Habitat
India's wild landscapes and all that they shelter
89 Habitats
A Walk Across Tiger Country In Search Of India’s National Butterfly
An early monsoon walk through Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Tiger Reserve looking for the orange oakleaf butterfly reveal a captivating wealth of creatures and habitats
Mote Majra: Making a Case for an Unkempt Swamp
How ragged urban wetlands like Mote Majra in Mohali are a city’s unlikely, unsung heroes
Winged Wonders of Kadalundi-Vallikunnu Community Reserve
Where the Kadalundi River meets the Arabian Sea in Kerala, community engagement in conserving migratory birds and other wetland creatures has created India’s first riverfront community reserve and an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers
Fields of Fire, Vales of Snow
Dachigam’s assorted forests, grasslands and scrublands are a biodiversity jewel, harbouring a striking profusion of wildlife, including the critically endangered Kashmir stag, protected by a small, dwindling number of frontline staff
Looking for Eyeshine: A Tiny Wildcat and its Neighbours in Jawai
The search for the elusive rusty-spotted cat amidst the rocky hillocks of Jawai, Rajasthan, unveils numerous other secrets of this magical landscape
Sacred Swamps: Where Culture Meets Conservation
On the protection of sacred swamps in the Western Ghats
Exploring the Coral Reefs of Goa’s Grande Island
The most accessible of India’s coral reefs may not be colourful and glamourous, but they are resilient and able to thrive in turbid, low-light environments
Moods of the Forest in Raimona National Park
In western Assam, on the border of India and Bhutan, is a tropical jungle with giants like gaurs and elephants and endemics like the golden langur
The Other Side of Gir
We are all familiar with Gir National Park’s brown dry scrub landscape, but it also has open deciduous forests and rivers that flow through it
Growing with Nature
From a barren landscape to a green abode, Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary in Wayanad, Kerala, shows us what conservation, protection, and love for nature can do
Mokarsagar Wetland Complex: Lifeline for Wintering Birds
Created by an inlet from the sea, the large, lush wetland of Mokarsagar, in the Porbandar district of Gujarat, is a collection of gently rippling marshes which harbour over 180 resident and migratory bird species
The Story of Harike: A Wetland that has Witnessed History
How colonial forces, the Partition, and ambitions of nation-building led to the making of a huge wetland, which is now a stopover for thousands of migratory birds
Shola-Grasslands in the Palani Hills
1,600 m above sea level, shola forests and the adjoining grasslands are an important ecosystem found in the rippling montane regions of South India’s hills. These shola-grasslands are prime habitats for various native and endemic species of plants, birds, and animals.
The Kair: Lifeline of the Desert
With its dishevelled appearance and sparse leaves, the kair (khair or ker) may appear unremarkable, but it is a resilient shrub that plays a critical role in sustaining the ecosystem and supporting the lives of the creatures living around it
Dang: Wild and Wonderful
Dang district in south-eastern Gujarat is green dreamland. Much of it is forested with teak and bamboo, amidst which live an astonishing variety of birds
Day or Night, the Wilderness Areas of the Western Ghats Never Sleep
All the different wild habitats of Goa, whether deciduous forests, open laterite plateaus or swamps, are thriving havens of magical biodiversity
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
Great Nicobar: Exploring a Biodiverse Island in Peril
This remote island’s diversity of habitats and micro-environments are a wonderland of rare and endemic species of plants, animals, insects, crustaceans, and marine life
Bridge to the Past: The Rocky Landscape of Daroji
The boulder-strewn landscape of Daroji has a long and volatile history. The rocky scrub jungles here harbour an incredible diversity of life, from small invertebrates to megafauna like sloth bears and leopards
Flirting with the Rain in Mizoram’s Murlen National Park
A mere 30 km from the Myanmar border, the mid-altitude forests of Murlen National Park teems with biodiversity
Threatened Endemic Birds of Andaman & Nicobar
On these biodiversity-rich islands, you’ll find numerous birds that exist nowhere else on Earth. Their uniqueness is fascinating to biologists and conservationists who want to ensure their populations stay stable
Jaldapara National Park: Megaherbivore Refuge in Northern West Bengal
With the most extensive tracts of savannah grassland in the state, this park affords protection to some of the largest mammals we have — rhinos, elephants, and gaur
Up in the Clouds: Mizoram’s Phawngpui National Park
Birding in Mizoram’s Blue Mountains and the quest for the rare Mount Victoria babax
The Guide: Sultanpur National Park
A tiny park, a little lake, and the unexpected promise of over 320 species of birds, make this wetland area close to Gurgaon a birder’s haven
Bird’s the Word in Mangalajodi
Chilika Lake is prime wintering ground for migratory birds, and the Mangalajodi wetland is among the best places to see them
Stories in Saltwater: Life and Tides in Bhitarkanika’s Mangroves
The ebb and flow of the tide reveals a thriving world where both minuscule and mammoth creatures dwell
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve: A Sweet Symphony of Waterbirds
Only an hour from arid Hampi, is a lake dotted with half-submerged acacia trees —a wetland ecosystem with over 150 bird species like ducks, herons, and pelicans
Nalabana Bird Sanctuary: Magnificent Reed Forest
Over 140+ species of migratory birds, including rare and threatened species, arrive at Nalabana Island within Odisha’s Chilika Lake post-monsoon each year
In Arunachal, Locals and Officials Join Hands to Conserve Orchids
The Sessa Orchid Sanctuary was the first, and until recently the only, protected area in the country dedicated to the preservation of naturally growing orchids
The Guide: Mangalajodi Wetland in Odisha
A birding hotspot any time of year, the marshes, reedbeds, and shallow waters of this wetland are particularly promising in winter
Krem Umladaw: Journey to the Centre of the Earth
Descent into India’s deepest vertical cave in search of the world’s largest blind fish
Rhythm and Melody: Birds of the NCR’s Aravallis
The pulse of the forest around the vast urban sprawl of the capital is reflected in the dynamic bird communities visible during each season
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
Backyard Beasts in the Northern Aravallis
Forest remnants of the northern Aravallis, sandwiched between the ever-expanding cities of Delhi, Gurugram, and Faridabad reveal an astonishing array of wildlife, highlighting their conservation value
Serial Drillers: Great Slaty Woodpeckers as Community Cavity Creators
Woodpeckers regularly construct tree cavities of all sizes. These become potential dwellings for a diverse set of creatures from bees to birds, mammals, and reptiles
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
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?
The Guide: D’Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary
In the exquisite riverine grasslands of this wildlife sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh a diverse range of birds and animals find refuge
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
Lake Life: Pulicat, the Bird Haven
This brackish water lagoon just north of Chennai is rich in marine life that has made it an important bird habitat and crucial source of livelihood for hundreds of fisherfolk
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
The Guide: Lakh Bahosi Bird Sanctuary
One of the largest wetlands in Uttar Pradesh, the twin lakes of Lakh Bahosi are great for spotting winter migratory birds
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
The Guide: Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Little islets on the River Kaveri make up this all-season haven for birds and birdwatchers
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
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
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
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
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
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
Myth and Reality in Rajasthan’s Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary
Walking through this tropical dry deciduous forest sanctuary feels like a wilderness pilgrimage
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
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
The Oxbow Lake of Purbasthali and my Tryst with the Elegant Ibis
About 12O km from Kolkata, lies a birding heaven: a thriving wetland habitat full of resident and migratory species
The Guide: Bhitarkanika National Park
The creeks and mudflats of coastal Odisha are a haven for a variety of birds and reptiles like the saltwater crocodile
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
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
Stepped Splendour: The Glorious Landscape of Panna Tiger Reserve
Trees, rivers, rocks, and art — every gorge tells a story in this spectacular tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh
The Daily Dichotomies of Gujarat’s Little Rann of Kutch
Nothing is as it seems in this unique ecosystem in eastern Gujarat
In the Laterite Plateaus of Maharashtra, Rock Bottom is a Wonderful Place
The rocky outcrops of the northern Western Ghats are often considered wastelands, when they are hotbeds of endemic diversity
The Serengeti of Saurashtra: Sightings Abound at the Blackbuck National Park in Gujarat
Antelopes, wolves, hyenas, and plenty of migratory birds inhabit this protected reserve in Velavadar
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
Roots of a Salt Forest: Mangroves as Coast Guards of the Sundarbans
An incredible, resilient network of roots supports one of the world’s largest mangrove forests and protects its islands from disastrous waves, tides, cyclones, and storms
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
The Flamboyance of Maximum City at Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary
A short hop from Mumbai this sanctuary is a mix of grassland, scrub, woodland, and mangroves with a wide variety of resident and migratory birds
The Fantastic Creatures of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
Beyond the famous fishing cat, the Coringa mangroves provide a protective habitat to a variety of other animals, most of them hard to spot
The Guide: Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
This mangrove forest in the Godavari estuary is both ecologically diverse and very important, not least because of its abundant wildlife
Sultry Sundarbans: The Tide, the Forest, and the Tiger Goddess
The Sundarbans is a vast mesh of crisscrossing rivers and tributaries lined with mangrove forests. It harbours hundreds of species of flora and fauna, and an intriguing story at every bend
Life of Corals: The Reef Assembly
Within the magical world of coral reefs is an unimaginable marine diversity dense with life forms, and interwoven with unique symbiotic relationships and partnerships between critters
Mangroves: The Coastal Superheroes
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary’s mangroves, among the healthiest in the country, are powerhouses. But they are under threat of destruction from the expansion of agriculture and aquaculture farms
Birds of Many Feathers in the Mangroves of Coringa
In the birdwatcher’s paradise of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, the avifauna enjoy a symbiotic relationship with the mangroves and surrounding communities
The Wilds of Saswad: The Vibrant Grassland Near Pune
“Wasteland” is such a gross misnomer for the thriving but fragile grassland habitats of India. Saswad is one such unprotected landscape where abundant bird and animal life flourishes
Desert National Park: The Abundant Life of the Sand and Scrubs
The Desert National Park is anything but deserted. Look closely, and you will spot gazelles, sandgrouses, foxes, snakes, and if you are lucky, the charismatic, critically endangered great Indian bustard
Tal Chhapar: The Golden Grasslands of Churu
The national park is home to many vulnerable and endangered birds and of course to its most famous resident — the blackbuck
Herping Around: A Novice’s Endurance Test
A newbie joins a group of experts on a herping expedition in Arunachal Pradesh’s Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and learns to appreciate the wilderness from a different perspective
Life of Corals: The Origin Story
The brilliant corals we see at the bottom of the ocean are animals, the most extraordinarily wild architects on earth, and they use stinging cells to capture their prey
Seagrass Meadows on the Ocean Floor
Primary food of the dugong, sea grasses cover thousands of kilometres of ocean floor, and are massive oxygen generators too
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
Under Cover: Ecosystems in the Sand
An astonishing array of plants and animals build their castles in the sand. Take a slow dive into this fascinating world of predators, prey, and unique partnerships.
In Fine Feather: Spotting Birds in Ladakh
Over 3OO species of resident and migratory birds can be found in the seemingly inhospitable high-altitude desert of Ladakh
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
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
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
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
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
In Search of One Hundred Rhinos in Kaziranga National Park
Wet, swampy grasslands cover two-thirds of Assam’s Kaziranga National Park providing refuge to many vulnerable species, including the planet’s largest population of greater one-horned rhinos
Wild Shores: Life in a Tide Pool
When the tide goes out, take a walk along the shore and discover a fascinating range of marine animals and plants
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
The Varied Ecosystems of Peninsular India
This triangular land mass is bursting with life