Telangana’s first overpass eco-bridge for wild animals coming up on NH-63 | Telangana Today
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is constructing Telangana’s first overpass bridge for wild animals on NH-63. The 1 km long bridge will help to increase connectivity in the Kaghaznagar forest while reducing the risk of collision with vehicles. The project will cost Rs. 30 crore and is estimated to take six months to complete.
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How preserving forests could save the Indian giant squirrel | Mongabay India
The Indian giant squirrel is an endemic species that is found across the Western Ghats, parts of the Eastern Ghats, and the Satpura ranges. It plays an important role in the ecosystem by aiding in seed dispersal. Researchers from the Wildlife Trust of India have stated that successful conservation of the giant squirrel will require focussing on protecting their environment from degradation and fragmentation rather than on the species alone.
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Hundreds of Olive Ridley turtles arrive for mating off Odisha coast | Indian Narrative
Olive Ridley turtles, an endangered species, begin to arrive for mating at the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary in Odisha, the world’s largest nesting site for Olive Ridleys. Local authorities take steps to ensure their protection by banning fishing in the sanctuary till May 31st, 2023. This will help give the turtle hatchlings a better chance at survival when they begin their journey into the sea.
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In Arittapatti, Tamil Nadu gets its first biodiversity heritage site | The Hindu
The Tamil Nadu declares Arittapatti and Meenakhipuram villages in the Madurai district as the state’s first biodiversity heritage site. The site comprises 139.63 hectares in Arittapatti village and 53.8 hectares in Meenakshipuram village. The site is home to 250 species of birds as well as several megalithic structures and rock-cut temples of historical significance.
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CITES COP19 lists sea cucumbers as ‘threatened’ | Down to Earth
The 19th Conference of Parties (COP19) to the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has accepted a proposal by France to include sea cucumbers in Appendix II of the convention. This classification is given to regulate trade of a species in order to avoid exploitation. This marks a positive step for sea cucumbers as an analysis published by the Wildlife Conservation Society-India (WCS-India) showed that they were the most frequently trafficked marine species in India from 2015-2021.
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