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Climate & Environment · Conservation & Biodiversity · Editor's picks · South Asia

Varkala’s ‘Zero Waste’ Crown: A Model of Substance or a Convenient Label?

Staff Writer February 27, 2026 5 min read

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Commentary · Culture & Society · Editor's picks · Heritage & Indigenous Knowledge · Opinion & Analysis · South Asia

When a tree and a wayside stone becomes a shrine: Observations from nature

Dr Gopakumar S February 23, 2026 4 min read

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Changemakers · Climate & Environment · Conservation & Biodiversity · Culture & Society · Editor's picks · Heritage & Indigenous Knowledge · People & Profiles · South Asia

Honoring the unparalleled life and legacy of Saalumarada Thimmakka

Charumathi Supraja February 17, 2026 7 min read

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Agriculture · Editor's picks · Grassroots champions · People & Profiles · South Asia

Reclaiming the Midday Meal: How Muhammed Hadith Hussain is Cultivating a ‘Krishi Malayalam’

Staff Writer February 11, 2026 2 min read

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Commentary · Culture & Society · Editor's picks · Opinion & Analysis · South Asia

When the World is Not OK: Opening Safe Spaces to Talk About Climate Change and Mental Health

Charumathi Supraja February 10, 2026 4 min read

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Agriculture · Editor's picks · Innovators · People & Profiles · South Asia · Sustainable Farming

The Tray that Fights Hunger: Sandra Mariya Sony’s Blueprint for Urban Nutrition

Staff Writer February 5, 2026 3 min read

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Creative Voices · Culture & Society · Editor's picks · Guest Columns · Opinion & Analysis · South Asia

ekõ: When nature is the hero, and she has the last word

Staff Writer January 10, 2026 10 min read

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Climate & Environment · Conservation & Biodiversity · Editor's picks · Investigations & Features · Long Reads · People & Profiles · Researchers · South Asia

“Great Nicobar Is Being Re-Engineered, Not Developed”: An Interview with Pankaj Sekhsaria

K. A. Shaji December 26, 2025 12 min read

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On March 30, the small coastal town of Varkala in Kerala is set to be officially named a ‘Zero Waste City’ by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) . This recognition places Varkala among a select group of 20 urban settlements worldwide celebrated for their commitment to sustainable waste management. While the accolade is a significant honour, it prompts a deeper inquiry: What does it truly mean to be a ‘Zero Waste City,’ and how does Varkala’s model stand as a replicable example, especially when compared to other cities in the UN’s programme?

Climate & Environment, Con...

Varkala’s ‘Zero Waste’ Crown: A Model of Substance or a Convenient Label?

Staff Writer

July 8, 2026

The Atharva Veda’s Hymn to the Earth makes the ethic practical: “Whatever I dig from you, O Earth, let that quickly grow again, O Purifier; may we not injure your vitals or your heart” (Atharva Veda 12.1.35, tr. Griffith).

Commentary, Culture & Soci...

When a tree and a wayside stone becomes a shrine: Observations from nature

Dr Gopakumar S

July 8, 2026

Thimmakka was 114 years old when she died on 14th Nov, 2025 in a hospital in south Bangalore but only 37 years old when she and Chikkayya started planting trees to heal from the humiliation they faced for being childless.

Changemakers, Climate & En...

Honoring the unparalleled life and legacy of Saalumarada Thimmakka

Charumathi Supraja

July 8, 2026

Agriculture, Editor's picks, G...

Reclaiming the Midday Meal: How Muhammed Hadith Hussain is Cultivating a ‘Krishi Malayalam’

Staff Writer

July 8, 2026

Using pictorial tools and activities, the facilitators enabled participants to express themselves on a subject that is not discussed frequently or widely. PC - Charumathi

Commentary, Culture & Soci...

When the World is Not OK: Opening Safe Spaces to Talk About Climate Change and Mental Health

Charumathi Supraja

July 8, 2026

close up view of lush green moss in sunlight

Agriculture, Editor's picks, I...

The Tray that Fights Hunger: Sandra Mariya Sony’s Blueprint for Urban Nutrition

Staff Writer

July 8, 2026

Creative Voices, Culture &...

ekõ: When nature is the hero, and she has the last word

Staff Writer

July 8, 2026

aerial photography of a cliff surrounded with body of water

Climate & Environment, Con...

“Great Nicobar Is Being Re-Engineered, Not Developed”: An Interview with Pankaj Sekhsaria

K. A. Shaji

July 8, 2026

Creative Voices, Culture &...

Smoke or shade: A child’s prayer for nature

Staff Writer

July 8, 2026

Culture & Society, Editor'...

Where Faith Becomes Forest: The Story of Restoringone of Kerala’s oldest Serpent Groves

Mitravinda Giri Nair

July 8, 2026

Climate & Environment, Com...

Bring the Forest to the City: Kerala’s ‘Greenprint’ for Social Forestry 2.0

Dr Gopakumar S

July 8, 2026

The company recently achieved a historic milestone by officially entering the Guinness Book of World Records, a recognition that cements its reputation as a visionary leader committed to excellence, innovation, and social responsibility.

Agriculture, Agritech, Guest C...

South Asia

Varkala’s ‘Zero Waste’ Crown: A Model of Substance or a Convenient Label?

When a tree and a wayside stone becomes a shrine: Observations from nature

Honoring the unparalleled life and legacy of Saalumarada Thimmakka

Reclaiming the Midday Meal: How Muhammed Hadith Hussain is Cultivating a ‘Krishi Malayalam’

When the World is Not OK: Opening Safe Spaces to Talk About Climate Change and Mental Health

The Tray that Fights Hunger: Sandra Mariya Sony’s Blueprint for Urban Nutrition

ekõ: When nature is the hero, and she has the last word

“Great Nicobar Is Being Re-Engineered, Not Developed”: An Interview with Pankaj Sekhsaria

Varkala’s ‘Zero Waste’ Crown: A Model of Substance or a Convenient Label?

When a tree and a wayside stone becomes a shrine: Observations from nature

Honoring the unparalleled life and legacy of Saalumarada Thimmakka

Reclaiming the Midday Meal: How Muhammed Hadith Hussain is Cultivating a ‘Krishi Malayalam’

When the World is Not OK: Opening Safe Spaces to Talk About Climate Change and Mental Health

The Tray that Fights Hunger: Sandra Mariya Sony’s Blueprint for Urban Nutrition

ekõ: When nature is the hero, and she has the last word

“Great Nicobar Is Being Re-Engineered, Not Developed”: An Interview with Pankaj Sekhsaria

Smoke or shade: A child’s prayer for nature

Where Faith Becomes Forest: The Story of Restoringone of Kerala’s oldest Serpent Groves

Bring the Forest to the City: Kerala’s ‘Greenprint’ for Social Forestry 2.0

Sampangi Bio farms: Inspiring the World with Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Recognition

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