🌊 Our Rivers, Our Future 🌍
Rivers are the lifeblood of our planet. They provide fresh water, support biodiversity, regulate our climate, and sustain cultural traditions that have thrived for generations. Yet, rivers worldwide are under threat.
From removing outdated dams to opposing water privatization and ensuring local voices are heard in river management decisions, this day is about taking action. It’s about recognizing that rivers are not just part of our past—they are central to our future.
On this day, we rise together with communities worldwide who champion free-flowing rivers, defend water rights, and advocate for sustainable, inclusive river management.
Malali moggu: A fading whisper of tradition, healing, and nature's delicate balance...
Deep in the forests of the Biligiri Rangana Hills, the Soliga community sing of the Malali moggu—the tender flower buds of the Indigofera cassiodes plant.
(“Malali plant has become a dream...now somewhere there is one truth/ its existence....now after the lantana covered the whole forest.. don't know what happened to all those plants.”)
The question now is: Will we recognize the true worth of this plant and the knowledge it carries before it vanishes? Let’s not wait until it’s too late to protect the Malali moggu and the cultural and ecological heritage it represents.
It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen, and sustains the fertility of the forest. Beyond its ecological role, it holds profound medicinal value - healing wounds, reducing inflammation, and offering relief for respiratory ailments.
Our Coexistence fellow Vishal Mistry and the forest department team recently rescued a golden jackal from a residential area in Khadli village. The call came from Vishal’s field work area where crocodiles and humans coexist, reporting a rabid jackal entering the village.
Months earlier, similar situations had led to attacks on animals due to fear and misinformation, fueled by viral social media stories about wolves in Uttar Pradesh.
Vishal and his team worked to educate villagers, preventing further harm to jackals and other creatures. This time, they ensured the rescue was conducted with the cooperation and understanding of the community and fostering coexistence.