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(April 05, 2024) Dr. Aaron Savio Lobo and Dr. Avadhoot Velankar from WCS-India's Marine Programme participated in the national consultative workshop on the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BOBLME Phase 2) project held in Chennai from 21st to 23rd March 2024. It was jointly organised by the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organization (BOBP-IGO) and IUCN, and supported by GOI, FAO, GEF, and NORAD.  Over 80 stakeholders from various government units and NGOs came together to share i...

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(April 05, 2024) Walls come down to make way for elephants | Mongabay Numaligarh Refinery Ltd. (NRL) is demolishing its boundary wall in Deopahar, Assam following a Gauhati High Court order to restore an elephant corridor. The wall's obstruction has sparked a decade-long legal battle, with environmental activists like Rohit Choudhury advocating for its removal. The victory is hailed as a significant win for wildlife conservation, allowing free movement for elephants and preserving the biodiversity of the ...

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(March 22, 2024) Arunachal tribe donates land for critically endangered songbird Bugun Liocichla | Deccan Herald Buguns, a tribal community in Arunachal Pradesh, donated 1,470 hectares of forest land to the state forest department to protect the critically endangered Bugun Liocichla. With only 14 individuals spotted, conservation efforts are critical. This effort marks a significant step towards protecting this unique species and promoting tourism.   Wildcats found in India gain international conse...

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(March 18, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India.   Important Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) news from India:  In a joint operation by Mizoram Forest Department and Assam Rifles, 49 exotic wild animals were seized in Champhai. The media report mentions the species seized, which include Solomon Cockatoo (10), Posque’s Parrot (2), Marmoset Monkey (2), and unidentified turtle (9), snake (10), lizard (16) species. Th...

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(March 15, 2024) Rehabilitating trafficked star tortoises using genetic intelligence | Mongabay Recent research reveals two genetically distinct populations of Indian star tortoises, challenging previous assumptions and indicating moderate to high genetic diversity. This insight can guide rehabilitation efforts by releasing trafficked tortoises into habitats where they are genetically suited, enhancing their chances of survival.  Human-wildlife conflicts: Karnataka, Kerala ink pact | Hindustan Times...

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(March 12, 2024) The following content is collected from public information and does not represent the views of WCS-India.  Important Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) news from India: 1. Forest departments from the states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha conducted a seizure of 2.7 kg pangolin scales and one live pangolin at Nagalbod village, along the Chhattisgarh-Odisha state border, near the Udanti Sitanadi Tiger Reserve. Three poachers were arrested; Link 2. Odisha Forest Department seized 132 parakee...

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(March 08, 2024) North Bengal comes together to protect Hornbill species | The Statesman  North Bengal organised a three-day workshop with participants from the region and neighbouring areas to create a conservation plan for five hornbill species, three of them globally threatened. The plan includes strategies for population surveys, habitat protection, community involvement, and awareness initiatives, uniting officials, scientists, and community members to address the vulnerability of hornbills in the a...

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(March 01, 2024) India, four other nations plan coordinated crackdown on wildlife traffickers using Interpol channels | The Hindu India, along with Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, is uniting to combat wildlife trafficking by sharing intelligence on traffickers and disrupting financial flows. The focus is on air cargo routes from Africa to Southeast Asia, with over 50 wildlife seizures reported in India in 2022. The collaboration aims to coordinate actions and enhance Interpol capabilities again...

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(February 23, 2024) Six wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka to be recommended for being declared ecologically sensitive areas | The Hindu Karnataka's recent decision to recommend six wildlife sanctuaries and surrounding areas as ecologically sensitive zones signals a key step in the country's conservation efforts. This move highlights the government's commitment to protecting biodiversity, addressing human-wildlife conflict, and fostering collaboration between communities, conservationists, and the gov...

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(February 16, 2024) Critically endangered turtle species sighted in Cauvery | The New Indian Express In a breakthrough, researchers discovered a breeding population of 31 critically endangered Leith's soft-shell turtles (Nilssonia leithii) in the Cauvery River, Tamil Nadu. The elusive species faced declining sightings due to poaching, habitat issues, and human activities. The findings emphasise the urgency of in-depth research, conservation efforts, and potential captive breeding to ensure the sustainability...

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