts like E J Jam

National parks, sanctuaries must have ESZ of 1 km from boundary: SC

A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao, B R Gavai and A S Bopanna said mining within the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries shall not be permitted

Adani Power, Japan's IHI & Kowa join hands for sustainable power generation

This will aim to promote energy cooperation between Japan and India through diverse and realistic energy transitions utilising all energy sources and technologies

India to face challenges in balancing food security with sustainability

The country will continue to find it challenging to balance food goals without severe damage to its environment, according to a report

85% Indians see environment focused firms as better employers: IBM Study

Companies could face the risk of losing top talent to more sustainability-conscious competitors

Need to revisit consumption patterns to reduce ecological impact: PM Modi

Recycling and reusing things, eliminating waste, and improving resource efficiency must become part of our lifestyles, Modi said

Unstable development

Indiscriminate construction is destroying Uttarakhand

World Oceans Day 2020: Theme, need for sustainable oceans, pics, and more

The theme of World Oceans Day 2020 is 'Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean'. The oceans are facing unprecedented pressures from factors ranging from pollution to climate change

The challenge of assessing future risks

The manner in which we measure value prevents us from formulating and implementing effective policies for ecological sustainability