The Crucial Years

The Crucial Years is a newsletter on how India is dealing with its environment, forests and climate as we navigate through the most critical decade of action.

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About the Author

Nihar Gokhale

Nihar Gokhale

Nihar Gokhale

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.

Featured Newsletter

Chaos
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Now, a bill to ease environmental rules for seafood producers

The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023, proposes to exempt India’s seafood industry from coastal regulations, just when the coast needed more protection.

Recent Editions

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Delhi floods and the art of sleeping at the wheel

Even as the national capital continues to be battered by heavy rains year after year, long-term efforts to chart out a drainage plan remain too little, too late.

20 Jul 2023

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Making sense of India’s sudden optimism on green hydrogen

The Centre and states see a bright future in green hydrogen, but it’s equally important to address concerns around transport and cost.

06 Jul 2023

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We need to talk about the global plastics treaty

Nations including India are negotiating a plastic deal that will be signed in 2024. India seems in favour of less ambitious action.

08 Jun 2023

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India’s complex forest regulations bring chaos to order

Hundreds of guidelines and clarifications are making it hard to understand regulations that protect India’s forests.

25 May 2023

Older Editions

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The forest conservation bill could do more harm than good

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.

18 May 2023

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The sentencing of Shri Pavan, aka Oban

Found guilty of repeatedly straying out of Kuno National Park, the ‘immigrant’ cheetah is handed down harsh punishment.

27 Apr 2023

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Beyond the celebrations, worrying signs for India’s tigers

A report released by the prime minister says the animals face multiple threats even as his government claims that all is well.

13 Apr 2023

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Cheetah reintroduction is Indian wildlife’s demonetization moment

A recent letter by scientists in favour of cheetah reintroduction emphasizes how the exercise was always an experiment, contrary to what the government has been telling us.

22 Feb 2023

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Goa moves one big step closer to becoming a coal hub

Armed with the recently issued environmental clearance for its port terminal, JSW Group is set to expand its coal operations in the state despite years of opposition from locals.

25 Jan 2023