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 against this "grave threat" to biodiversity.
Leopard numbers show 8% rise from 2018 to 2022 | The Hindu
India's leopard population increased by 8% from 2018 to 2022, reaching 13,874, with the highest numbers in Madhya Pradesh. Uttarakhand reported a 22% decline due to poaching and human-wildlife conflict. The survey, covering 20 states, revealed stable leopard populations, highlighting the species' adaptability but indicating potential impact from human activities in non-protected areas.
Idu Mishmi protect ancestral land through community conservation | Mongabay
The Idu Mishmi community in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh, declared 70 sq. km as the Elopa-Etugu Community Eco-Cultural Preserve (EECEP) to combat deforestation and hydroelectric projects. The Community Conserved Area (CCA) enforces a ten-year hunting ban, focuses on sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, and generates employment through tourism and research. Camera traps capture diverse wildlife, addressing threats from regional infrastructure projects.
International Big Cat Alliance headquarters will be in India; Centre allocates Rs 150 crore | Down to Earth
India will host the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) headquarters, as announced by the Union Cabinet with a budgetary allocation of Rs 150 crore for a five-year period. The IBCA aims to form a coalition for big cat conservation, following a structure similar to the International Solar Alliance. The alliance, headquartered in India, will focus on knowledge sharing, advocacy, and conservation efforts to counter the decline in big cat populations.
Tiger population rises to 30 in Odisha | The Statesman
The tiger population in Odisha has increased to 30, with Similipal Tiger Reserve holding the majority at 24 adult tigers, including unique pseudo-melanistic ones. The All Odisha Tiger Estimation 2023-24 report indicates a growth from the All India Tiger Estimation 2022, highlighting successful conservation efforts and a recovering population in the Similipal landscape.