Of Delhi’s 1,040 wetlands and waterbodies, none have been officially notified, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. The city’s drainage plan and system have not been updated since the 1970s. This along with encroachment of the Yamuna floodplains by settlements and large development projects make the city vulnerable to flooding. Experts strongly recommend reviving the city’s water bodies and desilting its existing drains to help mitigate flood effects. Mongabay India writer Simrin Sirur reports
Did you know, that if you were to invest 1 rupee in any an Indian tiger reserve, the return could be as high as 7,489 times? Tiger reserves in India that house 3,167 or 75% of the world’s big cats constitute a billion dollar economy. And almost nothing of it is accounted for in India’s GDP! Nevertheless, governments and corporates are fast becoming aware of the bounties of tiger habitats. More reserves are becoming carbon credit markets and interesting concepts like tiger bonds are being explored. But challenges-shrinking budget support, human-tiger conflict-remain. Host Anirban Chowdhury talks opportunities to Madhu Verma, Environmental Economist, Senior Economic Advisor, Iora Ecological Solutions; Gaurav Gupta, Senior Advisor, Conservation Finance - UNDP; and Richa Sharma - Assistant Editor, ESG - ET Prime.