KumKum Dasgupta

Policies and People | On climate adaptation, what India needs to do

India must develop new routes for raising internal finance for adaptation and localise climate science for administrators and communities

Policies and People | Climate crisis: Draw up a policy on internal migration

India needs a comprehensive policy on internal migration as sudden and large-scale displacements due to the climate crisis are likely to become frequent

Policies and People | The RE sector must be mindful of its impact on people

As India transitions towards a low-carbon economy, it is critical that its future energy systems are designed to foreground ecological health, human dignity and well-being 

Policies and People | What’s fuelling anti-coal mining protests in West Bengal

The growing resistance against the Deocha-Pachami coal mine shows the people’s lack of trust in the Indian State’s ability to carry out a fair and equitable rehabilitation process

Policies and People | UP '22: Despite public interest, no space for green issues

India’s most populous state faces a plethora of environmental challenges. But conventional narratives around caste, religion and region have once again elbowed out green issues

Policies and People | Jakarta to Nusantara: Lessons for other megacities   

Indonesia is relocating its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara. One of the main reasons for this move is the degraded environment of the present capital. Other mega cities must take note and invest in environmental protection and climate resilience

Policies and People | The net-zero race: Why embodied carbon matters

Tackle the carbon footprint of construction materials and the supply chain that feeds India's rapidly growing building sector 

Policies and People | Unlock the power of climate action plans

States, cities, and districts have been making their climate plans. This thrust on climate plans is good, but there must be consistency 

Policies and People | Kolkata’s tram system: Don’t let it rust

World over, cities are reviving their tram systems after years of prioritising cars. Kolkata, which has Asia's oldest tramway system, must also revitalise the eco-friendly mode of transport

Policies and People | Make India’s elections eco-friendly

Political campaigns and elections generate vast amounts of non-biodegradable waste, in addition to noise and vehicular pollution. Political parties must heed the EC directives on cutting down on such waste

Policies and People | Make climate science research more accessible

More efforts need to be put into simplifying these reports for a larger audience and developing instruments for people for the general public to understand

Policies and People | India needs a climate crisis curriculum

Include the climate crisis as a separate subject. Or better still, integrate it with existing subjects. Also, recognise children as key agents of change in addressing the climate and environmental crisis, and make the curriculum more practical

Policies and People | How a young conservationist is saving river turtles

For the last eight years, Arunima Singh, recipient of the NatWest Group Earth Heroes Award 2021, and her field team have been fighting tirelessly for turtles, Gangetic dolphins, marsh crocodiles, and gharials

Policies and People | Glasgow: The interconnections between climate disasters 

In a climate-hit world, most disasters have deep interconnections. And, so the response cannot be fragmented

Policies and People | Why those in Glasgow must think about those in Sunderbans

At COP26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the world’s response to the climate crisis must involve adaptation and not just mitigation. A community-based project in Sundarbans offers a lesson

Policies and People | Uttarakhand’s climate plan shows State failure

The state needs go back to its climate plan, update it, and implement its key messages for its development planning. Otherwise, it will face repeated rounds of climate-related devastation

Kunming Declaration: Is it all doom and gloom?

While there is much to worry about the state of world’s biodiversity, it’s important to cheer conservation success stories too

Don’t just blame big-ticket projects for the destruction of the Himalayas

There are plenty of other comparatively much smaller, below-the-radar schemes that are chipping away the natural heritage of these ecologically fragile states. Like highways and dams, these too continue, despite protests, in the name of development and taking advantage of State oversight or, in many instances, unethical governance.

With rampant and illegal sand mining, the Yamuna can’t be rejuvenated

While MPD’s plans are bold, the health of the Yamuna, the second largest tributary of the river Ganga, will not improve unless all states take measures to stop industrial pollution, regulate mechanised sand and gravel mining, and agree to revise the interstate water-sharing agreement in 2024

Paying a meaningful tribute to Bahuguna

‘His message of forest and river conservation must be respected both by Uttarakhand and the Centre by putting an immediate halt and independent review of destructive projects such as Char Dham road widening and construction of high dams’

Indoor air pollution: Don’t brush it aside

In the discussions on air pollution, IAP often loses out to outdoor pollution. But as the extent of the challenge shows, IAP is an equally big problem. Let’s not brush it under the carpet.

Broaden the idea of a smart city in India | Opinion

To tackle the climate crisis and make cities liveable, invest in energy-efficient buildings and microclimate

India needs to rethink housing for the poor | Opinion

The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed an ugly reality: Migrant labourers live in slums and informal/unauthorised colonies that are congested, lack basic sanitation and water services, ventilation and green spaces. As a result, they are at a far greater risk of contracting the virus, along with other illnesses.

Without clean water, fighting diseases is a pipe dream

As the number of coronavirus cases detected in India rises, health professionals have suggested frequent hand-washing as a precautionary measure. But getting people to do this may not be easy as many households across the country do not have adequate hand-washing facilities, according to the National Family Health Survey (2015-16).

Why Himalayan towns and cities are running dry

Why climate migration doesn’t have to be crisis | Opinion

In-migration states must take an anticipatory approach to include migrants in growth and development strategies

‘Affordable housing can be green too’

Linking sustainability with quality rather than pricing can create opportunities for upcoming housing projects, especially since India’s socio-economic milieu warrants different perceptions of affordability.

‘Destruction of wetlands will lead to water, food and climate insecurity’

India has witnessed a rapid degradation of its wetlands. In the last three decades alone, nearly one-third of natural wetlands have been lost to urbanisation, agriculture expansion and pollution.

Constitution @ 70: A look at how citizens are reanimating its progressive ideals

As the Constitution completes 70 years, its stirring Preamble continues to inspire Indian citizens

Water management: Not just the government’s job

The decision to focus on building community-managed decentralised water supply systems in rural areas is a welcome move