Rishika Pardikar

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Economist Rathin Roy argues that India’s climate transition is constrained by a consumer-heavy state, a rent-seeking private sector, and an international finance regime stacked against the Global South.

Climate change is best used as a weapon of the weak: Rathin Roy

Roy, long critic of unequal climate politics, argues the only leverage left for developing countries is to turn climate politics back on its creators.

Rishika Pardikar

Dec 02, 2025

Ever since 2004, the Nicobarese people have asked—both vocally and in written representations to government authorities—to return to their ancestral lands. For over twenty years, the administration ignored their demand. Here, the Nicobarese of Teressa Island celebrate pig festival.

After two decades, administration considers Nicobarese return to ancestral lands

The tribal welfare department acknowledges the demand, reversing twenty years of denial since displacement after the 2004 tsunami.

Rishika Pardikar

Nov 19, 2025

Water being released from the Three Gorges Dam, a gigantic hydropower project on the Yangtze river, in Yichang, central China’s Hubei province on August 23, 2020. The new mega dam project is said to be thrice the size of the Three Gorges Dam.

China’s mega dam: Concerns for India and other downstream countries

The $137 billion project can generate 60 GW of power, but lacks transparency on water storage capacity and environmental impact on millions of people.

Rishika Pardikar

Aug 21, 2025

Scientific modelling suggests India’s current afforestation strategy may fall short of its Paris Agreement targets without changes in forest management. (Representative Image)

Why India’s forests are not storing enough carbon

Study finds plantation-heavy greening has failed to slow carbon sink loss in forests like the Western Ghats, threatening the Paris Agreement targets.

Rishika Pardikar

Aug 04, 2025

Following the 2004 tsunami, the Nicobarese were resettled in revenue areas of Great Nicobar. They have since sought return to their ancestral lands along the island’s southern coast—an area that now overlaps with the proposed development zone.

Questions of consent and clarity at Campbell Bay’s public hearing on Great Nicobar Project

SIA process for road infrastructure excludes key tribal voices, leaves affected communities uncertain about land acquisition and future displacement.

Rishika Pardikar

Jul 26, 2025

An otter by the Kaveri. The documentary My Otter Diary is being screened across Bengaluru.

Otters and fishermen have lived together for centuries: Sugandhi Gadadhar

Director of the documentary My Otter Diary discusses otters, fishermen, and the politics of riverine storytelling.

Rishika Pardikar

Jul 14, 2025

Jagadish Shukla, meteorologist and author of A Billion Butterflies: A Life in Climate and Chaos Theory .

The solution to climate anxiety is climate action: Jagadish Shukla

The meteorologist critiques flawed forecasts, political meddling, and calls for science-led seasonal predictions to aid India’s rural poor.

Rishika Pardikar

May 20, 2025

D. Ayyappan believes the mega project “will adversely impact the Nicobarese, both directly and indirectly”.

Everything is being done in a hushed-up manner: D. Ayyappan

CPI(M) leader from Andamans slams Centre’s secrecy on Great Nicobar project; demands basic services before grand plans.

Rishika Pardikar

Apr 18, 2025

The leatherback turtle is the world’s largest sea turtle species, renowned for its distinctive leathery shell and remarkable long-distance migrations. This photo captures one of these turtles laying eggs on a secluded beach in the Great Nicobar Islands.

Are Giant Leatherback hatchlings from Galathea Bay being relocated?

The recent release of turtle hatchlings on an unsuitable and non-natal beach in Great Nicobar raises conservation questions.

Rishika Pardikar

Mar 16, 2025

Removing fibres by running a thread through the dough made from pandanus pulp.

Republic Day: A day to celebrate Nicobarese culture

In the Nicobarese community, preparing for Republic Day means cooking pandanus, making handicrafts, and practising their traditional song and dance.

Rishika Pardikar

Jan 25, 2025

Maladaptation has been discussed as part of negotiations on the Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA) at COP29.

‘Maladaptation’ fears might end up blocking climate funds for poor nations

Overly strict definitions of failed climate adaptation can potentially prevent vital projects in developing countries from getting financial support.

Rishika Pardikar

Nov 18, 2024

In 2011, ICAR started the National Initiative on Climate Resilient Agriculture.

Research on climate change is 40 per cent of ICAR’s budget: S.K. Chaudhari

ICAR’s Deputy Director General of Natural Resources Management says farmers are prepared to adopt new technologies to ensure climate resilience.

Rishika Pardikar

Sep 23, 2024

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