Research Reports

Biocultural Diversity of the Endemic ‘Wild Jack Tree’ on the Malabar Coast of South India

Artocarpus hirsutus Lam. is an endemic tree species of the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India. It is popularly
known as the ‘wild jack tree”. Several attributes in art, culture and socio-economic civilization among the folk
communities in Kerala state (Malabar coast) distinguish the tree in the history of Indian civilization. Most of the traditional uses and indigenous know-how earlier referred to this species are vanishing. This article discusses various
aspects of the popular wild jack tree of the Malabar coast and its vanishing indigenous biocultural diversity among
the folk communities of the region. Access the full report here.

India’s Forestry Sink Assessment

A technical report illustrating India’s Forest and Tree Cover and its contribution as a Carbon sink. The entire paper can be assessed at http://www.envfor.nic.in/mef/Technical_Paper.pdf

Scaling Up Primary Health Services in Rural India

Review: With case studies of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, this paper deals with public  investment requirements and health sector reform needed in scaling up primary health services in rural India.  Paper discusses the effects of some of the schemes implemented by the government including the National Rural Health Mission. Please note, that since it is a working paper, it contains edited notes, making it slightly difficult to read. However, the content of the paper is good. Report can be accessed at: http://www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/cgsd/documents/Rural%20Health%20AP%20&%20Karnataka.pdf

Mapping Literacy in India

Review: Titled ‘Mapping Literacy in India: Who are the illiterates and where do we find them?’, this report  attempts to identify the illiterates in India and regions where they can be found. Though poverty seems to be the number one cause of  illiteracy, with the help of lot of mathematical data, the authors put forward interesting findings in identifying how the burden of illiteracy is carried more by a few states. Report can be accessed at http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001460/146016e.pdf

Abolition of Child Labour, Social Exclusion, and the Girl Child

Review: As part of the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) 2008 Policy Dialogue Series, this report presents facts and analysis regarding the causes for Child Labour. Some of the topics included in this report are History of child labour in India since its  Independence (1947) , Status of Tribals, Dalits, and Girl Child , and Co-relation between child labour, poverty, and education . A state-wise performance on child labour, compulsory education, and the position of the girl child is also present. The report not only raises important questions, but also provides recommendations influencing public policy on this topic.  Report can be accessed at http://www.stopchildlabour.eu/stopchildlabour/Media/Files/CL,-social-exclusion-and-the-girl-child-India-September-2008

Carbon Disclosure Project Report 2008 – India

Review: Carbon Disclosure Project is an independent not-for-profit organization which works with shareholders and corporations to disclose climate change related issues of major corporations. The second Carbon Disclosure Project Report(first one was in 2007)  is a joint venture between World Wildlife Fund, CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, and Carbon Disclosure Project.  Carbon Disclosure Project encourages voluntary disclosure of carbon emissions by various companies.  According to the 2008 Report, 61 companies from 17 sectors provided information about their carbon emissions compared to 39 companies providing information in 2007.  Disclosed information include  amount of green house emissions,  and energy consumption. Report can be assessed at http://assets.wwfindia.org/downloads/cdp_report_2008_india_200_low.pdf

The Small Hands of Slavery  – Bonded Child Labor

Review:  The Small Hands of  Slavery – Bonded Child Labor in India is an investigative report on the practice of Child Labor in India.  This 1996 Human Rights Watch study of the plight of working children is both heart wrenching and utterly disturbing.  The Report explores the issue of Child Labor including reasons that drive children to work, and the laws in the Constitution of India that supposedly should be preventing child labor.  It is disturbing to know that it is not lack of laws that are causing the problem, but, it is the lack of enforcement.  The Report also provides recommendations to the Government of India, to international agencies such as UN and the international community that is working in India, as well as to retailers, suppliers, and consumers of Indian goods both in India and abroad. Report can be accessed at http://www.hrw.org/legacy/reports/1996/India3.htm