Last month two Giant Baleen Humpback whale sharks washed ashore dead on the Mumbai-Thane coast. Earlier a Bryde’s whale shark was found at Ratnagiri shores, 250 km away from Mumbai. With dead dolphins and Olive Ridley Turtles also spotted at regular intervals on the coast of Maharashtra and other south-west regions shores, there is fear that the deaths are not natural but caused by human errors.
Endangered Fish Species Thrives again in Maharashtra River
The Mahseer or Deccan Mahseer is an indigenous species of fish which was found in the Indrayani river flowing in India’s western state of Maharashtra. The fish was last sighted 14 years ago until it disappeared due to excessive pollution of the waters and urbanization. But thanks to the efforts of a conservation organization, today the fishes have again made Indrayani their home.
Photography of Great Indian Bustard Banned
Taking strict measures to save the small population of Great Indian Bustards in India, the Minsitry of Environment has banned the photography of the bird during breeding season which starts in April. The move has been made to give the rare birds a chance to nest peacefully.
Slender Loris on the hit list of Poachers
Slender Lorises are the little known primates found in the southern states of India, especially in the Western Ghats and Karnataka. Till date very little is known about these nocturnal creatures, their habits or even their population. But now experts fear the species is under threat from poachers who are killing them in hundreds.
Corbett Tigers get a Complete Silence Zone
Tigers in India’s oldest national park had been lately subjected to the noise made by party goers, and tourists staying in the vicinity of the park and playing loud music till late in the night. But after a high court directive, the state government has now imposed a strict ban on noise pollution in a 500 metre radius across the park.
How Children can get Close to Nature
Children today are getting closer to technology but distant from nature. They listen to music on MP3 players but cannot recognize the sweet song and calls of the birds. They enjoy Jacuzzi baths and swimming pools but don’t know the joys of swimming in ponds or just diving into a free flowing stream. They watch videos about animals on the internet, but have never seen the magnificence of a lion in the wild. They play war games online, but do not know the exhilaration of climbing trees and skinning their knees in the process. The virtual world of computers has practically replaced every aspect of Nature.
Swamp Deer Numbers Increase
Jhilmil jheel (lake) in Haridwar is fast growing into a haven for swamp deers, thanks to the conservation effort of the state. The Swamp deer population of the lake has increased many folds since 2005 according to the latest census conducted by Widlife Institute of India (WII)
Asia’s First Dolphin Research Centre to come up in Bihar
The Gangetic River Dolphins, one of the four only surviving freshwater dolphins of the world, is soon to get more protection, thanks to the conservationists who plan to set up India and Asia’s first dolphin research centre in Patna in Bihar.
250 more Rhinos in Assam
Conservation efforts at Assam’s Kaziranga National park are finally bearing fruits. As South Africa struggles with poaching threats to its rhino population, the Indian rhinos seem to be thriving with at least 250 more Rhinos recorded in the Assam sanctuary over a three year period.
4000 Acres of Tadoba Tiger Reserve reduced to ashes in a Forest Fire
A raging fire has gobbled up much of the Tadoba Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra. It is estimated that 4000 acres of the lush green habitat is now a vast black terrain without any trace of plant or animal life.
Poachers Kill Two Leopards in Uttar Pradesh
2 leopards were found dead in the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctury last week by forest officials. Initial investigations suggest, the act is a case of poaching.