From The Marginlands

This conversation delves into the Great Nicobar Project, a massive infrastructure initiative at the southern end of the Nicobar Islands, focusing on its economic viability, ecological impact, and the…

Photojournalist Ed Kashi and documentary filmmaker Julie Winokur have spent decades telling urgent, human stories — from climate injustice to ageing, migration, and forgotten coastlines. In this epis…

In this episode, Dr. Abi Tamim Vanak discusses the misclassification of vital ecosystems as "wastelands" in India. Championing the importance of recognizing Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs), and the ro…

In this episode, featuring ecologist Pradip Krishen, Prem and Arati explore the restoration of ecosystems. Pradip shares his journey and insights into the importance of native plants, observation, an…

This episode focuses on the importance of environmental storytelling, emphasizing the need to go beyond surface-level reporting and explore deeper narratives that connect individual experiences to br…

In this episode, Prem and Arati discuss our warming oceans with Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist and winner of the prestigious National Science Award, in 2024. What are the implications of i…

In this episode, Prem Panicker and Arati Kumar-Rao discuss significant updates regarding environmental incidents off the coast of Kerala. The conversation then turns to The State Of India's Environme…

On May 23, 2025, the MSC Elsa 3, a 28-year-old container ship, left Vizhinjam Port for Kochi, carrying 640 containers—13 of them packed with hazardous cargo, including calcium carbide, a chemical tha…

In this episode, Arati and Prem dive into the heart of Bangalore’s flood crisis and the intricate dance between humanity and nature. We unpack the city’s recent flooding woes, echoing themes from our…

In this episode, Arati Kumar-Rao and Prem Panicker explore the intricate relationship between visual storytelling and the narratives behind images, particularly in the context of nature and rivers. T…

In this episode, Aarti Kumar Rao and Prem Panicker focus on the ongoing extreme heat waves and their implications. They critique the media's coverage of the issue, highlighting a lack of urgency and …

In this episode, Arati Kumar-Rao and Prem Panicker navigate the complexities of grief following Arati's recent loss of her mother. They reflect on the profound influence of Arati's mother on her life…

From The Marginlands hosts Prem & Arati scour the mainstream India newspapers  to find news about the environment and then sit down with acclaimed author Nilanjana Roy to discuss writing landscapes. 

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About us:

Arati Kumar-Rao, photojournalist and author of Marginlands: Instagram

Prem Panicker, journalist and editor: X and Substack

From The Marginlands on Substack

On why we are doing this podcast

Our e…

In From The Marginlands, we -- Prem and Arati  -- explore storytelling and elemental connections between us and the world around us. We will converse with carefully curated guests on the art of telli…