Nabapatrika | Unique Ritual of Durga Puja

Nabapatrika was a popular ancient ritual performed by the peasants/farmers worshipping Mother Nature for rich and bountiful harvest. With the popularity of the Durga Puja, this ritual was assimilated in the festivities. This important ritual of Durga Puja is an example of inclusiveness — harmonious synthesis of Vedic and ancient non-Vedic rituals. As we cry for climate change and environment, here is the highest form of regard for the environment where goddess Durga is symbolized by the Banana Plant and the important plants and trees are worshiped for the preservation instead of devastation. Continue reading Nabapatrika | Unique Ritual of Durga Puja

National Forest Martyrs Day | September 11

National Forest Martyrs Day is observed in India on September 11 every year to commemorate the Khejarli massacre, which took place on September 11 in 1730. The Ministry of Environment and Forest made the declaration in 2013 to remember the sacrifice of those who laid their lives to protect the forests and wildlife across the remote corners of the country and since then, people across India observe this day every year to pay tributes to the valour and sacrifice made the forest personnel to protect the forests and wildlife of India. Continue reading National Forest Martyrs Day | September 11

If You Want to Save the Earth, Veganism Isn’t the Answer

I recently read a post on WhatsApp urging people to go vegan quoting a statement from 16-YO Greta Thunberg. She said: “You can’t be a meat-eating environmentalist. The fishing, meat, dairy, and egg industries aren’t just relentlessly cruel to animals – they’re also a nightmare for the environment.” I thought of writing my views on why I should not go vegan and veganism isn’t the answer to save … Continue reading If You Want to Save the Earth, Veganism Isn’t the Answer

Game Theory in Climate Negotiations

The 2015 Paris agreement established a global target for lowering greenhouse-gas emissions — aimed at keeping the atmosphere from warming by 2 degrees Celsius. One hundred and ninety-four countries have signed the treaty, which means that they have agreed to continue the process of the treaty on climate change mitigation. Nearly all the world’s countries agreed to create a system to measure their progress, and to continually strengthen their efforts. Continue reading Game Theory in Climate Negotiations

A River Is Now Legally a Person

A river in New Zealand has become the first in the world to be legally recognised as a living entity and granted the same rights as a human. The sacred river will be granted all the corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a legal person after a 170-year battle led by a local Maori tribe known as the Iwi. Rights of Nature or granting legal personhood to nature may finally provide balance in legal systems around the world that tend to view nature as only an economic resource for humans. Continue reading A River Is Now Legally a Person

2016 is the Warmest | Climate Crisis

High temperatures in summer are common in Iraq. Growing desertification — where fertile land turns dry — is pushing temperatures up. The Iraqi government has announced yesterday a two-day mandatory official holiday beginning today due to a heat wave as temperatures are soaring above 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. Continue reading 2016 is the Warmest | Climate Crisis

Stopping Food Waste

Globally, one-third of the food produced is wasted, costing the world economy about $750 billion, the Rome-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s report said. It said Asian countries, especially India and China, were the worst culprits causing loss of 1.3 billion tonnes of food every year. This food wastage represents a missed opportunity to improve global food security, but also to mitigate environmental impacts and resources use from food chains. Continue reading Stopping Food Waste

Karma Puja | Sacred Festival to Celebrate Nature

The Karma Puja is a festival of agriculture and is very sacred to the indigenous peoples in the Indian states of Jharkhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam. Tribes like Baiga, Oraon, Binjhwari, Munda, Majhwar, Ho, Khortha, Korba, Santhal, Nagpuri and many more tribal communities celebrate this festival. Continue reading Karma Puja | Sacred Festival to Celebrate Nature