by Vishwanatha Reddy, Harish S., Pavani P. S., Manjunatha M. J. and Sushila Nadagouda Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Earth, acting as the silent architects of our ecosystems through pollination, decomposition and nutrient cycling. Their intricate morphologies and complex behaviours serve as a bridge between biological reality and artistic inspiration, proving that even the smallest creatures possess immense ecological and aesthetic significance. The Department of Entomology,...

By Shashank, P. R. and Santhosh Naik, G. Lately, there’s been a growing buzz around insects and rightly so. With reports of their rapid decline across continents in recent decades, more people are beginning to notice just how important these tiny creatures really are. But if you look for books in the Indian context that help nature enthusiasts truly appreciate insects and get to know them better, the options are surprisingly few. That’s why it felt refreshing to come across “Miniature Giants:...

by Sahanashree R., Giridhar Dasari and Asmi Khushi For millennia, soil has shaped human civilisations, influencing where people settled and how agriculture flourished. Have you ever wondered what the soil beneath your feet truly is? Soil is not just a surface layer, but a living three-dimensional body sculpted over millennia by the dynamic interplay of climate, landscape, parent rock, living organisms, and time. Acting as Earth’s quiet engine, it fixes nutrients, stores carbon, drives...