Newsroom

News

(February 05, 2024) Dr. Anant Pande, Program Head – Marine Megafauna, gave a talk on marine mammal conservation and interacted with IFS officer-trainees at Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, who were attending the compulsory one-week training course on Marine Biodiversity Conservation organised by Central Academy for State Forest Service (CASFOS), Coimbatore. The talk was attended by 19 IFS officers from 11 state cadres.  

READ THE STORY

(February 02, 2024) Bangladesh, India to work together to prevent wildlife trafficking: Saber | The Business Standard Bangladesh and India plan to jointly combat wildlife trafficking and strengthen efforts in tiger conservation and Sundarbans preservation. They will also collaborate on climate change initiatives, including the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, and work together in marine biodiversity conservation and ecotourism. The Indian envoy highlighted the importance of mutual cooperation in environmental and ...

READ THE STORY

(January 25, 2024) Gangetic dolphin rescued in Odisha, may be indicator of more freshwater dolphins in river | Down to Earth In Odisha's Balasore district, a rare Gangetic dolphin was rescued by forest officials after being caught in fishing nets. The dolphin, blind by birth, is a critically endangered species slated for release into the Budhabalang river, suggesting the potential presence of more freshwater dolphins. This incident underscores the need for conservation efforts like 'Project Gangetic Dol...

READ THE STORY

(January 23, 2024) The Counter Wildlife Trafficking programme of WCS-India, in collaboration with the Goa State Biodiversity Board, conducted a one-day workshop on the topic ‘Understanding the acceptance of alternatives to Bengal Monitor Lizard skins for use in Ghumats by artisans and players of Ghumats in Goa’ on 17th, November 2023. Over 64 participants from diverse backgrounds participated, including artisans, ghumat makers, music stalwarts, and officials from the Directorate of Art & Cul...

READ THE STORY

(January 19, 2024) Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival gears up for its 9th Edition | Down to Earth The 9th Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival in Arunachal Pradesh, from January 18-20, highlights hornbill conservation by celebrating the Nyishi community's shift from hunters to conservationists. This year's theme, "Domutoh Domutoh, Paga hum Domutoh" in Nyishi language, emphasises the critical need to conserve hornbills. The festival features activities like bird-watching, cultural ...

READ THE STORY

(January 17, 2024) The marine team at WCS-India participated in Sagar Mahotsav 2024, hosted by Aasamant Benevolence Foundation, Tarun Bharat, and MahaMTB at Gogate-Jogalekar College, Ratnagiri, from January 11 to 14, 2024. This event brought together a diverse community of ocean experts, educators, and students specialising in fisheries science, zoology, and botany. Dr. Anant Pande, Program Head for Marine Megafauna, delivered a talk on marine mammal conservation during the event, drawing an audience of app...

READ THE STORY

(January 12, 2024) T.N. tests five survey methods in pilot study of Nilgiri Tahr population estimation | The Hindu The Tamil Nadu government conducted a pilot study to estimate the Nilgiri Tahr population using five survey methods in a conservation project launched by CM Stalin. The preliminary results suggest the drone survey method is promising, overcoming challenges, but mist conditions are a limitation. The final survey method will be chosen after statistical analysis, aiming to understand Tahr distribution...

READ THE STORY

(January 05, 2024) India gears to use eDNA to identify, track wildlife | Mongabay The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is pioneering the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to assess biodiversity, offering a promising tool for measuring wildlife, studying flora and fauna, and identifying hard-to-find species. This innovative approach also holds potential for providing crucial data on invasive alien species in India, with ZSI initiating a pilot project to explore the applications of eDNA in wildlife monit...

READ THE STORY

(December 22, 2023) Study finds physical barriers restricting blue sheep gene flow | Mongabay A study in the trans-Himalayan region found that physical barriers are restricting the movement and gene flow of blue sheep populations in Ladakh and Lahaul-Spiti, Northern India. Experts are concerned about the long-term impact on the species' gene pool and suggest re-evaluating protected areas as a strategy to address this issue. Namdapha flying squirrel sighted in Arunachal | Nagaland Post The Namdapha fl...

READ THE STORY

(December 15, 2023) Hangul population in Kashmir could go extinct without intervention, finds long-term study | Mongabay A long-term study reveals that the hangul population in and around Dachigam National Park, the sole viable group in the region, remains critically endangered despite protection, facing imminent extinction without intervention. Researchers advocate for conservation measures, including monitoring calf survival, removing feral dogs, minimising livestock presence, and restocking hangul in suitable...

READ THE STORY