Why Real Restoration Is More Than Just Planting Trees
In the latest episode of From the Marginlands, ecologist Pradip Krishen on how true ecosystem recovery requires patience, local wisdom, and moving beyond quick-fix tree-planting drives
Here is a content breakdown of this, the 11th episode of From the Marginlands (Click the timestamp to jump to the respective sections:
Introduction & Guest Welcome
0:00 : Introducing the podcast and Pradip Krishen
Pradip’s Beginnings: From Filmmaking to Ecology
5:03 : Pradip’s early days, transition from filmmaker to naturalist and author, influence of mentors, and birdwatching.
Integrated Conservation Planning & Pachmarhi
11:54 : Learning about planning for cities and ecologies, system flaws in development planning.
Learning About Restoration in Practice
32:20 : Observing landscapes, experimenting, patience, and fieldwork.
Restoring Nagaur and Abha Mahal Bagh
38:09 : Early hands-on restoration projects, establishing native plants in Rajasthan, lessons learned.
Rao Jodha Park: Method, Mistakes, and Lessons
39:37 : Full story of the flagship restoration project in rocky Jodhpur, community and “cricket team” of miners, invasive removal, and documenting results.
Building Collective Knowledge
1:01:12 : The rise of ERA-India, sharing resources, networking as vital for a community of practice.
On Delhi’s Restoration Policy and its foibles
1:02:09 : Delhi’s official “Green Action Plan” and ridge restoration, systemic policy failings, and perverse incentives, repeated mistakes in afforestation.
The myth of compensatory afforestation
1:09:14 : Absurdities of large-scale compensatory planting projects, policy critique, failures of “tree counting.”
The Miyawaki Mirage: quick fixes vs. ecological reality
1:10:17 : Dangers of “fast” afforestation, why Miyawaki forests are often inappropriate or even damaging in the Indian context.
Urban Rewilding: Jaipur’s Kishan Bagh
1:24:09 : Restoring urban parks, sustaining native flora within city environments.
Wrap-up
1:39:19 : Listener mail: The importance of observation, and encouraging everyday citizens to engage with ecology.