In October 2024, Mongabay India published a report highlighting the growing threats to one of India’s most unique geological formations: the Varkala cliffs along the country’s southwestern coast. The story documented how the Varkala cliffs — 5.3-million-year-old formations that “offer a timeline to study the earth’s evolution and offer a lifeline to the local communities” — were under increasing pressure from both climate change and human activity.
The reporting detailed how the cliffs, which support biodiversity, freshwater resources and local livelihoods, are being reshaped by intense monsoon rains, storm-driven waves and unregulated construction. It also described the decision to demolish part of the cliffs by local authorities, an action that drew criticism from experts and conservationists.
Impact
According to Mongabay contributor Max Martin, the reporting “contributed to legal measures taken by the National Green Tribunal to conserve the cliffs.”
Within weeks, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) took suo motu cognizance of the issue based on the Mongabay article, citing the threats posed by environmental violations and administrative oversight. The tribunal referenced the article’s documentation of cliff degradation, unauthorized construction and the controversial demolition, noting the related implications for the site’s geological integrity and ecosystem services.
The case, registered for further proceedings, brought together multiple authorities, including environmental regulators and geological experts to examine the situation and submit reports. This legal attention elevated the issue from a local concern to a matter of national environmental governance.
This case highlights the role of Mongabay’s independent journalism in connecting scientific knowledge, local realities and policy discussions. By documenting environmental threats and their impacts on communities, nonprofit reporting helps inform management of ecosystems like the Varkala cliffs.
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Banner image: Varkala cliffs face rapid development, with restaurants, resorts, parking lots, and a helipad reshaping the landscape. Image by K. S. Sajinkumar