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(May 26, 2025) Why India needs stable urban forests | The Hindu Urban forests play a vital role in mitigating pollution, climate change, and urban heat, while supporting biodiversity and public well-being. Rapid urbanisation threatens these green spaces, as seen in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli, prompting judicial intervention. The Nagar Van Yojana aims to establish 1,000 urban forests by 2027 to restore ecological balance in cities. Asiatic lion population in Gujarat rises from 674 to 891 in 5 y...

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(May 23, 2025) A team of nine WCS-India staff and four community representatives from Nagaland recently visited Arunachal Pradesh to learn from the inspiring, community-led conservation efforts of Garung Thuk and the Bugun community of Singchung village. Garung Thuk, a grassroots NGO based in Shergaon, works to strengthen local pride in biodiversity through awareness sessions, capacity-building workshops, and youth engagement. In Singchung, the Bugun community has led the way by setting aside land as th...

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(May 19, 2025) The markhor is losing crucial grazing habitat to livestock | Mongabay Rising livestock numbers in Kashmir’s alpine regions are restricting the Kashmir markhor’s access to key grazing areas, forcing it into suboptimal habitats and threatening its survival. A recent study highlights how high livestock pressure reduces markhor movement, reproduction, and population density. Experts recommend protecting fawning sites and promoting alternate grazing zones to ensure long-term conservati...

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(May 13, 2025) New study reveals how lion-tailed macaque strategically uses its habitat amidst increasing human pressures | The Hindu A new study in Silent Valley National Park shows that lion-tailed macaques adapt their movement and space use based on human presence. Troops in buffer zones remained in the mid-canopy to avoid disturbance, while core-area troops used the forest floor more often, revealing unexpected ecological flexibility. The findings highlight the importance of incorporating three-dimensio...

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(May 05, 2025) Mumbai: Camera-trap survey finds 57 leopards in Sanjay Gandhi park, nearby areas | The Indian Express A camera-trap survey by the Maharashtra Forest Department and WCS-India recorded 57 leopards in Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park and adjoining areas, including Aarey and Tungareshwar, between February and June 2024. The study highlighted strong breeding signs, long-term site fidelity, and the need for better habitat protection amid rising human-leopard interactions and encroachments...

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(April 25, 2025) TN considers captive breeding of state animal Nilgiri tahr to ensure its long-term survival | The New Indian Express The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is considering scientific captive breeding of the Nilgiri tahr to support relocation and ensure its long-term survival. A synchronised four-day survey across Tamil Nadu and Kerala begins April 24, using advanced techniques to assess population and habitat health. Experts cite global successes like the Arabian oryx and Przewalski’s horse as...

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(April 22, 2025) A nature walk & conservation experience was recently hosted at Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai for members of WeWork India. Organised by WCS-India, the walk led participants along a nature trail where they discovered the rich biodiversity thriving within the city. They learned to identify species and interpret signs of wildlife, gaining insight into the vital ecological roles animals like leopards, macaques, and jackals play in an urban landscape. The walk concluded with a brief introd...

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(April 11, 2025) Citizens rally for wildlife with ‘Walk for Bandipur’ campaign | The Hindu Citizens and activists participated in the ‘Walk for Bandipur’ campaign in Mysuru on April 6, urging the Karnataka government to retain the night traffic ban through Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Organised by the United Conservation Movement, the rally included locals and conservationists concerned about potential ecological impacts if the ban is lifted. Participants submitted a memorandum and plan fur...

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(April 10, 2025) Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) organised a global Coral Reef Strategy meeting in Roatan, Honduras from 24-28 March 2025. The meeting brought together 30 representatives from country and regional programme to frame the WCS global coral programmes' five-year (2025-2030) strategy. Mr. Karan Deshpande represented WCS-India's Marine Programme in this pivotal workshop. Over four days, participants outlined their coral programmes thematic activities, prioritised conservation actions...

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(April 10, 2025) The following content is compiled from publicly available sources and does not represent the views of WCS-India. Reported species in seizure incidents may differ from actual occurrences due to challenges in verifying species identification, geographical differences, and varying levels of detail in local reporting. Please interpret this information with caution, as it may not always reflect precise or validated identification.  We collected and collated 42 illegal wildlife trade related i...

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