ATREE News
Nature has the answers
In light of the International Day of Biodiversity, Dr Kamal Bawa writes eloquently about the role nature has yet to play in the development of human beings. While it may seem we have strayed from our once natural habitat, the article argues that nature still contains the answers, calling attention to work done in adopting nature-based solutions as well as upholding tenets of biodiversity science.
Windmill takes wind out of birds sails
The southern districts of Tamil Nadu are one of the largest windmill hubs in the country, contributing to at least 25% of India’s total installed wind energy capacity of 40 gigawatts
Ecosystem restoration good for your health
Humanity currently faces multiple, interlinked existential crises. The catastrophic consequences of climate change, ecological degradation, and biodiversity loss have cascading knock-on effects on human health and well-being. As the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates, ecosystem damage can contribute significantly to a global public health emergency. But scientists are also increasingly finding that ecological restoration, by reversing the threats to soil, biodiversity, water, and other ecosystem services, can deliver major health benefits.
Indian-origin Dr. Kamal Bawa elected to US National Academy of Sciences
Dr Kamaljit S Bawa, aka Kamal Bawa, a noted, Indian born, conservation biologist and President of the Bengaluru, India-based Ashoka Trust for Research and Ecology and Environment (ATREE) has been elected to the US National Academy of Sciences. Election to the 170-year-old Academy is a recognition of the significant contributions to science by its members, ATREE said in a press release on May 5. Bawa is also an elected fellow of the Royal Society (London) and the American Philosophical Society.
Tamil Nadu moves to infuse life in sacred gardens around temples
A group of environmentalists in Tirunelveli have, however, taken it upon themselves to preserve what remains of the sacred gardens. Under the first phase of Nellai Tree Mapping exercise, a team from ATREE’s Agasthyamalai Community Conservation Centre (ACCC), Manimutharu along with Tirunelveli district administration surveyed more than 130 temples in the region. The results were motivating. The volunteers recorded more than 3,664 trees belonging to 97 species. With 841 individuals, the neem trees top the list followed by coconut trees (512), bael (307), teak (196), mango (120), peepal (102), Arjuna tree (102). The team also recorded tree species such as mahua, Indian beech, amla, tamarind, banyan and jamun in and around the temples that they surveyed in Tirunelveli.
Comment: Thriving ecosystems will improve human as well as planetary health
Emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases like Covid-19 are closely associated with the health of ecosystems
Ecosystem restoration is good for your health
Rising public health costs and the significant global disease burden – exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic – strengthen the case for the world to move toward ecological restoration. The benefits to planetary and human health will easily justify the cost
Ecosystem Restoration Is Good for Your Health
There have been many attempts to understand the nexus between ecological degradation and human health. A recent study of over 6,800 ecosystems across six continents provided further evidence that deforestation and extinction of species will make pandemics more likely. Soil degradation reduces agricultural productivity, but also has been linked to disease and increased mortality.75% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, caused by unsustainable use of natural resources, factory farming of animals, and other industrial-scale anthropogenic factors. There is also evidence that ecological restoration can protect people from extreme climate events and related public-health crises.
Dr. Kamal Bawa elected to US National Academy of Sciences
Dr. Kamal Bawa, a noted, Indian born, conservation biologist and President of the Bengaluru, India-based Ashoka Trust for Research and Ecology and Environment (ATREE) has been elected to the US National Academy of Sciences.
India-born scientist elected to US National Academy of Sciences
Kamal Bawa, a noted, Indian born, conservation biologist and president of the Bengaluru-based Ashoka Trust for Research and Ecology and Environment (ATREE), was elected to the US National Academy of Sciences, ATREE said on Wednesday.