The Western Himalayas are a haven of sorts to numerous rare and threatened species of flora and fauna. The nine year long wait to help protect this haven finally ended a few days ago, when the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA) was granted the World Heritage site status by UNESCO. This decision was […]
Critically Endangered Great Indian Bustard gets a Survival Chance
Often, conservation issues surrounding the more recognisable fauna in the world such as lions and tigers receive unprecedented attention, whereas other uncommon species go comparatively unnoticed. However a recent initiative by the Central and the State Governments of India to set up a Conservation and Breeding centre for the Great Indian Bustard in Kutch spells […]
Indian Railways Take Measures to Reduce Lion Mortality on Tracks
The beautiful Gir forest of Gujarat remains the only abode of the majestic Asiatic Lion in the world. Hunted relentlessly and at risk of extinction, it was the Nawab of Junagadh who first afforded protection to the King of beasts in the early 1900s. Since then, owing to the combined efforts of the Government and […]
Something to Think Beyond World Environment Day
5th June, World Environment Day. A day to buy green gadgets, use recycled paper, create conservation posters, have environment day contests, ditch the cars and pledge to love Mother Earth. Like a sudden burst of emotions for our planet, most of us treat this once-in-a-year occasion as a vain display of our undying love for […]
Assam Rhino Numbers Rise under the Shadow of Poacher’s Gun
There are whispered ‘hurrays!’ among numerous wildlife conservationists of the country. The population of Indian rhinos or one horned rhinos living in Assam has increased by 27 percent in the last seven years according to the latest census reports. Even as the news is a big relief the worry lines still exist as India tries […]
Sloth Bears Get More Protection in Madhya Pradesh
If you thoughts only tigers were in danger in India forests, think again. Not even the shy sloth bears have been spared of man’s greed and lust! The recent incidences of poaching in Madhya Pradesh state of central India of male sloth bears for their reproductive organs and gall bladders (which are used as key […]
Rescued Female Turtle Swims Free Again
Life is full of natural dangers and challenges for all sea creatures. But what adds to these challenges are myriad perils in the form of various fishing nets cast by us humans endangering all creatures thriving in the vast oceans. One such animal that became the victim of a man-made challenge was a two decade […]
A Dozen Tigers More!
What is better than spotting one tiger cub in the wild? Spotting a dozen! Forest officials of the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh say that camera trap results show at least a dozen tiger cubs below the age of two in the core area. If this news is confirmed through further field study, it […]
Rare Egyptian Vulture Held Captive by Villagers Rescued and Released into the Wild
Prompt action by volunteers of an NGO following a tip-off about a rare Egyptian Vulture being held in captivity led to its rescue and subsequent release into the wild. The incident happened in the Darend area of Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir. Egyptian Vultures are classified as Endangered. Egyptian Vulture A team of volunteers […]
Critically Endangered Gharials Tagged in Hope of Saving the Species
In an initiative to restock the numbers of critically endangered (CR) Gharials (Gavialus gangeticus) in the wild, six captive-bred gharials have been satellite-tagged and released into the the River Gandak, bordering the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar. This is the first time that the rare species have been satellite-tagged. The program was undertaken by the […]
Tiger Pugmarks Found In Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary
In an interesting discovery, forest officials conducting a tiger and co-predator survey in the Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Keonjhar district of Odisha found Royal Bengal Tiger (RBT) ‘pugmarks’ in the area. The exercise, which was part of an all-India survey, was carried out in various forests in the state in March, and the data collected […]