Stories from the Ground

Revival of Endangered Species Habitats Reflects Nagaland’s Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation

Nagaland has adopted a community-driven approach to preserve species like the Chinese Pangolin, Western Hoolock Gibbon, Blyth’s Tragopan, and the Great Indian Hornbill. What lesson can be learnt from such an approach?

Where are the Missing Girls of our IITs? Busting Myths Around the “Supernumerary” Seats

Editor’s note: We recommend reading part one of this series, on the leaky pipeline that women endure from school and coaching classes to the...

The Hidden Politics of Forest Fire Management in Uttarakhand: The Van Gujjar Experience

Colonial forestry in Uttarakhand excludes forest dwellers like the Van Gujjars from forest management, making them doubly vulnerable to raging forest fires.

Addressing the Spectrum of Vaccine Hesitancy Amongst Pune’s Urban Poor and Rural Communities

Even after the havoc of the second wave, rural communities and small urban clusters still suffer from misinformation, myths, a glaring digital divide, and the basic lack of guidance in terms of getting vaccinated.

Loopholes Inhibit the Enforcement of Tamil Nadu’s RTE Rules

There are too many children falling through the cracks of our education system. In principle and practice, Section 12(1)(c) needs to be reformed in the state to account for parents’ real-world situations

Of Safety and Livelihoods: A Life Beyond Tradeoffs in Jharia Coal Mines

A question lingers – is rehabilitation a matter of desperation?

Firefighting in the Forests: What Goes Wrong Every Year

If we know when and where forest fires are likely to occur in India, then why is managing them such a challenge for communities and the Forest Department?

Behind the Facade of Forest Conservation Lay One Lakh Displaced Residents of Khori Gaon

The abuse, mistreatment and erasure of the residents of Khori Gaon in the name of forest conservation is emblematic of the challenges that marginalised residents (being termed as ‘encroachers’) face across the country.

Young Changemakers: The Torchbearers of Changemaking in Law and Justice

What do you young people think of law and justice? Ashoka Law For All Initiative's Report uncovers the inspirations, methods, and hurdles faced by young changemakers in their social entrepreneurial journeys across India.

Jharia’s Coal Miners Are Stuck Between Smoky Fires and Crumbling Houses

There is a lot of fire underground. It has been burning for years.