By introducing ambiguous clauses and sweeping exemptions for strategic projects, the government seems to be turning the clock back on saving the country’s forests.
A common question that people ask journalists like me—who cover the environment, climate change and sustainability—is: What can people actually do about this? “All the bad news is fine. But what can I actually do? I hope you write about that,” one uncle added to his blessing shortly before I embarked on this career.
There are many things one could do. Compost food waste, use public transport and consume local produce. And then there are things you could do saying they are for the environment, but they have the opposite effect. For instance, you can buy an electric car and …
Nihar Gokhale led the Chaos coverage at The Morning Context. Nihar wrote on the environment, the economy and resource conflicts in India. He has reported from across the country on everything from displacement, pollution and environmental violations to land regulation, corruption and human rights. He was earlier associate editor at Land Conflict Watch, and his work has appeared in Scroll, The Wire, IndiaSpend, The Caravan and Mongabay India.
Editor, Chaos
nihar@mailtmc.com
Delhi