India’s national animal is the Tiger, the national bird is peacock and the national tree is the Banyan tree. Now get ready to add another species to the list with the government planning to give a huge recognition to a tiny little microbe. Soon one among a handful of short listed microorganism will be adopted as the national micro-organism of India and if you like the idea, you can even vote for your favourite microbe.
Massive Jumbo Problem for Temples
It is literally a ton of weight on the shoulders of authorities of Tamil Nadu in southern India. The temple elephants kept for religious reasons in the state are getting obese, and now their keepers are planning a strict diet and exercise regime to bring the jumbos back into shape.
Kaas Plateau – Wild Flower Fantasy
Carpets of flowers in all colors… purples, yellows, violets, whites, pink, blues, hues of greens and browns. Rains and magical mists that swallow up the landscape one moment and cool breeze that rub it away to reveal marvelous dazzle of colors spread out in an expansive plain. This awaits you at Kaas, the Plateau of Flowers in the Western Ghats.
Home of the Hornbills Saved from Defence Radar
If you look for the name Narcondam in a map, it will appear as a tiny speck as part of the Andaman and Nicobar islands of India. But it is this insignificant little place that is home to one of the rarest of hornbills in the world and which might have disappeared from the planet if not for the timely plea of few conservationists and action taken by the environment ministry.
Researchers find Thousands of Fungi Species in Singhad Forests
A team of researchers scrutinizing the floral diversity of the Singhad forest region in Maharashtra have found more than 1000 species of fungi and 60 different types of lichens. The researchers believe this is a significant find as fungi are both economically valuable and ecologically important.
Spies in the Sky Saving Wildlife
Unmanned aerial vehicles or more popularly called drones have long been used to detect terrorist activities with accuracy and target enemy ships or soldiers. But what conservationists all over the world are now trying to do is use the same mechanism to help animals in danger.
5th October to be celebrated as Ganga River Dolphin Day
If you love dolphins mark Octobor 5th in your calendar as the state of Bihar has decided to celebrate the day as Dolphin day. Ganga river dolphins or Ganges river dolphins are an endangered freshwater dolphins also the national aquatic animal of India.
More than 100 Vultures Sighted in Himachal Pradesh
All three species of vultures found in India are on the verge of extinction and while breeding centers and vulture restaurants are helping increase the number of these dying birds, what has come as a great bit of news is the spotting of about a hundred of vultures at Hamripur district in Himachal Pradesh.
An Eco-Cab and other Eco-friendly ways to Travel
Eco-travel does not necessarily just limit to tourism. When you go from point A to B within the city, the way you travel and the mode of transport you choose can really make a difference. Our eco-travel writer Shilpi, looks at an innovative new eco-friendly travelling option available in India and few of the old ideas that have resurrected themselves as the chic new environment-friendly means of transportations.
Controversial Stun Guns to keep Stray Wild Animals Away
It may look like a gun straight out of a sci-fi movie, but these stun guns imported from United States may soon become part of the Kerala forest department’s armoury. The department plans to use these on stray wild animals that come to human inhabited areas in the buffer zones of forests of the Western Ghat.
How You can Save Frogs
Saving the tigers might be the buzzword in today’s world, but saving other creatures of the forest is as essential. Take the frogs for example. They are not only indicators of the stability of an ecosystem but are also helping scientist study climate change impact. Here are some ways by which you can save these amphibians.