Podcasts about Western Ghats

Description: What remained of the legendary kingdom of Mysore after the Treaty of Seringapatam in 1792? In this episode, Ramjee Chandran dives into the grim fiscal reality facing Tipu Sultan. Beyond losing half its geographical territory, Mysore lost its most profitable economic engines—the lucrative spice coast of Malabar, the strategic mountain passes of Coorg, and the seamless trade routes that sustained Bangalore. Discover how the allies stripped Mysore of its revenue-generating commercial centers while leaving Tipu with a dry, expensive interior and a single, shallow military port to finance a massive war ransom. Key Details from the Script: Clarifying "Landlocked": While Mysore was not strictly landlocked in a purely geographical sense (it retained a small strip of coast), it was effectively landlocked from commerce. The treaty stripped away all of its high-revenue, commercial trading ports, leaving Mysore economically isolated. An Unequal Division of Spoils: The territorial loss was far more than "half a kingdom". The allied coalition selectively annexed the most lucrative and strategically vital regions along their respective borders: The British: Seized Malabar (the spice coast), Coorg, Baramahal, Dindigul, and Salem. The Marathas: Took the fertile and centuries-contested Raichur Doab between the Krishna and Tungabhadra rivers. Hyderabad (The Nizam): Took Cumbum, Cuddapah, and Ganjikota. What Mysore Retained: The dry, inland plateau—including Srirangapatna, Bangalore, Bidanur (Nagara), Chitradurga, Gooty, and the Canara coast. While defensible, this residual state was far poorer per square mile. The Strategic Loss of Malabar and Coorg: Malabar: Represented Mysore's richest asset due to its historic pepper and cardamom trade with Europe, the Persian Gulf, and the Red Sea. Coorg: While earning less direct revenue, Coorg controlled the key mountain passes through the Western Ghats. Losing Coorg meant losing the physical corridors required to transport plateau goods to coastal markets. The Impact on Bangalore: Bangalore was returned to Tipu intact, but its commercial viability was severely crippled. Formerly an interior market with protective geographic depth, Bangalore became a vulnerable frontier city. Its ancient trade routes west to the coast and south through Baramahal were now intersected by hostile British-controlled territory and new feudal checkpoints. Commercial Ports vs. Naval Bases: Commercial ports (like Calicut and Cannanore, now lost to the British) generate state income. Naval bases (like Mangalore, Honnavar, and Kundapur, which Mysore kept) consume state income. Built originally by Hyder Ali for timber access and shallow-draft warships (gallivats and grabs), Mangalore's harbour had a shallow sandbar entrance. The treaty forced this single military harbour to double as the sole bulk export outlet for the entire kingdom's state enterprises. The Fiscal Trap: Mysore was left with a halved territory, a disproportionately gutted revenue base, a single bottlenecked port, and an exorbitant bill of 3 crore 30 lakh rupees owed to the victors—all while two young princes remained hostages in Madras. We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Prestige Group, that makes this podcast possible. Follow The History Of Bangalore on social, here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historyofbangalore/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoryOfBangalore Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistoryOfBLR YouTube: https://youtube.com/@HistoryOfBangalore?si=mnH3BsYfI4BUU234 iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-the-history-of-bangalore-163453722/ Follow Ramjee Chandran on Instagram and Twitter: @ramjeechandran The theme music for the show was composed by German-Indian Koln based percussionist, Ramesh Shotham. Ramjee Chandran's photos by Asha Thadani. RESEARCH AND SOURCES: All our episodes are based on published research and archive records. To request information about our sources, write to hob@explocity.com. Let us know if you are a researcher (either institutional or independent) and also provide some information about why you need this information. Researchers will get priority. We only have time to engage serious, academic queries so please understand if we do not respond to casual requests.

In this episode, we perceive how a pointed message is relayed in a hidden manner, as depicted in Sangam Literary work, Aganaanooru 302, penned by Madurai Aruvai Vaanikan Ilavettanaar. The verse is situated amidst the blooming Kino flowers of the ‘Kurinji’ or ‘Mountain Landscape’ and sketches scenes of serenity. சிலம்பில் போகிய செம் முக வாழைஅலங்கல் அம் தோடு, அசைவளி உறுதொறும்,பள்ளி யானைப் பரூஉப் புறம் தைவரும்நல் வரை நாடனொடு அருவி ஆடியும்,பல் இதழ் நீலம் படு சுனைக் குற்றும்,நறு வீ வேங்கை இன வண்டு ஆர்க்கும்வெறி கமழ் சோலை நயந்து விளையாடலும்அரிய போலும் காதல் அம் தோழி!இருங் கல் அடுக்கத்து என்னையர் உழுதகரும்பு எனக் கவினிய பெருங் குரல் ஏனல்,கிளி பட விளைந்தமை அறிந்தும், ”செல்க” என,நம் அவண் விடுநள் போலாள், கைம்மிகச்சில் சுணங்கு அணிந்த, செறிந்து வீங்கு, இள முலை,மெல் இயல் ஒலிவரும் கதுப்பொடு,பல் கால் நோக்கும் அறன் இல் யாயே. In this little trip to the highlands, we delight in picturesque images and learn about the situation at hand, as we listen to the confidante say these words to the lady, pretending not to notice the man listening nearby, but making sure he’s in earshot: “The beautiful, swaying leaves of the red plantain that soars on slopes, nudged by the breeze, gently caresses the thick back of a sleeping elephant in the fine mountain ranges of the lord. It seems like bathing in the cascades, plucking many-petaled blue lilies from picturesque springs, and playing with desire in those thickly scented groves, where swarms of bees buzz around fragrant flowers of the Kino tree, in the company of the man, are all no longer possible for you, my loveable friend! Even though she knows that parrots are raiding the fields, where thick-stalked millet crops, sown by our brothers in the huge mountain spaces, have bloomed prosperously, akin to stalks of sugarcane, she doesn't say to us, ‘Go there'’. Instead, that unjust mother of ours looks pointedly at your close-set, blooming young bosoms, adorned with exquisite pallor spots, and the gently swaying, thick, dark tresses of yours, over and over again!” Time for the trek through those ancient mountains that never fails to amaze! The confidante starts with a description of the man’s mountain country, and to do that, she freezes an image of a sleeping elephant, whose back is gently caressed by the long leaves of the red plantain, every time a mountain breeze swirls around. What a delight for the senses to see and sense this image! A moment of appreciate this renowned delicacy, the red plantain, from various regions of Western Ghats called by the contemporary Tamil name ‘Sevvaazhai’, with sub-varieties growing in ‘Palakkad’ and ‘Thiruchur’ regions of Kerala, as well as the ‘Palani Hills’ and ‘Kumbum valley’ in Tamil Nadu. It’s a nutritional powerhouse having high Vitamin ‘A’ and ‘C’, a rich source of fibre and potassium, and inspite of its exquisite sweetness, having a lower glycemic index than other bananas! Returning from our sweet fruit meanderings, we find the confidante now talking about all the activities the lady had been relishing with the man, such as bathing together in the bubbling cascades, plucking blue-lilies from the springs, and relaxing in the groves, filled with Kino trees and swarming bees around those fragrant flowers. These young lovers from these lush mountains seem to have realised that the foundation of a long and lasting relationship is spending time with one other! Returning, we find the confidante saying that all these activities are no longer possible. She explains the reason for this shocker by describing Mother’s attitude. Mother can clearly see the millet crops are fully grown, like thick sugarcanes that too, and are tempting the passing parrots, and yet she takes no steps to ask the lady and the confidante to go there and chase away those birds. The confidante concludes by declaring all that unjust mother seemed to do was to look at the lady’s blooming bosoms and thick tresses, with something on her mind!  In essence, we have the lady’s buddy informing the man that these trysts he had been taking for granted are no longer going to be feasible, pointing out how it’s the time for harvest and underscoring mother’s suspicions. It’s a way of telling the man to give up his temporary trysting and come seek the lady’s hand in marriage. The beauty of this communication is that instead of throwing a spear of words straight into the man’s heart, in the gentle manner of those caressing leaves upon the sleeping elephant’s back, the confidante relates to the man, the consequences of the winds of change blowing through the lady’s life just then!

Why does India have a monsoon while many other tropical countries don't?In Part 2 of India, Explained: The Monsoon – The Season That Built India, we uncover the fascinating science behind one of Earth's most extraordinary weather systems. Discover how the Indian Ocean, the towering Himalayas, and the Western Ghats work together to create the monsoon—and how these same winds transformed India into the heart of ancient global trade.From invisible air currents to ancient spice routes, this is the story of how geography shaped India's climate, economy, and place in the world.In this episode:

Gaurav Shinde lives and sails on Lake Ontario in Toronto, Canada. He was entered in the 2022 GGR with "Good Hope," his Baba 35, but injured his shoulder on the way to France and had to drop out of the race.  His need for adventure was cultivated by his late grandfather at a very early age, starting with climbing and hiking in the Western Ghats of India. Gaurav was introduced to sailing at the Sea Cadet Corps Training Ship Jawahar and found what he was born to do. After winning several offshore sailing championships in India, Gaurav decided to take on the challenge of the Clipper Round The World Yacht Race in 2013-14. He sailed on the Mission Performance team and was part of the team in their highest finishing position in the race. We talk about recovering from his shoulder injury that kept him out of the 2022 GGR, sailing in Bombay, racing on Lake Ontario, dealing with a broken jib halyard in a storm, making important decisions, adventure, what works on Lake Ontario, converting hisboat back to a family cruising yacht from a GGR boat, varnishing, sailing in India, his plans to sail to India, helping frineds get miles, the route from Toronto to India, the beauty of a forgiving boat, electronics, Starlink, the 2026 GGR and the skippers, dream boats, he tells the story of how he injured his shoulder before the 2022 GGR, finding the silver lining behind injuries, and more.

First, we speak with The Indian Express' Nikhil Ghanekar about the Western Ghats and how after over a decade, the centre is finally close to notifying the Ecologically Sensitive Areas in the region. Nikhil talks about the challenges that were faced in the process, what caused the delays, what will change once the notification is out and more.Next, we speak with The Indian Express' Rural Affairs and Agriculture Editor Harish Damodaran about a weather phenomena called El Nino. He shares how it impacts the monsoon and how in the coming months it can become the reason for a rise in food prices. (15:10)Lastly, we discuss the changes announced by the the Home Ministry in the FCRA framework for NGOs and other organisations. (23:26)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced by Shashank Bhargava, Ichha Sharma and Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar Links for our episodes with Mobile Creches:Episode 1Episode 2

Madhav Gadgil (1942-2026) was the country's pre-eminent ecologist, whose work and writing had a profound influence in shaping environmental policy and action in India. Educated in Pune, Mumbai and Harvard, Professor Gadgil spent more than three decades at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, where he founded the Centre for Ecological Sciences. In the course of his rich and varied career Professor Gadgil conducted fieldwork in most of India's states, acquiring an unparalleled knowledge of the country's cultural and ecological diversity. He authored numerous scientific papers that became 'citation classics', and pioneering books on environmental history that are still discussed decades after their publication. He was widely known for the report of a committee on the Western Ghats that he chaired, which presciently warned of the ecological disasters that would follow unregulated mining, tourism and road construction in this vital mountain ecosystem. The Bangalore International Centre shall celebrate Madhav Gadgil's life and legacy in a special memorial meeting held on 26th January. The date is appropriate; for Professor Gadgil himself had a deeply democratic sensibility, and embodied in his person the finest values of the Indian Republic. The speakers are two scientists, two economists, a journalist and a historian, all of whom knew Professor Gadgil and his work well. In this episode of BIC Talks, Harini Nagendra, Gurudas Nulkar, John Kurien, Nagesh Hegde, Uma Ramakrishnan will be in conversation with Ramachandra Guha. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in Jan 2026. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favourite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible, and Amazon Music.

In this episode of A Century of Stories: India, Kunal Vijayakar is joined by Ananth Rupanagudi to explore the story of the Bhor Ghat railway line - one of the most challenging engineering feats in India’s history. Built across the steep and unforgiving Western Ghats, this line connected Bombay to Pune, reshaping trade, travel and colonial governance. But behind the tunnels, viaducts and engineering brilliance lies a far more complex story - of the people who built it, the immense financial and human cost, and the thousands of Indian lives that were never recorded. From colonial strategy to forgotten histories, this episode uncovers what it truly took to build Bhor Ghat.The story of Bhor Ghat also offers historical context to modern projects like the Mumbai-Pune Missing Link corridor, showing how the same region continues to pose some of India’s toughest infrastructure and engineering challenges. Watch the full episode now and discover the story behind one of India’s most iconic railway lines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Checkout Goibibo: https://app.goibibo.com/mnXF/ol62526nDonate to Junglekeepers: https://www.junglekeepers.org/Guest Suggestion Form: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://forms.gle/bnaeY3FpoFU9ZjA47⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer: This video is intended solely for educational purposes and opinions shared by the guest are his personal views. We do not intent to defame or harm any person/ brand/ product/ country/ profession mentioned in the video. Our goal is to provide information to help audience make informed choices. The media used in this video are solely for informational purposes and belongs to their respective owners.(00:00) - Intro(03:26) - Who is Paul Rosolie?(04:37) - When did he first think about becoming a jungle keeper?(07:34) - Amazon & learning through experience(16:56) - Difference between Indian jungles & Amazon(22:10) - Do animals in Indian forests & the Amazon behave differently?(25:59) - Elephants are very smart(29:33) - The two loggers who were killed by uncontacted tribes(36:50) - Understanding snakes(54:21) - What was the exact moment he stopped being afraid of animals?(57:49) - What was a moment that made him afraid?(1:00:02) - His deadly encounter with an elephant(1:04:39) - The difference between the fear he felt with an elephant & with an anaconda(1:08:50) - Getting infected by tularemia in India(1:12:01) - Difference between a tiger & a jaguar(1:13:49) - How does he convince animal rights activists to let him do certain things?(1:22:56) - What to do if a snake bites you?(1:34:24) - His encounter with an anaconda(1:37:05) - Amazon at night: a festival of s*x & death(1:40:13) - What is the jungle like at 3 am for a human being?(1:46:52) - Incident where the narcos wanted him & JJ dead(1:56:31) - What's the most disturbing illegal thing being traded?(2:01:29) - What are rangers and a person he turned into a ranger(2:09:42) - What's the most human thing he does after coming back home?(2:11:03) - Removing ants will collapse the ecological system(2:17:22) - What's one thing in illegal trade normal people don't know about?(2:21:11) - One animal that's on the verge of extinction(2:22:56) - Do humans & animals have the same emotions?(2:26:41) - What's his endgame now?(2:31:23) - Why should people donate to the Amazon Rainforest?(2:32:52) - BTS(2:33:49) - OutroIn today's episode, we sit down with Paul Rosolie, American conservationist, to talk about life inside the jungle and the reality of wildlife conservation.He shares how he built Junglekeepers, his experiences in the Western Ghats and the Amazon, and why India's jungles can feel more unpredictable. We discuss how animals actually think, why snakes avoid humans, and moments where animals showed unexpected behavior, from elephant kindness to close encounters with massive snakes.Subscribe for more such conversations.Follow Paul Rosolie Here:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulrosolie/X: https://x.com/PaulRosolieWebsite: https://paulrosolie.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠About Raj ShamaniRaj Shamani is an Entrepreneur at heart that explains his expertise in Business Content Creation & Public Speaking. He has delivered 200+ speeches in 26+ countries. Besides that, Raj is also an Angel Investor interested in crazy minds who are creating a sensation in the Fintech, FMCG, & passion economy space.To Know More,Follow Raj Shamani On ⤵︎Instagram @RajShamani ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/rajshamani/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter @RajShamani ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/rajshamani⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook @ShamaniRaj ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/shamaniraj⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn - Raj Shamani ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajshamani/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠About Figuring OutFiguring Out Podcast is a Candid Conversations University where Raj Shamani brings raw conversations with the Top 1% in India.

The Western Ghats of India are one of the world's most important biodiversity hotspots, home to thousands of endemic species and remarkable ecological diversity. In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we speak with Abinesh Anbazhagan, a PhD scholar at Pondicherry University whose research explores herpetology, biodiversity discovery, and the growing role of technology in wildlife conservation.Abinesh's work focuses on documenting biodiversity in the Nilgiris landscape, a region that forms a crucial part of the Western Ghats ecosystem. Over more than a decade of research, his work has contributed to large-scale biodiversity indexing projects that have documented thousands of terrestrial species in the region. These efforts are critical for understanding the distribution of species and identifying areas that require urgent conservation attention.One of the most exciting aspects of Abinesh's research is the discovery and description of new species. Recent work has resulted in the identification of previously unknown species of arthropods and fireflies, as well as the rediscovery of species believed to be lost or extremely rare. Discoveries like these highlight how much remains unknown about biodiversity in even well-known landscapes such as the Western Ghats.The episode also explores Abinesh's research on reptile ecology, including geckos, snakes, and tarantulas, and his current PhD research focusing on pit viper ecology in island ecosystems. Understanding the ecology and distribution of these species is vital for conservation, particularly because many reptiles and amphibians are highly sensitive to environmental change and habitat disturbance.A major theme of the conversation is the increasing role of technology in modern wildlife research. From camera trapping and telemetry to GIS modeling, machine learning, and molecular genetics, technological tools are transforming the way scientists monitor species and ecosystems. Abinesh explains how tools such as DNA barcoding, phylogenetic analysis, and satellite-based spatial data are helping researchers identify species, map habitats, and detect emerging conservation threats.The discussion also highlights the importance of traditional ecological knowledge and community participation in conservation. Indigenous communities and local forest watchers often possess deep knowledge of species behavior, habitats, and seasonal patterns. Integrating this knowledge with scientific research can significantly improve conservation outcomes and strengthen long-term ecosystem stewardship.Abinesh also discusses the key threats facing biodiversity in the Nilgiris region, including deforestation, invasive species, habitat encroachment, pesticide pollution, and artificial light at night. These pressures can have serious consequences for endemic species, particularly reptiles and amphibians that rely on specific temperature ranges and microhabitats for survival.Climate change presents another major challenge for wildlife in mountainous ecosystems like the Western Ghats. Many species are adapted to narrow climatic conditions and may be forced to shift their ranges to higher elevations as temperatures rise. For species already restricted to mountain peaks or isolated habitats, this could lead to local extinctions.This episode provides a fascinating look at the intersection of taxonomy, technology, and conservation science in one of the most biologically rich regions of the world. From rediscovering species thought to be extinct to exploring how artificial intelligence can transform wildlife monitoring, the conversation highlights the importance of continued research and collaboration in protecting biodiversity.Subscribe to the Think Wildlife Podcast for more conversations with scientists, conservationists, and wildlife researchers working to protect biodiversity around the world.#WesternGhats #Herpetology #SpeciesDiscovery #BiodiversityResearch #WildlifeScience #SnakeEcology #ReptileResearch #ConservationScience #WildlifePodcast #ThinkWildlife Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

This episode features a conversation with Murali Shanmugavelan and Sareeta Amrute about how caste structures IT workspaces and communication infrastructures. We began with their reflections on how they came to scholarship and advocacy on caste. The rest of our discussion covered a range of topics including, the ideology of tech as immaterial and disembodied, the role of tech within racial and caste supremacist projects, how and why large language models systematically favor dominant caste norms, the internal and external pressures required for tech companies to advance social equity, the necessity and limits of law in advancing protections against caste hate speech and other forms of identity-based violence and discrimination, and the need to balance visibility and secrecy as two dimensions of the anticaste struggle. Guest bios: Murali Shanmugavelan: Affiliate with the Data & Society Research Institute and Senior Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Sareeta Amrute: Associate Professor of Strategic Design at Parsons School of Design, Affiliate Faculty of Anthropology at the New School, and Principal Researcher at the Data & Society Research Institute. References: Karve: Dhondo Keshav Karve set up a home and school for widows in the city of Pune in Maharashtra in 1896. The institution, which is now called Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, runs 60 sites for women's education. Periyar: E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, commonly known as Periyar, was a writer, social revolutionary, and politician who was one of the principal ideologues of the Self-Respect Movement. Western Ghats: a mountain range that stretches along the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Sriram Krishnan: tech executive and Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence in the second Trump administration. Bruno Latour: French philosopher known for his work in the field of Science and Technology Studies. Maha Shivarathri: annual festival to celebrate the deity, Shiva. Mimi Onuoha: Nigerian American visual artist and academic whose work examines the effect of data collection and technology on society. Thenmozhi Soundararajan: founder of the Dalit feminist organization Equality Labs and author The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition. The Hindu Code Bills aimed to codify and modernize Hindu personal laws, promoting gender equality in marriage, inheritance, and adoption. Gail Omvedt: sociologist and anticaste activist whose work on Dalit epistemology and politics was path-defining. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

This episode features a conversation with Murali Shanmugavelan and Sareeta Amrute about how caste structures IT workspaces and communication infrastructures. We began with their reflections on how they came to scholarship and advocacy on caste. The rest of our discussion covered a range of topics including, the ideology of tech as immaterial and disembodied, the role of tech within racial and caste supremacist projects, how and why large language models systematically favor dominant caste norms, the internal and external pressures required for tech companies to advance social equity, the necessity and limits of law in advancing protections against caste hate speech and other forms of identity-based violence and discrimination, and the need to balance visibility and secrecy as two dimensions of the anticaste struggle. Guest bios: Murali Shanmugavelan: Affiliate with the Data & Society Research Institute and Senior Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Sareeta Amrute: Associate Professor of Strategic Design at Parsons School of Design, Affiliate Faculty of Anthropology at the New School, and Principal Researcher at the Data & Society Research Institute. References: Karve: Dhondo Keshav Karve set up a home and school for widows in the city of Pune in Maharashtra in 1896. The institution, which is now called Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, runs 60 sites for women's education. Periyar: E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, commonly known as Periyar, was a writer, social revolutionary, and politician who was one of the principal ideologues of the Self-Respect Movement. Western Ghats: a mountain range that stretches along the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Sriram Krishnan: tech executive and Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence in the second Trump administration. Bruno Latour: French philosopher known for his work in the field of Science and Technology Studies. Maha Shivarathri: annual festival to celebrate the deity, Shiva. Mimi Onuoha: Nigerian American visual artist and academic whose work examines the effect of data collection and technology on society. Thenmozhi Soundararajan: founder of the Dalit feminist organization Equality Labs and author The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition. The Hindu Code Bills aimed to codify and modernize Hindu personal laws, promoting gender equality in marriage, inheritance, and adoption. Gail Omvedt: sociologist and anticaste activist whose work on Dalit epistemology and politics was path-defining. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology

This episode features a conversation with Murali Shanmugavelan and Sareeta Amrute about how caste structures IT workspaces and communication infrastructures. We began with their reflections on how they came to scholarship and advocacy on caste. The rest of our discussion covered a range of topics including, the ideology of tech as immaterial and disembodied, the role of tech within racial and caste supremacist projects, how and why large language models systematically favor dominant caste norms, the internal and external pressures required for tech companies to advance social equity, the necessity and limits of law in advancing protections against caste hate speech and other forms of identity-based violence and discrimination, and the need to balance visibility and secrecy as two dimensions of the anticaste struggle. Guest bios: Murali Shanmugavelan: Affiliate with the Data & Society Research Institute and Senior Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Sareeta Amrute: Associate Professor of Strategic Design at Parsons School of Design, Affiliate Faculty of Anthropology at the New School, and Principal Researcher at the Data & Society Research Institute. References: Karve: Dhondo Keshav Karve set up a home and school for widows in the city of Pune in Maharashtra in 1896. The institution, which is now called Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, runs 60 sites for women's education. Periyar: E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, commonly known as Periyar, was a writer, social revolutionary, and politician who was one of the principal ideologues of the Self-Respect Movement. Western Ghats: a mountain range that stretches along the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Sriram Krishnan: tech executive and Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence in the second Trump administration. Bruno Latour: French philosopher known for his work in the field of Science and Technology Studies. Maha Shivarathri: annual festival to celebrate the deity, Shiva. Mimi Onuoha: Nigerian American visual artist and academic whose work examines the effect of data collection and technology on society. Thenmozhi Soundararajan: founder of the Dalit feminist organization Equality Labs and author The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition. The Hindu Code Bills aimed to codify and modernize Hindu personal laws, promoting gender equality in marriage, inheritance, and adoption. Gail Omvedt: sociologist and anticaste activist whose work on Dalit epistemology and politics was path-defining. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

This episode features a conversation with Murali Shanmugavelan and Sareeta Amrute about how caste structures IT workspaces and communication infrastructures. We began with their reflections on how they came to scholarship and advocacy on caste. The rest of our discussion covered a range of topics including, the ideology of tech as immaterial and disembodied, the role of tech within racial and caste supremacist projects, how and why large language models systematically favor dominant caste norms, the internal and external pressures required for tech companies to advance social equity, the necessity and limits of law in advancing protections against caste hate speech and other forms of identity-based violence and discrimination, and the need to balance visibility and secrecy as two dimensions of the anticaste struggle. Guest bios: Murali Shanmugavelan: Affiliate with the Data & Society Research Institute and Senior Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Sareeta Amrute: Associate Professor of Strategic Design at Parsons School of Design, Affiliate Faculty of Anthropology at the New School, and Principal Researcher at the Data & Society Research Institute. References: Karve: Dhondo Keshav Karve set up a home and school for widows in the city of Pune in Maharashtra in 1896. The institution, which is now called Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, runs 60 sites for women's education. Periyar: E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, commonly known as Periyar, was a writer, social revolutionary, and politician who was one of the principal ideologues of the Self-Respect Movement. Western Ghats: a mountain range that stretches along the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Sriram Krishnan: tech executive and Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence in the second Trump administration. Bruno Latour: French philosopher known for his work in the field of Science and Technology Studies. Maha Shivarathri: annual festival to celebrate the deity, Shiva. Mimi Onuoha: Nigerian American visual artist and academic whose work examines the effect of data collection and technology on society. Thenmozhi Soundararajan: founder of the Dalit feminist organization Equality Labs and author The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition. The Hindu Code Bills aimed to codify and modernize Hindu personal laws, promoting gender equality in marriage, inheritance, and adoption. Gail Omvedt: sociologist and anticaste activist whose work on Dalit epistemology and politics was path-defining. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/south-asian-studies

This episode features a conversation with Murali Shanmugavelan and Sareeta Amrute about how caste structures IT workspaces and communication infrastructures. We began with their reflections on how they came to scholarship and advocacy on caste. The rest of our discussion covered a range of topics including, the ideology of tech as immaterial and disembodied, the role of tech within racial and caste supremacist projects, how and why large language models systematically favor dominant caste norms, the internal and external pressures required for tech companies to advance social equity, the necessity and limits of law in advancing protections against caste hate speech and other forms of identity-based violence and discrimination, and the need to balance visibility and secrecy as two dimensions of the anticaste struggle. Guest bios: Murali Shanmugavelan: Affiliate with the Data & Society Research Institute and Senior Fellow at the School of Oriental and African Studies. Sareeta Amrute: Associate Professor of Strategic Design at Parsons School of Design, Affiliate Faculty of Anthropology at the New School, and Principal Researcher at the Data & Society Research Institute. References: Karve: Dhondo Keshav Karve set up a home and school for widows in the city of Pune in Maharashtra in 1896. The institution, which is now called Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Samstha, runs 60 sites for women's education. Periyar: E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, commonly known as Periyar, was a writer, social revolutionary, and politician who was one of the principal ideologues of the Self-Respect Movement. Western Ghats: a mountain range that stretches along the western coast of the Indian peninsula. Sriram Krishnan: tech executive and Senior White House Policy Advisor on Artificial Intelligence in the second Trump administration. Bruno Latour: French philosopher known for his work in the field of Science and Technology Studies. Maha Shivarathri: annual festival to celebrate the deity, Shiva. Mimi Onuoha: Nigerian American visual artist and academic whose work examines the effect of data collection and technology on society. Thenmozhi Soundararajan: founder of the Dalit feminist organization Equality Labs and author The Trauma of Caste: A Dalit Feminist Meditation on Survivorship, Healing, and Abolition. The Hindu Code Bills aimed to codify and modernize Hindu personal laws, promoting gender equality in marriage, inheritance, and adoption. Gail Omvedt: sociologist and anticaste activist whose work on Dalit epistemology and politics was path-defining. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society

Fluent Fiction - Hindi: Conquering Heights: A Young Boy's Journey to Overcome Fear Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hi/episode/2025-12-26-23-34-02-hi Story Transcript:Hi: कैंप का घुसपैठ;En: Intrusion at the Camp;Hi: सर्दियों की crisp सर्द सुबह थी।En: It was a crisp, cold winter morning.Hi: पहाड़ियों के बीच बसे Western Ghats के training camp में स्कूली बच्चों का एक झुंड उत्साह के साथ इकट्ठा हो रहा था।En: In the Western Ghats training camp nestled among the hills, a group of schoolchildren was gathering with enthusiasm.Hi: Christmas की छुट्टियों के दौरान यह प्रकृति अध्ययन कार्यक्रम उनके लिए एक अनोखा अवसर था।En: During the Christmas holidays, this nature study program was a unique opportunity for them.Hi: अर्जुन ताजगी भरे वातावरण में अपने चारों ओर की सुंदरता को देख रहा था।En: Arjun was observing the beauty around him in the fresh environment.Hi: पेड़ों की हल्की सरसराहट और पक्षियों की चहचहाहट उसे मंत्रमुग्ध कर रही थी।En: The gentle rustling of the trees and the chirping of the birds were enchanting him.Hi: वहीँ दुसरी ओर, उसके मन में ऊंचाइयों का डर कहीं गहरे में छिपा हुआ था।En: However, deep inside, there was a hidden fear of heights.Hi: मेघों की छाँव में घिरे पश्चिमी घाटों के dense forest का यह क्षेत्र अपने आप में एक अजूबा था।En: The area of dense forest in the Western Ghats, surrounded by clouds, was a wonder in itself.Hi: घनी हरियाली से लदी घाटियाँ अपने शानदार दृश्य के लिए मशहूर थीं।En: The valleys laden with lush greenery were famous for their spectacular views.Hi: अर्जुन की सबसे प्यारी मित्र मीरा, जो हमेशा उसकी मदद के लिए तैयार रहती थी, ने उसके चेहरे पर चिंता की त्यारी को भांप लिया।En: Arjun's dearest friend Meera, who was always ready to help him, noticed the hint of worry on his face.Hi: "अरे अर्जुन, ठीक हो न?" मीरा ने पूछा।En: "Hey Arjun, are you okay?" Meera asked.Hi: "हाँ, बिल्कुल," अर्जुन ने मुस्कुराते हुए कहा, लेकिन उसके आवाज़ में एक छोटी सी घबराहट थी।En: "Yes, absolutely," Arjun said with a smile, but there was a slight nervousness in his voice.Hi: प्रकृति अभियान की शुरुआत हुई और सभी बच्चे अपने मार्गदर्शक के पीछे चल पड़े।En: The nature expedition began and all the children moved forward behind their guide.Hi: थोड़ी देर बाद, मार्गदर्शक ने उन्हें एक पगडंडी की तरफ इशारा करते हुए बताया कि यह रास्ता एक सुंदर viewpoint तक ले जाता है।En: After a while, the guide pointed towards a trail and told them that this path leads to a beautiful viewpoint.Hi: अर्जुन का दिल धड़क उठा।En: Arjun's heart started to race.Hi: "चलो, अर्जुन! यह एक जबरदस्त मौका है," मीरा ने कहा।En: "Come on, Arjun! This is a terrific opportunity," Meera said.Hi: अर्जुन सोच में पड़ गया।En: Arjun became thoughtful.Hi: अब उसकी परेशानी बढ़ गई थी।En: Now his worry had increased.Hi: "मुझे नहीं लगता मैं कर पाऊँगा," अर्जुन ने धीमी आवाज़ में कहा।En: "I don't think I can do it," Arjun said in a low voice.Hi: मीरा ने तुरंत उसकी पीठ थपथपाई, "डरना मत। हम छोटे कदमों से शुरू करेंगे। एक-एक कदम आगे बढ़ाओ।"En: Meera immediately patted his back, "Don't be afraid. We'll start with small steps. Move forward one step at a time."Hi: अर्जुन ने गहरी सांस ली और मीरा की बात मानकर पगडंडी पर बढ़ने का निर्णय किया।En: Arjun took a deep breath and decided to follow Meera's advice by heading onto the trail.Hi: जैसे-जैसे वह ऊपर की ओर बढ़ा, उसके मन में डर का बादल छाना शुरू हो गया।En: As he moved upwards, a cloud of fear started to gather in his mind.Hi: अचानक, मीरा ने उसे रोक दिया, "अर्जुन, अपनी सांसों पर ध्यान दो। शांति से सांस लो।"En: Suddenly, Meera stopped him, "Arjun, focus on your breaths. Breathe calmly."Hi: मीरा के निर्देश पर अर्जुन ने अपनी सांसों को संयमित किया।En: Following Meera's instructions, Arjun regulated his breathing.Hi: ध्यान केन्द्रित करने से उसका डर कुछ कम हुआ।En: Focusing helped lessen his fear.Hi: फिर वे दोनों मिलकर आगे बढ़ते गए।En: Then both of them continued moving forward.Hi: आखिरकार, अर्जुन viewpoint पर पहुँच गया।En: Finally, Arjun reached the viewpoint.Hi: नीचे घाटियों की breathtaking दृश्य देखकर उसकी सांसें थम गईं।En: Seeing the breathtaking view of the valleys below, his breath was taken away.Hi: वहाँ की हवा एक अलग ही स्फूर्ति से भरी हुई थी।En: The air there was filled with a unique vitality.Hi: अर्जुन ने भीतर से गर्व महसूस किया।En: Arjun felt a sense of pride from within.Hi: इस अनुभव ने उसे सिखाया कि डर पर काबू पाने के लिए आत्म-विश्वास और साथियों का समर्थन कितना जरूरी है।En: This experience taught him how essential confidence and the support of friends are in overcoming fear.Hi: अर्जुन ने अपनी कमियों के बजाय अपनी ताकतों को पहचाना और ऐसी उपलब्धि प्राप्त की जिस पर न केवल उसे, बल्कि उसकी सारी मित्र मंडली को भी गर्व था।En: Arjun recognized his strengths instead of his shortcomings and achieved an accomplishment that not only he but his entire circle of friends was proud of.Hi: अब, वह पर्वत की ऊंची चोटी की ओर देखता और मुस्कुराता, जैसे कह रहा हो, "मैं आ गया हूँ!"En: Now, he looked up at the high peaks of the mountains and smiled, as if saying, "I have arrived!" Vocabulary Words:intrusion: घुसपैठcrisp: crispnestled: बसेenthusiasm: उत्साहunique: अनोखाenchanting: मंत्रमुग्धdense: घनेclouds: मेघोंladen: लदीspectacular: शानदारhint: त्यारीnervousness: घबराहटexpedition: अभियानguide: मार्गदर्शकtrail: पगडंडीterrific: जबरदस्तopportunity: मौकाthoughtful: सोच मेंregulate: संयमितcalmly: शांति सेfocusing: ध्यान केन्द्रितbreathtaking: ब्रेथटेकिंगvitality: स्फूर्तिconfidence: आत्म-विश्वासachievement: उपलब्धिstrengths: ताकतोंshortcomings: कमियोंpride: गर्वovercome: काबूaccomplishment: उपलब्धि

Weddings and Wanderlust: Jeanne D'Souza's Cross-Continental Career | Diasporaa Podcast Episode 34 Welcome to Diasporaa, where we share the remarkable stories of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent. In this episode, host Aditya Mehta sits down with Jeanne D'Souza, a former wedding planner from Bombay who moved to Vancouver, BC in 2021. Jeanne shares her experiences working in India's vibrant wedding industry, her challenges and triumphs adapting to Canadian culture, and her current role as an events venue manager at the University of British Columbia. The conversation delves into cultural nuances, the work-life balance in Canada versus India, and Jeanne's future aspirations. Tune in for an insightful discussion about resilience, adaptation, and the immigrant experience. Remember to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring stories from the South Asian Diaspora! List of Resources: Bandra: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bandra Borivali: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borivali D'Souza: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sousa_(surname) Indo-Saracenic architecture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indo-Saracenic_architecture Jemimah Rodrigues: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jemimah_Rodrigues LMIA: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/hire-temporary-foreign/find-need-labour-market-impact-assessment.html Made in Heaven: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Made_in_Heaven_(TV_series) Malhar: https://malharfest.in/ Mumbai Locals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mumbai_Suburban_Railway Portuguese in India: https://www.pmfias.com/portuguese-in-india/ UBC Boathouse: https://ubcboathouse.com Western Ghats: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ghats About the Podcast: Diasporaa was Aditya's third startup based in Vancouver, BC. It focused on helping new immigrants in Canada find their feet, get off to a running start and ease their assimilation into Canadian life. A big part of the platform were conversations, community and support. Though the startup stopped growing once Aditya moved to Seattle, WA - it remained alive in the form of several discussion groups and online communities. Now, Diasporaa has been resurrected in the form of a podcast focused on uncovering and sharing interesting immigrant stories from the South Asian diaspora. It is available on YouTube, all major podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc. and is also broadcast as a radio show on Alternative Talk 1150 AM and 98.9 FM HD Channel 3 on Wednesdays from 2-3pm PST. About Aditya Mehta: Aditya is a Bombay boy who has lived in Austin, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and Vancouver before making it to his current home in Seattle. He has degrees in marketing, urban planning, real estate and strategy but has spent his career in financial services, social media and now real estate - mostly as an entrepreneur and partly as an employee at Amazon. He balances Indian, Canadian and American culture, loves helping those who are new to North America and looks forward to the interesting stories that his interview guests bring each week. When not podcasting, he is helping his wife Prachi build her pharmaceutical business or hanging out with his son Arjun. Connect with Diasporaa: Instagram: @diasporaapodcast YouTube: https://linke.to/dspyoutube Bio Link: linke.to/diasporaa Listen on Spotify: https://linke.to/dspspotify Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://linke.to/dspapple Diasporaa Podcast on KKNW Alternative Talk Radio: https://linke.to/kknw1150

In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we are joined by Etelle Higonnet, founder of Coffee Watch, a nonprofit watchdog organization dedicated to the proposition that we should make the world a better place with each cup of coffee. We uncover the hidden environmental and social costs of the global coffee industry — from deforestation and ecosystem degradation to human rights violations in coffee plantations in tropical landscapes around the world, with a focus on the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot!Once covered in dense tropical forests, the Western Ghats are now dominated by sprawling coffee plantations and monoculture plantations that have drastically altered the landscape. Our guest explores how the expansion of coffee production — driven by global demand — has replaced rich forest ecosystems with uniform monocultures, stripping away the region's ecological resilience. The shift from traditional shade-grown systems to sun-grown monocultures has disrupted soil health, eliminated natural canopy cover, and endangered pollinators, birds, and mammals that once thrived in these biodiversity-rich ecosystems.We dive deep into the link between coffee plantations and human–elephant conflict. As forest corridors shrink and elephants lose access to their migratory routes, they are forced into human settlements, resulting in tragic encounters that claim both human and animal lives. These conflicts reveal how unsustainable land use, habitat fragmentation, and poor biodiversity management intensify tensions between people and wildlife across the Western Ghats.The conversation also exposes the human dimension of the coffee industry — from exploitative labor practices to widespread human rights abuses. Behind the global demand for coffee lies a system where workers, many from marginalized communities, face poor wages, long working hours, and limited access to healthcare and education. These persistent human rights violations highlight how plantation economies, often celebrated for sustainability branding, continue to mask deep social inequities.Despite these challenges, the episode highlights pathways toward hope and reform through agroforestry and sustainable farming models. Traditional shade-grown coffee — where native trees coexist with coffee shrubs — demonstrates that economic production and biodiversity preservation can go hand in hand. Agroforestry practices support soil fertility, regulate microclimates, and restore ecological corridors, offering a viable alternative to monoculture plantations. They also provide co-benefits for farmers by diversifying income sources and improving resilience to climate change.Our guest calls for systemic change within global coffee supply chains — emphasizing ethical sourcing, fair trade, and transparency from farm to consumer. Protecting the biodiversity of the Western Ghats requires not only reforesting degraded lands but also addressing the social injustices embedded within plantation economies. Sustainable solutions must integrate ecological restoration with social equity, ensuring that conservation uplifts both people and nature.This episode challenges listeners to look beyond the aroma of their morning brew and consider its true cost. It's a deep dive into how the pursuit of profit in the coffee industry has reshaped tropical forests, threatened biodiversity, and violated human rights, and how agroforestry and community-driven conservation can chart a more ethical, sustainable future for both the planet and its people.About the HostAnish Banerjee is an early career ecologist, with a MSc in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation from Imperial College London. He is the founder of Think Wildlife Foundation and a biodiversity policy analyst at Legal Atlas. He is also the author of the following field guides:Field Guide to the Common Wildlife of India: https://amzn.in/d/2TnNvSEField Guide to the Mammals of Singapore: https://amzn.in/d/gcbq8VG#coffee #coffeeplantations #monocultures #monocultureplantations #agroforestry #humanrights #humanrightsviolations #humanrightabuses #humanelephantconflict #deforestation #tropicalforests #westernghats #biodiversityhotspots #biodiversity #biodiversityconservation #biodiversitymanagement #biodiversitypreservation #ecosystemdegradation Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

Earlier this month, the vast forest-grassland mosaic of the Western Ghats, Assam's Manas National Park, and West Bengal's Sundarbans, a mangrove where tigers swim from island to island, were all listed as being of “significant concern”. This was the assessment of the natural World Heritage sites in Asia and was released by The International Union for Conservation of Nature or IUCN. IUCN is the world's oldest and largest global environmental organisation, that tracks the health of ecosystems and species worldwide. And today, climate change has overtaken hunting as the greatest threat to wildlife, says IUCN's World Heritage Outlook 4 report which was released this month. India's forests are turning into concrete jungles. Tourism has reached its tipping point. Highways splice through natural habitats. And illegal wildlife trade thrives.  The most recent scandal was the ED chargesheet against Elvish Yadav, a YouTuber, for wildlife crime. The agency said he had “illegally used protected species of snakes, exotic animals, such as iguanas, in the production of commercial music videos and vlogs for the purpose of increasing followers and generating money”. Guest: Vivek Menon, founder of the Wildlife Trust of India, who has become the first Asian to head the IUCN's Species Survival Commission Host: Divya Gandhi, The Hindu Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sushma is a self-taught watercolour artist and author based in Luxembourg. After beginning her career in engineering, Sushma shifted to pursuing art full time, giving her the opportunity to be fully immersed in creativity and nature while sharing this passion with others.Listen to hear more about:Growing up spending time in the Western Ghats in India.How Sushma started watercolour painting. The landscape and natural spaces in Luxembourg.Landscape painting and how it makes Sushma connect with her environment.Composing a landscape painting in the field.The joy of painting flowers from life.Reaching a state of flow while painting.Exploring the full potential of your watercolour brushes.How Sushma tackles a new or complex floral subject. Sushma's favourite watercolour paper and sketchbooks.Wildflower Watercolor: The Beginner's Guide to Painting Beautiful Florals.Sushma's online course Watercolor Floral Sanctuary. Find out more about Sushma and her art at https://www.sushmahegde.com/. You can find Sushma's book here: Wildflower Watercolor: The Beginner's Guide to Painting Beautiful Florals.If you would like to join the waitlist for Sushma's 8-week class, click this link: Watercolor Floral Sanctuary. To access all the recorded classes, get yourself a video pass for the Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference 2025.-----------------Sign-up for Journaling With Nature's Newsletter to receive news and updates each month.You can support Journaling With Nature Podcast on Patreon. Your contribution is deeply appreciated.Thanks for listening!

#horror #movie #youtube #trending #horror #explained #kannada #film 6-5=2 Movie summary :Six friends reunite and go to an undisclosed mountain in the Western Ghats for trekking. Once there, they start experiencing strange, unusual incidents which threaten their lives.Credits:Directors: K. S. Ashok, Swarna LathaLanguage: Kannada

In this inspiring episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we're joined by Sri Chakra Pranav Tamarapalli, marine biologist and founder of the East Coast Conservation Team (ECCT), to dive deep into the untold story of conservation along India's East Coast—a region often overlooked in biodiversity efforts. From protecting smooth-coated otters in freshwater wetlands to documenting rare intertidal biodiversity, this episode explores the challenges and triumphs of grassroots conservation in Andhra Pradesh.Conservation Beyond the MainstreamWhile India's Western Ghats and Northeast are recognized as biodiversity hotspots, Pranav shines a light on the unsung ecosystems of Andhra's wetlands, canals, and coastlines. Hear how ECCT began with otter research in Kondakarla Ava, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the state, and evolved into a dynamic organization working on marine conservation, citizen science, and community engagement.Otters as Flagship Species for Freshwater EcosystemsDiscover how Pranav's groundbreaking work uncovered populations of smooth-coated otters—and potentially even small-clawed otters—in Vishakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts. Learn how these apex predators play a crucial role in balancing aquatic ecosystems and how their presence could redefine the conservation map of coastal Andhra.But the journey isn't without conflict—hear about the tension between local fishermen and otters, and how awareness campaigns are bridging the gap between livelihoods and conservation.Marine Biodiversity & Citizen Science: The Tidepool RevolutionThrough the Intertidal Biodiversity Project, ECCT has documented over 350 species in coastal tidepools, some of which had never been recorded in mainland India before. Using iNaturalist and engaging more than 2,000 people through guided shore walks, Pranav and his team are building a model of inclusive conservation—fostering marine literacy and inspiring the next generation of ocean stewards.Stranding Response & Building a Marine NetworkFrom dolphins and turtles to whale sharks, the ECCT team is pioneering stranding response efforts—working with forest departments and researchers to conduct necropsies and uncover causes of marine megafauna mortality. Their vision? A state-wide Marine Conservation Network in Andhra Pradesh to coordinate rapid response, build datasets, and support visiting scientists with real-time local data.Sharks, Rays & Future AmbitionsPranav also shares collaborations with institutions like IISc and Satyabhama University on elasmobranch conservation, revealing insights into shark landings and electric ray distribution. ECCT's long-term goal is clear: to serve as an entry point for researchers, conservationists, and institutions seeking to work in one of India's least-studied marine landscapes.Topics Covered:* East Coast biodiversity and conservation gaps* Otters as ecosystem engineers and flagship species* Wetland connectivity across Andhra Pradesh* Tidepool ecology and intertidal species discoveries* Marine megafauna strandings and necropsy response* Conflict mitigation with local communities* Challenges of fundraising, mentorship and fieldwork* Citizen science and iNaturalist projects* Grassroots network-building for marine protectionSupport ECCTPranav highlights the importance of donations, CSR partnerships, and volunteer support—especially from those fluent in local languages. Want to help? Contribute your skills in social media, fundraising, or fieldwork. Every contribution adds to the ripple of impact.Whether you're passionate about wildlife conservation, marine biology, biodiversity management, or ecological research, this conversation is a must-listen. Discover how one young conservationist is redefining what it means to protect the East Coast of India, one otter and one tidepool at a time.Subscribe, like, and share this episode to amplify underrepresented conservation stories.30% of revenue from optional Substack subscriptions for this episode will be donated to ECCT's on-ground conservation projects.Meet the Host:Think Wildlife Foundation - https://thinkwildlifefoundation.com/Instagram - @anishwildlifeTwitter - @AnishWildlifeMeet the Guest:Sri Chakra Pranav Tamarapalli - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sri-chakra-pranav-tamarapalli-05467a102/?originalSubdomain=inEast Coast Conservation Team - https://www.eccteam.org/#ConservationStrategies #WildlifeCorridors #LandscapeEcology #Otters #MarineConservation #EastCoastIndia #BiodiversityHotspot #BiodiversityConservation #CitizenScience #LinearInfrastructure #WildlifeConflict #Elasmobranchs #StrandingResponse #ThinkWildlifePodcast #Ecology #NatureIndia #Podcast #WildlifeConservation Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

In the third of our four-part mini series on sustainable fashion in India, Clare sits down with Drishti Modi and Rashmick Bose, the duo behind slow fashion brand Lafaani. It's focused handcraft, handloom weaves, and natural dyes, and their clothes are gorgeous - we want them all!But the founders didn't always dream of fashion careers - they're sustainability professionals who met at university studying environmental resource management. At first, it was all about biodiversity, water use in marginalised communities, and regen ag.So how does one move from observing flying lizards in the Western Ghats, or surveying toilet numbers in remote villages, to staging runway shows? And making wonderful trench coats dyed with marigolds diverted from temple waste-streams. Somewhat of a winding road, it has to be said! Was it hard? What drives them? When you haven't been to fashion school, how do you get the design right? Who do you work with? How do you figure it all out, while staying true to your purpose? A warm, inviting conversation that will help anybody with big sustainability ideas trying to do fashion differently.More info at thewardrobecrisis.comTell us what you think? Find Clare on Instagram @mrspressGot recommendations? Hit us up!And please share these podcasts.THANK YOU. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Indian specialty coffee is at a turning point—gaining global recognition, yet deeply rooted in tradition. In this episode, we sit down with Pranoy Thipaiah, fifth-generation steward of Kerehaklu Estate, to explore how coffee, climate, and culture are evolving in India's Western Ghats.At his 250-acre estate, coffee plants grow under ancient fig trees, local microbes fuel experimental fermentations, and leopards roam the same paths as farmers. But Pranoy's work goes beyond cultivation—it's about balancing ecology with innovation, protecting biodiversity, and challenging industry norms.We dive into:The global perception of Indian coffee—and the myths that need breakingThe future of farming in a changing climate—and how Kerehaklu is leading by exampleWhat India can learn from global coffee cultures—from Colombia to AustraliaThe challenges of legacy, colonial narratives, and global trade inequalitiesThe business of coffee—building a brand that blends storytelling with sustainabilityPranoy also shares his perspective as a consultant, educator, and entrepreneur, offering insight into what it takes to grow not just great coffee, but a movement.This is a conversation about coffee's future, India's role in the global market, and what it means to build a truly sustainable coffee culture.

Many of the world's poorest communities are among tribal and indigenous populations. Trapped in a relentless cycle of extreme poverty, vulnerability, and deprivation, they face a complex web of challenges that are deeply interconnected. These communities are the most vulnerable to the onset of climate change and environmental degradation. Increased water scarcity, soil instability and deforestation threaten the livelihoods of the 300 million people who are reliant on India's forest ecosystems.In Episode 13, I am joined by Dr. Sarika Kulkarni, the founder of the RAAH Foundation, an organization with the vision to make a better life for the tribal communities of Maharashtra. Operating in the northern Western Ghats, RAAH Foundation takes an integrated landscape management approach. This includes activities like creating water-positive villages, soil and moisture conservation, contour lining of farms, protecting grasses, designating fragile and critical areas, diverting grazing, converting barren land into biodiverse enriched carbon sinks through the plantation of native trees. To support biodiversity, RAAH is involved in the removal of invasive species, regenerative farming and agroforestry. Other than supporting tribal communities establish climate smart farming, RAAH Foundation aims to revive tribal art and establish micro businesses.The Think Wildlife Podcast is also available on iTunes, Spotify and YouTube. Please do consider upgrading to an optional paid subscription on Substack. 30% of the revenue from this episode will be donated to RAAH Foundation!Meet the HostAnish Banerjee: https://x.com/anishwildlifeThink Wildlife Foundation: https://thinkwildlifefoundation.com/Meet the GuestsDr. Sarika Kulkarni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarikakulkarni/Recommended Wildlife Conservation BooksRewilding: The Radical New Science of Ecological Recovery: https://amzn.to/3NGF2V5Rewilding Africa: Restoring the Wilderness on a War-ravaged Continent by Grant Fowlds and Graham Spence: https://amzn.to/48rpX3dWilder: How Rewilding is Transforming Conservation and Changing the World: https://amzn.to/4hpHIEcRewilding the Sea by Charles Clover: https://amzn.to/3NGF2V5 Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe

The text of Kuvempu's epic Kannada novel, Malegalalli Madumagalu (1967), and the recent translation, Bride in the Hills by Vanamala Viswanatha (Penguin Random House, 2024), will be discussed by an eminent panel of scholars, writers and the translator. Set in 1893 in the Malnad region of the Western Ghats with its majestic Sahyadri ranges, dense forests, and river Tunga, Kuvempu's Malegalalli Madumagalu (Bride in the Hills) describes the saga of not one young woman but many, of varied hues, who aspire for love and fulfilment in marriage, in a self-serving, male feudal order. An organic network of interrelated stories, the well-known Kannada writer Devanoora Mahadeva locates the novel in the epic tradition of the Mahabharata and Tolstoy's War and Peace. This woman-centric text weaves together the touching plight of young couples in love, such as Gutti and Timmi, from a Dalit community living on the ghats; Aita and Pinchalu, migrant labourers from below the ghats, and Mukundayya and Chinnamma from the land-owning Shudra caste. Fired from within by their love – the most powerful agent of change – these young people seek a life of freedom and dignity, leading to the transformation of the larger community. Their heartening stories are juxtaposed against the travails of hapless Nagakka and scheming Venkatanna, sickly Deyi and brute Chinkra, and gullible Kaveri and lecherous Devayya. All of them are, in different ways, up against the repressive regimes of the decadent landlords, who manipulate traditional feudal practices as well as the modern apparatus of a colonial state.  True to its claim as an epic novel, Kuvempu's text with its multiple narrative strands vividly enacts its mission statement in the epigraph: “Here, no one is important; no one is unimportant; nothing is insignificant!” Every sentient and insentient thing – the degenerate Chinkra, orphan Dharmu, Huliya the dog, Biri the cat, the evergreen forest, the Hulikal Peak – has a place and a purpose in this narrative. Imbued with an ecological consciousness, the novel offers a veritable biodiversity register of the Malnad region. Kuvempu presents a ‘view from below', a subaltern perspective which also takes in the world of the wealthy and powerful. Winner of the first Sahitya Akademi award in 1955 and the Jnanpith in 1967, Kuvempu (Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa 1904-1994) inaugurated the non-brahmin era in modern Kannada writing. Kuvempu's versatile oeuvre includes a vast body of poetry, plays, novels, children's writing, essays and an autobiography. While his poetic epic ‘Shri Ramayana Darshanam' is a radical rewriting of the Valmiki epic drawing from the Jaina tradition, the two novels, The Kanur House (made into a film by Girish Karnad) and Bride in the Hills, are modern novels set in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inspired by Tolstoy's expansive canvas and Tagore's unique Indian ethos, this first significant Shudra writer and an iconic figure in Kannada culture, has sculpted an entirely regional epic novel in Bride in the Hills. Image Credits Book Cover: MS Murthy and Jay Gosney Header: A Malnad Landscape, Photo courtesy Girish Kasaravalli Photo of Amit Chaudhuri by Richard Lofthouse/University of Oxford In collaboration with Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Pratishthana, Kuppali (Devangi, Thirthahalli, Shivamogga) In this episode of BIC Talks, Vanamala Viswanathan, Rajendra Chenni, Amit Chaudhuri and Arvind Narrain will be in conversation. This is an excerpt from a conversation that took place in the BIC premises in November 2024. Subscribe to the BIC Talks Podcast on your favorite podcast app! BIC Talks is available everywhere, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Castbox, Overcast, Audible, and Amazon Music.

The Western Ghats, recognized as one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots" of biological diversity, is a land where the line between myth and reality often blurs. Among the countless tales whispered by the locals, one stood out: a creature with oddly colored dusk-like skin, known to emerge only with the monsoon rains and vanish as swiftly as it appeared, leaving behind nothing but stories passed down through generations. Let's hunt for a small, monsoon-loving, peculiar, purple creature that has hopped from obscurity into the realm of scientific discovery and a bit of Meme culture. - I'm Cody, and Cryptids Across the Atlas is taking a pit stop to learn about animals that used to be cryptids. ----- Cryptid Map

A version of this essay has been published by firstpost.com at https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/climate-tragedy-of-wayanad-and-the-vulnerability-of-western-ghats-13808331.htmlAfter days of intense coverage of the landslides in Wayanad, the news cycle has moved on to other calamities. But the problems remain, and things cannot be left to benign neglect as is usually the case. For example there was a strange thundering noise from deep underground that alarmed people in the area. This is ominous, as it may presage a tectonic movement, although there have been no big quakes here for centuries.A dramatic before-and-after report from Reuters, using satellite images from Planet Labs, Google, Maxar Technologies and Airbus, shows how the landslide left a giant scar on the surface of the earth, washing away hundreds of houses, leading to widespread fatalities and destruction.Prime Minister Modi visited the afflicted area. Better governance, both by Center and State, is sorely needed to tackle the problem, because it is not simple: there are proximate, preponderant and root causes. A lot of it is anthropogenic based on local factors, but climate change is also a major factor, as the local climate and rainfall patterns have shifted dramatically in the recent past. There was a drought in 2015, followed by the Ockhi cyclone in 2017, and then landslides and floods in 2018 and 2019.As a resident of Kerala, who has visited Wayanad only twice (once in 2018 and the second time in April this year), both the problems and the possible solutions are of immediate importance to me, because the very same issues are likely to crop up all over the State, and unless remedial measures are taken now, we can expect further tragedies and endless suffering. Proximate Cause: Excess RainThe proximate cause is La Nina-enhanced rainfall, which has been higher this year along the west coast. In Wayanad itself, it rained 572mm in 48 hours before the landslide: about 1.8 feet, an enormous amount. Before the Wayanad landslide, there had been another in Shirur on the Karnataka coast near Ankola, where a number of people were swept away. The story of Arjun, a Kerala trucker whose truck full of lumber disappeared, was all over the news, and after a weeks-long search, there was no sign of him or the truck. The total rainfall since June 1 was of the order of 3000mm in Wayanad, which is unusually high, creating vulnerability to landslides. In a recent interview, environmental expert Madhav Gadgil mentioned that quarrying may have added to the intensity of the rainfall, because the fine dust from the mining and explosions forms aerosols, on which water molecules condense, leading to excessive precipitation. The intense rainfall saturated the soil, and in the absence of sufficient old-growth vegetation that might have held it together, the hillside simply collapsed. Preponderant Cause: Population Pressure, Over-Tourism, EcocideThe preponderant causes of the problems in Wayanad are obvious: population pressure, over-tourism and environmental destruction. The forest has basically ceased to exist due to human exploitation. According to India Today, 62% of the green cover in the district disappeared between 1950 and 2018 while plantation cover rose by around 1,800%. Fully 85% of the total area of Wayanad was under forest cover until the 1950s.Overpopulation, settlement and habitat lossMy first visit to Wayanad was in 2018, when we drove to Kerala from Karnataka: from the Nagarhole/Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuaries to the contiguous Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, all forming a Project Tiger ecosphere along with neighboring Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Together they form the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Bandipur/Nagarhole actually looks like a forest. But I was astonished when we drove into Wayanad, because it does not look like a forest any more: it is full of human habitation. It looks like any of the other districts in Kerala: thickly populated, with settlements all over the place. It appeared to be only notionally a wildlife sanctuary.Habitat loss, especially that of forest cover, is true of all of Kerala, as highlighted in a study by IISc scientists. It is startling to see how much of this has happened in just a few decades. But it is the culmination of a process that started at least a century ago. Wayanad, according to myth and legend, was once a lovely, lush forest inhabited by a small number of tribals. There were fierce Kurichya archers (it is possible they were warriors banished to the forest after losing a war) who, with Pazhassi Raja, carried on a guerilla war against the British colonials in the 19th century until the Raja was captured and executed. I visited the Pazhassi Museum in Mananthavady this May, on my second visit to Wayanad. There were artifacts there from the tribal settlements.Then, in the 20th century, there was a large migration of lowland people, mostly Christians from Central Travancore, to the Wayanad highlands (and the Western Ghats uplands in general). They encroached on public/forest lands, cleared the forests, and created plantations and agricultural settlements. Their struggles against malaria, wild animals and the land itself was the subject of Jnanpith winner S K Pottekkat's renowned novel Vishakanyaka (Poison Maiden).The public land thus captured eventually made some people rich, but the whole process also in effect enslaved the tribals, who became an exploited underclass: the very same story as of Native Americans, who are still struggling for social justice after centuries of being untermenschen.Since most of the settlers were Christians, the Church became a powerful spokesman for them. Successive governments gave a lot of the settlers title to the land they had illegally captured. So there is a class of rich planters, and on the other hand, miserable plantation workers, often migrants especially from Tamil Nadu. The green deserts need to be turned back into forestsKerala's highlands, over time, became ‘green deserts', rather than ‘tropical rainforests'. The monoculture of tea, rubber, coffee, and especially invasive species such as acacia and eucalyptus is destructive. They crowd out native species, ravage the water table, do not put down deep roots, and offer almost no sustenance to wild animals. It may look deceptively green, but it is no forest. An expert committee, the Madhav Gadgil Commission, recommended in 2011 that the entire Western Ghats was ecologically sensitive (ESA or Ecologically Sensitive Area) and 75% of it must be preserved intact with minimal human presence. The report was scathing about quarrying, including blasting with dynamite, which upset the already fragile ecosystem, ravaged as it was by the removal of old growth forest and the root system that held the soil together. At the time, Gadgil did say that the calamity would not take a 100 years, but it would happen in ten to twenty years. He was right, but he was ignored as though he were Cassandra. The Church opposed the Gadgil report tooth and nail, and the Government of Kerala pushed back on it. So the Central government created the Kasturirangan Commission (2013), which reduced the proposed ESA to 37%. It classified 60% of the Western Ghats as a ‘cultural landscape' with human settlements, plantations and agriculture. But that too was not acceptable. In fact, Jayanthi Natarajan claimed that she was forced to resign as Environment Minister because she actually notified the order on protection of the Western Ghats the day before she was removed. Her successor duly put the order on hold.Sitting Congress MP in nearby Idukki, P T Thomas, says he was dropped in the 2014 elections because he supported the Gadgil report against “encroachments… illegal constructions, quarrying, timber smuggling, sand mining from the rivers and ganja cultivation…My stand upset the Idukki dioceses of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church. The Idukki Bishop had openly opposed my candidature.”The GoK convened a third committee, the Oommen Commission (2014), which was specific to Kerala, and it recommended keeping all inhabited areas and plantations out of the ESA altogether. Mission accomplished. No more restrictions on land use.Over-tourism and carrying capacity of the landThis is one reason for the proliferation of resorts and homestays in Wayanad. Every second house caters to tourists, as can be seen from a Google Map (of the area around Kalpetta). The environmental pressure from this (what about solid waste disposal? Do they dump liquid wastes into rivers?) is horrific and increasing. Trash lines the area near the Thamarassery Pass.As a tourist myself, I did not choose a plantation resort, but instead a homestay which has a working farm. Perhaps I made a wrong choice, because a plantation has a lot of space to absorb the tourist impact. The homestay had many youngsters from Bangalore over the weekend, and it was perfectly nice, but I wonder how much I contributed to the human toll on the environment. I had gone to Wayanad to visit the Thirunelli temple and the Edakkal caves, which have petroglyphs and drawings reliably dated back to 8000 Before the Present, making them second only to the Bhimbetka caves in Madhya Pradesh, whose rock art dates back to 10,000 BP and earlier. So this area, despite the geological fault lines, has indeed been inhabited for a very long time. The carrying capacity of the land was sufficient in those prehistoric times and even up until recently; now the land can no longer sustain the population. It is also host to another recent influx. Muslims from nearby lowland Kozhikode and Malappuram districts have come up the Thamarassery Pass and settled in Wayanad in numbers. They have added to the population pressure in Wayanad. Incidentally this is one reason Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency (which includes areas from nearby Kozhikode and Malappuram districts that are heavily Muslim) is so dependably a Congress citadel. When I made my trip in April, just before elections, I asked several people who would win there: the candidates were Rahul Gandhi (Congress), Annie Raja (CPI), K Surendran (BJP). All of them said “Rahul Gandhi”. One man told me “Rahul Gandhi is going to become the PM”. Another laughed and said, “Are you joking? We all know the answer”. It was, pun intended, a landslide win for the Congress candidate. Root Cause: Geology and Errant RainfallThe root cause of the problems in Kerala is the increasingly unstable landscape. It is remarkable that Kerala has such a high number of landslides and vulnerable spots. India Today reports that Kerala has recorded the largest number of landslides in the country, 2,239 out of 3,782 that occurred between 2015 and 2022. The “Landslide Atlas of India 2023” from ISRO lists 13 out of 14 Kerala districts among the top 50 landslide-prone areas of the country.This is surprising, because the more obvious fault lines must be in the North, where the Indian Plate continues to grind up against the Eurasian Plate, and the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau continue to gain a few centimeters in elevation every year. Indeed Arunachal, Himachal, J&K and Uttarakhand are landslide-prone. But why Kerala, at the other end of the land-mass?It must be the case that there have been severe tectonic movements in Kerala in the past: the Parasurama legend of the land coming up from the sea is based on a real event, presumably caused by an earthquake in a prehistoric time frame. More recently, the thriving Kerala port of Kodungalloor (aka Muziris), the principal West Coast port in historical times along with Bharuccha in Gujarat, was suddenly rendered bereft in 1341 CE after a severe flood in the River Periyar, and port activities shifted to nearby Kochi.More recently, old-timers talk about the Great Flood of ‘99, i.e. 1099 Malabar Era, or 1924 CE. Exactly 100 years ago there were torrential rains in July, and records suggest it was 3368mm or 1326 inches over three weeks, that is 11 feet of rain. Floodwaters rose up to 6 feet, rivers changed course, and at least 1,000 people died along with large numbers of livestock, and there was massive destruction of agricultural land and foodgrains. The Flood of ‘99 became etched in the collective memory of the area, but it mostly affected the lowland areas of Travancore and Cochin, leaving the highlands largely untouched. That has changed with deforestation, quarrying, construction, and denudation of hillsides.There were the floods of 2018, which affected the hills, especially in Munnar. A full mountainside fell 300 meters into a river there. Entire settlements were washed away. A total of 2,346mm of rain or 923 inches was recorded in July and August, almost 50% higher than the norm. 483 people were killed, with many more missing and unaccounted for. Infrastructure was wiped out, including roads and clean water supply. Dams had to be opened, wreaking havoc on those downstream. There is also the perennial threat of Mullaperiyar Dam overflowing or being breached, which is, among other things, a source of friction between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Other root causes include the following: * Climate Change: A study by the World Weather Attribution group indicated that climate change has intensified rainfall in the region by about 10%, contributing significantly to the severity of the disaster. The ongoing increase in global temperatures has led to more extreme weather patterns, including heavier monsoon rains.* Soil Characteristics: Wayanad's soils are loose and erodible, particularly in areas with steep gradients exceeding 20 degrees. When saturated, these soils lose their structural integrity, making them susceptible to landslides. The presence of large boulders and mud further complicates the stability of the slopes during heavy rains.* Soil piping: Previous landslides in the region, such as the 2019 Puthumala event, created conditions for soil piping, where voids form in the subsurface soil, increasing the risk of subsequent landslides during heavy rainfall.* Lack of Effective Land Management Policies: There is a notable absence of comprehensive land use and disaster management policies in Kerala, particularly in ecologically fragile areas. Despite previous disasters, there has been insufficient progress in implementing hazard mapping and community awareness programs to mitigate risks associated with landslides.Thus Kerala is vulnerable to a host of issues, especially climate change (which is also eating away at the coastline). Behind the tropical paradise facade of “God's Own Country”, there lie tremendous dangers related to excessive human exploitation, amounting to ecocide. What is the solution? Maybe Madhav Gadgil was right, after all, and strict controls should be imposed on human activity, especially denudation of forest, and quarrying. His report had included Vythiri, Mananthavady and Sulthanbathery taluks in Wayanad as Ecologically Sensitive Zone ESZ-1, which means no change whatsoever in land use is permissible there. Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Meppadi, where the worst of the disasters happened, are all in Vythiri taluk. No effective disaster prevention or mitigation efforts have been put in place. The only solution is reforesting and restoring green cover, and stopping construction, quarrying, and tourism and the most contentious issue, relocating people away from the ESZ. Unfortunately the tropical rainforest may not restore itself if simply left alone (as temperate-zone forests do), and perhaps efforts such as Miyawaki foresting with native species may need to be pursued.It is to be hoped that we have not passed the point of no return. Kerala's population is shrinking (Total Fertility Rate is 1.80, well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman), but there is no limit to human greed.What needs to be done There are no magic solutions, but comprehensive climate action and improved disaster management strategies can mitigate things to an extent. Experts emphasize the importance of:* Enhanced Communication and Coordination: There is a critical need for better intergovernmental communication regarding disaster preparedness. This includes timely warnings and efficient evacuation plans to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.* Land Use Policies: Implementing stringent land use regulations is essential to prevent construction in ecologically sensitive areas. The degradation of green cover due to unregulated development has significantly increased the risk of landslides.* Early Warning Systems: Developing robust early warning systems for landslides and floods can provide crucial alerts to communities at risk. These systems should be supported by regular community education and drills to ensure residents are prepared for emergencies.* Afforestation and Environmental Conservation: Massive afforestation and reforestation drives (especially with native species) are necessary to stabilize hillsides and reduce landslide risks. Protecting and restoring natural habitats can help mitigate the effects of climate change and enhance biodiversity. Collaborating with local communities for reforestation projects can also provide economic incentives and foster a sense of stewardship.* Community Engagement: Empowering local communities to participate in disaster preparedness and environmental conservation efforts is vital. Education on risks and proactive measures can significantly reduce the impact of disasters.* Tourism Management: Over-tourism can exacerbate environmental degradation. Developing a sustainable tourism strategy that limits visitor numbers, promotes eco-friendly practices, and educates tourists about environmental conservation is essential. Establishing eco-tourism zones and supporting community-based tourism initiatives can provide economic benefits while preserving the natural environment.* Regulation of Quarrying and Construction: Strict regulation and monitoring of quarrying and construction activities are necessary to prevent ecological damage. Implementing sustainable practices in these industries, such as controlled quarrying methods and responsible waste management, can mitigate their impact on the environment. Regular audits and penalties for non-compliance can enforce these regulations.* Surveillance and meteorological data collection: With modern technology like drones, continuous monitoring of the landscape is possible at a relatively low cost; and this can also be used for collecting large amounts of meteorological data to support early-warning systems. Satellite images from India's own as well as foreign sources can be used to warn of dangerous construction, quarrying, and loss of forest cover. Some of these are purely technical solutions, offering computerized forecasts and disaster warnings. The social and governance aspects are even more important: discipline, co-operation and awareness on the part of the residents, and the strict enforcement of land use rules and regulations. Dealing with powerful settlers, encroachers, and vested interests requires a delicate balance of enforcement and negotiation, carrot and stick. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities must collaborate to develop and implement policies that address these challenges. Advocacy for stronger environmental laws and community involvement in decision-making processes can help align interests and foster co-operation.With all these in place, it may be possible to repair the damaged hills of the Western Ghats, one of the global hotspots of biodiversity. 2200 words, Aug 17, 2024 updated 3000 words, Aug 19 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com

The devastating landslides in Wayanad that left over 400 dead and over 100 still missing shocked not just Kerala but the entire country. Almost immediately, a blame game began – Union Home Minister Amit Shah said adequate warning had been given to Kerala, but the government of Kerala disputes this – it said the warning came after the landslide had occurred. Experts in the meantime have pointed to a number of factors that could have acted as the trigger, including the 570 mm of rainfall received in the region on July 30 and 31st. The tragedy has also brought back into the news the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, led by Madhav Gadgil, whose report in 2011 recommended that the entire region of the Western Ghats – 1,29,000 sq km across six States be declared an ecologically sensitive zone. The report recommended three zones for ecologically sensitive areas, with strict restrictions on development activities in the first two. This report generated backlash from the States as it would significantly impact livelihoods and economic growth. Following the landslide, the Central government brought out, for the sixth time in 10 years — a draft notification classifying parts of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive areas. Concerns of the States are now to be addressed by a separate committee. What were the actual triggers of the landslide? How are the Western Ghats and other hilly regions in India particularly vulnerable? How much of a role has climate change played and will this continue in the near future? What can be done to make modelling and prediction systems better? Guest: Raghu Murtugudde is a professor of climate studies, IIT Bombay, and an emeritus professor, University of Maryland. Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

First, Indian Express' Deeksha Teri joins us to talk about the NEET UG 2024 controversy. She talks about the high-powered committee that was formed to look into the grace marks awarded to the candidates and whether or not it was fair to do so. She also shares the recommendations of the committee. Next, Indian Express' Nikhil Ghanekar speaks to us about the Western Ghats and why protecting their ecology is of utmost importance. He also shares how parts of the Western Ghats have been identified as eco-sensitive areas but that is causing friction between the states and the authorities. (10:44)And in the end, we talk about a tragic train accident where the Kanchanjunga Express was hit by a goods train in West Bengal, killing 9 people and leaving 25 injured. (20:29)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to returning guest, Sahana Kulur from https://vacaywork.com/ Today's destination: Chikmagalur, Karnataka!! Nearest Airport: Mangalore airport (IXE) Nearest Railway Station: Kadur railway station (DRU) Requirements: n/a Packing: Pack depending on the weather, winters can be cool and monsoon  Time of the year: October to February Length of the itinerary: 5 days Itinerary Highlights:  Sahana begins the conversation with the meaning of the town of Chikmagalur or “younger daughter's town”, named after one of the paleygara or town cheif. The points of interest  include  Adventure activities including trekking to Mullayangiri peak, Baba Budangiri, Gaali kere, Kudremukha, Balladarayana durga, Ettinabhuja trek, Narsimha parvata Another option is to cut off from the busy town life  and opt for a cosy homestay and some self care.  Estate visits to plantations like coffee, tea, spices, arecanut, betel nut. Visiting in Jan-March will enhance the sensory elements.  Wildlife tours is another option like Bhadra wildlife sanctuary as well as the kudremukh reserve.   Temples such as Belur and Halebidu in the nearby Hassan district, lesser known ones in Javagal, Chikmagalur.  We also talk about the delicious cuisine of this region including fruits like jackfruit, vegetarian food like akki rotti, roast, steamed food,chutneys  and non-vegetarian food ! Other places of interest/things to buy include Panchami kallu, Sringeri, river rafting in river Bhadra, Kyatanamakki hills, banana chips, coffee powder, spices, herbs and oils, haale toppi, or areca caps. Links: Link to Sahana''s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sahana.kulur Link to blog post: https://vacaywork.com/chikmagalur-travel-guide/ Link to website: https://vacaywork.com/ Link to the Bijapur episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SHkw6h3NVYWcqoEA07bMv?si=oBL-7i0FRhKeg94MgkG5Ow Link to the Madurai episode:https://open.spotify.com/episode/0sfbo4CGkeJJImd1Acx5K1?si=8lb2biYOTcuyd5yIqCJ2Zw Photo by Sachin S Nair on Unsplash Follow the Musafir stories on: Twitter : https://twitter.com/musafirstories?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themusafirstories/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en website: www.themusafirstories.com email: themusafirstories@gmail.com Do follow IVM Podcasts on social media. We are @‌IVMPodcasts on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. Follow the show across platforms: Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Gaana, Amazon Music Do share the word with your folks!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With over three decades of conservation experience, Dr. Sanjay Molur, is one of India's leading wildlife biologists. He was a part of the team of scientists which formulated the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Since 1995,  Dr. Molur has conducted the status assessments of over 10,000 (sub)species and ecosystems. He was amongst the earliest scientists to report frogs in the Western Ghats succumbing to the fatal chytrid fungus.Dr. Molur established the Journal of Threatened Taxa, the first international platinum open-access journal from India. He is also the founder and executive director of the Zoo Outreach Organization. As a recognition of his work, two species have been named after him. This includes the thomisid spider (Strigoplus moluri) and a freshwater fish Pethia sanjaymoluri, both endemic to parts of the Western Ghats. Tune into the episode as we discuss his illustrious conservation career. We also disseminate the IUCN Red List Criteria and the conservation of amphibians in India. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anishbanerjee.substack.com

The Western Ghats is one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots. Older than the Himalayas, the Western Ghats is home to at least 508 species of birds, 227 reptile species, and 139 mammal species. The region is home to the largest population of Asiatic elephants, with an estimated population of around 11,000 individuals across eight distinct populations. The region is one of the key strongholds for tiger conservation with a population of around 1,200 individuals. Large populations of various other megafauna species are found in the region, including sloth bear, Indian gaur, leopards, Nilgiri Tahr and the Asiatic Wild Dog.Unfortunately, the region's biodiversity is under immense pressure. The Western Ghat is undergoing rampant habitat loss and fragmentation due to the development of linear infrastructure, such as roads and railways, mining, hydroelectric dams, and monoculture plantations. Other than isolating populations of megafauna, this fragmentation is catalyzing extensive human-wildlife conflict.  Changing land use patterns and loss of habitats often result in conflict over resources, such as food and space. Moreover, as megaherbivores, such as gaur and elephants, seasonally migrate across the Western Ghats, there is a high risk of crop depredation, property damage, and even loss of life. Meanwhile, increased human activity in these habitats is leading to increased livestock depredation and loss of lives by carnivores, such as leopards, sloth bears, and even tigers. These lead to retaliatory killings of carnivores. Moreover, the management of animals touted as “man-eaters” often leads to intense political controversy. As megafauna species are on the path to recovery, mitigating human-wildlife conflict is a priority for conservationists in the region. In this episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, I interview Dr. Sanjay Gubbi, who is one of the leading conservation biologists working in the Western Ghats. He has extensively studied and analyzed patterns of human-wildlife conflict in the region, with a particular focus on tigers, leopards, and elephants. Other than human-wildlife conflict, he has worked extensively to minimize the impact of roads, and vehicular traffic on the biodiversity of the Western Ghats. He played a pivotal role in the banning of night-time traffic along the highways passing through Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks. His extensive research work, coupled with passionate outreach efforts, has led to the addition of nearly 3,000 square kilometers of forested land to Karnataka's protected area network. The famous and ecologically crucial  Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary was established based on his work. Tune in to listen more about his illustrious career.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anishbanerjee.substack.com

To record a soundscape characteristic of this region – and attempt to encapsulate my observational thoughts and views as a soundscape recordist – I arrived at a preserved section of the forest. The Pambar Shola plantation acts as a nursery for shola trees, which grow in the shade of taller pines and eucalyptus. A visual change was provided by a few rhododendrons – a Himalayan species believed to have spread over 1,200 miles (2,000 km) during periods when the temperature and ecology of the Western Ghats and the Himalayas were similar, due to seed dispersal by birds. I stationed my equipment beside a small stream, the sound of which, to me, symbolized the larger ecological processes taking place over centuries in the Western Ghats, to create a soundscape which could become a starting point for discussing Vattakanal, as per the hypothesis I am trying to explore through this project. At a personal level, I will remember this flowing water as the sound of sunrise in a tropical forest in the Western Ghats, layered with the sounds of birds, the occasional howling of Nilgiri langurs, and the distant barks of dogs which had followed me along the trail. This excerpt is from the article Soundscapes of Lesser Nature, by Mustard Lake, a grantee of our field recording grant program.

In this episode, FAQ is: What are the best stretching methods for solo travel. Today's Destination is: Kerala, India Today's Misstep- I did not get to use my airline credits on Spirit. Travel Advice: U-shaped airline pillows can be stuffed with clothes. FAQ:  What are the best stretching methods for solo travel? Stretching offers several benefits for your solo female traveler's body, including improvements in flexibility, range of motion, and overall well-being. Here are some ways stretching can positively impact your body: Increased Flexibility: Stretching helps lengthen muscles and tendons, which can improve your flexibility. This increased flexibility can enhance your ability to perform various activities and exercises. Improved Range of Motion: Regular stretching can contribute to an increased range of motion in your joints. This is particularly beneficial for activities that require a wide range of motion, such as playing sports or performing certain exercises. Enhanced Circulation: Stretching promotes better blood circulation throughout the body. Improved circulation can help deliver nutrients to muscles and remove waste products, improving overall health. Reduced Muscle Tension and Soreness: Stretching can help alleviate muscle tension and reduce soreness after physical activity. It can also aid in preventing muscle imbalances, leading to discomfort or injury. Improved Posture: Stretching the muscles around the spine, shoulders, and hips can contribute to better posture. Proper posture is essential for preventing musculoskeletal issues and promoting overall spinal health. Enhanced Athletic Performance: Athletes often incorporate stretching into their warm-up routines to prepare their bodies for physical activity. Improved flexibility and range of motion can positively impact athletic performance and reduce the risk of injuries. Stress Relief: Gentle stretching exercises like yoga can promote relaxation and reduce stress. This is achieved through physical movement, controlled breathing, and mindfulness. Joint Health: Stretching helps maintain the health of your joints by promoting fluid circulation and preventing stiffness. This is especially important as you age, as flexibility and joint health become increasingly crucial. Improved Balance and Coordination: Stretching exercises that target specific muscle groups can enhance balance and coordination. This is beneficial for activities that require stability and precise movements. I would like to point out that stretching should be done gradually and in a controlled manner. Avoid bouncing or forcing your body into extreme positions, as this can lead to injuries. A well-rounded fitness routine that combines strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and flexibility training (including stretching) is generally recommended for overall health and fitness. Today's destination: Kerala, India Kerala, a state on India's tropical Malabar Coast, has nearly 600km of Arabian Sea shoreline. It's known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Inland are the Western Ghats, mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations and wildlife. National parks and other sanctuaries are home to elephants, langur monkeys, and tigers. Named one of the world's ten paradises by National Geographic Traveler, Kerala is famous especially for its ecotourism initiatives and beautiful backwaters. Its unique culture and traditions, coupled with its varied demography, have made Kerala one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. I flew Indigo Air to Cochin, near Kerala. I was in southwestern India now. Today's Misstep- I did not get to use my airline credits on Spirit.   Today's Travel Advice-U Shaped Airline pillows can be stuffed with clothes. Connect with Dr. Travelbest 5 Steps to Solo Travel website Dr. Mary Travelbest X Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Page Dr. Mary Travelbest Facebook Group Dr. Mary Travelbest Instagram Dr. Mary Travelbest Podcast Dr. Travelbest on TikTok Dr.Travelbest onYouTube In the news  

Sacred Groves are amongst the finest examples of in-situ conservation. Often as large as 500 hectares, Sacred Groves are undisturbed and communally protected forest patches that are dedicated to local folk deities. Social traditions which embody both social and ecological values encourage the preservation of Sacred Groves. As a result, these groves contain an invaluable gene pool and also conserve immense biodiversity. Hunting and logging are banned in Sacred Groves.Official records suggest that there are around 13,000 Sacred Groves spread across Rajasthan, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, and the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Maharashtra. However, a few studies suggest that there could be as many as 100,000 to 150,000 Sacred Groves in the country.Unfortunately, Sacred Groves are severely threatened by urbanization, over-exploitation of resources, and environmental destruction due to religious practices. On this episode, I interview Archana Godbole, the founder of Applied Environment Research Founder (AERF), on the conservation of Sacred Groves. AERF has worked extensively to preserve the Sacred Groves of Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra in the Northern Western Ghats. If you enjoyed this episode, do not forget to share and subscribe! You can also listen to The Think Wildlife Podcast on other platforms, such as YouTube, Spotify and iTunes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anishbanerjee.substack.com

fWotD Episode 2454: Nyctibatrachus major Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day where we read the summary of the featured Wikipedia article every day.The featured article for Tuesday, 23 January 2024 is Nyctibatrachus major.Nyctibatrachus major, the Malabar night frog, large wrinkled frog, or Boulenger's narrow-eyed frog, is a species of frog in the family Nyctibatrachidae, commonly known as the robust frogs. It was described in 1882 by the zoologist George Albert Boulenger, and is the type species of the genus Nyctibatrachus. It is a large frog for its genus, with an adult snout–vent length of 31.5–52.0 mm (1.24–2.05 in) for males and 43.7–54.2 mm (1.72–2.13 in) for females. It is mainly brownish to greyish in colour, with a dark greyish-brown upperside, a greyish-white underside, and light grey sides. It also has a variety of grey or brown markings. When preserved in ethanol, it is mostly greyish-brown to grey, with whitish sides. Sexes can be told apart by the presence of the femoral glands (bulbous glands near the inner thigh) in males.The species is endemic to the Western Ghats mountain range of India, where it is found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Adults inhabit fast-moving forest streams at elevations of up to 900 m (3,000 ft) and have highly specific habitat requirements. Adults are mostly found in or near water and are nocturnal; subadults can be found during both the night and day. Its diet mainly consists of other frogs and insect larvae. Over a period of several days or weeks, females lay multiple small clutches of eggs on leaves and rocks overhanging water; tadpoles drop into the water below on hatching. The species is currently classified as being vulnerable on the IUCN Red List owing to its small and fragmented range and ongoing habitat degradation. Threats to the species include habitat loss, increased human presence near the streams it inhabits, and possibly nitrate pollution caused by fertiliser overuse.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:11 UTC on Tuesday, 23 January 2024.For the full current version of the article, see Nyctibatrachus major on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm Olivia Neural.

WINNERS OF THE GIVEAWAY (NAMMA BANGALORE), pls check your email for further instructions.  Tanushree Tyagi Vijay Prakash  This week, The Musafir Stories speaks to returning guest, Saakshi Rajat - a traveller and co-founder at True Joy Travels, as she takes us to Goa with seniors!∂ Today's destination: Goa!! Nearest Airport: Dabolim Airport, GOI Nearest Railway Station: Karmali Railway Station, KRMI Prerequisites:  NA Packing: Pack according to the weather conditions Time of the year: July Length of the itinerary: 5 days Itinerary Highlights:  Saakshi starts off with an overview of True Joy travels - a luxury travel service company for seniors, their USP and objectives. You can check out more on the social media handles of TJT linked below.  We discuss the planning and considerations that go into curating the trip and itinerary for seniors, origin story of TJT.  The points of interest include a visit to  A heritage walk to Fontainhas -  the latin quarter of Old Goa A visit to Basilica of Bom Jesus and Se Cathedral  A visit to some popular beaches A trip to Chorao island and Salim Ali bird sanctuary A boat ride around the mangroves of Chorao island A visit to a local's home and cooking session A stop at Konkani canteen for goan thalis A visit to a casino A stop over at fort Aguada and the beach We wrap up the discussion with upcoming trips and contact info for True Joy Travels   Links: Link to TJT's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truejoytravels/ Link to Saakshi's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saakshirajat/ Link to TJT's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyk7iRYo0Q3l-NreJMjY94A Saakshi's previous episode on Majuli: https://open.spotify.com/episode/16TwAz8XY5luMwv3yYsO9r?si=3QfbEnXqRRetZ5bjXa8BvA Other episodes on Goa:  Riverside Goa - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HeHcX8FwaKiDHge99x5NX Islands of Goa - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5RDLi8SRHdd14TvngVl61H?si=jz8a856xSR-h8nvYNO7csA Susegad Goa - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6SrAaNTHCZfJ4KyuFjY1Tq?si=Nj6tJirJTmyzpCCQ8e-L9A Roadtrip to Goa - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5qVIaTJi9aVGkG306w94jW?si=swG6hsIARuiFP5n1e194cw Photo by Mohammad Aqhib on Unsplash Follow the Musafir stories on: Twitter : https://twitter.com/musafirstories?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themusafirstories/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/musafirstoriespodcast/?hl=en website: www.themusafirstories.com email: themusafirstories@gmail.com Do follow IVM Podcasts on social media. We are @‌IVMPodcasts on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. Follow the show across platforms: Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Gaana, Amazon Music Do share the word with your folks!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The whole crew is a bit overwhelmed this week, Dan is sick, John's class is in crunch mode, and Lina's putting the finishing touches on the rest of the Military Unions series. So this week we're unlocking one of our favorite Movie Time episodes for everyone. Both these labor movies are likely less well known by most of our audience, but they're some of the best we've discussed. Part 2 of our series on attempts to organize in the military will arrive next week. Original Description: First we discuss 1963's The Organizer, a working class drama about the early days of labor organizing in northern Italy in the late 1800s. The film covers the extreme exploitation of 19th century textile workers and their earliest attempts at organizing, even before major national unions existed. For our second film this week we watched Western Ghats (Merku Thodarchi Malai), from India's southern state of Tamil Nadu. Western Ghats follows the struggle of landless workers forced to labor for the big landowners as they strive to become independent peasant farmers themselves. The film portrays the difficulties of peasants, the way debt is used to dispossess them, and the semi feudal conditions they face in many parts of the Global South in ways western cinema rarely covers.

Arati Kumar-Rao is an exceptional National Geographic Explorer, independent environmental photographer, writer, and artist dedicated to documenting the slow violence of ecological degradation. With unwavering passion, she traverses the South Asian subcontinent, embarking on captivating journeys that span seasons and sometimes years. Through her profound storytelling, Arati chronicles the ever-changing landscapes, climate, and their profound impact on livelihoods and biodiversity in South Asia. Arati's profound impact is not confined to her lens or pen; she employs a multidimensional approach, utilising the power of photos, long form narratives, and art to communicate her insights. Recently, she unveiled her debut book, "Marginlands: Indian Landscapes On The Brink," a poignant exploration now available in bookstores across India and on Amazon. Currently, Arati is engaged in a significant undertaking as she explores forced human migration in India, supported by a prestigious National Geographic grant. Her remarkable body of work has garnered recognition and has been featured in esteemed publications such as The National Geographic Magazine, Emergence Magazine, The Hindu, #Dysturb, The Guardian, BBC Outside Source, Hindustan Times, Mint, and other reputable outlets. Additionally, her artistic endeavours have been exhibited both in India and internationally, leaving an indelible mark on the global stage. When not immersed in her assignments, Arati finds solace and inspiration in the Western Ghats and Bangalore, where she cherishes being a loving mother to three rescued cats. *** Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.  By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement. Thank you for your invaluable support! *** Show notes Who is Arati? Being based in Bangalore when not travelling  Her role as an environmental chronicler  Being a slow journalist or a slow storyteller The types of story she tells  Her passion for photography and art  The tools she uses to tell the story  Working in the corporate world and making the decision to leave her job (2013) and start telling environmental stories  Her early years growing up and spending time in nature  Being inspired by the National Geographic Magazine  Wanting to tell stories of the land by walking  Making the transition from the corporate world to following her passion for storytelling  The practical steps involved 2 pivotal moments in her life Studying for a Masters in Physical and working in a lab and deciding it wasn't the right job for her Having to choose between the Arts and the Sciences Moving back to India and working with Intel doing Market Research Falling ill with Typhoid in her 30s and starting to reflect on her life and thinking about what she really wanted to do Needing to make new connections and build new networks  Slowly starting to find her way and the power of social media to publish stories Slow story telling verses the speed of the internet Needing to upskill in photography, writing and art Taking out personal loads and writing for grants Getting the grant from National Geographic to study forced Human Migration across India due to environmental degradation  Doing a transect walk from the most easterly point of India to the most Westerly point.  Planning and starting a story - what that looks like  Following the threads and seeing where it leads Knowing when you are on the right path? Not finding any path to be wrong - there is always something to learn Taking a pause to reflect on the information that's been gathered  Dealing with dead ends and moving on Her first time in Bangladesh  New book: Marginlands: Indian Landscapes on the Brink  The speed and impact of climate change  Why it's important to listen to the local geography's Sounds in storytelling - Soundscapes Recording a sound signature throughout the journey  Paul Salopek's - Out of Eden Walk Art as part of the storytelling Wanting to train herself to pay attention to detail  How to connect with Arati on the social media platforms  Final words of advice for other women to follow their passions  Why it's important for women to speak up The stories that are in your backyard “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” ~ Mary Oliver.   Social Media Website: www.aratikumarrao.com Instagram: @aratikumarrao  Twitter: @aratikumarrao   Facebook: @aratikumarrao   Book: Marginlands: Indian Landscapes on the Brink  

‘Following a Prayer' is a novel about three inquisitive young girls. Kalpana, a twelve-year-old girl in a village nestled in the dense hills of the Western Ghats, goes missing one morning. When she returns, she has gone silent. Nothing can get her to speak. What happened in those three days that she went missing? What prevents her from communicating with her parents and sister except through notes and scribbles? As the village prepares to celebrate the annual Deepavali festival, a rumour spreads that Kalpana will speak the day after. What will she say, and what will be the impact of her words?The novel's writer, Dr. Sundar Sarukkai, has a PhD in Particle physics from the University of Purdue and works primarily in the philosophy of the natural and the social sciences. He founded Barefoot Philosophers (www.barefootphilosophers.org) an Organization that conducts workshops across the country teaching philosophy and rational thinking to school children. Formerly, he was a professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies until 2019 and was the Founder-Director of the Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities. He is the author of Translating the World: Science and Language, Philosophy of Symmetry, JRD Tata and the Ethics of Philanthropy, and two books co-authored with Gopal Guru – The Cracked Mirror: An Indian Debate on Experience and Theory and more recently, Experience, Caste and the Everyday Social. In the show notes, you can find the links to buy the book and the YouTube channel ‘barefoot philosophers', where the Basics of philosophy lessons, to children are available.To buy the book - https://amzn.to/44C8xy6Link to youtube Channel of ‘The Barefoot Philosophers' - https://bit.ly/barefootphilFor Feedback on Podcast - https://bit.ly/3NmJ31YOn Spotify –http://bit.ly/harshaneeyam on Apple podcast –http://apple.co/3qmhis5 *To contact us - harshaneeyam@gmail.com ***Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Interviewees in interviews conducted by Harshaneeyam Podcast are those of the Interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Harshaneeyam Podcast. Any content provided by Interviewees is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrpChartable - https://chartable.com/privacy

We continue our conversation with Ms. Jis Sebastian, an ecologist based in Kerala. In this episode she talks about her experience working in the Kashmir Himalayas, Western Ghats etc. She shares about the period when she had self-doubts and considering quitting her research and how she came out of this phase and where she found the strength and inspiration. She also talks about her experiences with women across the country and how she focusses on fostering sisterhood.     More about Jis -  Ms. Jis Sebastian, PhD is an ecologist based in Kerala. She has worked extensively in plant and animal ecology in the Western Ghats, the Western and Eastern Himalayas of India. She has been involved in research and conservation of natural resources with communities for one decade now. Her interests lies in forest ecology, agroecology, sustainable community building, natural building and women and environment.   Happy listening.

What happens when we renounce our ego and allow nature to become our teacher? We talk with rainforest conservationist and educator Suprabha Seshan about her incredible efforts to protect and restore the forest at the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Kerala, India. Suprabha shares with us her decades of work which has involved the integration of scientific and traditional practices, understanding the complex conditions in which plants exist and relate to each other, and how human societies can exist in harmony with this diversity. She sees the botanical sanctuary as providing an ‘ark' for the endangered plants of the Western Ghats biome from the ‘flood' of human expansionism, and the remarkable ways in which rewilding can offer a refuge to the remaining exuberance of life, including ourselves. See episode website for show notes, links, and transcript: https://www.populationbalance.org/podcast/suprabha-seshan ABOUT US The Overpopulation Podcast features enlightening conversations between Population Balance executive director Nandita Bajaj, researcher Alan Ware, and expert guests. We cover a broad variety of topics that explore the impacts of our expanding human footprint on human rights, animal protection, and environmental restoration, as well as individual and collective solutions. Learn more here: https://www.populationbalance.org/

This episode has a chat with Ms. Jis Sebastian, PhD is an ecologist based in Kerala. She has worked extensively in plant and animal ecology in the Western Ghats, the Western and Eastern Himalayas of India. She has been involved in research and conservation of natural resources with communities for one decade now. Her interests lies in forest ecology, agroecology, sustainable community building, natural building and women and environment.   Listen to this episode about this New Indian Woman and the choices she made about her career option, that too from a small village in Kerala. What comes to your mind when you hear someone is a researcher ? Why is her story inspiring ?

Esperanza and Irwin welcome onelandscape.org founder Margie Ruddick. With a graduate degree in Landscape Architecture from Harvard, Margie's projects have taken her from Shillim in Western Ghats, India to Queens Plaza in Long Island City, NY. With onelandscape.org, Margie's focus is the conservation of wild landscapes by integrating science, art, policy, and community. Margie lives part time in the Amagansett home purchased by her parents in 1957, and the east end has influenced and inspired her professional career. The farmland, forest, wetland, beaches, dunes, and bluffs from the village of Amagansett to the coastal Napeague stretch serve as a ONE LANDSCAPE “laboratory".

If you're not a patron you can get the full episode by visiting patreon.com/workstoppage and support us with $5 a month. We're back at the movies again this week, this time covering films from Italy and India. First we discuss 1963's The Organizer, a working class drama about the early days of labor organizing in northern Italy in the late 1800s. The film covers the extreme exploitation of 19th century textile workers and their earliest attempts at organizing, even before major national unions existed. For our second film this week we watched Western Ghats (Merku Thodarchi Malai), from India's southern state of Tamil Nadu. Western Ghats follows the struggle of landless workers forced to labor for the big landowners as they strive to become independent peasant farmers themselves. The film portrays the difficulties of peasants, the way debt is used to dispossess them, and the semi feudal conditions they face in many parts of the Global South in ways western cinema rarely covers. Join the discord: discord.gg/tDvmNzX  Follow the pod at instagram.com/workstoppage, @WorkStoppagePod on Twitter,  John @facebookvillain, and Lina @solidaritybee

ಕಪ್ಪೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವಿಶೇಷ ಸಂಶೋಧನೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ಡಾ. ಗುರುರಾಜ ಕೆವಿ ಅವರು ಕಪ್ಪೆಗಳ ಸೌಂದರ್ಯ, ಅದ್ಭುತ ಮತ್ತು ಜೀವಶಾಸ್ತ್ರದ ಕುರಿತು ಪವನ್ ಶ್ರೀನಾಥ್ ಅವರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮಾತನಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕಳೆದ 20 ವರ್ಷಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ 200 ಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಹೊಸ ಜಾತಿಯ ಕಪ್ಪೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಗೆ ಕಂಡುಹಿಡಿಯಲಾಗಿದೆ ಮತ್ತು ಮುಂಬರುವ ದಶಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ವಿಜ್ಞಾನವನ್ನು ಯಾವ ರೀತಿ ಅನ್ವೇಷಿಸಬೇಕಾಗಿದೆ ಎಂಬುದನ್ನು ಅವರು ಚರ್ಚಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.Batrachologist or Frog expert, Dr Gururaja KV shares the beauty, wonder and the biology of frogs and toads with Pavan Srinath. He shares how over 200 new species of amphibians have been discovered in India just in the last 20 years, and how there is more science to be explored in the coming decades.*Update!* Thale-Harate now has its own YouTube channel! Featuring full episodes and more soon! Head over to youtube.com/haratepod, subscribe and hit the bell icon!ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನವರು ಪ್ರತೀ ಮಳೆಗಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಪ್ಪೆಗಳು ವಟರ್ ಗುಟ್ಟುವುದನ್ನು ಕೇಳುತ್ತಲೇ ಬೆಳೆದಿದ್ದೇವೆ ಮತ್ತು ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯ ಸುತ್ತ ಕಪ್ಪೆ ಹಾರುವುದನ್ನು ಕಂಡು ಹೆದರಿದ್ದು ಇದೆ. ಸರೀಸೃಪಗಳು, ಪಕ್ಷಿಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ದೊಡ್ಡ ಸಸ್ತನಿಗಳತ್ತ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಗಮನ ಸೆಳೆಯುತ್ತೆ. ಆದರೆ ನಾವು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ನಮ್ಮ ಸುತ್ತ ಮುತ್ತ ಪರಿಸರದ ಪ್ರಮುಖ ಭಾಗವಾಗಿರುವ ಕಪ್ಪೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ನೆಲಗಪ್ಪೆಗಳನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಲಕ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತೇವೆ.ಡಾ ಗುರುರಾಜ ಕೆವಿ ಅವರು ಉಭಯಚರಗಳನ್ನು ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಮಾಡುವ ವಿಶೇಷ ಆಸಕ್ತಿ ಹೊಂದಿದ್ದು ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಸೃಷ್ಟಿ ಮಣಿಪಾಲ ಇನ್‌ಸ್ಟಿಟ್ಯೂಟ್ ಆಫ್ ಆರ್ಟ್, ಡಿಸೈನ್ ಅಂಡ್ ಟೆಕ್ನಾಲಜಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಾಧ್ಯಾಪಕರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ ಮತ್ತು ಗುಬ್ಬಿ ಲ್ಯಾಬ್ಸ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಅಡ್ಜಂಕ್ಟ್ ಫೆಲೋ ಆಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕುವೆಂಪು ವಿಶ್ವವಿದ್ಯಾನಿಲಯದಿಂದ ಪಿಎಚ್‌ಡಿ ಪಡೆದಿರುವ ಇವರು ಭಾರತೀಯ ವಿಜ್ಞಾನ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಶೋಧನೆಯನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ, ಗುರುರಾಜ ಅವರು 20 ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಕಪ್ಪೆಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ನೆಲಗಪ್ಪೆಗಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ವಿಶೇಷ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ.ಭಾರತದಲ್ಲಿ 20 ಕ್ಕೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಹೊಸ ಕಪ್ಪೆ ಜಾತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಪತ್ತೆಹಚ್ಚುವಲ್ಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ಗುರುತಿಸುವಲ್ಲಿ ಇವರ ಪಾತ್ರ ಮಹತ್ತರವಾದದ್ದು, ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಘಟ್ಟಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಅದರಾಚೆಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಸಂಶೋಧನೆಗಾಗಿ ಕಾರ್ಯನಿರ್ವಹಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ತಲೆ-ಹರಟೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ಪಾಡ್‌ಕಾಸ್ಟ್ ನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆ 145 ರಲ್ಲಿ, ಡಾ ಗುರುರಾಜ ಅವರು ಕಪ್ಪೆಗಳ ಮೇಲಿನ ತಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೀತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕೌತುಕವನ್ನು ಹಂಚಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ, ಈ ಆಕರ್ಷಕ ಜೀವಿಗಳನ್ನು ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಮಾಡಲು ಅವರಿಗೆ ಪ್ರೇರಣೆ ಏನು? ಹೊಸ ಜಾತಿ ಕಪ್ಪೆಗಳನ್ನುಗಳನ್ನು ಕಂಡುಹಿಡಿಯುವ ಪ್ರಕ್ರಿಯೆ ಯಾವ ರೀತಿ ಇರುತ್ತೆ? ಮತ್ತು ಕಪ್ಪೆಗಳ ನಡವಳಿಕೆ ಯಾವರೀತಿ ಇರುತ್ತೆ? ಎಂಬೆಲ್ಲ ವಿಷಯಗಳನ್ನು ನಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಬನ್ನಿ ಕೇಳಿ!gururajakv.net ನಲ್ಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ಅವರ ಗೂಗಲ್ ಸ್ಕಾಲರ್ ಪ್ರೊಫೈಲ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಡಾ ಗುರುರಾಜ ಕೆವಿ ಅವರ ಕೆಲಸದ ಕುರಿತು ಇನ್ನಷ್ಟು ತಿಳಿಯಿರಿ. ಅವರ ಪುಸ್ತಕ ಫಿಕ್ಟೋರಲ್ ಗೈಡ್ ಟು ಫ್ರಾಗ್ಸ್ ಅಂಡ್ ಟೋಡ್ಸ್ ಆಫ್ ದಿ ವೆಸ್ಟೆರ್ನ್ ಘಾಟ್ಸ್ ಅನ್ನು ಉಚಿತವಾಗಿ ಡೌನ್‌ಲೋಡ್ ಮಾಡಬಹುದು.Most of us have grown up hearing the croaking of frogs every monsoon, and may have even had the ‘scare' of a frog jumping into our houses at one point or another. While reptiles, birds and big mammals often capture our imagination – we often end up ignoring the simple frogs and toads that form a key part of the habitats around us. Dr Gururaja KV is a ‘batrachologist', one who studies amphibians, and is currently a faculty member at the Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology, as well as an Adjunct Fellow at Gubbi Labs. With his PhD from Kuvempu University and subsequent research at the Indian Institute of Science, Gururaja has been studying frogs and toads for over 20 years.He has helped discover, identify and describe over 20 new frog species in India, working extensively in the Western Ghats and beyond. On Episode 145 of the Thale-Harate Kannada Podcast, Dr Gururaja shares his joy and his love for frogs, what drew him to study these fascinating creatures, and helps us learn more about frogs, as well as more about the process of discovering new species and understanding their behaviour.Learn more about Dr Gururaja KV's work at gururajakv.net and on his Google Scholar profile. His book, Pictoral Guide to Frogs and Toads of the Western Ghats can be downloaded for free.If you wish to explore and identify frogs around you, you can also use the Frog Find App for Android developed by Gururaja and Gubbi Labs. You can also contribute to Frog Watch on the India Biodiversity Portal.Related Podcast Episodes:- ಹಾವು ನಾವು! Sharing Our World With Snakes with Gururaj Sanil- ಜೇಡರ ಬಲೆ. Spiders Around Us with Pavan Srinath- [English] Discovering a New Species in 2020 with Ishan Agarwal (BIC Talks)- [English] Glimpses of India's Deep Natural History with Pranay Lal (BIC Talks)- ಊರು ಕೇರಿ ಮರ. A City and Its Trees with Harini Nagendra- ಹೆಸರಘಟ್ಟದ ರಕ್ಷಣೆ. Saving Hesaraghatta with Mahesh Bhat.- ಪರಿಸರವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಯಾವ ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ? Saving the Western Ghats with Dinesh Holla- ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಜ್ಞಾನ ಸಂವಹನ. Communicating Science in Kannada with Kollegala Sharma- ವಿಜ್ಞಾನ ಮತ್ತು ಜಾಗೃತಿ. Science and Communication with Kollegala SharmaPhoto credit: KV Gururaja for the photos of frogs, and Mahesh Bhat for Gururaja's portrait.ಫಾಲೋ ಮಾಡಿ. Follow the Thalé-Haraté Kannada Podcast @haratepod. Facebook: https://facebook.com/HaratePod/ , Twitter: https://twitter.com/HaratePod/ , Instagram: https://instagram.com/haratepod/ and YouTube: https://youtube.com/HaratePod .ಈಮೇಲ್ ಕಳಿಸಿ, send us an email at haratepod@gmail.com or send a tweet and tell us what you think of the show!You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the new and improved IVM Podcast App on Android: https://ivm.today/android or iOS: https://ivm.today/ios and check out our website at https://ivmpodcasts.com/ .You can also listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Gaana, Amazon Music Podcasts, JioSaavn, Castbox, or any other podcast app. We also have some video episodes up on YouTube! ಬನ್ನಿ ಕೇಳಿ!

durée : 00:48:27 - Je reviens du monde d'avant - par : Giv Anquetil - Tout au Sud de l'Inde, dans l'Etat du Kerala, la forêt tropicale des Western Ghats abrite un sanctuaire qui veut sauvegarder et conserver la biodiversité menacée.

Venoms are complex, and researchers are constantly discovering new intriguing uses. But this episode we look at a fascinating new venom use for the snakes themselves. Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlights Full reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.com Main Paper References: Saviola AJ, Chiszar D, Busch C, Mackessy SP. 2013. Molecular basis for prey relocation in viperid snakes. BMC Biology 11:20. DOI: 10.1186/1741-7007-11-20. Other Mentioned Papers/Studies: Teshera MS, Clark RW, Wagler AE, Greenbaum E. 2021. Foraging and scavenging behaviour of the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis): no evidence that envenomation cues facilitate kleptoparasitism of struck prey. Amphibia-Reptilia:1–11. DOI: 10.1163/15685381-bja10073. Other Links/Mentions: Indian purple frog call from Thomas A, Suyesh R, Biju SD, Bee MA. 2014. Vocal behavior of the elusive purple frog of India (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis), a fossorial species endemic to the Western Ghats. PloS one, 9(2), p.e84809: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vocal-Behavior-of-the-Elusive-Purple-Frog-of-India-(Nasikabatrachus-sahyadrensis)-a-Fossorial-pone.0084809.s005.ogv Music: Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed Nelson Species Bi-week theme – Mike Mooney Other Music – The Passion HiFi, www.thepassionhifi.com

Sadhguru looks back at an amazing journey in his life, when he spent weeks in the forests of the Western Ghats, and speaks about a superfood which he consumed every day to keep himself energized.Conscious Planet: https://www.consciousplanet.orgSadhguru App (Download): https://onelink.to/sadhguru__appOfficial Sadhguru Website: https://isha.sadhguru.orgSadhguru Exclusive: https://isha.sadhguru.org/in/en/sadhguru-exclusiveConscious Planet is a Global Movement to initiate a conscious approach to soil and planet. The movement seeks to show governments of all nations that their citizens want a policy to revitalize soil and ecology. To activate and demonstrate the support of over 3 billion citizens, Sadhguru will be riding a motorcycle alone, 30,000 kilometers across 24 nations.

How do you capture the image of a 150-foot-tall tree in the middle of a dense rainforest? If you're National Geographic Explorer Nirupa Rao, you pull out your paints. Rao draws from the centuries-old practice of botanical illustration to catalog and celebrate native plant life of the southern Indian rainforest, introducing new audiences to the wonders they hold. For more information on this episode, visit natgeo.com/overheard. Want more? This Earth Day, celebrate our planet's beautiful, remote, and at-risk locations—and meet the explorers protecting them—at natgeo.com. See Nirupa's illustrations on Instagram, @niruparao. And check out her books Hidden Kingdom and Pillars of Life. “Sky islands” in the Western Ghats host an almost unbelievable array of microclimates—and a chance for scientists to see evolution in action. King cobras, which live in the Western Ghats, can "stand up" and look a full-grown person in the eye. Fortunately, they avoid humans whenever possible. Also explore: Rainforests have an unsung hero that keeps the forest healthy and functional: termites. Also, National Geographic's resident artist, Fernando Baptista, brings stories to life by sculpting clay models, then using them for a drawing or stop-motion film. If you like what you hear and want to support more content like this, please consider a National Geographic subscription. Go to natgeo.com/explore to subscribe today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices