The population of whale sharks in the Indian Ocean is increasing. However lack of knowledge about their importance is leading fishermen to kill them on sight or accidentally net them while fishing. As carcass of the biggest fish in the world continue to be found on the Eastern coast of the country, the count of […]
A Spider that can stay Underwater for 14 minutes!
If there was a competition among spiders of holding their breath underwater, the Tylorida sataraensis spider from the Western Ghats of India would surely be a strong winning contender. This particular spider species will dive under water and stay under for as long as 14 minutes to evade its predator before coming up for air. […]
Eco Travel: Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
A monthly focus on one of the many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of India. The Indo-Nepal border in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh nurtures a beautiful jewel of nature, the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, a sprawling Terai jungle riddled with verdant grasslands, marshy swamps and exciting wetlands brimming over with wildlife. Species to Watch […]
‘Your Friend is My Friend’ Say the Hyenas
The exceptional success of facebook as a social media tool has proven beyond doubt that humans have a natural tendency to make friends with the friends of their friends. A study from National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis shows that even the spotted hyenas instinctively seem to know that this kind of bonding is […]
iSharkFin for Better Protection of Endangered Sharks
A new technology that will help quickly identify shark species and help save them is here. The software called iSharkFin was developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) jointly with the University of Vigo and was funded by the Government of Japan and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora […]
Artificial Coral Reef Structures create Ecosystems and Boost Livelihood
It might not be the real thing, but for fish swimming in southern Indian coastal waters, the artificial coral reef structures, a project initiated by The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) are a good enough place to live and thrive. It is also a reason why fishermen from about 25 villages in Tamil Nadu […]
Declining Population of Large Herbivores may turn the Planet to Barren Landscapes
Herbivores or plant eating animals are found on every continent of the earth other than Antarctica. Among these, the number of known land herbivore species is approximately 4000. But a recent study of large herbivores led by Professor William Ripple of the Oregon State University has brought into light some very worrying results. The study […]
Eco Travel: Dachigam National Park, Jammu & Kashmir
A monthly focus on one of the many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of India. In the northernmost Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, lies the Dachigam National Park, the only remaining home of the endangered Kashmir Deer Stag or the Hangul. Species to Watch Hangul or Kashmir Deer stag (Cervus elaphus hanglu) – Listed as Endangered on […]
IUCN Concerned about World Heritage Sites of India
A recent report by the Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has brought forth the question whether the places declared as World Heritage Sites are really well conserved. The assessment made by the IUCN showed that the sites such as the Western Ghats, Kaziranga National Park, Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and Sunderbans in India are under […]
Leopards Prefer to Live Near Human Habitats
An international study of radio-collared leopards in India has led to an unusual and unexpected finding . Scientists say that the common belief that leopards found near human residences are mostly those that have strayed from the forest habitat might not be entirely true. It is now thought more likely that the leopard is a […]
IUCN Report Hastens Plans for a Breeding Centre for Great Indian Bustard
Serious conservation plans seem to have finally fallen in place for the Great Indian Bustard with the sanctioning of a breeding centre in Gujarat by the central government. The land identified by the state government for the first breeding centre is in Kutch and in close proximity to the Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary. Image via […]