62 new plants that can live without water discovered in Western Ghats | India Today
Biologists have discovered 62 new species of plants that can withstand extreme dehydration. The plants belong to the Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular Species that are capable of surviving amid extreme water scarcity. This species is known for entering a state of dormancy and reviving when water becomes available again. Researchers said that the newly discovered plants could have a wide-ranging role in agriculture, particularly in areas with a scarcity of water.
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Alligator gar fish found in Dal lake raises concerns | Mongabay
Native to North America, the alligator gar is considered an alien fish species in India as it occurs here outside of its native habitat. The first documented presence of alligator gar in Jammu and Kashmir in May is a cause for concern. Alligator gars in large numbers could affect the ecosystem of the water bodies in Kashmir. Experts speculate that the alligator gar that was found in the Dal lake could be an aquarium release.
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Study finds how community-based conservation efforts influence mammal populations in Meghalaya | Mongabay
In north-east India, land is owned and managed by local indigenous communities. Community Reserves (CRs) are designated in these areas to increase the range of protected areas. Habitat loss and degradation has led to the decline of species in north-east India. CRs can serve as sanctuaries for many mammal species to continue to thrive and persist in a heavily fragmented landscape. Multi-stakeholder conservation efforts and further studies can aid in the conservation of species in the region.
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State plans to conserve Great Indian bustards, vultures | Hindustan Times
The Maharashtra government is in talks to establish in and ex-situ conservation programs for the critically endangered Great Indian bustard, along with long-billed vultures and white-rumped vultures. The state government has also reached an agreement with the Haryana forest department to translocate 20 pairs of vultures which are presently only found in the protected areas of eastern Maharashtra.
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Indian Army generates unique ecosystem for peaceful co-existence with wild elephants in Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary | The Print
The Indian army has generated a unique ecosystem for peaceful co-existence with wild elephants by aiming to mitigate the human-elephant conflict in the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary. According to the Indian Army and Assam forest department, there are around 90 wild elephants living in the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary who often visited the military station. In the area of the military station, the Indian army has created several ponds and planted fruit trees and grasses for wild elephants. The army personnel of the military station have made clear paths for the free movement of elephants.
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