The Green Literature Festival (GLF), which aspires to build a robust ecosystem of green literature for readers, publishers, authors, NGOs, business bodies, public policy forums, education institutions, among others, has announced the longlists for 2024 GLF Best Book Awards in the General Fiction and Non-fiction and General Business categories.
GLF aims to become a multifaceted platform that amplifies the role of green literature in shaping dialogues, debates, environmental consciousness, education, and call-to-action from political, business and civil society leaders.
Towards this end, GLF hosts a year-long series of dialogues, discussions and other artistic endeavours around the environment, reviews books for readers of all ages, releases newsletters and organises a lit fest. This year, Green Literature Festival will be held on 7 December 2024.
General Fiction and Non-fiction longlist
The Living Air: The Pleasures of Birds and Birdwatching by Aasheesh Pittie: A collection of essays that offer a fresh perspective into birdwatching and its transformative experience.
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Varghese: A sprawling literary fiction novel set in the backwater regions and estuaries of Kerala, this book takes readers through three generations of an orthodox Malayali Christian family and subtly portrays water as a silent dictator – the creator of destinies.
Smoke and Ashes: A Writer’s Journey Through Opium’s Hidden Histories by Amitav Ghosh: Part travelogue, part memoir, this book delves into history to find the role of one plant in shaping the world economically and culturally today.
A Walk up the Hill: Living with People and Nature by Madhav Gadgil: An earnest account of a celebrated ecologist’s life, a documentation of his work and encounters, this book blends personal journeys with the larger, crucial discussion on our relationship with the environment.
Marginlands: Indian Landscapes on the Brink by Arati Kumar Rao: A magical blend of captivating photography and evocative text, this book is a compelling narrative of India’s vanishing landscapes, the people entwined with them and the knowledge they carry.
Intertidal: A Coast and Marsh Diary by Yuvan Aves: This deeply meditative memoir and journal, among other things, revolves around the writer’s inner and outer world. It takes the reader into estuaries, marshes, and coasts in and around Chennai and the multiple species that inhabit those spaces.
Women In The Wild: Stories of India’s Most Brilliant Women Wildlife Biologists, edited by Anita Mani: A chronicle of India’s successful biologists and ecologists, their journeys in conservation, their struggles and victories, this book is an ode to the women who dared to fight for the natural world. It spotlights the role of women in conservation and their largely invisbilised stories.
Shades of Blue: Connecting the Drops in India’s Cities by Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli: Offering a glimpse into the water bodies in Indian cities, this book also addresses the threats they face. Interspersed with anecdotes (both scientific and anthropological), myths and vignettes, it shows humans’ connection with water, historically and culturally.
Rescuing a River Breeze by Mrinalini Harchandrai: Set in Goa, on the banks of River Mandovi, this novel traces the life of a girl on the cusp of womanhood battling identity in a worn-torn region.
Dattapaharam: Call of the Forest by VJ James, translated by S. Ministhy: A moving tale about a group of friends searching for their guide and leader, this surreal novel inspects man’s deep connection with nature.
General Business longlist
Heavy Metal by Ameer Shahul: A blistering account of a colossal industrial tragedy in Kodaikanal precipitated by corporate negligence and acts of omission and commission at the highest levels.
Farmer Sutra by Kalpana Manivannan: The inspiring true story of an urban farmer as she celebrates nature and lays a foundation for a truly self-sustaining style of living.
I’m a Climate Optimist by Aakash Ranison: This book simplifies climate change and sustainability so that everyone can understand and take action toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
The Case for Nature by Siddarth Shrikanth: A hopeful yet deeply pragmatic perspective on how we can exist in harmony with our living planet.
Working to Restore by Esha Chhabra: This book examines revolutionary approaches in nine areas: agriculture, waste, supply chain, inclusivity for the collective good, women in the workforce, travel, health, energy, and finance.
Back to Bharat by Nagaraja Prakasam: A look into the present economic dilemma for Indian entrepreneurs and consumers, looking at the past and present situation of both India and the developed world to find a way forward.
Climate Capitalism by Akshat Rathi: Climate Capitalism uncovers ten unlikely heroes creating the key breakthroughs for a green economy.
From Trash to Treasure by Dr Sachin Mishra: The book explores the remarkable innovations, strategies, and initiatives that are transforming waste management on a global scale.
Zero Waste House by Treesa Sindhu P Thomas and Dr Leena Leon: Find out the importance of sustainable living and how small changes in our daily routines can have a significant impact on the environment.
Understanding Circular Economy by Dr Ashutosh Mishra: A comprehensive overview of the concept and application of circular economy and its importance in achieving sustainability, making it an ideal resource for students, policymakers, and practitioners.
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