Nityanand Jayaraman is a writer and social activist, and part of an anti-corporate collective called Vettiver Koottamaippu. He writes about environment and social justice. He also volunteers to support community groups fighting against environmental degradation and corporate crime, including the campaign to get Unilever to clean-up the mercury contamination in Kodaikanal, and the efforts by fisherfolk to revive and restore the Ennore Creek in North Chennai.

Talk Title: The coastal commons

Community commons, including waterbodies and beaches, are integral not just for community life and livelihoods, but also for disaster proofing our cities and villages. The degradation and disappearance of commons are the reason for our increased vulnerability to nature’s extremes.