EcoVisionary

               G ardening is often seen as a positive and eco-friendly activity, especially in a country like India where plants are deeply connected to culture, tradition, and well-being. In recent years, the popularity of home gardening, terrace gardens, and decorative landscaping has increased significantly, supported by the easy availability of plant seeds through online platforms. However, behind this green trend lies a serious environmental concern. Many ornamental plant seeds sold online are non-native and invasive species , unsuitable for Indian ecosystems. Their uncontrolled introduction is worsening an already critical ecological problem across the country. India’s Existing Struggle with Invasive Species India is already facing severe environmental and ecological challenges due to invasive plant species introduced in the past. Large areas of forests, wetlands, grasslands, and agricultural land are struggling under the spread of in...

I n an age dominated by discussions on climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, true environmental action often comes not from conferences or policies alone, but from quiet, consistent dedication. One such extraordinary example is Kollakkayil Devaki Amma , a simple woman from Muthukulam village in Alappuzha district of Kerala, who transformed her personal tragedy into a lifelong mission to restore nature. Through patience, resilience, and deep respect for the environment, she single-handedly nurtured a thriving forest, proving that one individual can indeed make a lasting difference. Early Life and Inspiration Kollakkayil Devaki Amma was born around 1934 in Muthukulam, Kerala. Her love for plants and nature was inspired early in life by her grandfather, who introduced her to horticulture. After marriage, she worked alongside her family in paddy cultivation, which was a way of life for generations of women in her household. Her husband, M. K. Gopalakrishna Pillai , a scho...

E nvironmental memory refers to the capacity of ecosystems, societies, and institutions to retain, transmit, and apply knowledge of past environmental conditions, disturbances, and adaptive responses. This memory is embedded in biological traits, landscape features, cultural practices, governance systems, legal frameworks, and long-term datasets. It enables risk anticipation, informed decision-making, and adaptive resilience. When environmental memory erodes, societies lose not only information about the past but also the ability to contextualise present change and envision sustainable futures. In the contemporary era of accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, and land-use transformation, the loss of environmental memory has emerged as a silent yet profound crisis. Unlike sudden environmental disasters, memory loss unfolds gradually, often unnoticed, reshaping perceptions of what is normal, acceptable, or inevitable. As ecosystems degrade and social knowledge fragments, degrad...

Climate change, biodiversity loss, polluted rivers, disappearing forests, these are often framed as problems of modern science and technology. Yet, at their deepest level, they arise from something far more fundamental: the way human beings understand their relationship with nature. Long before concepts such as ecology, sustainability, or environmental ethics entered academic and policy discourse, Swami Vivekananda spoke of oneness, harmony, restraint, and responsibility. When read today, his ideas offer a remarkably clear ethical and philosophical lens through which the contemporary environmental crisis can be understood. Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) did not write treatises on environmental conservation in the modern sense. However, he consistently interrogated the human mindset that leads to exploitation, whether of nature, society, or fellow human beings. His philosophy addresses the roots of environmental degradation rather than its symptoms. Seen in this light, Vivekananda emerge...

I n recent years, scientific research has revealed a striking reality: microplastics, tiny plastic fragments smaller than five millimetres, are no longer confined to oceans, soils, or urban environments. They are now detected high in Earth’s atmosphere, including within clouds and upper air layers. What was once viewed primarily as a marine pollution problem has emerged as a global atmospheric issue, with plastic particles capable of travelling thousands of kilometres through the air. The presence of microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics in the upper atmosphere represents a critical shift in our understanding of plastic pollution and raises concerns for environmental systems, climate processes, and human health. Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Origins and Characteristics Microplastics originate either from the fragmentation of larger plastic products, known as secondary microplastics, or from plastics intentionally manufactured at small sizes, referred to as primary microplasti...

T he gaming industry has exploded over the past few decades, evolving from a niche hobby into a global entertainment powerhouse. With revenues surpassing those of the film and music industries combined, gaming is now a central part of modern culture. Yet, behind the excitement of immersive worlds, high-end graphics, and online multiplayer battles lies an environmental story that often goes unnoticed: the significant carbon footprint of gaming. From the production of consoles and high-performance PCs to the energy-hungry data centres that power cloud gaming and streaming services, every aspect of the industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Even the ways we play, long gaming sessions, VR adventures, and high-resolution streaming, add to this impact. Understanding these emissions is crucial if the industry and its players are to enjoy their pastime sustainably. Hardware: The Hidden Backbone of Gaming’s Carbon Footprint The journey of every game starts with hardware. Consoles,...