Forests
245 Results
Sal: The Robust Timber Tree
The sal’s flowers, leaves, and wood are considered sacred and medicinal in some parts of India. But it is its straight, wide trunk circumference, massive height, and resistance to termites that make it most valuable
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
The Guide: Vansda National Park, Gujarat
Trees and birds hold sway in this little-known protected area in south Gujarat, tucked into the northernmost end of the Western Ghats
Travel
Everything, Everywhere in Mizoram’s Dampa Tiger Reserve
Whether under leaf litter or high up in the canopy, the sights, sounds, colours, and scents of this sprawling habitat in Mizoram reveal a rich and intriguing diversity of life forms
Habitat
Intimate Connections: Falling in Love With a Walking Trail
A naturalist reminisces about familiar walking paths through national parks like Satpura in Madhya Pradesh and the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu cement his relationship with the wilderness and give him a deep spiritual connection to the places
Wild Vault
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
Tragopans of India: Facts, Habitat, Threats
All you need to know about the four colourful and elusive Tragopans found in the Himalayas
Infographic
The Guide: Kanger Valley National Park, Bastar
Visit this beautiful landscape in Chhatisgarh for its dense forests, the mighty Tirathgarh waterfall, and mysterious limestone caves
Travel
Bamboo Fishing Traps: Keeping Forest Streams Alive
As forest-dependent communities transition towards more contemporary ways of living, the phasing out of age-old, sustainable fishing practices destroys the once wild forest streams of the Andaman Islands
Photo Story
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
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
Quiz: Fungi
Did you know that just like us, fungi breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide? Take our quiz and learn more about the secret lives of fungi.
Interactive
Fathomless Fungi: Monsoon Mysteries on Goa’s Forest Floor
We know so little about fungi that practically the entire fungi kingdom and its sophisticated network-based intelligence eludes us. All we can do is revel in what we can see and comprehend
Photo Story
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
Lessons from the Super Tiger Mom, Collarwali
The celebrity tigress who passed away last year fiercely protected her cubs and taught us why we must fight to safeguard tiger habitats and denning sites
Column
Encounters with the Red Panda, the Elusive Bear-Cat of the Himalayas
Nestled in the oak and bamboo forests of the Eastern Himalayas, red pandas are an enigmatic and resilient species
Photo Story
A Tribute to Collarwalli
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Stunners of the Feathered Kind in Singalila National Park
Sights and songs of Singalila’s myriad birds are a delightful accompaniment on the trails of this high-altitude national park in West Bengal
Photo Story
Layers of a Rainforest
All you need to know about what constitutes a tropical rainforest
Explainer
Andaman Day Gecko: Facts, Diet, Habitat
All you need to know about this island inhabitant
Infographic
Seeking the Satyr Tragopan Along a Mountain Road
Sighting this threatened, elusive pheasant of the Himalayas requires persistence; but it’s patience well rewarded
Species
The Glowing Secret of the Khasi Pitcher Plant
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment and conservation
Green Humour
The Black Tiger of Similipal Could Use a Pep Talk
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Singalila National Park: A Mountain Forest in the Clouds
At this charming high-altitude national park in West Bengal, the weather gods play a big role in creating an astounding diversity of flora and fauna
Habitat
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
Red Alert: When a Leopard Hunts, the Jungle Grapevine Buzzes
Residents of Panna form odd alliances and warm friendships. But today, they face a serious threat. A predator is out on a hunt. Will the jungle grapevine sound a red alert? Or will the leopard secure a meal?
Video
Nicobar Treeshrew: Facts, Habitat, Threats
All you need to know about this mammal found only on the Nicobar Islands
Infographic
Night Shift: Chasing Endemic Island Owls and Other Adventures
After-dark explorations in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands reveal native owls and a cast of interesting characters
Photo Story
Moth Inventory: Expanding Our Faunal Database
Seventeen newly discovered species add to the hundreds of species of moths recorded in Arunachal Pradesh’s Talle Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the most biodiverse regions of India
News
Green-tinted Glasses: The Monsoon Forests of Goa
The Western Ghats of Goa are hotbeds of diversity throughout the year, but their exuberance for life peaks in the monsoon
Photo Story
Hunters to Guardians: The Extraordinary Story of Panna’s Pardhis
For nearly five centuries, the nomadic Pardhi community has lived in Panna's forests. Traditionally, they were hired by Maharajas to track big game. Today, the former hunters use the same skills to protect its wildlife
Video
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
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
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
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
Tigress Travels Record Distance in Central India
P213-22 walked 99 km from her home in Panna Tiger Reserve to a non-protected area, where she is rearing two cubs
News
The Guide: Bor Tiger Reserve
In Maharshatra’s Wardha district, a little-known tiger reserve harbours big surprises
Travel
Northern Pig-tailed Macaque: Facts, Social Life, Threats
All you need to know about this vulnerable primate
Infographic
Chaurs: The Wild and Wonderful Grasslands of Corbett
The rolling grasslands at the heart of Jim Corbett National Park are a grazing ground for some, and a hunting ground for others. They form only 10 per cent of the forest but are vital to its survival
Video
King Cobra: The Ruling Serpent of Fields and Forests
The longest of all venomous snakes in the world is also very shy, unless it’s time to hunt
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
Nicobar Megapode: Facts, Diet, Threats
All you need to know about this bird endemic to the Nicobar Islands
Infographic
Flash in the Forest: Mysterious World of the Yellow-throated Marten
Swift, agile, and fierce, these weasel-like creatures will prey on snakes, birds, and even bee-hives
Photo Story
Anatomy of Rainforest: Life on the Floor
At first glance, the floor of the rainforest isn’t much to look at. But take a closer look — under the litter, in the swamps, along enormous buttresses, a busy world buzzes
Multimedia
The Striped Sibling of the Idu Mishmi
The people of the Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh share a sacred kinship with the tiger
Book
Lightning and I: Encounters with a Tigress from Ranthambore
Tracking the many twists and turns in the life of a tigress from Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park
Wild Vault
Wild Buffalo Faces Race Against Extinction in Chhattisgarh
According to government estimates, only 25 to 35 wild buffaloes left in the state
News
Indian Rock Python: Facts, Diet, Habitat
All you need to know about peninsular India's largest constrictor snake
Infographic
Anatomy of a Rainforest: Life in the Middle
The middle of a rainforest is a secretive place. In healthy forests, a dense canopy blocks most light, providing shade and security for stealthy creatures
Multimedia
Two Lakh Trees Face Axe for Diamond Mine in Buxwaha
Proposed project will impact wildlife and villagers dependent on the forest
News
Anatomy of a Rainforest: Life at the Top
In the 1970s, until researchers started using rock-climbing techniques to access the upper reaches of the rainforest, the top-most layer remained unexplored. What they saw astonished them
Multimedia
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve: A Sight and Story at Every Bend
The lush forest is best experienced through the eyes of the local tribals-turned-guides who know the landscape intimately
Habitat
Four-horned Antelope: Facts, Diet, Behaviour
All you need to know about the chousingha
Infographic
Grizzled Giant Squirrel: Facts, Habitat, Threats
All you need to know about this threatened rodent
Infographic
Muskaan: The Leopard Queen of Kumbhalgarh
Muskaan has found a secure home on the peripheries of Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, thanks to nomadic herders Raikas who have shared their space with leopards for decades. But new developments are tipping this fine balance. Will Muskaan have to abandon her home?
Video
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
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
Beyond the Fortress: The Wild Side of Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh may be known for forts and stories of Rajput valour, but the surrounding forests have many wild tales to tell. Meet leopards, hyenas, antelopes, langurs, peacocks and more
Video
Pallas’s Squirrel: Facts, Lifespan and Behaviour
Learn everything you need to know about this sharp-eyed squirrel from Northeast India
Infographic
Galathea: A Threatened Paradise at the Edge of the World
Far away from all civilisation, at the southernmost tip of Indian territory, leatherback turtles have a huge nesting site. Will plans for a new port transform this pristine landscape forever?
Habitat
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
Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque: Facts, Habitat, Diet, Threats
Everything you need to know about this endemic primate from the Nicobar islands
Infographic
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
Red Panda: Facts, Lifespan and Behaviour
Learn everything you need to know about this shy and secretive resident of the eastern Himalayas
Infographic
Delhi and Haryana’s Aravallis Home to Rare Wildlife
Survey finds species such as honey-badger, Indian fox, jungle cat, and ruddy mongoose in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Delhi
Urban Jungle
Andaman Day Gecko: Fleet-footed Flecks of Green
Endemic to the Andaman Islands this gecko has learnt to adapt and thrive on banana plantations
Species
The Tree-Dwellers of Namdapha National Park
The diverse inhabitants of the tropical forests of Arunachal Pradesh
Photo Story
Finding a ‘Star’ Among Frogs
When a team of ecologists discovered a frog with constellation-like markings on its back, they knew just what to name it!
Book
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
River Recluse: The White-bellied Heron of Namdapha National Park
A small population of these critically endangered birds live a quiet, secluded life in the wilderness of Arunachal Pradesh
Photo Story
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
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
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
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
Asiatic Black Bear: Facts, Weight, Habitat and Population
All you need to know about the solitary, nocturnal moon bear
Infographic
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
Foraging Food: Eating Wild in the Andaman Islands
Eating from the forest, opens up the palate, but also brings up questions of how modern cultures have lost the knowledge of ancient foods that connect people and the land
Wild Vault
Ramadevarabetta: A Vulture Sanctuary in Rapidly Urbanising Ramanagara
Close to the metropolis of Bangalore, the Ramadevarabetta Vulture Sanctuary is a pristine protected space in which people can learn about reptiles, dragonflies, endangered vultures, and all kinds of other birds
Habitat
Living Waters: The Resistance and Resilience of the Cauvery
For a large part of its course, the Cauvery River is exploited and abused. However, a few pockets of wilderness, including a 110-km stretch that runs through the protected Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, provide a sliver of hope
Photo Story
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
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
Narcondam Hornbills: Gardeners of their Island Eden
These enigmatic seed dispersers have inadvertently modified their island home over the years to suit their needs
Species
The Guide: Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Every summer, the river waters recede to reveal tiny islands that welcome the sanctuary’s biggest attraction — large congregations of graceful and gregarious river terns
Travel
Mowgli Encounters a Pack of Dholes
A human child raised by an elephant matriarch in an Indian jungle learns the ways of the wild
Book
Ranthambore: Majestic Forts, a Deciduous Forest and the Reign of the Tiger
Ranthambore is a rare place — there is history at every bend. Tigers lounge in ancient forts, hunt around heritage lakes and have their meal under centuries-old domes
Photo Story
The Guide: Satpura National Park
There are three ways to explore this gorgeous Central Indian wildlife park of hills, rivers, wooded forests and rugged grasslands
Habitat
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
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
Western Tragopan: Facts, Diet, Habitat
All you need to know about this attractive and vulnerable pheasant
Infographic
Tall Tales: Trees from Nagarhole
A glimpse into the ecological and cultural linkages of eight important tree species from the moist, dry deciduous forests of Nagarhole Tiger Reserve
Habitat
New Underground Ant Discovered from Goa
Measuring just 2.5 mm in length, yellow in colour and completely blind, Vaibhav’s Protanilla was first found in Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
News
Plants as Parasites: Connecting to the Host with the Most
Using specialised structures, parasitic plants tap into the root system of specific host trees to draw water and nutrition
Wild Vault
Bold and Beautiful: Panna’s Glorious Tigers
By the end of 2009 not a single big cat was left in Panna Tiger Reserve. But through one of the country’s best conservation efforts, ten years later it is a thriving habitat with high tiger density, a stable population, and frequent sightings
Species
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
Hump-nosed Pit Viper: Gem on the Forest Floor
Deep in the forests of the northern Western Ghats, Castle Rock is a hotspot for reptiles and amphibians, and the perfect location to find and study this elusive nocturnal pit viper
Species
A Robin and a Warbler: Migrants on a Volcanic Island
The appearance of two unrecognisable birds on Narcondam Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago sets off a chain of investigation
Wild Vault
Periyar Tiger Reserve: Synergy of an Emerald Forest
It’s easy to fall in love with this lush wilderness in Kerala when you explore its depths on a boat safari and walking trail
Habitat
Fringe Ford and the Scoop on Poop
Lessons in nature’s interconnectedness in Wayanad’s jungles, where poop is serious business. It can bear tidings of who’s in town, and support entire ecosystems
Travel
Green Munia: The Gullible Beauty of the Scrub Forest
The green munia is a brightly-coloured bird with a melodious call — unfortunately its beauty is also its curse. It is still illegally trafficked in large numbers despite its declining population
Species
Night Flyer: The Red Giant Gliding Squirrel in Namdapha National Park
Though this nocturnal squirrel resides high up in the canopy and is widely distributed it is threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation
Species
Missed Connections: How Disconnected Forests Threaten the Grizzled Giant Squirrel
Continuous forests, with connected canopies, are essential for the tree-dwelling species to travel for food, shelter and survival
Conservation
A Rare View: Dhritiman Mukherjee Photographs the Narcondam Hornbill
In 2013, Dhritiman Mukherjee traveled to the remote island of Narcondam in Andamans and Nicobar, to photograph a bird found nowhere else in the world — the canopy-dwelling Narcondam hornbill. Watch what it is like to photograph from atop a 40-foot tall tree
Video
Fear and Fascination on the Trail of the Mugger
Marsh crocodiles are stealthy creatures and apex predators of their environment, that can elicit both admiration and a panic response
Species
The Guide: The Twin Sanctuaries of Kumbhalgarh and Todgarh-Raoli
Though off the beaten track, these sanctuaries in Rajasthan are rich in wildlife sightings. Expect to see a variety of creatures from leopards to crocodiles, raptors to waterbirds
Habitat
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
The Bengal Slow Loris: Disappearing Gently into That Good Night
Endangered by habitat loss, hunting and illegal pet trade, this nocturnal primate found in India's northeast needs urgent attention
Species
What Frog Songs Tell Us
Frogs sing every monsoon to charm a mate, but new disturbances are drowning out their songs
Multimedia
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
Tea Time with My Friend the Rock Agama
If you’re near a forested rocky area in the lower elevations of the Himalayas, look out for a variety of agamid lizards
Wild Vault
Narcondam: Wild Island in the Indian Ocean
Isolated from the world by miles of water, the remote volcanic island of Narcondam in the Andaman archipelago may be tiny, but it is a sanctuary for many noteworthy species
Photo Story
Dark Side: Spotting a Leopard in Panna Tiger Reserve
At night, the forests of India are happy stomping grounds for many creatures, but few are as adaptable, clandestine, and canny as the leopard
Species
Why Do These Starry-eyed Frogs Disappear into Bamboos?
A peculiar behaviour exhibited by white-spotted bush frogs prompted a researcher and his colleagues to unravel a mystery that’s stranger than fiction
Book
Evolutionary Anomalies: Killing and Eating Your Kind
When king cobras eat other king cobras — strange stories of animal cannibalism
Column
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
How to Savour a Forest: Gratitude for the Abundance of Nagarhole National Park
A treasure trove of biodiversity, Nagarhole has much to offer beyond the tiger
Habitat
Fallen Flowers: Restoring Wild Orchids in the Western Ghats
Education, conservation and community go hand in hand in an educational experiment on restoring orchids in Vythiri, Kerala
Wild Vault
Myth and Reality in Rajasthan’s Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary
Walking through this tropical dry deciduous forest sanctuary feels like a wilderness pilgrimage
Habitat
The Story Behind the ‘Hardship Allowance’ for Karnataka’s Frontline Forest Staff
An account of the behind-the-scenes struggle to give forest guards and watchers protecting some of India’s best tiger landscapes their due
Book
Trees and Toddy: In the Sacred Grove of Ajeevali
Saving a forest of gods in Maharashtra from the long arm of greed for natural resources
Habitat
The Ecotone: The Todgarh-Raoli and Kumbhalgarh Sanctuaries of Rajasthan
Between the hilly forests of the Aravallis and the arid Thar desert, two little-known wildlife sanctuaries harbour a wide variety of flora and fauna
Habitat
In Search of a Panacea: Herb Collection in the Himalayas
Himalayan medicinal plants and herbs play an important role in the ecosystem, and in the lives of the humans and animals that live in the region
Wild Vault
Food First: A Hand for a Handout
Juvenile bonnet macaques in the Bandipur National Park, Karnataka, have developed an almost human way of communicating their request for food
Column
A Secret Forest: The Hidden Lives of Agumbe
Look beyond the king cobra — under the rocks, in the gaps of roots, trees crevices, in gurgling streams and puddles — to discover a hidden world of astounding small creatures
Photo Story
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
Inhaling the Scents of a Forest
Smells and fragrances of the natural world change with the seasons, some trigger old memories, others create new ones
Wild Vault
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
Phayre’s Leaf Monkey: The Primate with Spectacles
What has spectacles, a tail, and swings along high tree canopies? Meet the Phayre’s leaf monkey — a striking white ring around its dark, inquisitive eyes, makes it seem like it is wearing a pair of glasses
Video
Hidden Kingdom: Fantastic Plants and Where to Find Them
The book Hidden Kingdom champions the mystical plants of Western Ghats through sensuous, powerful illustrations set to enchanting rhyme
Book
The Guide: Panna Tiger Reserve
The breathtaking landscape of Panna Tiger Reserve is truly worthy of showcasing the tiger, but the forest’s other inhabitants are pretty magnificent as well
Habitat
Giant Powerhouses: Secrets of the Himalayan Oak Forests
The banj oak forest occupies but a narrow swathe of the Western Himalayas, but it is highly valued for the variety of creatures it supports, and the multifaceted benefits it brings human residents of the region
Habitat
Faking It: Big Cats and the Confusion Around Paternity
Female lions and tigers go to great lengths to mask the identity of their cubs’ fathers, and with good reason
Column
Cheer Pheasant Clears the Air on Uttarakhand Fires
Cartoons and illustrations on wildlife, environment, and conservation
Green Humour
Periyar Tiger Reserve, Trendsetter in Converting Poachers to Protectors
Vidiyal Vanapathukappu Sangam, India’s first participatory forest management project comprising solely of former poachers and sandalwood smugglers, completes 17 years of conservation in Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala
Wild Vault
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
Sights and Sounds from the Tree Canopy
Exploring the last biological frontier, the treetops in Tamil Nadu’s Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Wild Vault
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
The Guide: Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
After decades, Maharashtra’s oldest park returns to the spotlight as the hot favourite for wildlife enthusiasts
Travel
Shared Spaces: The Leopards of Jawai in Rajasthan
The absence of human-animal conflict in a small area of the Aravalli Hills makes us re-examine our knowledge of leopard behaviour and their interactions with humans
Photo Story
Bugun and a Forest of Hope
In the dense forests of western Arunachal Pradesh, lives a rare, critically endangered bird that brought a community and its forests together. Meet the Bugun liocichla and the people that help secure its home
Video
Dismantling a Misnomer: Do Fallen Leaves Litter?
A source of rich nutrients, the padding of leaves on the forest floor conceals a busy ecosystem
Wild Vault
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
Of Sacred Streams and Groves
The authors explore how community attitudes towards conservation is helping protect two ecosystems in Maharashtra
Book
Fade to Black: When Big Cats Hide
How the coat colour and design of wild cats allows them to blend into a diverse range of habitats, at different times of day or night
Column
Avian Windfall at Todgarh-Raoli and Kumbhalgarh
Two underexplored sanctuaries in Rajasthan reveal over 12O bird species over four days, proving they have great potential to be developed as birding destinations
Travel
The Guide: Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary
Though it is a small sanctuary, spread over only 21.5 square kilometres, Point Calimere has mangroves, tropical evergreen forests, and grassland ecosystems. Here’s how to explore this potpourri landscape
Habitat
The Curious Incident of a Wild Water Buffalo in Panna
The mysterious appearance of an endangered wild water buffalo, near Panna Tiger Reserve in Central India, in 1979 sets off speculation and a series of theories about its origins
Column
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
A Tux and a Dance: A Day in the Life of the Common Coot
Coots are known to be quarrelsome, but outside the breeding season, they are also graceful creatures that will glide through waterbodies effortlessly in coordinated flocks
Species
Breaking Bad: The Brotherhood of Bull Elephants
How young male elephants have changed their social behaviour and adopted a range of strategies and tactics that help them raid crops and survive the wrath of humans
Column
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
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 Guide: Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
Visit for the tigers, stay for the forest.
Travel
When Danger Lurks: Toxic Beauties in Action
Butterflies have adopted numerous defence mechanisms to fool their predators, but how well do these tricks work?
Column
Growing Older, and Wiser, With a Cherry Tree
A cherry tree that Rakesh planted as a child, grows tall and broad, welcoming a whole new world of birds and bees in his backyard, writes Ruskin Bond, in a heartwarming story from the chilly Himalayas
Book
The Strategic Strangler of the Forest
How a fig tree goes about playing its unique role in a forest ecosystem is a natural history case study unlike any other
Book
The Orchestra of a Forest Island
Assam's Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is home to many creatures small and large, including the hoolock gibbon whose melodious song leads this forest's enchanting orchestra. However, steady destruction of the habitat is threatening to drown out the music
Video
Masters of Disguise: Blue Oakleaf Butterfly
A dried leaf fluttering on a tree trunk in the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats could well be the masquerade of a brilliant blue butterfly
Wild Vault
Airworthy Athletes: Here Fly Dragons
When a creature with cyptic colouring hurls itself off a branch — sailing through the forest, flying between trees
Column
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
The Guide: Nagarhole National Park
One of the few national parks in the country that is open all-year-round, Kabini is rich with big cats, elephants, gaur, dhole, deer, and more
Travel
The Guide: Wild Wayanad
Kerala’s Wayanad district is a splendid wilderness area that is a hotbed of amazing creatures large and small
Travel
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
The Guide: Gir National Park
Go for the lions, but stay for the rugged hills, the charming birds, the gregarious langurs, and the gratifying golden sunsets
Travel
Capped Langurs and their Risky Quest for a Special Treat
In Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, tree-dwelling capped langurs rarely set foot on ground, except when a special treat beckons
Video
The Guide: Dehing Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary
Discover one of the country’s last lowland evergreen forests, teeming with birds and mammals
Travel
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
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
Life Under Monsoon Clouds
Witness how the rains transform the pristine forests of Agumbe, which are increasingly facing the pressures of human encroachment
Video
Dental Arsenal: Getting to the Teeth of the Matter
On exploring the proposition that losing canine teeth turns carnivorous predators into man-eaters
Column
Conflict and Coexistence: Leopards and the Residents of Valparai
How leopards adapt to human presence and communities learn to live in close proximity to the big cat, in the Anaimalai Hills of Tamil Nadu
Conservation
The Queen of Jhalana is Dead, Long Live the Prince
The tigers of Jhalana may be a distant memory, but the leopards are just as worth saving
Habitat
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
Malayan Giant Squirrel: Facts, Size, and Appearance
Everything you need to know about these giant cuddly squirrels
Infographic
Singing in the Rain: Frogs of Agumbe Get Ready for the Monsoon
The rains in Agumbe set the scene for a croaking romance. Frogs and toads not only wake up from long slumber, but most also get ready to mate
Video
Behind the Lens: Shooting the Residents of a Rainforest
These stewards of wildlife talk about ethical photography and its importance in research and the conservation of India’s natural heritage
Photo Story
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
Silent Knight: How the Malabar Pit Viper Hunts in the Dark
The Malabar pit viper is a study in stillness. It remains motionless, waiting for its prey for hours, even days. But when the time is right, it strikes with lightning speed
Video
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
The Guide: Bandhavgarh National Park
Cats, big and small, are only a small fraction of the amazing wildlife in this central Indian national park
Travel
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
Leaps and Bounds: The Fascinating Frog World of Agumbe
A variety of amphibians reveal themselves on a night trail through the monsoon forests of Agumbe
Wild Vault
The Guide: Agumbe, the Exalted Rainforest Paradise
Contiguous national parks and reserved forests in and around Agumbe make it one of richest and most biodiverse places in the Western Ghats
Travel
The Guide: Amboli, an Evergreen Eden
On the wildlife travel map, Amboli is a favourite destination for nature lovers and adventurers, who want to experience its staggering biodiversity
Travel
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
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
Jabarkhet Nature Reserve: A Forest Returns Home
Until 2O13, the private reserve suffered from unchecked tree logging and growth of invasive weeds. A little love, and conservation has revived an entire thriving eco-system
Travel
Mapping Mysterious Reptiles in Misty Meghamalai
For four years, five researchers travelled through dense forests, waded through streams, risked attacks from leopards and enraged elephants to record the rich herpetofauna of Meghamalai, Tamil Nadu’s rain-soaked, misty mountain range
Wild Vault
City Slickers: The Large Grey Babblers of Delhi
Tales of adaptation in the scrublands of the capital city
Urban Jungle
Malabar Grey Hornbills: Gardeners of the Rainforest
The Malabar grey hornbill is endemic to and emblematic of the rainforests of the Western Ghats, which often resonate with their calls and cackles
Species
Will Agumbe Remain One of Wettest Places in India?
Traditionally stable weather systems have changed and the rainfall pattern in Agumbe has become erratic — the effect of both global and local factors
Conservation
On the Fly: An Afternoon with the Dragon Lizards of Agumbe
You can never tire of watching the smooth, precise gliding motion of draco lizards as they ‘fly’ from tree to tree
Species
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
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
Anatomy of a King Cobra Rescue in Agumbe
Witnessing a kalinga snake being rescued, it becomes apparent that communication and cooperation are essential to conservation
Wild Vault
The Guide: Kanha National Park
One of India’s most famous tiger reserves encompasses diverse habitats which support a huge variety of wildlife including a healthy population of the big cat
Travel
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
The Guide: Pench National Park
Pench was the inspiration for Kipling’s iconic The Jungle Book. It is still flush with creatures big and small — from predators like tigers and leopards, to over 200 species of birds, and innumerable other critters
Travel
Behind the Revival of Panna’s Tigers
Conservation biologist Raghu Chundawat guided a spectacular revival of the tiger population in Panna National Park. The Rise and Fall of the Emerald Tigers is a detailed account of the effort
Book
Flying Wizard: Draco the Gliding Lizard
With a little yellow dewlap flag for communication, wing-like extensions to parachute through the forest, and cryptic camouflage, the southern flying lizard is no ordinary reptile
Species
King Cobra: The World’s Longest Venomous Snake
How does the cannibalistic, snake-eating king cobra manage to multiply and survive?
Species
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
Stump-tailed Macaques: The Forest Walkers of Hollongapar
The stump-tailed macaques spend most of their day walking across the dense rainforest floors of Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary. They only return to trees to search for food, or sleep. But foraging the forest floor makes them vulnerable to leopards and other predators. To save themselves, they hurriedly, stuff food in their expandable cheek pouches. If danger approaches, they quickly escape with the loot.
Video
Buffaloed by the Climate in Kolhapur
Human-wildlife conflict is escalating in Radhanagari, Kolhapur, where the gaur buffalo are raiding nearby farms. This is spurred by deforestation, cropping changes, drought and fluctuating weather patterns
Conservation
Lonely Hearts Club: The Hoolock Gibbon Story
How the handsome primate got stuck on the wrong side of the tracks
Photo Story
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 Monkey with a Beanie: The Capped Langurs of Hollongapar
Destruction of forests is putting this primate’s future at risk. In the last three decades, their population has seen a 3O per cent decline
Species
How a Group of Men Saved Elephants by Talking to Them
In The Vanishing, wildlife writer and conservationist, Prerna Singh Bindra speaks of critical challenges that confront India’s wildlife, interspersed with a few stories of resistance and hope
Book
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
The Western Hoolock Gibbon Sings and Swings Along the Forest Canopies
The western hoolock gibbon is most commonly recognised by its song. From the heights of the forest canopy, the western hoolock gibbon produces a loud, elaborate song, that often ends in a spectacular crescendo
Video
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
Jungle Theatrics: Along the Sitanadi at Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary
Off the beaten path, this little-known wilderness in Karnataka’s Western Ghats, offers raw nature at its best
Habitat
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
When the Monsoon Awakens Agumbe
As the southwest monsoon makes landfall over Karnataka’s Malnad region in the Western Ghats, this rainforest, known for its immense biodiversity, comes alive
Habitat
Gowri Shankar: Snake Man Under the Spell of the King Cobra
In the heart of the rainforests of Agumbe there’s a man on a mission — to share his knowledge of the wild with students, and contribute to the preservation of reptiles
Hero
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
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
How the Bengal Florican Charms Its Mate
The Bengal florican is a romantic at heart. Its courtship ritual is part pageant and part dance-off
Photo Story
The Owlet Who Craved the Sun
This fascinating Odia tale is from Animalia Indica, edited by Sumana Roy, which is a collection of the finest fiction short stories centred around animals
Book
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
Life in Lakhipur, on the Fringe of the Forest
Animals know no borders. When you live on the edge of the forest, the animals will sometimes come a visiting
Wild Vault
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
Sultans of Swing: Hoolock Gibbons Rule the Canopy
This tiny graceful ape, hangs on to one of the last protected bastions of its native habitat
Species
When Birdsong Fills the Tea Estates of Assam
Areas surrounding the Hollongapar forest act as a secondary habitat and play host to several animal and bird species
Habitat
Small Forest, Big Trees, in Hollongapar
The diverse trees and plants of Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary can leave as you as spellbound as the park’s famous primate residents
Habitat
The Stump-tailed Macaques of Hollongapar
On the scent of elusive primates in the forests of Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Species
Monsoon Miracles in Navi Mumbai’s Green Valley Park
Secret streams and colourful insects — the arrival of rain heralds the transformation of the Parsik Hills, close to the bustling business area of CBD Belapur
Urban Jungle
Ladies Special: The Matrilineal World of Stump-Tailed Macaques
Things are remarkably different in this primate troop without an alpha male heading it
Photo Story
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
In Gibbon Country, Every Path Tells a Story
Small in size, but rich in biodiversity, the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is teeming with life, on the ground and in the canopy
Habitat
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
Splendid Sojourns in Silent Valley National Park
Nifty monkeys and playful tiger cubs, iridescent butterflies and magnificent trees — a conservation ecologist finds herself in rapt fascination in the rainforests of this UNESCO World Heritage site
Habitat
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
The Varied Ecosystems of Peninsular India
This triangular land mass is bursting with life
Habitat
Wild Eye: Shaaz Jung on Photographing Kabini
The big-cat tracker and wildlife photographer shares pictures of the forest that
shaped him
Photo Story