Vilappuram

Surveying Local Sacred Groves

Feature, By Peter

One of Auroville’s success stories has been the greening and transformation of severely denuded and eroded land to what is now a diverse, rich and, in pockets, thriving woodlands.

Planning for the wider bioregion: Auroville- Pondicherry-Villupuram-Cuddalore

An interview with Probir, Lalit and Aravinda, By Alan

An important meeting in terms of planning for the larger bioregion took place on 11th September in Pondicherry. Hosted by Citizen’s Action Network, PondyCAN and the Puducherry Planning Authority, with participation of civil society from all the sub-regions, the consultation meeting was also addressed by Lt.

Proposed National Highway threatens Auroville

Feature, By Carel

Map showing the new highway through the Auroville Greenbelt (in blue dots) as originally routed and the four bypasses proposed by Auroville: along National Highway 66, and then reaching the East Coast Road along an existing road (in pink)

Survey markings in the Greenbelt installed by a consultant working for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) revealed that plans were afoot to build a four-lane National Highway through the Auroville Green Belt for a length of 3.5 kilometers, crossing the Forecomers, Pitchandikulam and Aurogreen areas.

Towards an integrated water management strategy for the bioregion

Editorial, By Alan

Map of the immediate bioregion of Auroville

The bioregion was defined as Pondicherry, Auroville, and the surrounding districts of Villupuram and Cuddalore (PAVC), an area of 2500 sq. kilometres that constitutes a distinct ecological bioregion along the Coromandel Coast.