CONSERVTION: A unique Asian nocturnal lizard, the Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) has now been given additional safety net in India with the Environment Ministry bringing the species under the protection of Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972. This will help save the lizard, constantly targeted by poachers. The Tokay gecko, a nocturnal […]
Unusual Sighting: Blue-Eyed Leopards Seen in Jungles of India
SPOTTED: The animal world has always been known to be resplendent with colors. However, as with human beings, the color blue is a rare eye color even for animals. Nevertheless, a recent sighting of an entire family of blue-eyed leopards (Panthera pardus) in Pali district in Rajasthan reinforces the fact that nature is filled with […]
Beautiful and Rare River Tern turns up at Sukhna
SPOTTED: The Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, north India is a safe haven for several species of birds and the lake is now playing host to the River Tern (Sterna aurantia). A bird species rarely found in northern parts of the country, this is the first time that it has been spotted in the region. The […]
Green Living Areas Make You Happier
Did you know that having green spaces in your neighborhood can have a long-term positive effect on your mental well-being? A group of researchers in the UK studying the effects of green spaces in urban areas have found that unlike the temporary boost that pay rises and promotions bring about, moving to a greener neighborhood […]
Three Tiger Cubs Seen at Ranthambore
GOOD NEWS: The New Year has started in a cheery note at Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan as three tiger cubs have been spotted here. The cubs are said to be approximately 5 months old. The proud mother Tigress T-13 strolling along with her three cubs in the deep woods was captured by the camera […]
Plants can Learn and Remember Just like Animals
BREAKTHROUGH: It is more popularly known as the touch-me-not plant or the sensitive plant. Commonly seen around Indian homes and quite popular with children, the plant is so sensitive to touch that a gentle tap with a finger can make the leaves close and tiny branches droop as if someone cast a sleep spell on […]
First Sighting of Rare Bird in Little Rann Of Kutch
SPECIES SIGHTING: Every once in a while a bird or two is spotted in a place where it wasn’t expected to be found. Nevertheless, such rare sightings are always welcomed by the entire animal loving community, including wildlife conservationists and avid bird lovers. One such bird was recently spotted in the Little Rann of Kutch […]
2,116 sq. km of Forest Area Lost In Maharashtra
CONCERN: In times when concerns about environmental changes comprise a major portion of most governments’ policy making mechanism, it comes as a shocking revelation that we continue to fight a losing battle against the effects of human impact on nature. In a report recently released by the Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, it was […]
Lion King Conquers New Territories: Doubles the Inhabited Areas
CONSERVATION: Four years ago the entire population of Asiatic Lions in India and the world was contained within 10,500 sq km in the state of Gujarat. But thanks to conservation efforts that have led to the gradual increase in the number of lions in the past few years, lion inhabited areas have doubled so much […]
Bird-Lovers Wanted for Maharashtra Bird Census
If you happen to be a bird-lover residing in Maharashtra, here is a golden opportunity to participate in a bird counting exercise and feast your eyes on a wide variety of birds that can be spotted there. Maharashtra Pakshimitra, an NGO, will conduct a bird census in the state between January 11 and 26. Maharashtra […]
Poachers Caught with Live Animals at Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary
Nalsarovar Bird sanctuary in Gujarat, an ideal winter ground for migratory birds has turned into a favourite spot for poachers trying to capture birds and small animals in and around the sanctuary. Recently, six poachers were arrested in the vicinity of the sanctuary with six live monitor lizards, a cobra and a turtle recovered from […]