Kalpavriksh

With the recent expose on fraudulent gram sabha resolutions for a coal mine in Chhattisgarh, I'm reminded of a briefing note i worked on for Kalpavriksh on a research project looking for on-ground realities of how the FRA was implemented in areas facing forest diversion. The note highlights what was happening while the August 2009 circular existed! With the amended FCA now in force, any FPIC now looks like a distant dream :/

A group of individuals, organizations, and representatives of forest-dwelling communities, has released a joint statement expressing grave concerns about the letter issued by the Addl. DGF (Project Tiger) and Member Secretary (NTCA) on June 19, 2024.  This letter asks states to prioritize the relocation of villages from Core/Critical Tiger Habitats, which contradicts the rights of Adivasi and other traditional forest dwellers under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006; violates the procedure to be followed before considering relocation from Tiger Reserves under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972; and disregards international obligations to uphold human rights while pursuing conservation goals under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Additionally, the letter has not been made public and is not available on the NTCA website, raising serious questions about the NTCA's accountability and transparency. The statement calls for the immediate withdrawal of the letter, an independent review of past relocations and their social and ecological impacts, and a more inclusive, rights-based approach to tiger conservation through the implementation of the FRA and the recognition of community-led conservation. #CommunityLedConservation #FRA2006 #WildlifeProtection #CommunityRights

Kalpavriksh, in collaboration with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and KHOJ Melghat, supported by the University of Kassel, hosted a national workshop on August 7-8, 2024, at TISS Mumbai. The workshop focused on understanding the Kunming-Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its implementation in India, with a particular emphasis on Target 3, which concerns Protected Areas (PAs). The event was attended by over 45 participants, including representatives from adivasi and non-adivasi local communities, community-based, state, and national-level civil society organisations, academic institutions, and independent researchers associated with PAs from the southern, northern, northeastern, central, and western regions of India. The workshop provided a platform for learning, sharing experiences, and addressing challenges related to PAs across the country. Participants from various PAs led sessions on the status of the implementation of FRA in their regions. Discussions focused on the need for a rights-based approach to biodiversity conservation and the critical role of FRA, displacement of local communities from PAs, PA expansions and the complexities in granting IFRs and CFRs. These sessions and discussions highlighted the challenges and opportunities across gender, youth, caste and class and community interactions with State agencies.  A special session on the cheetah translocation project explored the complex issues it raises, including wildlife management, the impact on local communities, and the political dynamics involved. Geetanjoy Sahu Purnima Upadhyay Neema Pathak Broome Akshay Chettri Ishika P. Esha Joshi Aaishwarya Jadhav Srishti Saxena

The July edition of Azim Premji University's Nature Writing for Children Newsletter has: 1. New green releases for young [and young at heart!] readers 2. A review of the picture book 'Lights Outs', published by Karadi Tales Company 3. A review of 'Missing Turtles', published by Speaking Tiger 4. A feature about Indian children's literature on coastal communities by ARCHANA NATRAJ where she recommends: The Incredible History of the Indian Ocean by Sanjeev Sanyal, published by Penguin India Lost and Found: In a Mumbai Koliwada, published by the People Place Project Bombay Ducks, Bombay Docks, published by Pratham Books Where I Belong: Meera's Village by the Sea, published by Katha India The Miracle on Kachhua Beach, published by Kalpavriksh Shorewalk by Yuvan Aves, published by Tulika Publishers Chennai Boat Builders of the Coromandel: A Craft and its Makers, published by Tara Books 5. A feature on nature writing by me, here's a quote from it: "Perhaps, what we do when we write about the environment for children is that we venture into this vastness of nature with the vulnerability of a child and allow ourselves to find wonder and comfort in a relationship that we might have all but forgotten about. 6. A tongue-in-cheek, but very relatable cartoon on the Indian monsoon by Shivani Shenoy If any of this sounds interesting, you can subscribe to the monthly newsletter on nwfc@apu.edu.in and catch all the current content on https://lnkd.in/gaJs4SeT Happy to get feedback, comments etc!

Hi! We are back this weekend with a review of ‘Shero to the Rescue’ by Ashish Kothari and published by Kalpavriksh. This is the story of a little hedgehog called Shero who lives in Kachchh (Gujarat) with her hedgehog family. One day, Shero discovers that her beautiful home is threatened by humans who want to build a factory in that area. Shero is alarmed by this and rallies all her friends in the area to come together so that they can save their home. This book highlights the power of community, teamwork and motivation driven by a cause. It reminded us of strong and powerful community driven movements like Narmada Bachao or the Chipko Movement, where the power of everyday people were demonstrated who came together to protect biodiversity. 2 of our activities, ‘Biodiversity Audit’ and ‘Create a News Report’ are inspired by the Educators toolkit provided by the World Wildlife Fund and we have linked the resource below. https://lnkd.in/gi84Jp2d Additionally, if you want your child to learn more about biodiversity, its importance and the need to protect, we recommend the resources availble at Kalpavriksh and also works by Yuvan Aves and Rohan Chakravarty- we are going to review some of their books very soon! If you happen to try any of our activities at home or in school, please do tag us- it would bring us so much joy :) Our review along with activities is available on our website here: https://lnkd.in/gqUUaMyG This book is priced at INR 130 and you can access the link below to get a copy: <https://lnkd.in/gjfPms8k> Happy Reading Team Chhoti Udaan #childrensbooks #picturebooks #childrensbookillustration #reading #booksforchildren #booksworthreading #books #picturebook #readinglist #readmore #chhotiudaan #biodiversity #environment #primary #primaryschool #primaryteacher #parents #parenting #Education

In our latest article on REDWeb, Quincy Saul shares his experiences at the World Social Forum in Kathmandu, Nepal. He focuses on three themes - democracy, food justice, and protecting rivers - that demonstrate alternative paradigms of development. Please do read and share: https://lnkd.in/gb5iMwx6 Ashish Kothari Vikalp Sangam Kalpavriksh

Happy to be on the concluding panel of Indian Wildlife Ecology Conference #iwec24. It was a great two day conclave. The first of its kind. Congrats to Ajith and NCBS Bangalore for pulling it off. Wildlife Trust of India is proud to have partnered and also have offered to hold the next edition in two-three years time. Invigorating to be amongst students and researchers and in the panel with @parry chair Venky Murugappa, @Ambikaayyadurai Vanjuvalli Sridhar IFS, Neema Pathak Broome Kalpavriksh etc. Rohini Nilekani was with us too.

Climate fiction: Conversation with Amitav Ghosh - watch here if you missed it! https://lnkd.in/eHXTEPry Kalpavriksh Vikalp Sangam Amitav Ghosh Youth For Climate India