Protecting Habitats
172 Results
How Tea Gardens in Darjeeling and Kalimpong Can Contribute Towards Landscape Conservation
Today, as tea gardens face existential threats due to market pressures, climate change and landuse change, sustainable practices such as agroforestry and efficient water management, could provide environmental, economic, and social benefits, contributing to conservation efforts
Conservation
A Match Made in Heaven: Traditional Wisdom and Modern Science
Community members monitoring ecology in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve integrate traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods to monitor climate impacts on their forests, rivers, and farms
Conservation
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
The Resonance of Restoration
Scientists are stringing recorders around trees in eastern Madhya Pradesh to listen to bird calls and monitor changes in health of restored dry, deciduous forests after the removal of invasive shrub Lantana camara
Conservation
Reforesting Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai
After a long tryst with fires burning up its vegetation and numerous community conservation efforts, Arunachala Hill is finally a rewilding success
Conservation
Deforestation Threatens Western Ghats' Amphibians
Infrastructure and plantation expansion in the southern Western Ghats threaten the region’s amphibian species, many of which have highly restricted habitats
Conservation
Mumbai’s Tide Pools: A Secret World
Mumbai’s beaches provide much-needed calm to the city’s residents, but they are also a refuge for a secret wilderness. When the tide recedes, a parallel universe emerges. Watch to learn about the marine marvels of Mumbai, why they are threatened and the citizens who strive to protect them.
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
Between the Global and Local: Making Sense of Climate Change in the Lakshadweep Archipelago
Understanding the larger phenomenon of climate change through a local lens, against the backdrop of big environmental catastrophes
Column
Mangalajodi: A Village that Guards a Wetland
For generations, the residents of Mangalajodi, a village in Odisha, hunted and feasted on birds that visited its local wetland. But in 1998, a conservation initiative turned the tide. Today, former hunters have turned into skilled naturalists and protectors of the habitat.
Video
Rajasthan’s Desert Ecology Impacted by Unusually Heavy Rains
Local flora and fauna is being affected by changes in water availability and vegetation
Conservation
Longwood Shola, the Only Urban Shola Forest in the Nilgiris
Home to the threatened Nilgiri marten and other rare fauna and flora, the forest patch is rich in biodiversity
Urban Jungle
Safeguarding Mangrove Plantations in the Sundarbans
According to local residents and scientists, growing salt-tolerant grasses prior to planting propagules, having a layer of protection from the waves, and maintenance of fences are key to better survival rate of mangroves planted in erosion-prone areas
Conservation
Untreated Legacy Waste is Harming Deepor Beel Wetland
Research shows substantial contamination of the lake in Assam due to unscientific dumping of municipal solid waste next to it
Conservation
Communities and Authorities Clash at Namdapha as Deforestation Escalates
Park authorities consider the Yobin community to be main drivers of deforestation and poaching in the national park
Conservation
Olive Ridley Turtles Threatened by Upcoming Port in Karnataka
An upcoming port and the corresponding road and railway network could destroy a turtle nesting region in Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district
Conservation
Turbines Taking the Wind Out of Wildlife’s Sails
According to a study from central Karnataka, birds and mammals fare well in areas without wind turbines over wind turbine sites
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
Understanding Bioacoustics: When the Wild Creatures Sing
Birds and animals make different sounds for different reasons — to attract a mate, to communicate or even set off an alarm. But why are scientists eavesdropping? Watch to learn more about the emerging field of bioacoustics.
Video
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
Beyond Borders: Tiger Movement Between India and Nepal Increasingly Restricted
Big cats don’t recognise political boundaries, and have always roamed across borders. Yet, this behaviour is under threat as key corridors are restricted by infrastructure projects
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
The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya
These environment-friendly and possibly carbon-negative bridges are part of the local heritage of Meghalaya, and a fascinating example of a long-term sustainable solution to a geographical problem
Wild Vault
All That is Green is Not Forest
Experts dispute claim of an increase in India’s forest cover, noting that latest report counts plantations as forests
Conservation
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
From Poachers to Protectors in Birding Hotspot Mangalajodi
In Odisha’s Mangalajodi, a community of former poachers is now committed to protecting the wetland ecosystem and its winged inhabitants
Conservation
New Conservation Reserve Offers Glimmer of Hope for Dugongs
The biodiversity-rich waters of the reserve in the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay is the most significant surviving natural habitat for dugongs globally
Conservation
Orans of Rajasthan: A Sacred Oasis at the Cusp of Change
Deg Rai Mata Oran is one of Rajasthan's largest sacred groves. A local guardian tells us how the lives of oran’s people and its biodiversity are intrinsically linked and why the new changes could be detrimental to this sacred oasis
Video
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
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
How Citizens turned this Toxic Waterbody in Gurugram into a Bird Haven
A small waterbody in Sikandarpur, Gurugram, had turned into a garbage dump, until local citizens groups decided to clean it up. Today, it is a haven for birds and source of hope for a polluted, concrete city
Video
Basai Wetland: Why We Must Save Gurgaon’s Bird Paradise
Gurgaon's Basai wetland has been recognised as an Important Bird Area for the incredible diversity of resident and migratory birds it hosts. Unfortunately, new developments threaten to destroy this vital ecosystem.
Video
"If the Aravallis Go, We Go": The Fight for Delhi-NCR's Lifeline
The Aravallis, one of the world's oldest mountain ranges and Delhi-NCR's lifeline, is going through a crisis. Fortunately, a few citizens have decided to fight for its survival. We amplify the voices behind the Aravalli Bachao Movement. citizens have decided to fight for its survival. We amplify the voices behind the Aravalli Bachao Movement.
Video
Disturbed by Mining, Chattisgarh’s Elephants Move to Gadchiroli
Herd migrates to forests of the neighbouring state of Maharashtra attracted by good quality food and adequate water
Conservation
Coal Mining Hazard Looms Over Hasdeo Arand
Allowing mining in part of these pristine forests will open entire area for excavation, warn activists
Conservation
Addressing the Human-wildlife Conflict Challenge
Can proactive measures and a multipronged approach avert or reduce conflict between human beings and animals?
Conservation
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
Friends in Low Places: Connecting with the Ocean
If we can build a healthy curiosity and sense of wonder about the ocean, we’ve taken the critical first step to further its conservation
Conservation
Gone Rogue: The Golden Shower Turns Invasive in the Western Ghats
Don’t let the pretty blossoms fool you. The golden shower is a vigorously proliferating invasive species that has become a serious threat to critical wildlife habitats in the Western Ghats
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
Troubled Waters: Alien Plants and Water Stress in the Nilgiris
The unseen impact of exotic invasive plants on the ecology and water security of the Upper Bhavani region of the Nilgiris
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
Removal of Invasive Prosopis May Affect Livelihoods in Banni Grasslands, Says Study
Scientists suggest that the landscape can be temporarily maintained as a mosaic of native grassland and invasive trees
Conservation
A Year in the Life of Panna: A Wild Star Cast, Shifting Seasons, and Drama at Every Bend
Summer, winter, spring, monsoon - every season transforms Panna, pushing its wild star cast to shift strategies, work together and keep the jungle drama alive
Video
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
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
Two Lakh Trees Face Axe for Diamond Mine in Buxwaha
Proposed project will impact wildlife and villagers dependent on the forest
News
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
A Spotlight on the Scorpions of the Western Ghats
Discovery of seven new species from the region highlights the need for further studies to conserve these arachnids
News
Wings of Hope: A Bustling Village and their Bird Friends
Menar is not a reserved bird area, yet thousands of resident and migratory birds feel secure in the heart of this bustling village. What makes them feel safe here?
Video
City of Lakes at Risk: Why Udaipur’s Wetlands Need Your Attention
Udaipur’s interconnected lakes have supported local communities and welcomed migratory birds for hundreds of years. But the pressures of growing tourism and unchecked construction are ruining these wetlands. Will the lakes of Udaipur survive the onslaught of “development”?
Video
Alien Fish Proliferate as Extreme Climate Events Rise
According to a study, floods trigger escape of exotic and invasive species that harm local ecosystems
Conservation
Sindhudurg’s Cashew Nut Plantations Offer Refuge to Wild Mammals
Sambar, porcupine, boar, gaur, hare, mongoose, leopard, and civets among the animals recorded in a study
Conservation
Jungle Tales: Kumbhalgarh Through the Eyes of a Forest Guard
Bhera Ram Bishnoi, fondly known as Bheru, spends a large part of his life patrolling the jungles of Rajasthan's Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Here's his view of the rich and diverse forest
Video
Secrets of Survival: Struggle and Strife Between the Tides
When the tide recedes along the coast of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an array of marine creatures step out of their hideouts for some time in the sun
Photo Story
Economy or Ecology? Eucalyptus Plantations in Coastal Andhra Raises Concern
Farmers in Vizianagaram district turn to ‘controversial’ water guzzling crop as they struggle with water scarcity and groundwater salinity
Conservation
Droughts Mitigated at Lamkani through Grassland Restoration
A ban on grazing and felling of trees coupled with watershed management restores this village near Dhule to its former glory
Wild Vault
Vasanth Bosco: Choosing the Promise of the Present
Leaving behind a career in alternative energy, he has chosen to dedicate his life to rewilding the depleted shola grasslands in the Nilgiris with native trees, shrubs and grasses
Hero
The Vanishing Grasslands and Wetlands of India
Grasslands and wetlands are neglected and underappreciated habitats though they support many lives and livelihoods. Both community- and administration-led efforts are required to stop their loss
Conservation
Meghalaya’s Caves: The Secret World Beneath The Surface
Under the azure rivers and green valleys of Meghalaya is a spectacular subterranean world of limestone and sandstone caves
Photo Story
Forest Fires Raise Questions Over Management of Similipal National Park
Forest department and local communities remain divided over cause of fires and ownership of the biosphere
News
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
Sharavathi: Lament of a River
Tropical evergreen forests and Myristica swamps once cloaked this river’s landscape on its westward journey to the sea. The river’s rhythm, once decided by tides, is now interrupted by dams and a port built to serve people elsewhere
Photo Story
The Last Frontier: Hills, Herons, and the Habitat of Namdapha National Park
In remotest Arunachal Pradesh, a proposed new road portends change that can transform the tropical jungles and riverine habitats invaluable to the species that live there
Photo Story
Keoladeo Ghana National Park: Floating Laboratory of Bharatpur
India’s most famous bird sanctuary has a long history of conservation challenges that have persisted for decades
Habitat
N Badusha: Crusader for Wayanad’s Wilds
For more than four decades, this committed environmental activist has forged a path to protect the fragile communities and ecosystems of Kerala
Hero
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
Delhi’s Unlikely Stopover: Finding Everything in the Middle of Nothing
Agricultural farms on the edge of Delhi may not look like picture perfect sanctuaries, but during winters they turn into essential stopovers for long-distance fliers
Wild Vault
Brahmaputra’s River Islands Threatened by Burning and Clearing of Grasslands
Experts suggest these grassland habitats for many endangered birds need legal protection
Conservation
Cherish the Grove: A Foray into the Forests of the Coromandel Coast
Tropical dry evergreen forests, distinct to the coastlines of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, now exist only in fragmented patches. We need to conserve their biodiversity and engage with communities to preserve and protect the native forests of this eco-region
Habitat
Lakshadweep Islands: Radiant Speckles in the Sea
Limited in land area, but loaded with vibrant reefs and clear blue lagoons, these atolls are home to abundant marine life and about 65,000 people
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
Kole’s waterman: Protecting a wetland through paddy cultivation
Agriculturist Kochu Muhammed who coordinates over 130 clusters of farmers is a living encyclopaedia on these wetlands
Hero
Chhattisgarh's Next Tiger Reserve – Bhoramdeo or Guru Ghasidas?
State keen on Guru Ghasidas National Park, while wildlife experts feel Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary is an important tiger habitat
News
Including Local Community in Protecting Forests Costs Less than Excluding them: Report
Resettling forest dwellers outside forests costs nearly as much as one-fourth of India’s annual gross domestic product, according to the report.
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
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
Saswad: In Harmony with Wild Neighbours
In Saswad, locals and the wild have learned to live with each other — leopards and wolves polish off poultry carcasses, birds show up to feast on the seasonal crop, and the timid Bengal fox builds homes in cultivated farms
Video
Painting a Canvas: Vijay Dhasmana, The Rewilder
Conservator of degraded landscapes, this self-taught ecologist is at the forefront of reviving wrecked habitats in north India
Hero
India’s Only Wolf Sanctuary Threatened by Mining
The quest for bauxite along the bordering areas of Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand endangers the wolves of Mahuadanr
News
Save Thano: Dehradun’s Green Lung
Sanjay Sondhi, a naturalist and resident of Dehradun, spells out why citizens are against the move to destroy the Thano
forest
Multimedia
Unwelcome at Home: The Palm Civets of Kolkata
As Kolkata loses some of its heritage buildings to new development, the shifting landscape claims an unlikely victim — the nocturnal, shy palm civet
Urban Jungle
Coast Guards: How Women are Protecting Sindhudurg’s Mangroves
A ten-member, all-female group has been raising awareness about mangroves through boat safaris in Mandavi creek since 2017
Hero
Wild, Wild West: Little Rann of Kutch and Velavadar
On the western edge of India, two astonishing landscapes exist, the Little Rann of Kutch and the rolling grasslands of Velavadar, that teem with the most magnificent creatures
Video
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
Why Woodpeckers Peck the Largest Trees
According to a study conducted in Uttarakhand, woodpeckers prefer to forage on large trees which offer more food. Removal of large trees could affect their numbers
Wild Vault
How the Coastal Road Threatens Mumbai’s Secret Marine World
Over the last four years, Sarang Naik has documented the marine diversity along Mumbai's coast. However, it is now being threatened by the construction of the Coastal Road
Multimedia
Gujarat’s Wildlife Habitats Call for Protection
Rare and unique wildlife found in the state’s vast stretches of grasslands, salt marshes, scrub forests and coastline need immediate conservation attention
Conservation
All in a Day’s Work: A Ringside View of Kumbhalgarh’s Wildlife
Bhera Ram Bishnoi shares a forest guard’s-eye view of the rich and varied wildlife of Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, a unique refuge in Rajasthan’s Aravalli Hills
Photo Story
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
High and Dry: The Gradual Erosion of Ladakh’s ‘Dry Toilet’ Culture
Burgeoning tourism is pressurising locals in Ladakh to construct water-based toilets that are unsuited for its freezing terrain and only add to its water woes
Wild Vault
Magical Mollem: The Fight to Save Goa’s Largest Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, the state’s largest protected area is under threat from three infrastructure projects. Luckily, there’s a youth-led citizen's movement taking up cudgels to save it
Conservation
Hiding in Plain Sight: Mumbai’s Tide Pools and the City Beyond the Shore
This urban seashore throws up a world of surreal organisms and is sure to change the way you look at India’s commercial capital
Photo Story
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
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
Fighting a Race Against Extinction: India’s Only Pitcher Plant
Mining, shifting cultivation, and excessive collection threaten Nepenthes khasiana, an insect-eating plant found predominantly in Meghalaya
Conservation
Narcondam Hornbills: Birds in Exile
There are just about 1,000 Narcondam hornbills on the planet — and they all live on a tiny island, less than seven square kilometres in size
Photo Story
Why We Need to Save Amboli from Ourselves
For years, Amboli was one of Western Ghats’ best keep secrets. But as tourism grows, there’s a need to be more mindful — of how we travel, and how that impacts all those who thrive in this sensitive habitat
Photo Story
Tribal Districts in Odisha Lead the Way in Coexistence with Environment
A culture of conserving nature among indigenous communites in Rayagada and Koraput spell hope in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic
Conservation
Dark Waters: The Disappearing Myristica Swamps
Exploring these intriguing freshwater swamps reveals many reasons why we need to preserve them. They host not just a primitive family of plants, but also a fascinating array of creatures
Habitat
Death Knell for the Sharavathi?
Environmentalists fear a new hydropower project in the heart of the Sharavathi valley that demands diversion of 360 acres of pristine forest land would spell doom to the valley
Conservation
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
Lives in the Balance: Unravelling Koppal’s Shared Spaces
The rocky outcrops and grasslands of Koppal are under threat causing a decline of large carnivore populations and disrupting human-wildlife coexistence
Conservation
Mangroves: Forests, Coast Guards, Threats
Everything you need to know about these guardians of the coast
Explainer
The Blue Mountains: Love and Longing for the Shola Grasslands
The Nilgiris are known for their enchanting diversity, but hide a fascinating past — of colonial invasion, mindless reforestation and a raging debate on the origins of its montane ecosystem that lasted for over half a century
Column
A Flood and a Forest: When Brahma’s Son Engulfs Kaziranga
As Kaziranga National Park goes through another cycle of its annual floods, here’s a look at what it means for those on the frontlines
Conservation
Cheaper Modes to Transport Coal are Environmental Threats
India’s coal and shipping ministries have been encouraging the use of water and air for coal transport despite dangers posed to environment, livelihoods and human life
Conservation
Art for Dehing Patkai: Amazon of the East
In April 2O2O, the National Board for Wildlife permitted coal mining in parts of Assam’s Dehing-Patkai Elephant Reserve, sparking off a student-led online campaign to save the forest
Conservation
Abhinav Bharti: Guardian Angel of Todgarh-Raoli Wildlife Sanctuary
It takes a lot of passion and determination to be a forest officer with limited resources patrolling and protecting a wide tract of forest
Hero
Island Fever: A Lifelong Obsession with the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Something romantic and primeval about islands makes us innately drawn to them. And though we may check out any time we like, we never really leave.
Column
Building Nests to Save Delhi’s Sparrows
The house sparrow has been steadily disappearing from the capital, but Rakesh Khatri’s Eco-Roots Foundation is determined to change that. He raises awareness in neighbourhoods, and has built and placed about 1,OO,OOO nests and birdhouses to help them nest and roost in
Urban Jungle
How Protecting Small Forest Patches Can Make a Big Difference
Connecting smaller protected forests to larger ones can ensure movement of animals so that there is an exchange of genetic material, which will ensure long term sustainability of the populations
Conservation
Tulasi Gowda: How She Brings Forests to Life
In the last 50 years, 83-year-old Gowda has worked at the forest department’s nursery in Honnalli village in Karnataka, where she has planted hundreds of thousands of trees and helped regenerate many indigenous varieties
Hero
Vembanad Lake: A Chance of Revival for the Dying Lake
India’s Supreme Court rescues the second largest wetland in the country, Vembanad lake and the livelihoods who depend on it, by ordering razing of illegal construction and hotels along the shores
Conservation
Amphan Aftermath: A Resilient Mangrove Forest Struggles to Survive
The deadly cyclone is a reminder that the Sundarbans is at great risk, and needs conservation efforts that go beyond political borders
Conservation
The New Tribe of Warriors of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
The forests around the Ranthambore fort were once the private hunting grounds of the kings, but recently they have been witnessing a new tribe of warriors – a local NGO has built a network of volunteers that track and protect the forests wild animals
Conservation
Cheer Pheasant Clears the Air on Uttarakhand Fires
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Sundarbans: Nature’s Wall of Defence
The mangrove forest of the Sundarbans is an invaluable ecosystem — it shelters diverse creatures, provides livelihood to millions, and protects an entire civilisation from the deadliest cyclones. Watch the film in English and Bengali
Video
Don’t let Dibang Valley be Damned
A proposed hydroelectric project in Arunachal Pradesh will lead to the felling of close to 2.8 lakh trees. At a time when we are facing the worst impacts of large-scale deforestation, should we value what is left, or destroy the immensely biodiverse Dibang valley?
Video
Dhangars of Saswad: How Traditional Livelihoods Conserve Unique Ecosystems
Climate change and infrastructure projects are threatening the traditional pastoral occupations that have helped preserve the grasslands of Saswad for centuries
Conservation
Aarey: The Wild Heart of Mumbai
Few cities in the world have large swathes of jungles within their borders, even fewer have leopards living within. Unfortunately, the green cover of India’s maximum city is under grave threat
Urban Jungle
Save Dibang! Listen to Mishmi Takin
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Hesaraghatta Lake and the Savannah of Silicon City
Are well-meaning birders, photographers, and visitors destroying the very lake and landscape they so love?
Urban Jungle
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 Mangroves of Andaman Islands and Tamil Nadu
In times of rapid climate change, protecting the mangroves of India is more crucial than ever before
Habitat
A Date with Mumbai’s Marine Wildlife
Mumbai’s Juhu Beach suddenly comes alive with crabs, anemones, shrimp, snails and other marine biodiversity that lives on city’s coastline
Urban Jungle
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
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
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
Bringing a Forest Back from the Brink
Researcher-illustrator duo Nandini Velho and Anjora Noronha explore how community attitudes towards logging have changed in Arunachal Pradesh's Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, thanks to nature-based tourism
Book
Tso Kar: A White Lake that Welcomes Birds
Tso Kar is not picture-perfect blue. It is a saline lake with brackish waters. The lake welcomes birds that migrate long distances, in difficult climates, to feed, spend winters and raise their young ones, including the black-necked crane
Video
Pallikaranai Marshland: An Urban Wetland on the Brink
Besides hosting over 5,OOO resident birds, Chennai’s Pallikaranai marshland is a stopover point for over 4O,OOO migratory birds. It desperately needs to be saved from encroaching toxic waste
Urban Jungle
Najafgarh – Wetland or Wasteland?
In this chapter from Nature Conservation in the New Economy, Neha Sinha tries to unravel the curious conservation case of the Najafgarh drain in the National Capital Region
Book
Life and Livelihoods along Coringa’s Mangrove Forest
How Coringa and its mangroves are the lifeline of over 4O villages that thrive on its banks
Hero
Challenge and Change in the Changthang
In this remote, high-altitude plateau of Ladakh, inhabited by Changpa nomads, a worrying transformation of habitat, climate, and lifestyle is under way
Conservation
How a Colonial Hunter Inspired Conservation Efforts
Though India-born British hunter Kenneth Anderson’s books are about his hunting exploits, they also discuss the importance of conservation and upholding the rights of the forest dwelling communities
Conservation
Life Under Monsoon Clouds
Witness how the rains transform the pristine forests of Agumbe, which are increasingly facing the pressures of human encroachment
Video
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
Deserts Decoded
Everything you need to know about these arid landscapes
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
On a Wing: Dhanauri Wetland, a Birdwatcher’s Wonderland
Majestic birds, reptiles, and even some mammals inhabit this thriving ecosystem, just a short hop from anywhere in the national capital
Urban Jungle
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
What is Habitat Fragmentation?
Development projects are cutting through habitats and threatening entire ecosystems
Explainer
Mangar Bani: Delhi NCR’s Wild and Wonderful Neighbour
A beautiful forest with sharp-eyed eagles, vibrant butterflies, sneaky jackals, and monitor lizards thrives bang in the middle of our concrete-ridden capital
Urban Jungle
Basai Wetlands Thrive Just a Short Hop From Gurugram’s Glitzy Malls
It’s hard to believe that over 231 bird species can be seen in this wetland region so close to Delhi-NCR
Urban Jungle
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
The Plastic in My Belly
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
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
What are Wetlands?
A wetland is land that is partially covered with water, or dotted with numerous salty or freshwater waterbodies
Explainer
Out of Place: Invasive Species in the Western Ghats
When plants and animals are relocated from their native habitat to new sites and environments they can cause havoc and be detrimental to local communities, habitats, and wildlife.
Conservation
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
How Kaziranga National Park is Reborn, Every Year
The Brahmaputra river forms the northern boundary of Kaziranga National Park. Every monsoon, the river surges and floods nearly two-thirds of the forest, restoring and destroying all at once
Video
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
Not Wastelands: Non-forest Habitats of the Western Ghats
Climate change and habitat mismanagement threaten the unique and ecologically distinct montane grasslands, high-elevation swamps and rocky outcrops of the Western Ghats
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
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
Kharghar’s Hills are Alive with the Sound of Birdsong
Remarkably beautiful throughout the year, these biodiverse hills in Navi Mumbai are the ideal escape for the curious, urban nature lover
Urban Jungle
Mumbai’s Mangroves: Forests of Breathing Roots
Not all shores are the same; Mumbai’s mangroves are the city’s green guards and they host an entire civilisation in their midst
Urban Jungle
Migratory Birds: How Far Do They Travel?
Why do birds migrate, and how do they do it?
Explainer
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
The Fellowship of the Grove
In Cities and Canopies, authors Harini Nagendra and Seema Mundoli delve into the science of urban trees, made even more fascinating with snippets of history, folk tale, recipe, and art
Book
Offtrack in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
The colonial-era Meleng Railway line cuts through this sanctuary in Assam, threatening the wildlife within
Conservation
When the Big Flood Came to Kaziranga
In 2017, a particularly devastating flood inundated Kaziranga National Park, testing the survival skills of its many animals, and causing much death and destruction. This is a rare, close encounter with that flooding event
Photo Story
Wildlife Warriors: The Guardians of Kaziranga Brave On
Under conditions of extreme hardship, the protectors of Kaziranga battle numerous challenges to ensure the safety and security of the animals and the park
Wild Vault
When Flamingos Frolic and Feed in the Talawe Wetlands
Hundreds of migrating flamingos and other wildlife can be seen just a stone’s throw away from a bustling Navi Mumbai residential complex
Urban Jungle
Wildlife Photography Exhibitions: Then and Now
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour