Stories from the Ground

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

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.

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?

Reviving Tolerance Towards Street Dogs in Urban India

Much has been said about how the growth of Indian cities has affected wildlife, but not enough has been said about the multi-dimensional impacts of urbanisation on street dog welfare. Peaceful co-existence demands cooperative community-led solutions.

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.