A PACHYDERM'S DIET
Elephants need to eat a lot, but are selective

A study in northern West Bengal found elephants are selective with their diet, feeding on less than half the species of plants around them. This is contradictory to the prevalent view that elephants are generalist feeders. Nabarun Guha reports.

#Forests #Environment #WEST BENGAL
INDIAN GIANT SQUIRREL
IGS numbers decline as forests become less dense

The Indian Giant Squirrel is an indicator species. Its declining numbers tell us that conservation needs a holistic approach where the focus is as much on the habitat as on the animals themselves. 

#Forests #Environment
TIGER SANCTUARY
Are tigers back at the Buxa reserve?

A camera trap sighting of a tiger suggests that ecosystem restoration in Buxa reserve is working. With it comes fresh concerns about the relocation of forest villages.

#Environment #WEST BENGAL
HUMAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT
Odisha sees surge in elephant electrocutions

Habitats and corridors for wild elephants are shrinking due to other development priorities, and local communities are unwilling to tolerate the growing number of human-animal conflicts.

#Environment #ODISHA
POWER LINES
Already nearing extinction, GIBs face a new threat

Apart from the loss of their habitat, migratory birds face a new threat from the growing number of renewable energy projects. The Great Indian Bustard has seen its numbers drop precipitously. 

#Biodiversity #Energy #Environment #GUJARAT #RAJASTHAN
HUMANS AND ANIMALS
Wildlife-friendly land use: Would incentives work?

Many landowners around forests would set aside some lands in exchange for payments. Some see this as a promising conservation strategy, but others believe more nuance is needed.

#Biodiversity #Environment #KARNATAKA
TRAFFICKING ANIMALS
Pangolin poaching rises amidst pandemic

Repeated lockdowns and curfews have been a golden opportunity for wildlife traffickers targeting termite-eating pangolins in Simlipal National Park and adjacent districts.

#Environment #ODISHA
CONSERVATION
Beyond wildlife-ism and ecosystem services-ism

Faced with a multiplicity of values, mainstream conservation has tended to retreat to biocentrism, pragmatism or scientism. A broad-based, democratic environmentalism would be more tenable.

#Biodiversity #Environment
GENETICS
A confluence of cats

The future survival of wild tigers depends not only on increasing their population size, but also on ensuring that fragmented populations are genetically 'connected' with each other, writes Abheeshta Rao.

#Environment
BOOK REVIEW
Indira Gandhi’s elite environmentalism : A paler shade of green

Darryl D’Monte reviews Indira Gandhi – A Life in Nature, a new book focussing on the former Prime Minister as a naturalist.

#Environment #Reviews
W.I.I. CONSERVATION PROGRAMME
At one with nature while learning about wildlife
W.I.I. CONSERVATION PROGRAMME : At one with nature while learning about wildlife

How do forensic scientists help bring poachers to trial? How does it feels to walk in forest land for hours in torrential rains? The exhilarating experience of wildlife conservation comes alive in a course for enthusiasts.

#Environment
ENDANGERED BIRDS
Where are the real tweets in India?

Numerous species of Indian birds are critically endangered. Only strict conservation laws can help them survive. Experts fear that many will be wiped off as the environment deteriorates.

#Biodiversity #Environment
FOREST POLICIES & BIODIVERSITY
Saving the Malabar Hornbill in the hills of Tamil Nadu

Farming practices encouraged by existing forest policies have drastically reduced the sources of food for the Malabar Grey Hornbill, once abundant in the Palni Hills of Tamil Nadu. Madhu Ramnath explains what endangers the species and how they can be saved.  

#Forests #People #Environment #TAMILNADU
HUMAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT
Where leopards await human compassion
HUMAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT : Where leopards await human compassion

The lack of awareness about a traditionally peace-loving species, and inadequate safeguards to protect their natural habitats and corridors pose a serious threat to leopards in and around Guwahati.

#Biodiversity #Environment #ASSAM
HLC REPORT ON ENVIRONMENT
Missing the woods and the trees
HLC REPORT ON ENVIRONMENT : Missing the woods and the trees

Ever since the report of the Subramanian Committee, set up to review and amend key environmental legislation, was leaked, several questions have been raised regarding its real implications for the environment. Darryl D’Monte explains some of the most critical concerns.                                  

#Environmental Regulation #Forests #Environment #OP-ED
Wildlife of India
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