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(November 11, 2022) Article by Faisal Patil and Shyama Kuriakose Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) is the 4th largest illegitimate business with an annual worth of $14 billion. Due to India’s geography and socio-demographic makeup, it acts as an integral focal point for this trade across international markets, putting our hallowed biodiversity at the risk of being extirpated. Much of this demand is driven by the pet industry and the use of wildlife parts in traditional medicines. Wildlife crimes are rele...

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(September 06, 2022) A new study by scientists from 11 academic and conservation institutions presents a detailed account of carnivore research in India from 1947–2020 India presents a unique and peculiar case among developing and developed countries, where 1.4 billion people manage to coexist with large carnivores like tigers, lions, snow leopards, sloth bears and leopards. The country is home to around 23 per cent of the world’s carnivore species, most of which occur at high densities, while also sh...

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(August 23, 2022) Media portrayal of wildlife and environmental issues are greatly responsible for shaping public perceptions about wildlife. Besides being a primary source of information for many, the media also holds great power to influence public understanding of and response to conservation issues. Sensational or erroneous reporting can lead to increased antagonism toward wildlife and negatively affect policy and management decisions that could prove detrimental to humans and wildlife.  Researchers a...

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(July 29, 2022) India has had several human communities living with wild animals in and around its diverse forests for centuries. The remarkable coexistence could be a consequence of some unique and age-old indigenous beliefs. Beliefs like the sun, moon, rivers and almost all other wild beings that have thrived on earth for eras are their wiser ancestors. They have sought their lessons on survival and sustenance from them. These beliefs substantiated into humble practices such as those worshipping the natural f...

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(June 29, 2022) Written by Ishani Kumar Singh Summer in India this year has brought some attention to the consequences of climate change that have started taking effect in India. The rising heat has broken records with the temperature breaching 49 degrees celsius in the capital city. Heatwaves have become more likely, putting a  large part of India’s population in distress. Lack of immediate efforts to mitigate or adapt to climate change could lead to dire consequences especially in India, as is w...

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(June 07, 2022) ಲೇಖಕರು- ಸತೀಶ ಗಣೇಶ ನಾಗಠಾಣ.  ಮುಂದುವರೆದ ಭಾಗ.. ದಟ್ಟಣೆಯಿಂದ ಕೂಡಿದ ಬೃಹತ ಗಾತ್ರದ ಮರದ ಸಾಲುಗಳನ್ನು ಕಣ್ಣೆತ್ತಿ ನೋಡುತ್ತ ಆ ದಿನದ ಆಹ್ಲಾದಕರವಾದ ಮುಂಜಾವಿನ ಮಂಪರು ಬರೆಸುವಂತಹ ತಂಗಾಳಿಯ ಆನಂದದ ಸುಖವನ್ನು ಸವೆಯುತ್ತ ದಂಡಾಕಾರದ ಕಾನನದ ಒಳಗೆ ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಲು ನಿಸರ್ಗ ಬಾ ಎಂದು ಕರೆಯುತ್ತಿತ್ತು.   ಕಲ್ಪವೃಕ್ಷಗಳ ದಟ್ಟ ಕಾಡುಗಳನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿದ ಪಶ್ಚಿಮ ಘಟ್ಟಗಳ ಭವ್ಯ ವನಸಿರಿಯ ಸಾಲು ಸಾಲುಗಳನ್ನ ನೋಡುತ್ತ  ತಲ್ಲಿನವಾದಂತಹ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೋ ಒಂಥರಹ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾವನಾತ್ಮಕ ಅಲೆಗಳ ಹೊಯದಾಟ ಝೆಂಕರಿಸುತ್ತ ಅತ್ತಂದಿತ್ತ ಸುಳಿದಾಡುತ್ತ ಮರದಿಂದ ಮರಕ್ಕೆ ನೆಗೆಯುತ್ತ ಸುಳಿಗಾಳಿಯ ಹತೋಟಿ...

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(June 06, 2022) Interview by Uttara Mendiratta  Starting in March 2021, we came across reports on the Airgun Surrender Abhiyan that had been initiated by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Arunachal Pradesh. We noted it with mild curiosity, but did not think it was more than a localized phenomenon. But soon, through our interactions with the forest department, it became clear that this was not a one off event but a growing movement, and one that the forest department felt very invested in. The fore...

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(April 25, 2022) Savannas – large expanses of grass-dominated landscapes dotted by shrubs and woody trees – are often referred to as ‘wastelands’ in India. They have long been considered to be remnants of forests degraded by human disturbances such as fire and grazing. However, studies indicate that the savanna grasslands of peninsular India are ancient ecosystems that pre-date humans and hold high species richness, endemism and unique biodiversity[1]. Tropical forests are looked upon as ...

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(February 03, 2022) Written by Sourabha Rao There is an almost supernatural power a spot-billed pelican can affect you with when you watch it in flight, swooping down from its roost to pick up a twig as its nesting material or to drink water. Imagine yourself on a boat among islets on the banks of River Kaveri and you see tens of them perched on trees, some of which are flying around you and sometimes right above your head. © Zhayynn James Add in a few painted storks into this flurry of flight. And ...

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(January 25, 2022) Article by Sourabha Rao A vast tiger reserve with its dense, green-black depths. In this forest have long-lived its ‘children’ who know their habitat intimately. We are talking about India’s largest tiger reserve, Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR), and the tribal people called the ‘Chenchu’ who have been an integral part of it. While the frontline staff of the forest department is relentlessly committed to the well-being of this tiger reserve, ...

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