Rishika Pardikar @rishpardikar Twitter profile | Pikagi

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Rishika Pardikar

@rishpardikar

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Environment reporter | science, law & policy | @Article14live , @LeverNews / @jacobin , @AGU_Eos , @the_hindu , @Nature , @WeAreDrilled , @africaarguments

India

Joined August 2015

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

10 months

Land categorised as "uninhabited" in @NITIAayog plan for Nicobar island is ancestral pre 2004 tsunami home of Nicobarese which they have repeatedly pleaded to return to. It's also currently inhabited by some members of Shompen community For @Article14live

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India’s ‘Alternative To Hong Kong’ Proceeds In Lush Nicobar Island, As Govt Ignores Pleas Of Local...

Over the past 17 years, and most recently in 2022, hunter-gatherers, fisherfolk & farmers of a Nicobarese tribe—inhabiting a rainforest-draped island of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago for about...

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

10 days

Today I learnt Ambedkar had proposed that the prime minister should be selected by the entire Lok Sabha i.e. including opposition parties because as the executive head of the government, he/ she should have the confidence of the whole House

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

29 days

Some of you guys really need to explain why you want the world to tackle climate change. If mass death and suffering (Gaza) doesn't disturb you, I really have no reason to believe that climate-related death and suffering does. Climate is then just a fun puzzle to solve

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

3 years

Wrote a piece for @scroll_in in April. It was published in May. 6 months later, still no pay. It was a paltry 4k btw Another thing: early this month, they advertised that they're looking to hire staff. So you have money to pay present staff + new hire but not freelancers!?

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Rishika Pardikar

1 month

Bloomberg has published an editorial saying "China & India Should Kick Their Coal Habit". Someone tell them the U.S. emits more tonnes of CO2 from oil in a year than India does from coal. Lot of people need to get their climate arguments right. CO2 is the problem; not just coal

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Rishika Pardikar

10 days

Seems particularly radical amid today's polarisation

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Rishika Pardikar

10 months

Friendly advise to Indian Forest Service officers on Twitter: if you don't have the courage & sense of duty to speak out against Forest Conservation Amendment or mindless habitat diversions that occur almost daily, try to refrain from bragging about nabbing low-level poachers

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

9 months

Reminder: the BJP govt amended Foreign Contribution Regulation Act to allow foreign donations for political parties. It also introduced electoral bonds where the opaque structure doesn't allow the public to know funders who could very well have foreign links

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Rishika Pardikar

2 months

Starting to get annoyed by "is #ClimateChange not an election issue in India?" When farmers demand drought relief or other support, what exactly do you think they are demanding relief from? Is articulation the problem? They should read IPCC reports when there's no food to eat?

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

In Niyamgiri hill range, 95% land is not classified as forest in govt ecords. This means, if #ForestConservationAmendmentBill goes through, all of these lands would lose the protective cover of the Act & be open for diversion without community consent

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Facing the axe: new ‘forest’ definition makes large tracts vulnerable

Amendments to the Forest Conservation Act, 2006, may pose threat to Odisha’s densely treed Niyamgiri hill range that is fiercely protected by the Dongria Kondh tribe, say experts. Read more on The...

www.thehindu.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

3 years

When Modi was on stage declaring a net-zero target, Sudha Bharadwaj turned 60 in jail. She's a lawyer fighting exploitative coal mining in central India. What happens on a global stage is often painfully ironic to those on the ground

@ChitrangadaC

Chitrangada/ଚିତ୍ରାଙ୍ଗଦା

3 years

It's her 60th birthday tday & she is spending it in prison, where she has been since 3+ yrs, without bail or trial. The Bombay HC finished hearing her last bail plea on 4th Aug. Still no ruling. #SudhaBharadwaj @Article14live

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

India has complex realities. There are coal-dependent communities & communities whose lives are ruined bc of mining. There's air pollution & ground water depletion bc of thermal. At the same time, many villages don't have power You don't have to hold onto one side. It's all true

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

This is an excellent report. Every journalist who has ever approached this think tank for comments or hopes to do so should read. To know what views shape organisational stand & how it links with what ruling govt wants. I have pdf in case anyone wants

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Vidhi: inside India’s most influential legal think tank

An independent non-profit with intellectual prowess was an ideal foil for an administration eager to run up business-friendliness rankings. With a strong focus on laws governing the cross-relations...

economictimes.indiatimes.com

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

A Nigerian journalist tells me "there's no electricity in our hospitals, doctors are on strike bc no salary but our govt is talking about reducing emissions. How?! How will they do it? This is why the environment minister doesn't talk to me but will talk to CNN. I ask tough Qs"

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

Bill to amend Forest Conservation Act that received ~1,200 representations, incl **objections** from conservationists, tribal groups, environmental lawyers will go Parliament unchanged. Zero reason to think the parliamentary committee set-up wasn't a sham

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Objections overruled, Forest Bill goes to House unchanged

The Hindu has viewed a draft copy of the report on the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023 that is expected to be tabled in Parliament ahead of the monsoon session on July 20.

www.thehindu.com

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

In recent #IPCC report, developing countries insisted a disclaimer be highlighted in a separate box. That models "do not make explicit assumptions about global equity, environmental justice or intra-regional income distribution." 🧵 For @carboncopyinfo

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

In India, over 293 coal mines & 259 thermal power plants have already shut down. Yet coal minister Pralhad Joshi told Lok Sabha there no plans to introduce a #JustTransition policy. What happens to workers & dependent communities then? For @carboncopyinfo

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

Lol @ India's independent media. Lol @ their stories on workers. Talk to freelancers to know what their published words actually mean to them. You can "challenge power" all you want. Nothing, absolutely nothing will change unless you adopt what you preach

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Rishika Pardikar

5 months

🚨National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) raised grave concerns on new Forest Conservation Rules with @byadavbjp . It was also working on other reports w.r.t. Forest Rights Act. Few months later, chairman 'resigned'. NCST is now effectively defunct

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Head of constitutional ST body flagged grave concerns with new Forest Rules before early ‘resigna...

www.newslaundry.com

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Rishika Pardikar

10 days

@tarunkhaitan Since there's a specific reference to opposition parties, I don't think a restrictive interpretation about majority in Lok Sabha applies. From the book 'The Foresighted Ambedkar'

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Rishika Pardikar

4 years

My report on how the Nashik municipal corporation has used funds earmarked for riverfront development under @SmartCities_HUA to remove concrete & let the Godavari run free. Experts hope this sets a precedent @Indian_Rivers @Parineeta_River

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In a First, a City Frees a River Using Funds Meant To Concretise It

Experts hope that the move sets a precedent for a number of similar riverfront development projects and will help 'smarten' cities better.

science.thewire.in

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Rishika Pardikar

5 months

"The ministry had said that Mander was regularly writing columns for newspapers such as The Indian Express, The Hindu, The Wire, the Hindustan Times, The Quint & Scroll." Writing columns is now a crime under FCRA? Ridiculous

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After raids, CBI files FIR against activist Harsh Mander for alleged FCRA violations

‘My life, my writings and my work are my only response,’ Mander said on Friday.

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

1 year

Small announcement: temporarily moved to Uttarakhand. Hope to understand Himalayan region better & also visit institutes like Forest Survey of India & Wildlife Institute of India. Feel free to share region-specific environmental issues. Curious to learn about Nepal & Tibet too

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

Failing to understand the allegation here. No one should criticise coal in India?! Didn't Central Electricity Authority call for closure of old thermal plants! Litigation is meant to be a tool. That is by design. Why not make counter arguments during hearing? Why FCRA route?

@barandbench

Bar and Bench

1 year

CBI files an FIR against lawyer Ritwick Dutta for FCRA violations in filing cases against coal projects. Ritwick is the founder of Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) @lifeindia2016 @CBIHeadquarters

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Rishika Pardikar

2 years

Active lobbying for posts & political interference led to handpicking of an MLA’s son, a mining baron & a pediatric doctor, among others, as members of Karnataka's wildlife board Report on a compromised board & its compromised decisions for @Article14live

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Friends, Family & Favours: Why The Karnataka Wildlife Board Refused To Create A Protected Area

An MLA’s son. A mining baron. A pediatric doctor. These are some of the appointments made by Karnataka’s government to the State Board for Wildlife, a body of experts meant to provide advice on the...

www.article-14.com

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

Big news. Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has resigned (8 months before end of term) bc of concerns with new Forest Conservation Rules that infringe on rights of forest-dwelling communities. He had asked @moefcc to set aside the Rules

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Harsh Chouhan resigns as NCST chairman eight months before end of term

NCST chairman Harsh Chouhan resigns: Harsh Chouhan's resignation comes after a run-in with the environment ministry over the Forest Conservation Rules 2022, which he said violated the Forest Rights...

www.business-standard.com

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Rishika Pardikar

8 months

An exercise is underway to denotify ~3,000 acres of forest land (i.e. prime real estate from another point of view) in Mussorie. Because this is exactly what a hill state that saw massive disasters this monsoon season needs

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Survey On In Mussoorie, May Open Up Acres Of Land Bank For Construction | Dehradun News - Times of...

Thousands of acres of land could be denotified (declared as non-forest land) in the Queen of Hills soon, leading to a slew of construction activities .

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

This is so sad. Been thinking about comments like "nature will reclaim." From whom, is the question. Who is destined to lose the most? If socio-economic realities go unaddressed, such comments are useless, at best

@ndtv

NDTV

11 months

Watch | Only Debris, Mud Remain Where A Village Stood: Ground Zero Of Maharashtra Landslide @sohitmishra99 reports

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

Haven't heard a scarier statement in a while

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Rishika Pardikar

7 days

A maternity benefit law in *1929*. Constantly in awe of all that he managed to achieve. From 'The Foresighted Ambedkar' by Anurag Bhaskar

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

Who wants to bet @Jairam_Ramesh will cry on Twitter later this evening? After choosing to walk out of discussions on #ForestConservationAmendmentBill Said this before, saying it again. Opposition is a joke

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

#NewProfilePic Udupi, Karnataka

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

Central Bureau of Investigation's case against @lifeindia2016 's Ritwick Dutta, based on complaint by home ministry, for alleged #FCRA violations lacks evidence & contains factual inaccuracies. A breakdown of the FIR for @Article14live

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CBI Case Against Environmental Lawyer Has No Evidence To Back Allegations Made But Will Deter...

A case filed by the country’s premier investigating agency against one of India’s most prominent environmental lawyers alleging violations in foreign contribution regulations is rife with factual...

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

4 years

K'taka wildlife board comprises mining company CEO & a politician’s son & the state's forest minister has mining interests. A national wildlife board member is trustee of an NGO funded by fossil fuel companies. This is just tip of the iceberg My latest

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

I miss Bangalore's banyan trees. Now I have to go outskirts to see them Maralwadi, Kanakpura.

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Rishika Pardikar

8 months

Indian water ministry plan to link rivers to provide water for crop irrigation could result in reduced rainfall in already-arid regions like Rajasthan & Gujarat. For @Nature on a first-of-its-kind study that assessed atmospheric impacts of the plan

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Rishika Pardikar

14 days

Andaman & Nicobar administration rushes land acquisition for an international airport that is part of NITI Aayog's mega project. Residents & local panchayat demand engagement on social impact assessment (SIA) & a proper public hearing. For @thenewsminute

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Great Nicobar airport: Local administration rushes public hearing, residents seek clarity

On June 7, the Andaman and Nicobar administration announced that it would be holding a public hearing on June 22, related to the development of an international

www.thenewsminute.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

1 year

Time to retire words like "lost" & "disappeared" when we speak of Bangalore's lakes. A 2017 Karnataka Legislative Assembly report had identified real estate firms (Prestige, Sobha, Bagmane, Brigade) as encroachers. No justification to use passive voice

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Bengaluru | 65 lakes lost since 1965; temperature increased by 1.5 degree Celsius in two decades

Around 65 lakes have disappeared in Bengaluru and the city in the last 20 years has also seen a temperature increase of about 1.5 degrees Celsius due to rapid urbanisation, said Dr. Prakash Chauhan,...

www.thehindu.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

4 years

My report on how a 8-member committee headed by @PrakashJavdekar & to which @ntca_india is a special invitee has usurped powers of Wildlife Board & illegally allowed diversion (Wildlife Act does not permit unless it benefits wildlife) of protected areas

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Govt Illegally Takes Over Land In Wildlife Sanctuaries, Parks

India’s laws prohibit construction in sanctuaries & national parks. Yet, over 19 months, a government-controlled committee with no clear authority approved for ‘development’ land more than three...

www.article-14.com

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Rishika Pardikar

7 months

Push through disastrous amendments to Forest Conservation Act despite widespread criticism, including from your own tribal affairs ministry & then greenwash with a sapling for #COP28

@byadavbjp

Bhupender Yadav

7 months

PM Shri @narendramodi ji will be in Dubai, UAE from 30 November to 1 December 2023, to attend the World Climate Action Summit. COP28 is being held from 28 November to 12 December 2023 under the Presidency of the UAE.

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Rishika Pardikar

4 years

says a man who constructed buildings in an elephant habitat/ corridor

@SadhguruJV

Sadhguru

4 years

Concerted action to reverse species loss & ecological damage, a significant step. Subjugation of all other Life will not enhance human wellbeing. A conducive time to herald a more #ConsciousPlanet . –Sg @UNBiodiversity @WWF @IUCN @UNEP #BiodiversitySummit

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

Two environment Bills were passed by Rajya Sabha. For @the_hindu , I show how the Biodiversity Bill is primarily aimed at "ease of doing business". Read together with the Forest bill & the series of environmental dilutions we're seeing, esp since COVID, it all follows a pattern

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

I'll be covering #COP26 from Glasgow as part of a @earthjournalism fellowship. As of now, focus areas as climate finance & Article 6. And the underlying principle is equity. All reports from pre-COP to COP to (hopefully) post-COP here 🧵

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Rishika Pardikar

3 months

Since this cannot be repeated enough: historical emissions matter because CO2 stays in the atmosphere for centuries. Can't apply "that's all in the past" logic here. And the liability bit comes in because some countries gained massively by emitting massive amounts of CO2

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Rishika Pardikar

9 months

This is the only report as yet that highlights the tussle between central legislation like Forest Conservation Act & special constitutional provisions for northeastern states w.r.t. land ownership, customary rights etc. As always, local news knows best

www.sentinelassam.com

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

Stuns me how in #AdaniGroup discussions in investor circles, the fact that businesses unleashed violence on tribal communities & resulted in massive ecological damage is not a deal-breaker. Even political favour is seen as an assurance. Why bother with ESG ratings at all then?

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

It's official. I'll be attending #COP26Glasgow as part of a @earthjournalism fellowship. First COP. Can't wait Would appreciate story tips and general information on how to navigate COPs. DM are open. Or email at rishika.s.pardikar @gmail .com

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Twenty Journalists Awarded Fellowships to Attend and Report on COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN), a project of Internews, and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security are pleased to announce that 20 journalists from developing countries have been awarded...

earthjournalism.net

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

1 year

"we have been fighting for fisherfolk, farmers, forest communities. Almost 90% of our litigants are those whose livelihood/ culture depends on environment in that area." Read this old interview with Ritwick Dutta of @lifeindia2016 who now faces a CBI case

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‘If Tribals Cut 1 Tree, They Are Criminals. If Thousands Of Trees Are Cut, It Is Lauded As Develo...

Over four years, a legal advocacy called LIFE lost each of about 70 cases it filed representing local communities against companies and government projects. In using the law to fight environmental...

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Rishika Pardikar

3 months

Genuine Q:are there examples of Indian cities, towns, villages that have taken measures to alleviate heat-related stress for outdoor workers? Those working in sectors like construction sector, agriculture. Going by this, it's a huge proportion of workforce

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49% of Indian workers are employed outdoors in scorching heat

This analysis seeks to ascertain the proportion of workers who have no option but to work in the unbearable heat, and usually without any protection

www.hindustantimes.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

2 months

. @IndianExpress decides to amplify the prime minister's hate speech amid glaring advertisements. "Journalism of Courage"

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

India got independence in 1947. The British were burning our coal & clearing our forests till then. Not very smart to use only data to explain loaded terms like "historically responsible"

@CarbonBrief

Carbon Brief

3 years

NEW | Analysis: Which countries are historically responsible for climate change? | @DrSimEvans Cumulative fossil fuel & land emissions 1850-2021 🇺🇸 US 509GtCO2 🇨🇳 CN 284 🇷🇺 RU 172 🇧🇷 BR 113 🇮🇩 ID 103 🇩🇪 DE 88 🇮🇳 IN 86 🇬🇧 UK 74 🇯🇵 JP 68 🇨🇦 CA 65 THREAD

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Rishika Pardikar

7 months

Last week, OECD released a report tracking #ClimateFinance mobilisation in 2021. It showed rich countries failed again in meeting $100 billion target. There are also other issues (high-cost loans, repackaging of development aid etc). Explainer for @the_hindu on the deeper rot

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Rishika Pardikar

10 months

Excl: @moefcc has quietly dropped idea to merge offices of @ntca_india , @ForestSurvey , @WCCBHQ & @CZA_Delhi & bring them under it for "ease of doing business" (w.r.t. clearances). NTCA had opposed citing "administrative confusion, chaos...loss of independence, undue interference"

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

Suggestion for journalists covering #IPCCReport2021 : interview politicians on action (or inaction). Interviewing experts wouldn't go very far. They've already laid out thousands & thousands of pages of scientific evidence in the last 30 years. What more will they say?

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

This is why #ClimateFinance is always a core demand of developing countries during negotiations. A majority of climate finance is provided as *loans at market rate* There's a lot more in this very informative & comprehensive report by @aygoswami @CSEINDIA

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Rishika Pardikar

7 months

🚨Scoop: at #COP28 , the U.S. is set to undermine the need for strict regulations for the new international carbon market. It is backing a largely unregulated, voluntary system of credit trading. For @LeverNews , based on an internal EU Council document

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Internal Doc Reveals Biden’s Troubling Climate Summit Plans

Government memo suggests the Biden administration is angering allies by undermining strict standards for a new global carbon market.

www.levernews.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

6 months

🚨 Nicobar tribal council has opposed the creation of three wildlife sanctuaries in the archipelago, raising concerns of customary land & resource rights. These sanctuaries were created to 'compensate' for biodiversity loss due to NITI Aayog's mega project

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TNM Exclusive: Nicobar tribal council opposes creation of wildlife sanctuaries

The Union government is set to invite bids for the first phase of NITI Aayog’s Rs 72,000 crore mega project on Great Nicobar island next month. The project aims

www.thenewsminute.com

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

Had filed an #RTI with @NITIAayog seeking copies of surveys & consultations conducted with local population in #GreatNicobar , esp including tribal communities of Shompen & Nicobarese about the 72,000 crore mega project. Info has been denied citing section 8 of RTI Act ... (1/n)

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Rishika Pardikar

3 months

Gujarat model of environmental governance

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

The joint parliamentary committee (JPC) has officially cleared THE WORST AMENDMENT in the history of Forest Conservation Act without proposing a single change. These dissent notes are of little to no value when JPC report itself is just a recommendation

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Six Opposition members file dissent notes on Forest Conservation Bill

At least six out of the 31 members of the Joint Parliamentary Committee on Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, have filed dissent notes on the controversial Bill which is expected to be tabled in...

www.thehindu.com

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

Biological Diversity Bill passed by Rajya Sabha. One of most controversial aspects was that it exempts AYUSH industry from benefit sharing provisions which were first enacted to protect indigenous resources from foreign exploitation. Now what do I call indigenous exploitation?

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

For @the_hindu , I explain what Forest Conservation Amendment Bill could change, why this is very controversial & issues like by-passing of Parliamentary Standing Committee & a compromised assessment by Joint Parliamentary Committee Log in for a free read

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Explained | What will the amended Forest (Conservation) Act change?

On August 1, the highly controversial Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023 was set to be debated in the Rajya Sabha. Earlier in June, the Bill had been passed by the Lok Sabha with almost no...

www.thehindu.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

4 months

At present all 5 posts at National Commission for Scheduled Tribes @ncsthq are vacant with chairman's post vacant for 8 months. This is the state of a constitutional body with quasi judicial functions where chairman holds cabinet rank. For @frontline_india

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Chairperson’s post at the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes vacant for eight months

NCST Chairperson resigns, leaving all five positions vacant, hindering crucial work on tribal rights and forest conservation.

frontline.thehindu.com

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Rishika Pardikar

2 months

Bengaluru edition of @the_hindu repeats PM's speech yesterday in Rajasthan on page one. Then page ten says Congress accuses Modi of hate speech. With media like this, who needs to know the truth. Just follow both - one saying it's raining, another saying it's not

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

Those who want to mine the deep seas should first learn about deep sea life. I recommend following @RebeccaRHelm & @echinoblog

@RebeccaRHelm

High Seas Science

3 years

Strawberry squid live in the ocean's twilight zone, where only faint sunlight reaches. This squid, which was collected by scientists aboard a @noaa ship, is one of the largest strawberry squid ever found, measures nearly a meter long (3.25 feet)!✨ 📸

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Rishika Pardikar

7 months

40 workers trapped for 60 hrs now reporting vomiting & headaches. It is crazy how authorities view environment clearance processes as completely removed from human well-being. Even in the context of large-scale infra in areas like the Himalaya where landslides are not uncommon.

@indreshmaikhuri

Indresh Maikhuri

@indreshmaikhuri

8 months

शुरू में इसे कहा गया आल वेदर रोड, लेकिन अब यह आल वेदर स्लाइडिंग रोड है. पर्यावरण प्रभाव आकलन (EIA) नहीं करवाया गया, लेकिन पर्यावरण पर प्रभाव तो साफ दिख रहा है, मजदूरों के लिए यह लापरवाही जिंदगी- मौत का सवाल बन गई है. ( एनडीटीवी का शुक्रिया)

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

1 year

A word of advise to CBI/govt: Someone with decades of on-ground experience at intersection of complex environmental & tribal rights issues cannot be accused of being gullible to foreign interference that easily! He is one of the country's finest lawyers. This is despicable

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

3 months

I have been writing & speaking a lot about inequities in modelling assessments i.e. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) used in #IPCC reports to draw #ClimateMitigation pathways. A small explainer for @the_hindu based on a recent paper by @KanitkarT , Akhil Mythri & @tjayaraman

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

4 months

New profile pic

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

11 months

The #ForestConservationAmendment restricts definition of 'forest' to only those recorded as forest in state records. What does this mean for Rajasthan where not a single sacred grove (locally called oran) has been officially recognised as a deemed forest?

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‘Orans’ of Rajasthan in danger of being taken over by green energy projects

Those traditional diversity hotspots support wildlife, domestic animals, and human livelihoods.

frontline.thehindu.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

7 months

The climate grant that journalists in the Global South need: here's year-long money to investigate global power structures & climate negotiation dynamics. Because disaster plight is not the only Global South story

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

Send problematic Bills to a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) headed by your own party MP. For veneer of consultation, invite public comments. Discard them all, get JPC to propose zero changes. In Lok Sabha, say JPC has approved, pay lip service to tribals & ram Bill through👍

@LokSabhaSectt

LOK SABHA

11 months

‘The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023, as Reported by Joint Committee’ passed in #LokSabha . @loksabhaspeaker @byadavbjp @ombirlakota @sansad_tv

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Rishika Pardikar

3 months

Union govt has issued a guideline on Forest Right Act. It came as joint advisory from @TribalAffairsIn & @moefcc & gives control of community forest rights to forest dept. For @frontline_india on how tribal ministry has surrendered to environment ministry

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Is the MoEFCC encroaching into the domain of Tribal Affairs Ministry?

A joint advisory by both ministries last month loops in the forest department for the management of community forest lands and resources.This follows a pattern set over the last 10 years where the...

frontline.thehindu.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

4 years

I crossed the India-Nepal border from Uttarakhand a few times in the last few months. It's a beautiful border that people from the two countries can walk across without any hassel because India and Nepal have shared histories and cultural ties. I hope this never changes

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

Excl: Joint parliamentary committee to assess Forest Conservation Bill cleared it without proposing any changes despite @moefcc offering inadequate justifications (& even tangential arguments) for proposed amendments. Raises Qs about integrity of process

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SPECIAL | New Forest Conservation Bill: Ministry Ignores Dissent, JPC Pushes Ahead

A confidential document prepared as part of the joint parliamentary process reveals inadequate justification for the proposed amendments.

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

Who thinks if Congress comes to power tomorrow, they will not use these same amended laws (Forest Conservation Act, Biological Diversity Act etc) however they want? Including in the form of favours to business houses. THIS IS WHY IT MATTERS TO OPPOSE PROBLEMATIC BILLS

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

Seems Forest Conservation Bill cannot be discussed in Rajya Sabha today because environment minister is attending a climate sustainability meeting. Hahahha first time seeing a useful climate meet. Can't push legislation to destroy forests if a climate meet demands your presence

@byadavbjp

Bhupender Yadav

11 months

Landed in Chennai today for the G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group Ministerial Meeting.

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

I saw beautiful places. I discussed destroying them Also wtf is "virgin environment"? Cringe

@prafulkpatel

Praful K Patel

3 years

Visited Suheli Island, Lakshadweep today, serene and rich eco-systems, coral reefs, silver sand beaches, virgin environment. Met the officials and discussed on various developmental projects. @PMOIndia

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Rishika Pardikar

1 month

Coal is tagged "dirtiest fuel" for climate bc it emits more CO2 per unit of energy than oil & gas. But this metric of emissions intensity is easily overwhelmed if you burn massive amounts of oil & gas overall. Like the U.S. does. What matters to the climate system is total CO2

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Rishika Pardikar

7 months

A small, simplified explainer for @DeccanHerald on Carbon capture & storage (CCS) & carbon dioxide removal (CDR). A big theme at #COP28 is around "abatement" with CCS. CDR, on the other hand, is widely prevalent as tree-planting initiatives. But scale is a major issue at present

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Rishika Pardikar

3 years

After two years of sending emails to @PrakashJavdekar & writing "this copy will be updated if & when a response is recieved", the least I expect from whoever takes his place is accountability & engagement

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Rishika Pardikar

17 days

NOT looking forward to portfolio allocation & associated commentary that treats ministries like environment @moefcc & earth sciences @moesgoi as irrelevant. These are important ministries that need able ministers. High time people, including people in power saw them as such

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Rishika Pardikar

20 days

One of the early-career lessons to govt officials & bureaucrats in this country should be to tell them that they are accountable to journalistic queries. No cutting calls without explanations & only lies. No right to ignore emails. Public accountability should be a basic lesson

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Rishika Pardikar

5 months

The kind of grit in detail that can only come from extensive and dedicated groundwork. By @nandinisundar

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

Very glad to share what little I know with some students at Christ University tomorrow. Hope to build communication skills in more ways like this. Those of us in niche fields can get too comfy with specialised audiences sometimes

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Rishika Pardikar

10 months

Kaveri :) Just before Mekedatu and Tamilnadu border

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Rishika Pardikar

8 months

An advisor to Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) is now a member of @moefcc 's expert appraisal committee for hydro & river valley projects where AGEL's project came up for consideration. I keep saying, conflict of interest is not a thing in this country

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Adani Green advisor in hydel appraisal committee of Environment Ministry

On September 27, the Union Environment Ministry named Janardan Choudhary as one of the seven non-institutional members when it reconstituted the EAC for hydroelectricity and river valley projects.

indianexpress.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

9 months

One day, I would like to see an Indian science film that focusses on integrity of process & doesn't glorify outcomes. Delves into the hard work behind method & also tries to understand limitations & uncertainties of studies. Might sound boring but I hope someone does a good job

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Rishika Pardikar

9 months

Terms of biodiversity study set by rail company which seeks wildlife clearance. Study by @wii_india which is a member of national wildlife board standing committee that will assess project for clearance. For @frontline_india on conflict of interest #Mollem

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Wildlife Institute’s biodiversity study for rail project in Western Ghats raises conflict of...

WII’s biodiversity impact study for rail project in Western Ghats raises conflict of interest concerns

frontline.thehindu.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

27 days

Heatwaves in some parts of India, extreme rainfall & flooding in others. Time to direct #ClimateChange awareness Qs to politicians instead of voters? Ask them what measures they will take instead of placing burden of climate articulation on those who are bearing brunt of impacts

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

6 months

For the 1st time I was asked "what is your locus?" Was also told I cannot just call up senior officials & that there are set ways to approach like RTI. Context: call with Andaman & Nicobar forest official. Happy new year to journalists seeking environmental accountability in 2024

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Rishika Pardikar

11 months

And so, India's international climate commitment to create 2.5-3.0 billion additional tons of CO2 has officially paved way to destroy forests & pursue plantation-led goals, both of which have been shown to have devastating impacts on local ecology & land rights

@lifeindia2016

Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment

11 months

FCA amendment Bill receives Presidents assent. Will come into effect only on the date to be notified by Central Government

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Rishika Pardikar

3 months

Whenever I hear of striking a 'balance' between ecology & development, I know who stands to be screwed. All that was sought here was that power lines be taken underground because numerous birds, incl highly endangered species like GIB were dying. Sad state

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In a first, SC strikes balance between climate and ecology | India News - Times of India

India News: The Supreme Court struck a delicate balance between the country's drive to transition from fossil fuel-based electricity to renewable energy and prote

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

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Rishika Pardikar

3 months

Supreme Court spoke of right to life while not securing right to life for a species on the verge of extinction. Amazing

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Rishika Pardikar

9 days

About people who live in Great Nicobar: two tribes - Shompen (forest-dwelling & relatively isolated) & Nicobarese. There are ex-servicemen from mainland who were settled in 70s + labourers, fisherfolk etc. Then tsunami brought construction contractors. There are also admin staff

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Rishika Pardikar

10 days

@KanjiyaKaran @gernalist Our standards today are so low that we can't imagine the existence of elected representatives whose primary aim is public interest

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Rishika Pardikar

1 year

In 2021, India launched a plan to boost #PalmOil production. Two years in, 14 of 22 states slated for increased cultivation do not have a single mill to process fruits & area-wise expansion targets were not met in both years (RTI data) For @chinadialogue

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India’s palm oil drive faces reality check

Two years in, the plan to expand domestic production is hindered by lack of mills and unsuitable climates

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

3 years

Two severely understudied aspects of snow leopard conservation: the landscape itself & conflict with herding communities. #ClimateChange will add to concerns by disrupting the landscape (flood, dzud etc) & aggravating existing livelihood issues My report

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Snow leopard conservation handicapped by lack of research

As climate change exacerbates the threats faced by the species, researchers say study of snow leopards must be ramped up and diversified to secure the health of Asia’s mountain ecosystems

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

11 months

"I am not related to it, and I will not speak on #Manipur ": Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region. These guys really have no clue what their job entails. Just glad questions are being asked. On camera, with mics

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Watch: Union minister for north east devpt says he has nothing to do with Manipur

Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region of India, G Kishan Reddy, has landed in controversy over his apathetic response to a reporter’s quest

www.thenewsminute.com

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@rishpardikar

Rishika Pardikar

11 months

Highly consequential amendments to critical legislations are underway in monsoon session of parliament. @PriyankaPulla & I followed three Bills: Forest Conservation, Biological Diversity & Jan Vishwas. We found patterns in (broken) parliamentary processes

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Dodgy lawmaking in the monsoon session of the Indian parliament

Journalists Rishika Pardikar and Priyanka Pulla talk about the problematic processes through which the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill, the Biological D...

www.youtube.com

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