Conserving Species
223 Results
Land of Bears and Boulders: Sloth Bears of Daroji
The rolling boulders of Daroji, Karnataka, are home to Asia's oldest sloth bear sanctuary. The rocks and caves of the deccan plateau provide the perfect home for bears to hunt, relax, and raise their young.
Video
In Search of Kasturi: Musk Deer of the Himalayas
Filming the musk deer is like chasing a ghost. Found deep within the snow-covered Himalayan mountains, the deer has been hunted for thousands of years for a powdery substance found in a pouch near its abdomen. Highly valued for its fragrance, this rare musk sells at a premium. Beyond its prized musk, we know little about the deer.
Filmmaker Neha Dixit and team embark on physically and emotionally challenging journeys to spot this elusive creature. Will they succeed?
Video
The First Flight: the Pallas' Fish Eagle
High in a tall tree in Kaziranga National Park, a pair of Pallas' fish eagles have built their nest. While the mother lovingly feeds the chicks, the father stands guard. As time passes, the question looms: Will the chick's first flight be successful? Watch to find out.
Video
Spirited Away: In Search of the Deo Haanh
The white-winged wood duck is so rarely seen that it has inspired several folktales in Assam’s swamp forests. Locals, who hear its ghostly call after dark, call it deo haanh or spirit duck. When filmmaker Jayshree Borgohain went looking for it, her search turned part-exploratory, part-spiritual.
Will the forest spirits guide her quest?
Video
A Golden Dawn: Raimona National Park
Raimona would not be what it is today without its dedicated forest guards. The park, home to the endangered and charismatic golden langur, was extensively logged for years. However, in 2021, thanks to guards' tireless efforts and documentation, it was finally declared a national park.
Video
Shifting Baselines: A Fish Spawning Aggregation in Lakshadweep
A remote atoll in the northern Lakshadweep archipelago harbours a unique fish spawning aggregation site of squaretail groupers. With commercial reef fisheries having discovered this once-pristine aggregation, unsustainable extraction of resources is now the main story
Conservation
Species No Bar for Langurs
Primatologists are finding increased evidence of mixed species associations and hybridisation between Nilgiri and Hanuman langurs in the Western Ghats
Wild Vault
Catapults to Cameras: Film and Impact Campaign
Video
The High Life of the Himalayan Monal
The Himalayan monal is a show-stopper of the high mountains. During spring, the male dressed in his best attire, shows off his regal plumage, whistles, and dances to attract the attention of a mate. Will the female fall for his advances?
Video
Echoes of the Swiftlets: Exploring the hidden world of the Indian Swiftlet
Off the coast of Maharashtra lies a landscape unlike any other. Colossal cliffs, crashing waves, mysterious sea caves and haunted lighthouses – this is the Vengurla rocks archipelago. Two of these islands are home to the biggest known breeding colonies of the Indian swiftlets. Studying these birds in this harsh terrain is no easy feat. Watch Dr Sirish Manchi and Dhanusha Kawalkar tackle challenges as they study the mysterious Indian swiftlet.
Video
Black Necked Stork: King of the Marshes
The black necked stork is the symbol of a large, thriving marsh. Like a king, the grand bird needs a lot of space, where it can prey upon fish, frogs, aquatic snakes, snails, and even other birds. Watch these two stork families go about their life near Jamnagar for a unique glimpse into their world.
Video
Land of the Giants: Rhinos of Jaldapara
The land of giants, Jaldapara is one of India’s most biodiverse national parks, and the one-horned rhinoceros is its superstar resident. But there was a time Jaldapara’s rhinos were on the verge of extinction. How did the park management turn things around and what are the challenges that lie ahead?
Video
Checkered Keelback
Meet the only keelback in India that’s adapted to stay and hunt under water. With distinctive yellow and black checks all over its body, the checkered keelback is one of India’s most common snakes. Although venomous, checkered keelbacks aren’t really harmful to humans.
Video
A Living Fossil: The Purple Frog’s Brief Life Above Ground
The purple frog emerges once a year, during the monsoon, for just a few hours. But little is known of its life under or above ground. Here's an extremely rare glimpse of a very busy day in the life of this ancient curiosity.
Video
Protecting Land and Life: Dibang Valley’s First Community Conserved Area
Idu Mishmi efforts in biodiversity conservation and camera trapping in Dibang Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
Conservation
Is the Dancing Frog’s Jig Over?
Malformations such as a missing eye or deformed limb have been noted in the Kottigehar dancing frog, possibly due to anthropogenic stressors.
Conservation
On Saving Whale Sharks
Two decades of persistent conservation efforts have helped save these gentle giants in Gujarat, and protection programmes are now being replicated in other parts of the country
Conservation
Nagaland's Biodiversity Documentation Receives Boost Through First Bird Count
The Tokhü Emong Bird Count (TEBC) is a flagship event that is taking steps to promote conservation in the state by creating awareness through birding.
Conservation
Identifying Mugger Crocodiles Using Drones
Researchers in Gujarat believe the model could be useful in rescue and relocation efforts to minimise human-crocodile conflicts and in analysing mugger biology.
Conservation
Two Endangered Freshwater Turtles Receive International Conservation Support
India’s proposal for higher protection for the red-crowned roofed and Leith softshell turtles was accepted at the CITES conference.
Conservation
Endangered White-winged Wood Duck's Habitat Threatened by Climate Change
Study on the impacts of climate change on Assam’s state bird revealed that 436.61 sq. km. of highly potential habitat would be lost by 2070
Conservation
Apprehension Raised Over Translocation of Tigers in Maharashtra
Conservationists concerned that the Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve does not have favourable conditions for tigers from Chandrapur
Conservation
Celebrating the Festive Season with an Underwater Christmas Tree
T’is the season to be jolly!
Gleaming and glittering, Christmas tree worms know all about being festive! Found on coral reefs in warm waters worldwide, these bristly colourful worms come in different hues and shades.
Multimedia
Pallas's Cats: Raising Kittens in Ladakh's Changing Landscape
For years, the high-altitude village of Hanle has been the Pallas's cat's safe abode, but new developments are rapidly altering the habitat. Can these two mother cats keep their kittens safe?
Video
Amir Kumar Chettri: Panijhora’s Multifaceted Conservationist
Extensive knowledge about Gorumara National Park and exceptional wildlife spotting skills are just a few talents of this ethnobotanist from northern West Bengal. He also acts as a tourist guide, assists researchers, is a community leader and spearheads conservation projects
Hero
The Arduous Ambition of Bringing the Cheetah Home
Since the arrival of African cheetahs to India, there have been questions and debates around their relocation. Dean of Wildlife Institute of India and author of the Cheetah Action Project 2022, Yadvendradev Jhala, addresses the criticism and talks about the challenges of undertaking an ambitious project like this
Conservation
The Rhino’s Future in India
Understanding the genetic status of current rhino populations in India and Nepal will be crucial for the long-term survival of the species
Conservation
Dwindling Dugongs: Meandering Trails in Seagrass Meadows
Exploring the world and habits of the tiny population of dugongs remaining in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Species
Imaginary Borders and Their Very Real Effects
International borders impact every species. What happens upstream to a river can affect river dolphins and other creatures even hundreds of kilometres downstream. Convincing reasons to think of conservation of our shared biological heritage beyond political boundaries
Conservation
Decoding Dugong Days in Indian Waters
Though the dugong has become locally extinct in many areas, there is hope. It is considered a priority species for conservation, and efforts to save it are on across international borders.
Conservation
Lost in Time: Unseen Wild Species of India
Multimedia
Gangetic River Dolphin Numbers Decline in Assam
The mammals are threatened by construction of dams and mechanised sand mining along rivers
Conservation
Fall of the House of Vultures (And How We Can Stop It)
Vultures provide priceless ecosystem services by cleaning the environment. Only real changes in the use of vulture-toxic veterinary drugs can help them and the captive-breeding programmes trying to revive their decimated populations
Conservation
Bird Quest: In Search of the Last Nicobar Megapodes
In March 2021, a team from Roundglass Sustain travelled to the tip of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago to document a stocky brown bird found only on few of its islands. But why did the quest mean so much? Watch the film to find out.
Video
Back From the Brink: The Rhinos of Jaldapara
Thanks to a slew of conservation measures taken over the years, rhino numbers have increased dramatically since the 1980s, and the “gondar” takes centerstage at this national park in West Bengal
Conservation
A Lemon a Day Keeps the Elephant Away
Lemon tree fences help farmers in Assam safeguard their crops and homes from elephants
Conservation
Great Nicobar: Rare Creatures of a Remote Island
Great Nicobar is the last of the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. On most of these isolated, faraway islands, species have evolved differently from their cousins on the mainland. Simply put, some of its residents are found only here and nowhere else in the world.
Video
Fading Glow of Maharashtra’s Firefly Festivals
Environmentalists oppose such festivals, citing harm to fireflies during the mating season and disruption of the habitat
Conservation
Anaimalai Roadblock: On the Trail of a Tusker
A majestic elephant that has been migrating through forest patches in the foothills of Anaimalai hills for many years suddenly faces an obstacle
Wild Vault
Monitoring Vultures in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna Tiger Reserve
Around 25 vultures in Panna Tiger Reserve, including the critically endangered Indian vulture, have been geotagged for monitoring the species’ behaviour
Conservation
Caracal in Crisis: From a Life among Royals, to Fighting for Survival
Till 2001, the caracal was seen in 13 Indian states but now it is reported in only three states in India with two viable populations in Rajasthan and Gujarat
Conservation
In Assam, Pesticide Poisoning Targeting Stray Dogs Kills Over 100 Vultures
On March 17, carcasses of 100 Himalayan griffon vultures and one steppe eagle were found in Chaygaon, Assam
Conservation
Friendly Neighbours: Lesser Florican and the Farmers of Shokaliya
There are less than 340 lesser florican males on Earth and experts believe that the number of females is even smaller, but the smallest bustard species in India is trying to beat the odds with a little help from the farmers of Shokaliya, a village in Rajasthan's Ajmer district.
Video
Jungle Cat: From a Neighbourhood Ally to a Misunderstood Thief
In southern Bengal, the destruction of wetlands has severely depleted the jungle cat’s habitat, pushing it closer to villages in search of food!
Video
Malayan Giant Squirrel: Namdapha's Treetop Acrobat
In the high tree canopies of Namdapha National Park, an acrobat runs, climbs, leaps and soars. Meet the Malayan giant squirrel, one of the world's largest squirrel species, currently threatened by deforestation.
Video
The Squid’s Game: Masters of Defence
Squids are truly inkredible creatures. Over the course of evolution, they’ve developed special tricks and tactics to outwit their predators. Check out some of their trickery here.
Multimedia
Protecting Deepor Beel’s Elephants from Train Collisons
In Assam’s Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary, a joint effort between local volunteers and forest officials is protecting elephants from train hits
Conservation
Dhruv Prajapati: India’s Very Own Spiderman
When spider taxonomist Dhruv Prajapati discovers new spider species and names them after famous Indians
Hero
Counting Wolves Through Their Calls
Identifying individual wolves by their howls is being studied as a potential technique for counting wolf population
Conservation
190 Dolphins Recorded in Mahananda Face Survival Challenges
Fishing, unregulated sand mining, pollution, solid waste dumping and construction of embankments for flood control have negatively impacted Mahananda ecology and the survival of dolphins and other riverine species
Conservation
Malabar Grey Hornbill’s Population on the Decline in Western Ghats
Conservationists say a drop in numbers could have an irreversible impact on the forest ecosystem in the long term, as the species plays an important role in the growth and survival of a forest.
Conservation
Poornasmrithi Rumdali Rai: Saving the Chinese Pangolin
From launching the ‘Save the Pangolin’ campaign to sensitising the local community and penning a book on the critically endangered species, this former school principal, relentlessly works for the conservation of the animal in the Darjeeling Hills
Hero
Unchecked Tree Planting in Grasslands Threatens Native Biodiversity, Warns Ecologist
Tree planting efforts in savannah grasslands can harm biodiversity and affect soil carbon storage, says field ecologist Mahesh Sankaran
Conservation
Word Search Puzzle: Cranes of India
India is home to four species of cranes. Find them in this word search puzzle!
Interactive
So Long, and Thanks for All the Plastic
Why are sea creatures from tiny zooplankton to the great whales devouring plastics at such alarmingly high rates?
Conservation
When a Filmmaker-Duo Caught a "Silent" Salamander Speaking
The Himalayan salamander was thought to be a silent species, until filmmakers, Ajay and Vijay Bedi accidentally recorded it calling during one of their shoots. The Bedi brothers take us on a quest to uncover the secrets of the recently-discovered amphibian and talk about how the chance recording led to scientific discovery.
Video
Canopy Bridge Comes to Gibbons’ Rescue
Tree-planting efforts initiated in 2006 to reunite the apes separated by a railway line in Hoollongapar bear fruit
Conservation
Over-exploitation of Groundwater Threatens Gondwana Fishes
Groundwater management and aquifer protection key to conserving subterranean fish found in the Western Ghats
Conservation
Phoenix of the Northeast: Once Hunted, Amur Falcons are Now Welcomed and Celebrated
In 2012, thousands of migratory Amur falcons were hunted in the Pangti village of Nagaland in a single day. But the acute crisis gave birth to one of India's most inspiring bird conservation stories, turning former hunters into guardians and inspiring several villages across the region to celebrate the arrival of these winter guests
Video
Why Vultures of Panna May Lose their Cliff-Side Homes
For thousands of years, hundreds of vultures have built nests on the steep, ancient gorges of Panna, but new developments stand to submerge these landscapes. If the plan goes through, will the vultures return to nest?
Video
Fishy Quandary: A Nexus of Livelihoods and Native Fish
Without healthy freshwater ecosystems, there is neither hope for indigenous fish species nor humankind
Conservation
Future in Jeopardy: The Wild Water Buffalo in Assam
According to conservationists, it is habitat loss and not the practice of interbreeding with domestic buffaloes that has affected the population of the Asiatic buffalo
Conservation
Securing the Fishing Cat's Future in the Chilika Lagoon
Appointing the fishing cat as the ambassador of Chilika has drawn critical attention to this important wetland ecosystem that plays a major role in the survival of this wild feline
Conservation
Galathea Bay: Will the World's Largest Sea Turtle Return to Nest in India?
Isolated from the mainland, the world’s largest turtles, the leatherbacks have nested along Galathea bay's pristine coast for millions of years. However, in January 2021 the protected status of the sanctuary was canceled for the construction of a transshipment port. If the development of the port goes through, will the turtles return?
Video
Wild and Free: Where the Rock Bees Roam
These wild honeybees, called Apis dorsata, have cleverly adapted to the rapid changes in their habitat and make their hives with as much ease on urban high-rise buildings as they do in forests, cliffs, and tall trees
Species
Chirgaon Leads the Way in Vulture Conservation
Vulture population in village in Maharashtra rises from 22 in 1999-2000 to 249 in 2021
Conservation
In Our Filth: When Wild Animals Forage in Polluted Habitats
How do we manage waste? What we leave behind in our wildernesses impacts all living things in many ways. This crowd-sourced photo project busts India’s “pristine wilderness” narrative
Photo Story
Strategy and Stealth: The Everyday Life of a Marsh Crocodile
Along the banks of the Ken River, a cold-blooded predator quietly waits. The marsh crocodile lays motionless for hours, but once it sets its eyes on prey, it strikes within seconds
Video
Return of the King: How Panna National Park Got its Tigers Back
What does it take to bring back tigers to a forest that was once a hostile place for them? Experts talk about how the disappearance of tigers from Panna National Park gave birth to one of India’s most successful conservation stories
Video
India Has Lost 75-90 per cent of its Leopard Population
A recent study has claimed that India’s leopards are in danger and need as much attention and protection as the tiger
Multimedia
Another Veterinary Drug Endangers India's Vultures
Study urges for ban on widely-used painkiller nimesulide, which exerts toxic effects on vultures
Conservation
In Conversation With Dr MK Ranjitsinh, Architect of India's Wildlife Laws
Dr MK Ranjitsinh’s is the prime architect of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1972 — the first, and most important, legislation on conservation. In his tenure, he also set up four sanctuaries, eight national parks and doubled the area of three existing national parks. Hear him speak of drafting policies, protecting forests, bringing back the gharial from the brink of extinction and India’s unending obsession with the tiger
Video
Red Panda: Vanishing Flame of the Himalayas
With barely 300 left in the forests of Sikkim in India and just 10,000 worldwide, conservation of the red panda through research, education, and communication is critical
Conservation
The Land of Naga Bana
Herpetologist Gowri Shankar, who has spent a lifetime studying and protecting the king cobra, demystifies the remarkable relationship between serpent and human
Video
Shivaji Kutikela: “To Protect Animals, I Must Think Like a Hunter”
What does it take to protect wild animals from snare traps? Good observation skills, knowledge of wild animals, and the ability to think like a hunter. A day in the life of an anti-snaring field assistant
Hero
Wild Buffalo Faces Race Against Extinction in Chhattisgarh
According to government estimates, only 25 to 35 wild buffaloes left in the state
News
Coral Reefs of India: What Makes them Important Ecosystems
Coral reefs are biodiverse habitats built by live coral, usually occurring in shallow tropical seas
Explainer
Leatherback Sea Turtles: Giants of Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Recent monitoring and scientific data from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on these remarkable reptiles give us hope and must deepen our resolve to continue to protect this very critical habitat
Conservation
The Conservation Paradox: Missing the Meadows for the Green Turtles
Seagrass ecosystems support marine organisms which use the meadows as foraging and breeding habitats. Green sea turtles have depleted some of these habitats, creating a conservation dilemma
Conservation
Why the World’s Smallest Crane Flocks to a Dusty Village in Rajasthan
How one man's effort to feed 8O-odd migratory demoiselle cranes, attracted thousands and gave birth to one of Rajasthan's most famous bird sanctuaries. Welcome to Kheechan's annual bird feast — a party with the demoiselle cranes
Video
Elusive White-bellied Herons Make a Rare Appearance
In a first for India, two birds were spotted at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level in Arunachal Pradesh
Wild Vault
Gharials Lose Nesting Sites at Katerniaghat
Growth of vegetation along the banks of the Girwa River has adversely affected the nesting of gharials
Conservation
Poaching Threatens Asiatic Black Bear in Arunachal Pradesh
Bears outside protected areas in the state targeted to meet the demands of the transnational wildlife trade
Conservation
Mohammed Dilawar: A Superhero for the House Sparrow
The humble house sparrow’s population was seeing a steep decline for decades, until an ecologist decided to do something about it
Hero
Saving Cranes: Why We Need to Protect These Tall Wading Birds
From five species of cranes, we’re down to four. The survival of these charismatic species requires community involvement and wetland protection
Photo Story
Demoiselle Cranes and the Great Kheechan Mela
Every year, thousands of demoiselle cranes make their way from breeding grounds in Central Asia to the little town of Kheechan, on the fringes of the Thar Desert. And they are welcomed and well looked after
Photo Story
Tiger Story: Lost Stripes of Gujarat
This is a tale of two big cats. One was abundant in numerous districts of Gujarat up to the early 1960s, the other was almost gone. In a twist of fate, it was the creature that was plentiful that became locally extinct in the state
Wild Vault
How Goa is Emerging as the New Shark-Eating Destination
As Goa gears up for tourists post-pandemic, restaurants are promoting their food on social media, and shark meat preparations are the most popular among them
Conservation
Last Stand: The Kolar Leaf-nosed Bat and its Forgotten Cave
A citizen scientist strives to protect the only known habitat of a rare, critically endangered species of bat in Karnataka
Conservation
Fishing Spiders: Riders of the Swamp
A rare peek into the world of this semi-aquatic nursery web spider in a secluded seasonal swamp in Cooch Behar where it catches fish and hunts for other invertebrates in the dead of night
Photo Story
Choosing Between Elephants and Humans in the Nilgiris
The implementation of the Sigur Elephant Corridor connecting the Eastern and Western Ghats faces opposition from human rights activists
Conservation
Finding Philautus: Bush Frogs in the Western Ghats
A researcher’s journey through the mosaic of sholas and grasslands in the Upper Nilgiris of the Western Ghats to study its herpetofauna
Column
The Butterfly Effect: Peter Smetacek and his Hill Cocoon
Peter Smetacek could identify butterflies before he could read. Today, the expert has turned his home into a butterfly museum and research centre for those who wish to soak in their wonder
Hero
Leopards of Saswad: On the Edge of a Concrete Jungle
Wolves have ruled the Saswad grasslands for years, but recently an uninvited guest has taken over– the leopard. Now, the city threatens to take over these grasslands. Will the leopard survive the onslaught of the urban?
Video
Disappearing Predators: Wolves of the Deccan
Indian grey wolves have a long history of living in human-dominated landscapes, but their survival is now challenged by the rapid, unsustainable change taking place in these traditional habitats
Conservation
Gulf of Mannar’s Corals Endangered by Marine Debris
Abandoned nets, plastic fish traps, ropes and lines make corals susceptible to injury, fragmentation, and disease, say researchers
Conservation
Alliances of Lions: Power and the Politics of Coalitions
Forming partnerships with other males is crucial to the survival of young male lions and allows them to become eligible bachelors
Column
Mount Abu’s Sloth Bears Tread on Thin Line
An eco-sensitive zone around the sanctuary with some stretches only 100 metres wide is inadequate, say wildlife experts
Conservation
Junk Food: Why Migratory Gulls are Snacking on the Gujarati Gathiya
Every winter, gulls travel from faraway lands like Siberia and Alaska to warmer regions of India. In parts of Gujarat, they are getting hooked to a local fried snack — the gathiya
Video
Gharials Make a Comeback in Punjab
Forty five gharials brought from a captive breeding centre in Madhya Pradesh have been rehabilitated into the Beas river
News
Puja Mitra: Changing the Tide for Goa’s Marine Life
From highlighting biodiversity and redefining dolphin tourism in Goa, to marine rescue and community-based collaborations, this conservationist wears many hats to protect Goa’s marine life
Hero
In Deep Waters: The Conservation Saga of the Ganges River Dolphin
Conservation of the Ganges river dolphin will not just protect the species, but secure the future of our largest river systems
Conservation
Lesser Florican: Hope in Rajasthan, but on the Brink in Madhya Pradesh
While lesser floricans are learning to live with farmers in Shokaliya, Rajasthan, their numbers continue to plummet in the central Indian state
Conservation
From Treetops to Trash: The Lion-tailed Macaques’ Fight for Survival
Lion-tailed macaques live on treetops and need connected canopies to travel, but the destruction of forests is forcing them to descend to the floor and look for food in the trash
Video
Proposed Hydropower Project Threatens the Bodh Fish
The ‘shark of Bastar' found in the Indravati river in Chhattisgarh, faces a perilous future due to the proposed Bodhghat Pariyojana project and indiscriminate hunting
News
Love thy Neighbour: The Villagers of Paddapukur and the Fishing Cat
In Paddapukur, a small village in West Bengal, fishermen and farmers are finding harmonious ways of living with their fellow fish-loving neighbour — the endangered fishing cat
Video
Lost and Found: A Quest to Revive the Rare Batagur Baska
How a breeding programme in the Sundarbans is bringing the critically endangered batagur baska back from the brink of extinction
Video
Tamil Nadu to Investigate Cause of Mysterious Elephant Deaths
Poisoning and disease emerge as prime suspects for the deaths of elephants in the state's forests in the last seven months
Conservation
Gurugram, Faridabad at Risk from Illegal Mining in Aravallis
Despite the Supreme Court repeatedly issuing strict orders against illegal mining, the activities continue unabated
News
Dhritiman Mukherjee: Training the Lens on Conservation Photography
Wildlife photography can inspire, build intimate relationships with the wild, and spark real change, says Dhritiman Mukherjee
Video
Going with the Flow: Tale of the Golden Mahseer
These large, energetic fish live in deep stretches of rivers and mountain pools in the Himalayas, but twice a year they swim upstream to breed at higher altitudes
Photo Story
Romulus Whitaker: A Life Less Ordinary
He’s hugged crocodiles, rescued snakes, and even snuck two king cobras on a long-distance train. Watch Roundglass Sustain Editor-in-Chief Megha Moorthy interview the Snake Man of India
Video
Rising Mining Activities Threaten Tiger Habitats
Home to one-third of India's tiger population, the landscapes of central India and eastern ghats are among habitats under severe pressure from mining
News
Otters Slipping Away Outside Protected Areas
India's otters are becoming increasingly rare, especially in the Himalayan region, as hydropower projects, sand mining and boulder collection ravage their habitats
Conservation
Tall, Dark, and Lonesome: The White-bellied Heron’s Last Call for Help
With less than 250 known individuals in the world and fewer than 50 in India, the white-bellied heron is slowly disappearing without a trace
Species
Sea Cucumbers: Countering the Illegal Trade
Lakshadweep unveils the world’s first sea cucumber reserve, drawing attention to this overexploited marine invertebrate
Conservation
How Local Communities Help Conserve the Snow Leopard
Community-led initiatives in Ladakh’s Sham Valley have deterred the ‘revenge killing’ of snow leopards and encouraged locals to participate in their conservation
Wild Vault
Ganges Shark: The One True River Shark of India
Under-researched and critically endangered, the Ganges shark is extremely susceptible to extinction
Conservation
Learning to Coexist with Elephants
Positive stories that talk of shared spaces, respect for the gentle giants, and acceptance of their presence can lead the way forward
Conservation
Keep Calm and Carrion: The Great Vulture Gathering in Jorbeed, Rajasthan
On the outskirts of Bikaner, an animal carcass dumping ground is now a “paradise of raptors”, particularly vultures, the stewards of meat waste
Photo Story
How to Build a Whale Skeleton from Scratch
While researchers try to understand why whales get beached, a scientist constructs a 32-ft skeleton from the remains of stranded blue whales to build a case for the big, friendly giants
Conservation
Shadow in the Swamp: The Aberrant Tiger of Sundarbans
The Sundarbans tiger is unlike its counterpart on the mainland — it drinks saline water, is an expert long-distance swimmer, and hunts with as much finesse in tidal currents as it does on land
Conservation
Kartik Shanker: Researcher, Ecologist, Storyteller
Kartik Shanker juggles many roles — ecologist, children’s writer, founder of Dakshin Foundation, editor of a conservation magazine — all rooted firmly in decades of field research
Hero
Lessons in Citizen Science and Community Stewardship in Latpanchar
Creating a safe haven for the rufous-necked hornbill and its habitat has brought socio-economic rewards to this little hamlet in West Bengal
Conservation
Nest Protectors Hope to Secure the Indian Skimmer’s Future
In an upcoming initiative, researchers, forest departments and locals have come together to implement a community conservation programme to protect the vulnerable Indian skimmer
Conservation
Least Concerned for the Black-necked Crane
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Garnering Community Support for the Great Indian Bustard
A wildlife biologist couple spearhead an effort to involve the local community in conserving Rajasthan’s state bird, the Godawan
Conservation
Fish Workers Critical to Saving Dugongs and Their Seagrass Habitat
India is reaching out to coastal communities through awareness programmes and incentives to protect both the endangered dugongs and their habitat
Conservation
Ecotourism, and the Olive Ridley Turtles of Dapoli
In coastal Maharashtra, conservationists navigate the impacts of beach-loving travellers on this vulnerable reptile
Conservation
Spotted! A Leopard on the Prowl
Without timely conservation measures, the enigmatic <em>Panthera pardus</em> might end up in greater conflict with humans
Conservation
Dwarf Geckos: Life in the Shadows
The discovery of three new species of rock-dwelling dwarf geckos (genus Cnemaspis) from the Mysore Plateau reveals the ancient history of these habitats
News
Rhododendrons: Superflowers of the Himalayas
Ingenious ways in which the rhododendrons of Sikkim engage with their habitats and pollinators
Conservation
Deep Wells of Danger: Karnataka’s Leopards in Peril
A study finds that between 2OO8 and 2O17, Karnataka witnessed 7O instances of leopards falling into open wells
Conservation
When Women Take Charge: The Grassroots Story of Pramila Bisoyi
Newly-elected Member of Parliament from Odisha, Pramila Bisoyi, is known for her grassroots conservation efforts, particularly protection of the peacocks around Pakidi hills
Hero
Vultures: Scavengers of the Sky at Risk
Vultures are cleaners of our eco-system. Without them unattended carcasses would rot, pollute groundwater and spread diseases. But since the early 9Os, their populations have been plummeting. Are we doing enough to protect them?
Video
An Inconvenient Truth: Tiger Conservation Beyond Protected Areas
India has over 75 per cent of the world population of Panthera tigris, but are we doing enough for the species?
Conservation
Bringing Freshwater Turtles out of their Shells and into the Spotlight
With more than 50 per cent of freshwater turtles threatened with extinction, Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises of India, a collective, is drawing attention to these lesser studied species
Conservation
It’s Complicated: Bats as the Most Vilified Creatures of the Night
Known to play a very significant role in maintaining our ecosystem, bats are now demonised and dreaded as carriers of deadly diseases. Virologists studying viruses, and chiropterologists who are bat researchers, disagree on how the pathogens they harbour have spilled over to humans
Conservation
Great Indian Bustard’s Life on the Edge
Royalty of grasslands and scrublands, the majestic great Indian Bustard once flew across 11 states of the country. But today, fewer than 15O survive in the wild, with Rajasthan being one of its last bastions
Video
The Dilemmas of Loving and Letting Wild Creatures Go
How do we reconcile with what is in the best interest of wild animals when our heartstrings are attached?
Column
Bishnois: Guardians of the Chinkaras
Meet the graceful chinkara that springs across the Thar. Also, meet its guardian angels — the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan, who watch over everything that thrives in the hot desert
Video
Vulture Population in Bundelkhand Increases by 103 Per Cent in a Decade
According to NGO Indian Biodiversity Conservation Society, vulture numbers rose from 1,313 in 2009 to 2,673 in 2019
News
Anamalai Wood Snake: New Species Found in the Western Ghats
Scientists had previously noted slight differences in the Perroteti’s wood snake found in the northern and southern hill ranges of the Western Ghats, but further analyses reveal that specimens collected from the Anamalai hills, in the southern ranges, are a new species altogether
News
Unregulated Leopard Tourism Worries Conservationists
Private leopard safaris around the periphery of protected areas with claims of “guaranteed sightings” causes concern
Conservation
Sun and Sand: Spiny-Tailed Lizard’s Day Out
The sun is up in the Thar desert, and cold-blooded spiny-tailed lizards need to step out of their burrow to warm up. But hungry predators lurk just around the corner. Will the alert spiny get away?
Video
Writing On the Wall: Heed the Message from this Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp focus the close link between habitat and biodiversity loss and an increase in the eruption of zoonotic diseases. India needs to arrest this environmental downslide now
Conservation
The Fox Trot: The Bushy-tailed Red Fox Goes on a Hunt
Its winter and Ladakh is covered in a blanket of snow, with no signs of life around. But wait, what’s that? Something moves beneath the ground. Will the hungry fox catch its lunch?
Video
Stepping Stones to Tiger Security: The Need for Inclusive Conservation Models
Making a case for unlocking the true potential of India’s tiger conservation capacity in a manner that brings development to local communities and an increase in biodiversity
Conservation
Life of Corals: Witnessing an Ecosystem in Collapse
As oceans warm up the symbiotic relationship between corals and microscopic algae breaks down. Corals get bleached, making them susceptible to disease and eventually leading to the death of reef ecosystems
Conservation
Guardians of the Sundari: Reviving the Mangroves in the Sundarbans
A group of women lead the way in efforts to bring the endangered Sundari tree back from the brink in their villages
Conservation
Turning the Tide: The Batagur Baska and the Race Against Extinction
How a conservationist and his team in the Sundarbans brought the batagur, one of the most endangered turtle species in the world, back from the brink
Conservation
Anant Shankar: Saving the Mangroves of the Godavari Delta
Once Anant Shankar understood the dangers the mangrove forests of Andhra Pradesh face he started a slew of measures to remedy the situation
Hero
Flight of the Amur Falcons: Migration, Conservation, and Great Resilience
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Amur falcons congregate at the Doyang Reservoir in Nagaland, on their epic annual migration from East Siberia to southern Africa.
Photo Story
Anil Mistry: The Ex-Poacher Who Rescues Tigers
How a poacher turned conservationist, and became one of the leading voices fighting for the survival of the maligned Sundarbans tiger
Hero
A Pangolin Calls the Forest Control Room
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Problem Elephant or Elephantine Problem?
The words we use to label animals involved in human-animal conflict situations can make a big difference to their conservation status
Conservation
The Stump-tailed Macaque Raises an Objection
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Asian Elephant, Great Indian Bustard and Bengal Florican to Receive Cross-Border Protections
The ongoing United Nation's COP13 convention accepted India’s proposal for their inclusion in Appendix 1 according these migratory species the highest levels of protection
News
Citizen Science Data and the State of India’s Birds
A February 2O2O report, using data contributed by thousands of birders from across India, assesses the state of 867 species of birds found in India. The finding is that our birds are in overall decline
News
The Himalayan Brown Bear’s Life in Snow
It has been a cold and harsh winter in the snow-clad mountains. As the snow melts, a very rare animal wakes up from its long slumber. Meet, one of the most elusive animals of the snow mountains — the Himalayan brown bear
Video
A Half Century of Sea Turtle Conservation
Contrary to popular belief, sea turtles are doing better than they have in decades, and we may need to rethink how to conserve them
Column
The Fishing Cat in Laxmi’s Backyard
A study of the biodiversity of the Godavari delta offers a glimpse into the conservation status of the wetland dependant fishing cat that lives in the mangroves and swamps of this coastal region of Andhra Pradesh
Conservation
Return of the Cheetah: But Where Will it Roam?
A grand central government plan to introduce African cheetahs into India more than seven decades after the Asiatic cheetah went extinct here raises many pivotal questions
News
Can the Quick Red Fox Jump Over the Ladakhi Dog?
In the Changthang Plateau of Ladakh, conflict between red foxes and packs of free-ranging dogs intensifies
Conservation
Underwater Disturbance: The Gangetic Dolphin Struggles to Communicate
India’s Ganga River is getting noisier with increased ship traffic and dredging, and that’s stressing the river’s iconic dolphins and changing how they communicate, a new study has found
News
Kuno, India’s second home for the Asiatic lion, is ready
Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno Palpur Wildlife sanctuary is all set to be the new home for relocated Asiatic lions from Gir in Gujarat
News
Crisis in Kodagu: Can Humans and Elephants co-exist?
Kodagu’s people live in constant fear of elephant encounters, but strengthening wildlife corridors and educating locals can mitigate the situation. This is the second story in a two-part series on human-elephant interactions in Kodagu
Conservation
Crisis in Kodagu: Reports from the Epicentre of Human-Elephant Conflict
Escalating human-elephant clashes in Kodagu are causing economic loss, and endangering lives of both, man and animal. This is the first story in a two-part series on human-elephant interactions in Kodagu
Conservation
Cut that Call: Ethics and Misuse of Artificial Birdcalls
Is a bird in hand really better than two in the bush? Understanding the impact of our actions while birdwatching is an essential part of being an eco-tourist
Conservation
Pushed to The Edge: Lion-tailed Macaques and the Case of Disappearing Forests
Destruction of forests is pushing a growing population of the shy lion-tailed macaques to look for food in human settlements
Conservation
How Village Folklore Helps Conserve the Ibex of Pin Valley
In the remote villages of Spiti Valley, people and nature are bound together by instinct and tradition
Conservation
What are Wildlife Corridors?
Wildlife corridors connect isolated patches of forests or landscapes, so animals can get from one habitat to another without any obstacles
Explainer
How the Bugun Liocichla is Keeping an Indigenous Culture in the Northeast Alive
Tales of culture and conservation, from the West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh
Conservation
Is the Lesser Florican Jumping to Extinction?
The smallest member of the bustard family faces a peculiar conundrum: breed or be safe?
Conservation
The swimming camels of Kutch
The magnificent Kharai camels get vital elements of their diet from marine mangroves on islands –and get there by swimming – yes swimming! – several kilometres off the coast of Kachchh (or Kutch) in Gujarat
News
Magadha Burrowing Frog: Resident of Farms
The Magadha burrowing frog, named after the ancient kingdom of Magadha in the southern Bihar, was discovered in farms, proving that we need more explorations of agro-ecosystems, not just forests.
News
The Indian Grey Wolf is in Need of Greater Protection
A recent study found that most habitats suited to the Indian grey wolf lie outside protected sanctuaries and national parks, putting its survival at great risk
News
What is Habitat Fragmentation?
Development projects are cutting through habitats and threatening entire ecosystems
Explainer
Gone Too Soon: A Tale of the Central Himalayan Langurs of Uttarakhand
Is there a way out of the human-langur conflict in the Garhwal Himalayas?
Conservation
Brooding over the Black-Necked Crane
Encounters and observations of the splendid black-necked cranes at high altitude wetlands
Conservation
Trash is on the Menu for the Critically Endangered Greater Adjutant
Guwahati needs to address the larger issue of waste management if this carrion-feeding bird species is to have a future
Conservation
In a Tight Corner: The Dwindling Elephant Herds of Assam
Massive habitat loss has pushed the elephants of Assam into fierce competition with humans over ever-shrinking resources
Conservation
Dogs on the Rooftop: Faithful Friends or Fierce Predators?
A dramatic increase in the number of livestock and wildlife being attacked by free-ranging dogs is having an adverse effect on the fragile landscape of the cold desert of Spiti
Conservation
Small-clawed Otter: The Secret Surprise by the Stream
Our lives are implicitly intertwined with this shy, mostly nocturnal creature. The destruction of its riverine habitat could spell danger for an entire ecosystem
Conservation
Shine a Light: A Saturday Night Moth Party in Delhi
The moths of Delhi’s Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary have their own loyal fan base, and shutter-friendly paparazzi
Urban Jungle
Citizen Scientists to Map Wildflowers in India, and Three Other Countries
A citizen science project aims at improving knowledge of wild flowering plant species in Indonesia, India, Ethiopia and Turkey. The data will be publicly available
News
The Tamilian Warrior is Now a State Butterfly
Tamil Nadu becomes the fifth Indian state to declare a state butterfly to boost conservation practices
News
Forced to Join the Boys’ Club: Male Elephants Adapt to Change
Known to lead solitary lives once they reach adolescence, male elephants in South India are now responding to habitat changes by altering their behaviour and hanging out in all-male groups
News
A New Vine Snake Called Proahaetulla Slithers Into View
In the Agasthyamalai Hills in the southern Western Ghats scientists confirm the discovery of an ancient species of vine snake
News
High and Dry: The Cauvery’s Otters Need Their River Back
A polluted vestige of its former self, the over-exploited Cauvery River has left otters, fishermen, and other many river residents bereft
Conservation
Restoring the Rainforest around Pakke, One Tree at a Time
A drive to revive degraded patches of hornbill habitat around Pakke Tiger Reserve aims to give hornbills more nesting trees and food plants, that benefit other species too
Conservation
The Return of Kaziranga’s Greater One-horned Rhinoceros
Rhino dung is a source of great knowledge. Scientists are creating a database of rhinoceros DNA, extracted from their massive dungheaps, to track populations, and use it as forensic evidence to catch poachers
Video
What are Wetlands?
A wetland is land that is partially covered with water, or dotted with numerous salty or freshwater waterbodies
Explainer
What is Biodiversity?
We share our world with thousands of visible and invisible living beings that form a complex system that works together to keep our planet alive
Explainer
Gharials of Gandak: A Population Back from the Brink Faces Development Pressures
The population of gharials, a species endemic to the Indian subcontinent, has gone up in the recent years in the Gandak river in Bihar. However, the thriving gharials are facing threats from barrage and fishing nets
News
Hacked for the Horn
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Securing the Future of the Eastern Swamp Deer in Assam
Through a massive coordinated effort of numerous wildlife conservationists, scientists, and local experts, the population of eastern swamp deer in Manas National Park has been revived
Conservation
The Guest in My Paddy Field: The Return of the Sarus Crane
The population of the sarus crane has registered a growth in Uttar Pradesh, thanks to the efforts of local communities, state government and non-profit organisations
Conservation
Saving the Hoolock Gibbon’s Song
In several gibbon habitats, resident communities are leading conservation efforts that are informed by local circumstances and practices
Conservation
Smooth-Coated Otter: The Unexpected Visitor in Goa’s Mangroves
Otters living in the highly modified mangroves and reclaimed lands on the coast of Goa offer new insights otter behaviour and inform future conservation efforts
Conservation
With its Habitat in Danger, the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Struggles to Survive
A survey in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary reveals that the population of grizzled giant squirrel, a species endemic to southern India and Sri Lanka, has fallen by 78-85 per cent
Conservation
The Dramatic Tale of the Greater Adjutant
This huge bird has a connection to Kolkata that dates back to the 188Os and persists to this day
Photo Story
Hoolock Gibbons: Return of the Apes of Northeast India
Multilevel action plans that closely involve and benefit local communities are the only way forward to save the endangered gibbons of India
Conservation
Secret Serpent: The Life and Times of the Malabar Pit Viper
Though it is the most common and widespread of pit vipers in south India, the Malabar pit viper is only seen in the wet season, disappearing mysteriously in dry weather
Conservation
Flight of the Magnificent Hornbills
Two decades of research on hornbills and working with local communities to protect these gorgeous birds and their habitat
Conservation
Bridging the Canopy Gap
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Grave Threat: More Species at Risk Says New IUCN Red List
We’re wiping out our planet’s wildlife at an alarming and unprecedented pace, according to detailed statistics revealed by the 2O19 IUCN Red List
News
There’s a New Species of Scorpion on the Block
In July 2O19, after a decade of ambiguity, Hotentotta vinchu, identified by researchers in the Western Ghats, was acknowledged as a new species of scorpion
News
Migratory Birds: How Far Do They Travel?
Why do birds migrate, and how do they do it?
Explainer
Global Insect Apocalypse: Why India Must Worry
According to scientists, 4O per cent of insect species are likely to become extinct globally in the coming years
Conservation
Monkey Spa: How Grooming Wins Lion-tailed Macaques Favours and Food
Females spend hours grooming themselves and each other. It's an excellent way to make friends, stay clean and win favours from elders
Video
Pygmy Hog, Giant Problems
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Pygmy hog: Back from the Brink
Conservation efforts have elevated numbers of the elusive and rare pygmy hog, a tiny, shy wild pig from Northeast India
Conservation
Where Wildlife gets a Second Chance
Located on a critical elephant corridor near Kaziranga National Park, the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation has rescued over 3,OOO animals, including 22 endangered species
Conservation
The Women Who Walk with Rhinos
Most national parks block access to protected forests, affecting the lives of those who depend on it for resources and livelihood. But in Manas and Orang, authorities allow local women to collect fallen twigs and branches in buffer zones, securing their livelihoods, and building empathy for the wild
Conservation
Offtrack in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
The colonial-era Meleng Railway line cuts through this sanctuary in Assam, threatening the wildlife within
Conservation
Rethinking Hunting in Northeast India
When you hear the words ‘hunting’ and ‘Northeast India’, you probably imagine gory images of dead animals and birds being sold openly in markets and roadsides. But what really is the story behind these images, and how did we get here?
Conservation
Rhinos Without Borders
The conservation story of the rhino has been a happy one. However, collective action by rhino-range countries is critical to the future growth and survival of the one-horned giant
Conservation
Saving the Lion-Tailed Macaque, One Step at a Time
Curtailed to live in the tiny forest fragment of Puthuthottam in Valparai, the lion-tailed macaque needs all the help it can get
Conservation
Cornered but not Defeated
Sustained conservation efforts and community engagement is critical to save the lion-tailed macaque and its disappearing habitat
Conservation
An Appeal to Tourists: Stop Feeding the Nilgiri Tahr
It’s time to raise the consciousness of tourists driving on highways that run through forests
Conservation
Born with a Silver Spoon
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
What’s in a Name?
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour