Tourism, Hydropower, Climate Change, and the Search for Meaningful Futures in Uttarakhand
"Along with the men, the land is also changing."
Caste, Class, and Awareness—Makers and Breakers of Common Land Dispute Resolution in Rajasthan
The second half of this investigative series on Rajasthan’s Public Land Protection Cells (PLPCs) finds evidence via RTIs and interviews with locals that explain why the district administration has not been effective in spreading awareness about the Cell's functions. Implementing final orders from the PLPC seems to be largely shaped by class and caste dynamics.
In Rajasthan, a Public Land Protection Cell is Removing Encroachments, But Challenges Abound
A 2019 order passed by the Rajasthan High Court called for the formation of a Public Land Protection Cell, a district-level conflict resolution institution to investigate cases of encroachments on common lands. In this two-part series, The Bastion investigates the efficiency of these unique Public Land Protection Cells through interviews and information received via Right to Information applications. Part 1 uncovers the types of conflicts that occur on these “commons”, and how a delayed start to these cells and slow disposals might be plaguing their functioning.
Profits, Protection, and People: Is Legalising Sand Mining in MP’s Chambal Sanctuary Worth it?
The Madhya Pradesh government has justified denotifying 350 hectares of the Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary for legal sand mining as a way of preventing wasteful expenditure from monitoring, while also improving local livelihoods and protecting the environment. How valid is this reasoning?
Who is Benefitting in Indore District from Expensive Water Piped from the Narmada?
This is Part Two of a series on the Narmada Water Project in Madhya Pradesh. Read Part One: What Makes Indore’s Narmada Water Project...
What Makes Indore’s Narmada Water Project One of the Costliest in the Country?
As the Indore Municipal Corporation gears up to launch Phase 4 of the Narmada Project, Part 1 of The Bastion’s series highlights why the financial viability of the project begs inspection and an overall rethinking of Indore’s water supply channels.
Finding A Middle Ground: Wildlife vs Human Rights Conservation
If you were to study global environmental protection movements today, there's one common aspect you might find. Each of these movements, regardless of geography,...
Cooling India’s Urban Poor Houses Down
Urban Poor settlements can be found in huge numbers across the country's metropolitan cities. Generally home to daily wage labourers and low-income families, these...
Is it a Meteor Shower? Is it a Shooting Star? No, It’s Space Debris!
Not only does space debris pose a threat to operating satellites that are vital for communication, security, and commerce, but it can also hurl into the Earth’s atmosphere, damaging lives and property. India is right in the mix of things, but how do we mitigate and manage our space junk?
Public Land Protection Cells: Securing Public Land for Public Good
How can Public Land Protection Cells help resolve conflicts over common land and help impacted communities?
