Stories written by
Peter Smetacek
Peter Smetacek is a regular Scroll.in contributor
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The biggest threats to wildlife in India: Forest fires and an ‘unhealthy’ plantation model
All that is needed to restore Indian ecosystems is protection, not plantation.
Peter Smetacek
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India is ‘planting forests’ to forestall the impending water crisis. It is a fool's errand
Instead, for a start, we should allow forests to regrow naturally. Planting trees creates a plantation, not a forest.
Peter Smetacek
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In India, a move to put a monetary value to forests could spell disaster for protected landscapes
It allows policymakers to shrug their shoulders and de-notify protected areas for short-term economic benefits.
Peter Smetacek
Trending
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Faltering economy, poor citizens, South Asia’s bully: The reality of India’s global ambitions
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This artificial sweetener can destroy gut bacteria and intestine cells
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In his new book, journalist Boria Majumdar addresses BCCI’s two-year ban after an online controversy
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Why Justice Datta’s attack on petitioner in VVPAT verdict is worrisome for PILs
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Fact-checking five days of Narendra Modi’s speeches: A catalogue of lies
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Damage control: Why Uttarakhand saw few wildfires this year
Almost all fires that did start were swiftly put out with nothing more than green boughs and leaf rakes.
Peter Smetacek
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Fighting floods: India needs to emphasise disaster prevention, not disaster management
It's time for a new approach.
Peter Smetacek
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What the culling of wild animals in some states can tell us about future water wars in India
We can reduce the pressure of wild animals on cultivation if we permit our forests, wildlands and sub-surface water systems to restore themselves.
Peter Smetacek
Video
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Watch: Woman recreates pet parrot’s choreography
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Watch: Neighbours rescue infant from second floor sunshade after she fell from fourth floor balcony
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Video: Listen to this acapella version of Shankar Mahadevan’s ‘Breathless’ by four singers
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Watch: Argentinian woman is crowned Miss Universe Buenos Aires at 60
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Watch: K-Pop singer Aoora sings in Assamese as he collaborates with Nilotpal Bora in a new folk song
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How a patch of forest land in Uttarakhand was quietly converted to commercial land
The process of urbanising Bhimtal’s catchment area has been steadily progressing, with commercial properties coming up on what was forest land.
Peter Smetacek
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So what's wrong in asking who set the forests on fire in Uttarakhand?
Why are there loud and vehement protests when one questions the 'naturalness' of the fires that are set to subvert the law or destroy evidence?
Peter Smetacek
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Missing the woods for the trees: How India's forests have been lost in translation – in plantations
The fact that a German and not an Englishman set up the Indian Forest Service had unintended but far-reaching consequences for India – and today's forest fires.
Peter Smetacek
The Reel
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‘The Fall Guy’ review: Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt sparkle in entertaining action comedy
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‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ trailer: Barry Jenkins directs prequel to 2019 photorealistic animated film
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Start the week with a film: A divorce from hell in ‘The War of the Roses’
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Aditi Rao Hydari on playing diverse characters: ‘I want the audience to take me home with them’
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The story of India’s unique ‘Milk Revolution’ is going to the Cannes Film Festival