From The Marginlands

Dia Mirza needs no introduction. And yet, the person who shows up in this conversation is not quite the one her public life has made familiar to us. Yes, she is the longest-serving UNEP Goodwill Ambassador India has had, and yes, she carries the full weight of that role: the access, the diplomatic constraints, the careful calibration of when to speak and how. But what drives her goes back much further — to a childhood in Hyderabad spent watching cobras without fear and absorbing, through a mother's quiet alarm, the first inklings that the world's body was getting sick. In this episode, we talk about mangroves under threat in Maharashtra, the extractive mindset that patriarchy and profit share, why environmental stories still can't find mainstream oxygen, and where -- despite everything -- she finds reasons to keep going. We're releasing this on World Earth Day — it felt like the right day to begin Season 2, and Dia feels like the right person to get the season started.SHOW NOTES: ABOUT DIA MIRZAOfficial UN profile: https://unpartnerships.un.org/dia-mirzaWhere it began: the UNEP announcement of Dia's appointment and mandate: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories...IFAW wildlife advocacy award: https://www.asianstandard.co.uk/dia-m...Detailed Wiki entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dia_MirzaOn Global Landscapes Forum, Dia traces her environmental awakening to witnessing plastic wase in the Himalayas: https://thinklandscape.globallandscap...DIA'S TALKS:A December 2023 Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In this season-ending episode of From The Marginlands, Arati and I dive deep into Indian forests, not just as ecosystems but as archives of memory, power, and change. Our guide into this layered terrain is Raza Kazmi, who helps us explore how history helps explain present-day conservation realities, from the shifting fortunes of tiger populations to the erasure of forest places from both maps and memory. What stories do forests tell when we stop treating them as static backdrops and start reading them as historical texts? And how do human policies, economic forces, and cultural blind spots shape the fate of forests and the communities entwined with them?This is a conversation about loss, certainly, but it is also about interpretation, about continuity, and about what it means to see land and life in their full, historical depth. Errata: Raza meant to say "Kispotta" clan when he said Kerketta clan while referring to their totem.ABOUT RAZA KAZMI:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/razakazmi_rk/Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/raza-kazmi/portfolioRaza's bio: https://www.currentconservation.org/people/raza-kazmi/https://sanctuarynaturefoundation.org/article/meet-s.e.h.-kazmi-and-raza-kazmiTALKS/INTERVIEWSForests, History, and Conservation: A wide-ranging talk on forests as historical landscapes, conservation beyond numbers, and how memory reshapes ecological understanding: https://youtu.be/cnRMhAcWJBwPersonal History & Conservation Trajectory: An interview weaving Raza’s personal journey into forests, his family history, and the intellectual path that led him to wildlife history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLrCP4gsOoQESSAYS & OPINIONThe Lost Character in Aranyer Din Ratri: The Kechki Forest Rest House: A meditation on forests, cinema, and memory, using a vanished forest rest house to explore how places slip out of India’s cultural and ecological imagination: https://indianexpress.com/article/express-sunday-eye/the-lost-character-in-satyajit-rays-aranyer-din-ratri-the-kechki-forest-rest-house-10039903/As India’s Tiger Numbers Rise, a Troubling Trend Can Be Seen (Indian Express, 2023): A sharp critique of headline tiger successes that mask habitat loss, uneven recovery, and deeper structural failures in conservation policy : https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/raza-kazmi-writes-as-indias-tiger-numbers-rise-a-troubling-trend-can-be-seen-8548504/The Last of the Forest Giants: Exploring the story of Central India’s wild buffaloes and their struggle for survival in a shrinking landscape : https://www.wildlifeconservationtrust.org/the-last-of-the-forest-giants-central-indias-wild-buffaloes/Birdwoman: Raza Kazmi on Jamal Ara, India’s first “birdwoman,” whose pioneering ornithological work in Jharkhand laid the foundations for regional wildlife history and whose legacy Raza helped recover : https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-times/if-indias-first-birdwoman-were-alive-jharkhands-wildlife-would-have-been-different/articleshow/104723327.cmsMore stories: An archive of Raza's writings in the Hindu, covering a vast expanse of themes: https://www.thehindu.com/profile/author/raza-kazmi-3786/PODCAST:Fragmented Forests — Stories from the Subverse: A conversation on capitalism, extraction, charismatic wildlife, and why forest fragmentation — not just species loss — defines India’s ecological crisis: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JjrPtvXgICqSfYlY4MtfCContact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

Leopards live far closer to us than most of us realise — not just in forests, but across farms, villages, and city edges. In this episode, Arati and Prem speak with Dr. Vidya Athreya, one of India’s leading carnivore ecologists, about why leopards are so remarkably adaptable, why encounters in human-dominated landscapes are increasing, and what the science actually says about conflict and safety. We unpack common misconceptions, the gaps in policy, and what real coexistence looks like in a country where people and big cats share space every single day.Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

Award-winning filmmaker and photographer Kalyan Varma joins Arati and Prem on From the Marginlands to explore what it means to document the natural world today. From the ethics of filming a vanishing wilderness to the uneasy rise of AI-generated imagery, this conversation asks where the line lies between seeing and showing, between witness and spectacle. How do stories of the wild stay true in an age when the camera, the storyteller, and even the viewer are all changing?Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

Each monsoon, the Himalayas make headlines for floods, landslides, and loss. But what if these aren’t “natural” disasters at all, but the result of choices we keep making? In this episode, Arati and Prem speak with environmental researcher Manshi Asher of Himdhara Collective about disaster justice, flawed development models, and the fight for fair futures in the mountains. Here, a deep dive into how we can — and must — rethink “progress” in fragile landscapes.Show Notes:Himdhara Collective home page: https://www.himdhara.org/An interview on what Himdhara is, and what it does: https://www.himdhara.org/2022/05/30/an-interview-about-himdharas-vision-work/Mansi's writings and podcasts:Audio interview with Manshi Asher on the Himalayan ecology: https://harshaneeyam.captivate.fm/episode/manshiImpacts of Hydropower Development and Compensatory Afforestation on forest ecosystems in the high Himalayas: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0264837719315819Disasters in Himachal and Uttarakhand point to flawed development model: https://frontline.thehindu.com/environment/disasters-in-himachal-pradesh-and-uttarakhand-point-to-flawed-development-model-himalayan-states-indigenous-communities-excluded/article67306462.eceIndia's flawed development model leading to disasters in the Himalayas: https://janataweekly.org/indias-flawed-development-model-leading-to-disasters-in-the-himalayas-3-articles/A mission without a Himalayan vision: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/392964158_A_Mission_Without_a_Himalayan_VisionVideo interview with Manshi on the 2025 disaster in Himachal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbFf5WBmVAYTunnels as "temples" of New India: https://repository.nls.ac.in/nlsj/vol17/iss1/1/Making a molehill out of a mountain (Video interview with Azim Premji University): https://www.youtube.com/live/q5_Zqa4HJmcEroding people power -- a Himalayan village struggles to assert its forest rights: https://caravanmagazine.in/lede/himalayan-villages-struggle-assert-forest-rightsConversations on reimagining Pahari futures: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00856401.2025.2518726Evolution of the Forest Rights Act: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336898561_Evolution_of_the_Forest_Rights_Act_A_Historcial_PerspectiveA collection of Manshi's writings in the Economic & Political Weekly: https://www.epw.in/author/manshi-asherA collection of Manshi's writings from The Wire: https://science.thewire.in/author/manshi-asher/People in the Himalayas need environmental justice, not sermons: https://thewire.in/environment/people-in-the-mountains-need-disaster-justice-not-sermons-on-environmentalismHimalayan hydropower is not a green alternative: https://dialogue.earth/en/climate/opinion-himalayan-hydropower-is-not-a-green-alternative/Keep environmental justice at the core -- an in-depth interview with Manshi: https://questionofcities.org/keep-environmental-justice-at-the-core-not-mere-environmentalism/Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

Prem & Arati look back at episodes, pulling out key issues from each. 10:14: Pranay Lal:    • From The Marginlands Ep4 Ft PranayLal  16:46: S Vishwanath :    • From The Marginlands E5 Ft Vishwanath (Zen...  24:02: Yuvan Aves :     • From The Marginlands Ep 6: Ft. Yuvan Aves  31:14: Dr Roxy Koll:    • From The Marginlands Episode 9: Dr Roxy Koll  38:04: Pradip Krishen:    • Busting The Afforestation Myth: From The M...  45:20: Abi Vanak:    • The Truth About "Wastelands" & Dogs | Dise...  51:12: Pankaj Sekhsaria & M Rajshekhar:    • So what is going on in Great Nicobar?  58:36: Book recco: One Day Everyone Will Always Have Been Against This by Omar El Akkad: https://www.amazon.in/Everyone-Will-H...1:03:29: Nachiket Kelkar:    • How are the Ganga Dolphins Doing? Ft. Nach...  1:09:55 :Paul Salopek:    • From the Marginlands with Prem & Arati, Ep...  Nilanjana Roy:    • From The Marginlands: Ep2 Ft.  Nilanjana Roy  Telling Slow Stories:    • From The Marginlands: Ep2 Ft.  Nilanjana Roy  Julie Winokur & Ed Kashi:    • Abridged: Stories For Change -- Ep 13 Ed K...  Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

Nachiket Kelkar, Head of Riverine Ecosystems and Livelihoods at the Wildlife Conservation Trust, shares his experiences and insights on the Ganges River, particularly focusing on the ecological changes observed in Bihar over the years. Kelkar takes us into the multifaceted challenges and cultural dynamics surrounding the Ganges River dolphin and the fisher folk communities in India. It explores the socio-economic transitions of fisher folk, the unique characteristics of the Ganges River dolphin, and the implications of conservation projects like Project Dolphin. Show Notes: MC Elsa3 Sinking — Latest News: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ship-wreck-off-the-kerala-coast-in-may-led-to-significant-ecological-disruption-report/article70071493.eceWho is Nachiket Kelkar — https://www.linkedin.com/in/nachiket-kelkar-59975213/ https://www.wildlifeconservationtrust.org/about-us/team-2/Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikramshila_Gangetic_Dolphin_SanctuaryBhagalpur Blindings case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1980_Bhagalpur_blindings How India moves: Bhagalpur, Bihar’s third-largest city, wants to be ‘Smart’. But pollution and gridlock prevent that https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/how-india-moves-bhagalpur-bihars-third-largest-city-wants-to-be-smart-but-pollution-and-gridlock-prevent-that Identifying potential causes of fish declines through local ecological knowledge of fishers in the Ganga River, eastern Bihar, India: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/fme.12390 What are Schedule 1 Species — IUCN CITES: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_species_protected_by_CITES_Appendix_I Panidari system and the nature of fisheries: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ghazala-Shahabuddin/publication/265440866_Nature_Without_Borders/links/5eabf720299bf18b958a94ac/Nature-Without-Borders.pdf#page=76 Ganga Mukti Andolan 1991: https://sandrp.in/2025/04/29/relevance-of-ganga-mukti-andolan-then-and-now/ Thirsty Rivers, Bygone Fishes, Hungry Societies: https://sandrp.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/thirsty_rivers_bygone_fishes_hungry_societies_nachiket_kelkar_dec2012.pdf Arati’s article on the effects of the Farakka Barrage on the river: https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/in-the-shifting-embrace-of-the-ganga/Hilsa recovery ranching and ladders: Challenges abound to conserve the popular hilsa fish https://india.mongabay.com/2023/01/challenges-abound-to-conserve-the-popular-hilsa-fish/ Franciscana Dolphin of Brasil: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Plata_dolphin Turtle hunting: https://india.mongabay.com/2025/06/tracking-critically-endangered-turtles-in-the-ganges/ Platanista gangetica: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganges_river_dolphin Baiji: 1:36:48 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baiji Book on the extinction of the Baiji: Witness to Extinction: How we Failed to Save the Yangtze River Dolphin: https://www.amazon.in/Witness-Extinction-Failed-Yangtze-Dolphin-ebook/dp/B003N2P44Y First human caused extinction of a cetacean: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2391192/ Yangtze Finless Porpoise: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yangtze_finless_porpoise Indus River dolphin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indus_river_dolphin Now virtually extinct in IndiaContact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

This conversation delves into the Great Nicobar Project, a massive infrastructure initiative at the southern end of the Nicobar Islands, focusing on its economic viability, ecological impact, and the implications for indigenous communities. Pankaj Sekhsaria and M Rajshekhar break down and analyze the project, which includes a transshipment terminal, airport, and township, raises significant concerns regarding ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA0teTB0msU for detailed Show notesPankaj Sekhsaria: https://www.instagram.com/pankajsekhsaria/Pankaj Sekhsaria: https://x.com/pankajsekhM Rajshekhar: https://x.com/mrajshekharOverview of the Great Nicobar project:The Great Nicobar Betrayal (curated essays by Pankaj Sekhsaria), the foundational book on the subject: https://www.amazon.in/Nicobar-Betrayal-Paperback-Pankaj-Sekhsaria/dp/9393875863/ and TR Shankar Raman's extensive review for Mongabay: https://india.mongabay.com/2024/08/book-review-chronicle-of-an-ecocide-foretold/The Great Nicobar project: A costly miscalculation? by M Rajshekhar for Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/environment/great-nicobar-project-campbell-bay-transshipment-terminal-galathea-bay-infrastructure-project/article69159231.ece and Frontline issue dedicated to the Great Nicobar Project: https://frontline.thehindu.com/current-issue/article69207368.eceIndia’s plans to ‘develop’ Great Nicobar island threatens its unique wildlife and indigenous peoples, by Sohel Sarkar: https://therevelator.org/great-nicobar-island/Let's talk about the Great Nicobar Project, a Frontline podcast featuring Pankaj Sekhsaria and M Rajshekhar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJjplULyl1cPankaj Sekhsaria on India's Great Nicobar misadventure for Himal Southasian (video): https://youtu.be/Z5MDOZB_VTw?si=FRbA-8W69uoo2jRKGreat Nicobar project could destroy the island, by M Rajshekhar for Time magazine: https://time.com/7316182/modi-destroy-great-nicobar-island/The crisis of Great Nicobar, a video feature: https://youtu.be/9BEEjI6dkVs?si=VxyRnM6VhThjjKnnGreat Nicobar Island Development Project — Wikipedia entry for basic facts: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Nicobar_Island_Development_ProjectEconomics of the projectGreat Nicobar port clears paperwork, but will money follow? by M Rajshekhar for Economic Times: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/et-commentary/great-nicobar-port-clears-paperwork-but-will-money-follow/articleshow/120213450.cms In Nicobar, ecology loses out, but who receives a windfall?, by Pankaj Sekhsaria, Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/in-nicobar-ecology-loses-out-but-who-receives-a-windfall-101741700135419.htmlGreat Nicobar gamble, risk it? by M Rajshekhar in the Economic Times: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/epaper/delhicapital/2025/apr/12/satet-edit/great-nicobar-gamble-risk-it/articleshow/120217586.cmsEnvironmental / Social / Ecological CostsGreat Nicobar: Greenwashing a catastrophe, by T R Shankar Raman and Rohan Arthur: https://shankarraman.in/2025/05/22/great-nicobar-greenwashing-a-catastrophe/The human cost of misgovernance in the Andamans by M Rajshekhar for The News Minute: https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/tnm-investigation-the-human-cost-of-misgovernance-in-the-andamansOn the biodiversity trail in Great Nicobar by M Rajshekhar: https://mrajshekhar.in/2025/02/13/pain-and-rapture-in-great-nicobar/Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

Photojournalist Ed Kashi and documentary filmmaker Julie Winokur have spent decades telling urgent, human stories — from climate injustice to ageing, migration, and forgotten coastlines. In this episode of From the Marginlands, Arati and Prem talk to them about the art of long-form storytelling, the patience it demands, and why bearing witness matters now more than ever.Show Notes:Ed Kashi's website: https://www.edkashi.com/Julie Winokur's Talking Eyes website: https://talkingeyesmedia.org/ 0:37: About the award-winning The Sacrifice Zone: https://talkingeyesmedia.org/documentary/the-sacrifice-zone2:09: Our first podcast with two-time Pulitzer winner Paul Salopek: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_xqxD5splo&t=5s2:18: Our podcast with author Nilanjana Roy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0L6GIJXs3k&t=4379s2:53: About Ed Kashi: https://www.edkashi.com/about3:47: Curse of the Black Gold, Ed Kashi's book on the Niger delta: https://www.amazon.in/Curse-Black-Gold-Years-Niger/dp/1576875474/3: 59: Ageing in America by Ed Kashi: https://www.edkashi.com/books/aging-in-america and trailer: https://talkingeyesmedia.org/documentary/aging-in-america4:49: Bring It To The Table, a Julie Winokur documentary: https://talkingeyesmedia.org/documentary/bring-it-to-the-table and https://bringit2thetable.org/learn-more#concept and a short Vimeo video: https://vimeo.com/channels/bringit2thetable/213743985?5:00: Newest Americans, by Julie Winokur: https://talkingeyesmedia.org/documentary/newest-americans12:21: Ed Kashi for National Geographic on life as a photojournalist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFYobvn8wlE12:41: When The Borders Bleed, Ed Kashi with a Christopher Hitchens intro: https://www.edkashi.com/books/when-the-borders-bleed-the-struggle-of-the-kurds13:57: A Chat With The Kashis, National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/article/a-chat-with-the-kashis-a-photojournalism-family-juggles-chaos-and-calm15:35: On Imogene Cunningham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imogen_Cunningham16:42: Ward 81, by Mary Ellen Mark: https://www.maryellenmark.com/books/ward-81-voices18:37: Alive and Dead, Ed and Julie's work from Cairo's City of the Dead: https://talkingeyesmedia.org/blog/city-of-the-dead35:58: Newest Americans by Ed and Julie with Tim Raphael: https://newestamericans.com/ 1:04:04: Sheila and Joe, a film about love that transcends prison bars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mL7FaRDJRw and https://www.npr.org/sections/pictureshow/2021/04/03/981437100/video-when-love-transcends-prison-a-couple-finds-each-other-through-letters1:29:06: Empires of the Indus by Alice Albinia: https://archive.org/details/empiresofindusst0000albi_b2t4/mode/2up and an extract: https://www.alicealbinia.co.uk/books/empires-of-the-indus/empires-of-the-indus-extractEOMContact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In this episode, Dr. Abi Tamim Vanak discusses the misclassification of vital ecosystems as "wastelands" in India. Championing the importance of recognizing Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs), and the role of pastoralists in managing these landscapes, he emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Through the One Health approach he highlights the need for adaptive governance in policy-making. The conversation also touches on zoonotic diseases and the challenges faced in bridging the gap between scientific research and policy implementation.Extensive show notes with links here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPddaNZP8So&t=3s Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In this episode, featuring ecologist Pradip Krishen, Prem and Arati explore the restoration of ecosystems. Pradip shares his journey and insights into the importance of native plants, observation, and community involvement in restoration efforts. The discussion highlights the challenges faced in restoration projects, the impact of government policies, and the need for ecological literacy among the public. The episode emphasizes that restoration goes well beyond a "tree planting project" -- it is a relationship with the land, requiring patience and a deep understanding of local ecologies.Pradip Krishen Books:Trees of Delhi: A Field Guide https://www.amazon.in/Trees-Delhi-Fie...Jungle Trees of Central India: https://www.amazon.in/Jungle-Trees-Ce...Pradip Krishen movies:Massey Sahib: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massey_...In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Whic...Electric Moon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electri...Show Notes:5:03: A Scroll interview where Pradip talks of his beginnings, and much else: Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

This episode focuses on the importance of environmental storytelling, emphasizing the need to go beyond surface-level reporting and explore deeper narratives that connect individual experiences to broader community and global contexts. Prem and Arati discuss various aspects of crafting compelling environmental stories, including research methods, data collection, and narrative techniques, while highlighting the significance of incorporating historical perspectives and indigenous knowledge. They also stress the importance of balancing crisis narratives with stories of resilience and community solutions, encouraging listeners to contribute to environmental storytelling by sharing their local experiences.Show Notes:2:27: Arati Kumar-Rao's reportage from the Thar desert: https://www.peepli.org/stories/miracle-of-sky-river/ and https://www.peepli.org/project/freshwater/25:46: Engineering a Season of Floods by Amitangshu Acharya: https://flows.hypotheses.org/415136:45: When a River Runs Dry: https://www.peepli.org/stories/when-rivers-run-dry/37:34: Farakka Barrage and The Nowhere People: https://dialogue.earth/en/climate/photo-essay-the-nowhere-people/49:35: River At The Heart of the World -- reporting from Arunchal: https://emergencemagazine.org/essay/river-at-the-heart-of-the-world/52:16: A Flash of Fin, a Glimmer of Hope -- Indus Dolphins in Harike: https://www.peepli.org/stories/indusdolphins/1:08:27: The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics: https://www.amazon.in/DC-Comics-Guide-Writing/dp/0823010279/1:12:21: Hunting With Dolphins: https://orionmagazine.org/article/hunting-with-dolphins/1:26:39: The Measure of Things: https://www.themeasureofthings.com/1:31:14: Blind Men and The Desert -- the story of the Indira Gandhi canal in Rajasthan: https://www.peepli.org/stories/blind-men-and-the-desert/1:32:26: Disha, Calcutta-based organisation: https://dishaearth.org/fishing-communities/1:45:12: Scroll down for the text from DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics: https://prempanicker.wordpress.com/category/to-readA short list of books on environmental reporting:What Is Sustainable Journalism? by Peter Berglez: Explores the intersection of journalism with sustainability issues, emphasizing ethical and practical approaches. Cadillac Desert by Marc Reisner: A classic on water policy and environmental history, often cited as essential for aspiring environmental journalists. Game Wars by Marc Reisner: Focuses on wildlife enforcement and poaching, providing real-world examples of investigative environmental reporting. Best Books Featuring Environmental ReportingSilent Spring by Rachel Carson: The seminal work on pesticide dangers that sparked the modern environmental movement. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert: Pulitzer Prize-winning reporting on mass extinctions driven by human activity. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate by Naomi Klein: Investigative analysis of climate change and economic systems. The Overstory by Richard Powers: A novel blending fiction with real environmental reporting on deforestation and activism Finding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard: Groundbreaking research on forest ecosystems presented through narrative journalism. Marginlands by Arati Kumar-Rao: Explores distressed landscapes across the sub-continentContact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In this episode, Prem and Arati discuss our warming oceans with Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist and winner of the prestigious National Science Award, in 2024. What are the implications of increasingly intense and frequent marine heat waves? Why should we care? Who bears accountability of historical emissions? What does the interconnectedness of oceans and climate mean for tackling this crisis? The conversation emphasizes the need for local adaptation strategies, comprehensive data collection, and the alarming challenges faced in climate science funding. Dr. Koll highlights the urgency of addressing these issues to mitigate the impacts of the rising temperature on ecosystems and human communities.Show Notes:6:19: The Delusion of Dykes by Arati Kumar-Rao: https://www.peepli.org/stories/delusion-of-dykes/11:14: Dr Roxy Mathew Koll biography: https://www.climate.rocksea.org/people/roxy-mathew-koll/Dr Koll on X: https://x.com/RockSea and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxy-koll/20:05: India's updated Nationally Determined Contributions:  https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=184781222:37: What is carbon capture? https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-6472349732:38: What is driving hydropower construction in Arunachal Pradesh?: https://dialogue.earth/en/energy/what-is-driving-hydropower-construction-in-arunachal-pradesh/35:11: India's coal import rises 8% in FY24: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/foreign-trade/indias-coal-import-rises-8-to-268-mt-in-fy24/articleshow/110049693.cms37:08: What are marine heatwaves and why should we care?: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-024-01806-9.pdf37:08: A Down To Earth explainer on marine heatwaves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhjzQ0pmgnE39:47: Rising sea surface temperatures driving loss of 14% corals since 2009: https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/rising-sea-surface-temperatures-driving-loss-14-percent-corals-200940:58: Biology and ecology of coral mucus release: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002209811100351043:07: What is the Pacific blob: https://www.nps.gov/articles/theblob.htm and impact on US fisheries: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/looking-back-blob-record-warming-drives-unprecedented-ocean-change45:14: Discussion on the increasing occurrence of cyclones in the Arabian Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dX1-bftB-M47:03: Trump administration further cuts NOAA funds: https://www.axios.com/2025/07/01/noaa-document-deep-trump-cuts and Trump cuts will have huge impact on global climate finance: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/10/trumps-usaid-cuts-will-have-huge-impact-on-global-climate-finance-data-shows49:29: FAQs on El Nino and La Nina: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/el-nino-and-la-nina-frequently-asked-questions54:55: El Nino may cause major drop in sardine catch: https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/el-nino-may-cause-major-drop-in-sardine-catch-say-scientists/article26969279.ece and CMFRI report: https://eprints.cmfri.org.in/13767/57:10: Dr Koll-led report on reduction of phytoplankton in the Indian Ocean: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287346786_A_reduction_in_marine_primary_productivity_driven_by_rapid_warming_over_the_tropical_Indian_OceanPlease see the full show notes on YouTube:https://www.youtContact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In this episode, Prem Panicker and Arati Kumar-Rao discuss significant updates regarding environmental incidents off the coast of Kerala. The conversation then turns to The State Of India's Environment through Figures, a study released by the Center for Science & Environment (CSE) on June 5, 2025. Prem & arati focus on increasing Air pollution, Forest Diversion, Shrinking Farmlands, and our warming world and its implications.Contact us:Arati Kumar-Rao on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aratikumarrao/  Prem Panicker on X (Twitter): https://x.com/prempanicker  Prem on Substack: https://prempanicker.substack.com/Our email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/FromTheMarginlands  In this Episode:State of India's environment in figures: https://csestore.cse.org.in/default/state-of-india-s-environment-2025-in-figures-ebook.html  State of India's environment 2025 (Full report): https://csestore.cse.org.in/default/books/state-of-india-s-environment-2025.html Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

On May 23, 2025, the MSC Elsa 3, a 28-year-old container ship, left Vizhinjam Port for Kochi, carrying 640 containers—13 of them packed with hazardous cargo, including calcium carbide, a chemical that can ignite with a spark. Less than 24 hours later, 38 nautical miles off Kerala’s coast, it sent out a distress call after developing a 26-degree list to starboard and flooding in a cargo hold. By dawn on May 25, the ship had sunk 50 meters below the Arabian Sea, taking with it over 450 tonnes of fuel and a trail of debris that’s now choking Kerala’s shores. All 24 crew were saved. But for the fishing communities of Alappuzha, Kollam, Ernakulam, and Thiruvananthapuram, the real disaster is just beginning.Sunday, June 8 was World Oceans Day -- a sombre occasion for Kerala's coastline and its beleaguered fishing community. Prem and Arati tease apart the issues in this ongoing, unfolding story in a bid to understand what is at stake for Kerala's coast, the fishers, the port and shipping, and the biodiversity. See show notes below for links to specific chapters, and further reading.Contact us:Arati Kumar-Rao on Instagram:   / aratikumarr.  . Prem Panicker on X (Twitter): https://x.com/prempanicker and https://prempanicker.substack.com/Our email: [email protected] Instagram:   / fromthemarginlands  Sections:5:06: What Kerala State Disaster Management Agency member secretary Stephen Kuriakose said6.40: Interview with Sreekala S, chairperson, Kerala State Pollution Control BoardKerala Pollution Control Board website: https://keralapcbonline.com/pcb/welcomeContact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In this episode, Arati and Prem dive into the heart of Bangalore’s flood crisis and the intricate dance between humanity and nature. We unpack the city’s recent flooding woes, echoing themes from our previous conversation with S Vishwanath on urban planning and his six pillars of water conservation. Our guest for this episode is Yuvan Aves, a passionate naturalist, writer and activist, who shares his early adventures in the wild, reflects on the nature of co-existence with creatures that can harm us, and on his collaboration with Robert Macfarlane for the latter's book Is A River Alive? We explore the core of environmental activism, grappling with the profound grief of ecological loss and its generational ripples. From vanishing rivers to fading ecosystems, this episode weaves together personal stories, urgent environmental questions, and the hope for coexistence in a rapidly changing world. Show notes below:Where to find us:Arati Kumar-Rao on Instagram:   / aratikumarr.  . Prem Panicker on X (Twitter): https://x.com/prempanickerOur email: [email protected] Instagram:   / fromthemarginlands  Yuvan on X: https://x.com/yuvan_avesYuvan on Instagram:   / a_naturalists_column  Palluyir Trust: https://palluyirtrust.org/ Intertidal (book): Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In this episode, Arati Kumar-Rao and Prem Panicker explore the intricate relationship between visual storytelling and the narratives behind images, particularly in the context of nature and rivers. They discuss the importance of language in nature writing, emphasizing how evocative prose can connect readers to the land. The conversation shifts to the concept of rivers as living entities, touching on the rights of nature and the challenges of environmental activism. Their guest for this episode is the Founder of the Biome Trust, S. Vishwanath, popularly known as Zenrainman. Together, the trio delve into water conservation efforts, highlighting community involvement and the significance of traditional knowledge in modern solutions, the complexities of water management, emphasizing the social, political, and environmental dimensions of water as a resource. They discuss the connectivity of water systems, the role of social equity in water access, and the specific challenges faced by Bangalore in terms of water scarcity. The conversation highlights innovative solutions for sustainable water management, the impact of digital advocacy, and the importance of community engagement in addressing water issues. The speakers also explore the intersection of climate change and water management, proposing a vision for sustainable cities that prioritize social justice and ecological health.Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In this episode, Aarti Kumar Rao and Prem Panicker focus on the ongoing extreme heat waves and their implications. They critique the media's coverage of the issue, highlighting a lack of urgency and depth in reporting. The conversation explores the impact of heat on urban planning, the rural workforce, and public health, emphasizing the need for a more interconnected understanding of environmental challenges. The episode features Pranay Lal, biochemist, nature writer, caricaturist, and environmental chronicler. Together, the trio explores the complex interplay between climate change, urban heat islands, and the emergence of new viral diseases. They discuss historical climate patterns, the impact of human activity on heat dynamics, and the need for better urban planning and disease surveillance.Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In this episode, Arati Kumar-Rao and Prem Panicker navigate the complexities of grief following Arati's recent loss of her mother. They reflect on the profound influence of Arati's mother on her life, particularly in storytelling and communication. The conversation transitions into a discussion on environmental issues, focusing on the detrimental impact of development on Mumbai's mangroves and the broader implications for climate change. They emphasize the importance of understanding local ecosystems and the challenges posed by current environmental policies. The episode concludes with a reflection on the state of India's environment, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and action.Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

From The Marginlands hosts Prem & Arati scour the mainstream India newspapers  to find news about the environment and then sit down with acclaimed author Nilanjana Roy to discuss writing landscapes. Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

About us:Arati Kumar-Rao, photojournalist and author of Marginlands: InstagramPrem Panicker, journalist and editor: X and SubstackFrom The Marginlands on SubstackOn why we are doing this podcastOur email: [email protected] Headlines:05:06: WWF helps facilitate trade in polar bear fur, investigation reveals06:37: Ammonia level rises in Yamuna yet again, may hit water supply and related: Why Yamuna in Delhi has high ammonia levels08:28: Is the Ganga self-cleaning? Here's what science says 09:28: Food-borne bugs and their links with climate change in focus10:34: The Invisible Empire by Pranay Lal, a wonderfully evocative deep dive into the world of viruses11:45: Fishing cat study exposes heavy metal presence in SunderbansPaul Salopek segment:20:00: Out of Eden Walk home page20:54: Paul Salopek's India walking partners share their memories24:02: Archive of Paul Salopek's articles for The Chicago Tribune from when he was a foreign correspondent and, related, Paul Salopek's Pulitzer-winning work for Chicago Tribune, on the Human Genome Diversity Project, also for the Chicago Tribune26:42: The war is bitter and nasty -- a 2009 Paul Salopek story, for The Atlantic, on the chaos in Somalia28:42: A Paul Salopek story on an isolated archeological site in South Korea28:50: Paul Salopek on the frog ecology in South Korea and his encounter with a frog whisperer 29:50: Related, Paul Salopek 30:12: Don BelContact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram

In From The Marginlands, we -- Prem and Arati  -- explore storytelling and elemental connections between us and the world around us. We will converse with carefully curated guests on the art of telling stories about the environment and on climate change as it manifests around the world.Contact us:Email the PodcastArati Kumar-Rao on Instagram Prem Panicker on X (Twitter) Prem on SubstackFrom The Marginlands on Instagram