Videos
Compelling films about India’s flora and fauna
176 Videos
Into the Depths
Filmmaker Samreen Farooqui has returned to the Andaman Sea year after year, but this time, its different. Joined by marine biologist Diksha Dikshit, she embarks on a series of dives, including a breathtaking descent at night. Between excursions, through free-flowing conversations, they unravel the hidden web of underwater life — creatures that form networks, forge alliances, and help each other in their struggle for survival.
The Unseen World of Corals
The Andamans and Nicobar islands host 89 per cent of India's coral diversity. But what exactly are corals? Underwater plants? Vibrant, lively rocks? Or a fascinating fusion of multiple animals? We dive deep into the hidden world
The First Flight: the Pallas' Fish Eagle
High in a tall tree in Kaziranga National Park, a pair of Pallas' fish eagles have built their nest. While the mother lovingly feeds the chicks, the father stands guard. As time passes, the question looms: Will the chick's first flight be successful? Watch to find out.
Lost in Our Plates
Rodingliana Apeto, a member of Mizoram’s Bru community, grew up witnessing his community's tradition of hunting a species of frog. In 2018, to his surprise, a scientific survey "discovered" the same frog and classified it as endemic and threatened.
This short film is Apeto’s endeavor to raise awareness about the species and to encourage the locals to stop hunting it.
Spirited Away: In Search of the Deo Haanh
The white-winged wood duck is so rarely seen that it has inspired several folktales in Assam’s swamp forests. Locals, who hear its ghostly call after dark, call it deo haanh or spirit duck. When filmmaker Jayshree Borgohain went looking for it, her search turned part-exploratory, part-spiritual.
Will the forest spirits guide her quest?
A Golden Dawn: Raimona National Park
Raimona would not be what it is today without its dedicated forest guards. The park, home to the endangered and charismatic golden langur, was extensively logged for years. However, in 2021, thanks to guards' tireless efforts and documentation, it was finally declared a national park.
The Manas Story: From Hunters to Protectors
In the 1980s, political unrest ravaged Assam's Manas National Park. But in the 2000s, local youth, the forest department, and the new government united to restore it. Today, Manas is a UNESCO World Heritage site and biodiversity hotspot.
Marine Bioacoustics: The Sound of Water
The underwater realm is the Earth's largest, and yet among the least accessible habitats. However, over the last decade, marine biologists are finding new ways to explore it — by eavesdropping on its marine soundscape.
Bar-Headed Geese: The Migrant Crisis
Every winter, the bar headed geese fly thousands of kilometres from Central Asia to spend their days in the Indian subcontinent. As several wetlands in North India are being taken over by agricultural farms, these glorious vistors are no longer welcomed. Watch the film to find out why.
Children's Special: The Butterfly Whisperer
#ChildrensSpecial Ujaan has never cared for butterflies. Until, he visits a butterfly park and is enchanted by the many stages of a butterfly's life, especially how a seemingly ordinary caterpillar transforms into a winged marvel. Join him as he discovers the magic of metamorphosis.
Filming Munsiyari: Behind the Lens with Director Neha Dixit
Listen to filmmaker Neha Dixit talk about filming the rarest wild creatures, meeting inspiring women, and collecting mountain melodies. Watch her in a candid conversation with Roundglass Sustain's Video Lead Samreen Farooqui.
In Search of Kasturi
Catapults to Cameras: Film and Impact Campaign
#WomensDaySpecial: The Van Panchayats of Uttarakhand and their Women Leaders
Almost 14% of forests in Uttarakhand are governed by van panchayats or the village forest councils, the country’s oldest forest management system. However, the van panchayats of Sarmoli and Shankhdhura villages are unique — they are led by local women.
This #WomensDay we celebrate the women guardians from the mountain state and their intimate ties with their community forests.
The Fragile Gori Basin
Uttarakhand is at the cusp of a manmade crisis, amplified by climate change. Landslides in the region have escalated by 2900 per cent, and more than three million people have left their homes in the last 2 decades. In this short film, we take you to Uttarakhand's Gori Basin, one of the state's most ecologically rich but fragile regions, to introduce you to its diverse natural world, and the threats it faces.
The High Life of the Himalayan Monal
The Himalayan monal is a show-stopper of the high mountains. During spring, the male dressed in his best attire, shows off his regal plumage, whistles, and dances to attract the attention of a mate. Will the female fall for his advances?
April Showers Bring May Flowers in Munsiyari
After a ravaging ‘fire season’ from February to May, Uttarakhand's mountains anxiously wait for the spring showers. Finally, in April, spring arrives. Rains nourish the landscape — flowers bloom, fruits ripen, and wild creatures get busy to make the most of this short, but abundant season.
Flight of Hope: Saving Rajasthan's Chandlai Lake
At a distance of about two hours from Jaipur, Chandlai Lake hosts over 300 species of birds. Many compare its riches to Bharatpur, Rajasthan's most biodiverse wetland. However, new developments are threatening the habitat. Can local citizens and birders save the lake?
Echoes of the Swiftlets: Exploring the hidden world of the Indian Swiftlet
Off the coast of Maharashtra lies a landscape unlike any other. Colossal cliffs, crashing waves, mysterious sea caves and haunted lighthouses – this is the Vengurla rocks archipelago. Two of these islands are home to the biggest known breeding colonies of the Indian swiftlets. Studying these birds in this harsh terrain is no easy feat. Watch Dr Sirish Manchi and Dhanusha Kawalkar tackle challenges as they study the mysterious Indian swiftlet.
Black Necked Stork: King of the Marshes
The black necked stork is the symbol of a large, thriving marsh. Like a king, the grand bird needs a lot of space, where it can prey upon fish, frogs, aquatic snakes, snails, and even other birds. Watch these two stork families go about their life near Jamnagar for a unique glimpse into their world.
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?
Gateway to the Northeast: Jaldapara National Park
Home to some of India’s largest mammals, West Bengal’s Jaldapara National Park is a striking mosaic of woodlands and grasslands. Moulded by the river Torsa, the grasslands in the floodplains support creatures great and small. Despite this abundance, the park has its own set of challenges.
Checkered Keelback
Meet the only keelback in India that’s adapted to stay and hunt under water. With distinctive yellow and black checks all over its body, the checkered keelback is one of India’s most common snakes. Although venomous, checkered keelbacks aren’t really harmful to humans.
The Sal Symphony
The sal forest is a complex ecosystem that has evolved over millennia. A favorite of woodpeckers and other creatures, the sal tree is the dominant species in a sal forest. These tall trees are very difficult to regenerate artificially, so their destruction has everlasting repercussions.
Gurudongmar: A Lake among the Peaks
At an altitude of 17,000 ft, the magnificent Gurudongmar is one of the world’s highest lakes. Apart from being a major source of the river Teesta, lifeline to Sikkim and North Bengal, the lake shelters diverse life, including the first recorded amphibian found at this altitude. Can this life-giving lake of the Tibetan plateau weather the impacts of climate change?
Tibetan Sand Fox: The Highland Hunter
The windy, stark landscape of the Tibetan plateau in north Sikkim is home to a unique, square-faced fox. Meet the Tibetan sand fox, an expert at surviving life at 5,000m above sea level. Follow this shrewd predator on a hunt.
The Grandala Blues
Towards the end of autumn, the Eastern Himalayas greet flocks of dazzling grandalas. Descending from the alpine grasslands, they arrive just in time for a sea buckthorn berry feast. But what does climate change have in store for them?
Mountain Blooms: Rhododendrons in the Mist
Every spring, the Eastern Himalayas burst into carpets of vibrant blooming rhododendrons, inviting birds and bees for a nectar feast. Unfortunately, these flowers are extremely sensitive to unpredictable weather. Will they survive our changing climate?
Red Panda: Firefox of the Eastern Himalayas
Deep in the forests of Singalila National Park, lives a long-clawed, bushy-tailed firefox, whose ancestors have thrived among the trees for millions of years. Singalila was the first national park in India to draw attention to it. Meet the shy, elusive red panda.
The Misty Mountains of Singalila
Located along the Indo-Nepal border, the high-altitude mountains of Singalila National Park safeguard many secrets. With every season, the landscape transforms, donning a new avatar and turning into a haven for both — its resident creatures and visiting wild guests.
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.
A Living Fossil: The Purple Frog’s Brief Life Above Ground
The purple frog emerges once a year, during the monsoon, for just a few hours. But little is known of its life under or above ground. Here's an extremely rare glimpse of a very busy day in the life of this ancient curiosity.
Climate Change: Umesh Srinivasan and Himalayan Birds
Arunachal Pradesh’s Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is a magical place with a rich diversity of birds. However, climate change and habitat loss are threatening their survival. Scientist Umesh Srinivasan is trying to unpack how the birds are responding to these changes.
Robin Suyesh and the Frogs of Delhi NCR
Loud, raucous frog calls were once a part of the capital’s soundscape, but rapid urbanisation has ensured that their songs have been silenced in most neighbourhoods. Scientist Robin Suyesh, armed with the latest tech to understand their vocalisations, wants to change that.
Science in Action: Niaz Khan and the Himalayan Brown Bears of Kargil
The Himalayan brown bears have not been seen in Kargil and Dras for over a decade. But several years after the war, they are slowly making a comeback. Researcher Niaz Khan sets out to study them and help local communities learn more about their often unwelcome neighbour.
Saving Bhimanama: Ayushi Jain and a Giant Turtle
The ancestors of the Asian giant softshell turtle, locally called Bhimanama, once roamed the Earth along with dinosaurs about 140 million years ago. But today, this giant turtle is on the brink of extinction. Thankfully, biologist Ayushi Jain is on a mission to save it.
Rhizophora Mangroves: Sentinels of our coast
Mangrove forests guard India’s coastline, but there’s one species that steals the show — rhizophora. Its bright, broad lush leaves store water, while its gnarly stilt-like roots are a sanctuary for many creatures. Today, we introduce you to one of India’s most resilient coastguards.
In Conversation with Bittu Sahgal: Nurturer of Environmental Hope
Last year, our Editor-in-Chief Megha Moorthy travelled to Jammu and Kashmir’s Dachigam National Park to meet Bittu Sahgal, Founder of the Sanctuary Nature Foundation and Editor of Sanctuary Asia, India’s first wildlife magazine. He spoke to us about his visceral love for nature, the doyens of wildlife conservation, and who he believes will be the heroes of tomorrow.
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo: The Master Mimic
The greater racket-tailed drongo can imitate calls of over 40 different species including a variety of birds, frogs and even insects! Wildlife ecologist Samira Agnihotri has been tracking the bird and its shenanigans for most of her adult life. Watch her talk about why the bird mimics so many species and how everyone is bound to fall in love with it.
Bhitarkanika National Park: Predators of a Mangrove Forest
Odisha's Bhitarkanika National Park hosts none of India's big cats. And yet, deep within its silent, mangrove-lined creeks, hunters lurk. Watch a daily dance of survival unfold between prey and predator.
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.
Circle of Life: When Olive Ridley Turtles Return to Nest
Female olive ridley turtles have strong natal instincts. Year after year, they return to land, often to the same beach they were born on, to lay eggs. We take you to Odisha's mass nesting sites, and a few other Indian shores, for a magical sneak peek.
Saltwater Crocodile: A Fine Piece of Natural Engineering
Along some of India's mangrove-lined coasts, including Odisha's Bhitarkanika, the world's largest reptile lurks. With teeth that rip, jaws that crush and a body built for stamina, the saltwater crocodile is a sharp hunter. Here's a closer look at its natural arsenal.
Fishing Friends: The Irrawaddy Dolphins of Chilika
Chilika in Odisha, India, is Asia's largest brackish water lagoon. Tourists are known to line up in the area for a glimpse of Chilika's Irrawaddy dolphins, who surface the lagoon only for a quick breath or a peek at their surroundings. Take an exclusive look into the lives of these elusive dolphins, and learn how the people around Chilika are trying to protect their star resident's population.
Pallas's Cats: Raising Kittens in Ladakh's Changing Landscape
For years, the high-altitude village of Hanle has been the Pallas's cat's safe abode, but new developments are rapidly altering the habitat. Can these two mother cats keep their kittens safe?
Russell’s Viper: Maligned and Misunderstood
The Russell’s viper is maligned for being one of India’s most venomous snakes. However, in reality, it is a shy serpent that is very reluctant to bite.
Spectacled Cobra: The Unwelcome Neighbour
Cobras are more common around villages and farms than in the wild. Frogs, rats and poultry from the farm make for easy meals. But looking for food so close to human settlements is risky business. It puts both, the humans and the cobra, at odds with each other.
Mystery and Mischief: Behind the Scenes of the Meghalaya Caves Series
The Meghalaya caves series has been one of our most ambitious projects so far. Over the last few weeks, we've taken you on a journey through one of India's least explored ecosystems.
Here's a light-hearted sneak peek of the bumps and bloopers along the way, and an introduction of the motley crew that made it happen.
Into the Underground: The Mysterious Life of Meghalaya’s Caves
Studies show that it takes a hundred thousand years for the caves to grow wide enough for humans to enter. But once they do, a whole ecosystem opens up for exploration – underground rivers, shimmering pools, a labyrinth of tunnels and lives that thrive in the absence of light.
Krem Umladaw: The Descent into Darkness
Few have descended into the absolute darkness of Krem Umladaw. It is one of India's deepest vertical caves and extremely tricky to navigate. However, a rare creature waits at its base. Join Dhritiman Mukherjee and team on an expedition to document the barely known ecosystem.
Caves of Meghalaya: A Quest into a Dark, Mystical Underworld
Under the green valleys of Meghalaya is a spectacular subterranean world of dark tunnels, vertical shafts, underground rivers and a host of creatures. Join Dhritiman Mukherjee and team on an expedition through some of least explored caves in India.
Concrete Jungle: A Wildlife Tracker Reveals the Wild Side of Delhi
Did you know that the capital's residents share their city with leopards, blackbucks, tortoises, snakes and several hundred species of birds? Wildlife tracker Yatin Verma introduces us to the wild side of Delhi NCR.
Water Monitor: Everyday life of a Misunderstood Dragon
Many myths surround the water monitor lizard. Some believe its forked tongue is evil. Some even think that it kills cattle. None of this is true. Watch to learn more about this mystical creature of the mangroves and its struggle for survival.
Between Land and Water: The Dual Life of a Sea Krait
The yellow-lipped sea krait is an expert underwater hunter, that must return to land to digest its meals. Meet an aquatic snake that needs both land and water to survive.
The Endangered Nilgiri Tahr: What is Threatening South India's Only Mountain Ungulate
The incredibly biodiverse Nilgiris are home to southern India's only mountain ungulate - the Nilgiri tahr. Capable of scaling steep and rocky terrains, this mountain goat is the state animal of Tamil Nadu and a sure-footed presence in Western Ghats landscape. But why is its population endangered? Watch our film to find out.
Speed Runners: Blackbucks, Sprinters of Our Golden Grasslands
The blackbuck, one the fastest animals in India, is losing out in the race of development. Grasslands, their favourite habitat, are being rapidly destroyed, threatening their way of life.
Saving the Forgotten Wilds of Koppal: Why This Biodiverse Ecosystem Needs to Be Conserved
Wolves, blackbucks, striped hyenas, monitor lizards and jungle cats – Koppal has them all. Home to some of most endangered wildlife species found in India, Koppal's grasslands remain at risk without formal protection. What will it take to conserve this habitat?
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.
Island Romance: Daniel's Forest Lizard Looks for a Mate
The Daniel's forest lizard is endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar islands. On a sunny morning, a male is working, or rather nodding hard to catch a mate's eye, but she's busy looking for food. Will he get her attention?
How the Mangroves Guard the Sinking Sundarbans: Part II
In the Part I of the series, we saw how the Sundarbans faces the deadliest storms and cyclones in the world. But for years, resilient mangrove forests have stood guard against these storms. Here’s why their destruction could spell disaster for the already vulnerable region.
The Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque and its Fight for a Home
The Nicobar long-tailed macaque is found only on some of the Nicobar islands. It is the only home they have known, adapted to, and survived in. But a massive disaster and recent developments have escalated tensions among some of the troops and the local settlers
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.
What the Jungle Babblers Babble About
Jungle babblers have been known as loud, cacophonous, rowdy birds — but turns out that their "babble" is a complex communication system that they use to look out for each other
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.
Why the Sundarbans is Hit by Cyclones So Frequently: Part I
Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, has braved cyclones for hundreds of years, but over the last decade they have become faster, deadlier and more frequent. Is climate change to blame?
In our two-part series, we talk about why the delta faces constant calamities. Watch to know how a rising sea is adding to the crisis.
Super Plankton: The Invisible Marvels that Sustain Our Oceans
Plankton maybe tiny, microscopic creatures invisible to the naked eye, but they sustain our oceans. Without them life as we know it would cease to exist.
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.
Desert Cat: Raising a Family Under a Thorny Bush
In a sacred grove in Rajasthan, an Indian desert cat has given birth to three mischievous kittens under a thorny bush where they play, fight and goof around. But one afternoon, they go missing, sending the grove’s local guardian on a desperate quest to find them
Jungle Cat: From a Neighbourhood Ally to a Misunderstood Thief
In southern Bengal, the destruction of wetlands has severely depleted the jungle cat’s habitat, pushing it closer to villages in search of food!
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.
Ladakh Pika’s Winter Challenge
Ladakh's winter weakens the strongest, many mammals choose to hibernate or migrate. But not the pikas — these tiny but hardy fur balls stay strong and prepared to face the cold and harsh season
Why Namdapha's White-Bellied Herons Are Quietly Disappearing
In the deep jungles of Arunachal Pradesh, lives a tall bird with a snake-like neck and a strong beak — the white-bellied heron. Find out why If we don’t act fast, India may never see this rare species again
Red Giant Gliding Squirrel: The Late-Night Paratrooper of Namdapha
As the sun sets in Namdapha National Park, a giant squirrel wakes up, climbs to the high reaches of the canopy, stretches, locks a target and glides! Meet the paratroopers of a dark rainforest
Namdapha National Park: The Last Frontier of the Northeast
Arunachal Pradesh's Namdapha, that lines the northeastern borders of India, is one of the most remote and bio-diverse national parks in the world. But despite its remoteness, it reels under mounting human pressures that might push its wildlife to the brink of survival.
Western Marsh Harrier: A Hunter on the Lake
A hungry marsh harrier is a formidable hunter. It can take down small mammals and waterbirds even its own size. Today, it has its eyes set on coots. Will the hunter succeed?
Family Tree: Eurasian Spoonbills and the Drama of Daily Life
As the breeding season begins in Bharatpur some trees transform into colonies — hosting nearly 30-40 pairs of birds and their nests! We zoom into the daily family drama of the Eurasian spoonbills as they build nests, mate, give birth and raise chicks.
Eat, Prey, Love: Lake-side Romance of a Common Kingfisher
The spring has finally arrived in Bharatpur — the perfect weather for the common kingfisher to look for a mate. But winning a female’s heart is not easy. Will a freshly-caught, fishy treat do the trick?
Troubled Waters: Why Bharatpur’s Wetlands Need our Attention
Keoladeo Ghana National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, has been a birdwatcher’s paradise. Every winter, the wetland hosts migratory birds from across the world. Unfortunately, the wetland is facing recurring droughts. Watch the film to find out why.
Behind the Lens with Abhinandan Sharma: Why He Shares a Special Bond with Bharatpur
Growing up, Abhinandan Sharma watched his father and grandfather document the extraordinary wildlife of Bharatpur, or Keoladeo National Park. This time around, watch him train his lens on the incredible wetland.
The Endangered Bengal Florican and Koklabari's Fields of Hope
Every monsoon, the critically endangered Bengal florican leaves the protected grasslands of Manas National Park to move into the adjacent human-dominated agricultural farms of Koklabari. Why does it make this unlikely move?
Dirty Dancing: Malabar Pied Hornbills and their Winter Dust Spa
Malabar pied hornbills, like all birds, must keep their feathers in pristine condition. After all, their survival depends on it. Watch them wriggle and roll in the dust for a perfect clean-up.
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
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
The Year That Was: Behind the Scenes with Roundglass Sustain
What goes on behind the scenes on our journey of discovering India’s precious wild world. Watch some of India’s leading photographers, film makers and team Sustain share their raison d'être. Here are some wild moments as we bid adieu to 2021.
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.
Sunil Harsana: The Guardian of Mangar Bani, Delhi-NCR's Sacred Grove
Fighting for the last remaining green lungs of the Delhi-NCR comes at a price, and local conservationist Sunil Harsana knows that. Mangar Bani is a 250-hectare forest on the Delhi-Haryana border untouched by time but protecting it against the market forces of an ambitious city takes more than just courage. It takes deep love and passion for the wild
"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.
When a Filmmaker-Duo Caught a "Silent" Salamander Speaking
The Himalayan salamander was thought to be a silent species, until filmmakers, Ajay and Vijay Bedi accidentally recorded it calling during one of their shoots. The Bedi brothers take us on a quest to uncover the secrets of the recently-discovered amphibian and talk about how the chance recording led to scientific discovery.
Feast and Frolic: Winter Party of the Demoiselle Cranes
A party of charming guests has travelled hundreds of kilometres to spend their winters in Rajasthan. Watch them enjoy a feast, cool off by the lakes, charm a mate and shake a leg! Welcome to a virtual party with the demoiselle cranes
Home Affairs: The Cacophonous Colonies of Painted Storks
Raising a family is no piece of cake, and the painted storks know that. The young need food, the nest needs repair, and nosy neighbours must be kept away. Welcome to the noisy neighbourhood of the painted storks
Phoenix of the Northeast: Once Hunted, Amur Falcons are Now Welcomed and Celebrated
In 2012, thousands of migratory Amur falcons were hunted in the Pangti village of Nagaland in a single day. But the acute crisis gave birth to one of India's most inspiring bird conservation stories, turning former hunters into guardians and inspiring several villages across the region to celebrate the arrival of these winter guests
#BehindtheLens with Mandakini Malla: Two Decades of Filming Panna
Filmmaker Mandakini Malla has spent over two decades capturing the many moods of Panna Tiger Reserve. She talks about how unchecked tourism can mean trouble for its wildlife, and why despite all the challenges this Central Indian forest will always be close to her heart
Why Vultures of Panna May Lose their Cliff-Side Homes
For thousands of years, hundreds of vultures have built nests on the steep, ancient gorges of Panna, but new developments stand to submerge these landscapes. If the plan goes through, will the vultures return to nest?
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?
Galathea Bay: Will the World's Largest Sea Turtle Return to Nest in India?
Isolated from the mainland, the world’s largest turtles, the leatherbacks have nested along Galathea bay's pristine coast for millions of years. However, in January 2021 the protected status of the sanctuary was canceled for the construction of a transshipment port. If the development of the port goes through, will the turtles return?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
The Land of Naga Bana
Herpetologist Gowri Shankar, who has spent a lifetime studying and protecting the king cobra, demystifies the remarkable relationship between serpent and human
A Family Affair: How Elephants Build Intimate Social Relationships
For elephants, it's all about keeping the family together. They gently raise the young, help those in need, play with each other and even share grief
After Dark: The Nightlife of the Nocturnal Nightjar
In the dead of the night, as the forest grows darker and quieter, the nightjar wakes up — to hunt, to mate and to sing a few late-night blues
Why the World’s Smallest Crane Flocks to a Dusty Village in Rajasthan
How one man's effort to feed 8O-odd migratory demoiselle cranes, attracted thousands and gave birth to one of Rajasthan's most famous bird sanctuaries. Welcome to Kheechan's annual bird feast — a party with the demoiselle cranes
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?
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”?
Black Magic: Common Coots and their Vacation in Rajasthan’s Wetlands
Every winter, flocks of common coots migrate from Russia, China and Central Asia to vacation in Rajasthan’s urban wetlands. But life in the city is getting trickier. Are the coots trying to send us a message?
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?
Home Affairs: The Great Crested Grebes Build a Nest
Every winter morning, Rajasthan's Menar lake teems with thousands of migratory guests. But today, there’s a new development in the neighbourhood. A pair of great crested grebes have just turned proud parents
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
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
A Dog-Faced Water Snake’s Murky Life
Is it a dog? Is it a snake? Meet the dog-faced water snake. This unique snake gets its name from its compressed snout, which helps it survive in slush and salt. Watch this film of the nocturnal wanderer of the mangroves
Stranger than Fiction: The Inscrutable Mind of the Genius Octopus
An octopus is a crafty shape shifter. In the blink of an eye, it can change colour, texture, pattern, and shape to blend in with its surroundings
The Dark Knights: How Hyenas Protect our Ecosystems
Hyenas feed on rotting carcasses, and never leave decaying matter around to spread disease. These misunderstood scavengers are crucial to the health of Saswad’s grasslands
Leopards of Saswad: On the Edge of a Concrete Jungle
Wolves have ruled the Saswad grasslands for years, but recently an uninvited guest has taken over– the leopard. Now, the city threatens to take over these grasslands. Will the leopard survive the onslaught of the urban?
A Reign at Risk: The Indian Grey Wolf and the Grasslands of Saswad
The Indian grey wolf is the apex predator of Saswad's grasslands, but defending its territory is not easy. It must chase away hyenas and aggressive packs of dogs. And now, a new challenger has shown up. Can the grey ghost of the grasslands retain its dominance?
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
Junk Food: Why Migratory Gulls are Snacking on the Gujarati Gathiya
Every winter, gulls travel from faraway lands like Siberia and Alaska to warmer regions of India. In parts of Gujarat, they are getting hooked to a local fried snack — the gathiya
The Khur of Kutch: The Indian Wild Ass and its Last Home
The Indian wild ass once sprinted across India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran. But today, the Little Rann of Kutch is its last remaining refuge
Harriers: The Winter Guests of Velavadar
Every winter, harriers fly thousands of miles from northern Central Asia to reach the grasslands of Saurashtra. Gujarat's Velavadar is India's largest roosting ground for these handsome birds of prey
A Study in Pink: The Flamboyant Flamingos of Kutch
Every monsoon, the sea gushes into Kutch transforming the parched flatland into an oasis, ready to welcome its most flamboyant guests — greater and lesser flamingos
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
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
Love thy Neighbour: The Villagers of Paddapukur and the Fishing Cat
In Paddapukur, a small village in West Bengal, fishermen and farmers are finding harmonious ways of living with their fellow fish-loving neighbour — the endangered fishing cat
Feared, Loved, Worshipped: The Enigma of the Sundarbans Tiger
The Sundarbans is the single largest habitat of the tiger in Asia and the only mangrove forest in the world to shelter it. Watch how it rules the tidal forests, and the lives of the 4.5 million people who share its habitat
Lost and Found: A Quest to Revive the Rare Batagur Baska
How a breeding programme in the Sundarbans is bringing the critically endangered batagur baska back from the brink of extinction
The Mud Pack: Love, Life, and Strife in the Sundarbans
The Sundarbans mudflats are rife with tiny evolutionary curiosities that come alive with the waning tide — watch a battle in the muck, and the fine seduction of a fiddler crab
Filming Sundarbans: Behind the Lens with Ashwika Kapur
How do you shoot a tidal forest that is impenetrable by foot, routinely faces deadly storms, and is ruled by a stealthy predator? Ashwika Kapur tells us why filming in the Sundarbans is both a dream, and a nightmare
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
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
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
Songs of Love: Sarus Cranes’ Lifelong Romance
Sarus cranes are sentient beings — they pair for life, feel emotions like humans do, and express love with great tenderness
Tidal Tales: The Undercover World of Coringa
Hidden beneath the deceptively still and silent mangrove cover is a universe shaped by tides — once the waters recede, a whole new world unfurls
Spot-tailed Pit Viper: The Covert Operator of Coringa
Behind the opaque mangrove curtain of Coringa, a covert operator waits, silently for days on end, for unsuspecting prey to show up. Meet the mangrove forest's ambush predator — the spot-tailed pit viper
Indian Skimmer: The Flame-billed Hunter of the Coast
Along the coast of Godavari, as the tide recedes, a bird with a flame-coloured scissor-like bill, scans the waters for prey. Meet the Indian skimmer
Fishing Cat: Secret Keeper of the Mangrove Forest
Hidden deep in the mangrove thickets of Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, is the elusive, nocturnal fishing cat — one that knows the secrets of land and water
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
Vultures: Scavengers of the Sky at Risk
Vultures are cleaners of our eco-system. Without them unattended carcasses would rot, pollute groundwater and spread diseases. But since the early 9Os, their populations have been plummeting. Are we doing enough to protect them?
Thar: The Secret Lives of a Harsh Desert
The dry and deceptively empty Thar desert has an incredible story to tell – of spectacular diversity, unusual creatures, and exemplary survival strategies
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
Great Indian Bustard’s Life on the Edge
Royalty of grasslands and scrublands, the majestic great Indian Bustard once flew across 11 states of the country. But today, fewer than 15O survive in the wild, with Rajasthan being one of its last bastions
Bishnois: Guardians of the Chinkaras
Meet the graceful chinkara that springs across the Thar. Also, meet its guardian angels — the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan, who watch over everything that thrives in the hot desert
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?
Sun and Sand: Spiny-Tailed Lizard’s Day Out
The sun is up in the Thar desert, and cold-blooded spiny-tailed lizards need to step out of their burrow to warm up. But hungry predators lurk just around the corner. Will the alert spiny get away?
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
Agile Mountaineer: The Treacherous Summit of the Ibex
Every winter, as heavy snow envelops the Himalayan mountains, the Ibex descends to the lower slopes in search of food. But the journey is long and arduous, and danger lurks at every bend
The Trotter of Ladakh’s Stark Mountains
The rocky Changthang plateau is a study in brown, and galloping along its stark landscape are herds of handsome, graceful and spirited, kiangs
The Ladakh Urial’s Life at the Edge
The urial has roamed the high mountains of Asia since the Ice Age, but recent climate changes, new developments, competition with livestock, and other shifts are testing its survival skills. Will this monarch of the mountains survive the challenges we throw at it?
The Fox Trot: The Bushy-tailed Red Fox Goes on a Hunt
Its winter and Ladakh is covered in a blanket of snow, with no signs of life around. But wait, what’s that? Something moves beneath the ground. Will the hungry fox catch its lunch?
All is Not Well with the Himalayan Marmot
These furry creatures are high-altitude champions and can survive through Ladakh's cold, harsh winters, on little food or oxygen. But a new trickier challenge has come their way — the insensitive tourist
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
The Himalayan Brown Bear’s Life in Snow
It has been a cold and harsh winter in the snow-clad mountains. As the snow melts, a very rare animal wakes up from its long slumber. Meet, one of the most elusive animals of the snow mountains — the Himalayan brown bear
Snow Leopard: The Ghost of the Brown Mountains
In the summers, the bare, endless mountains of Ladakh stretch as far as the eye can see. But hiding in plain sight, along its rugged, rocky edges, is a feline mountain ghost
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
The Ultimate Survivor: The Swagger of the Bengal Monitor
The Bengal monitor lizard is an extraordinary survivor. It has roamed the planet for over 50 million years, battling storms, floods, droughts. Watch the scaly, cold-blooded predator swagger across India’s forests
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
Life Under Monsoon Clouds
Witness how the rains transform the pristine forests of Agumbe, which are increasingly facing the pressures of human encroachment
Grey Slender Loris: The Endearing Secret Creature of the Night Forest
As the sun sets, and the forest sleeps, a stealthy creature emerges from the shadows – meet the grey slender loris, the nocturnal primate of south India’s rainforests
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
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
A Monsoon Romance: Malabar Gliding Frog Looks for a Mate
“Tuck-tuck-tuck”. The monsoon has arrived and fresh out of hibernation, the Malabar gliding frog is calling out for a mate. Will he find a suitor?
The Flying Dragons of South India
Draco, also known as the southern flying lizard, is a master of disguise. But it has another astounding trick up its sleeve
Living With Elephants
In the last few decades, Assam has turned into the epicentre of human-elephant conflict, with deaths and severe damages on both sides. But not all hope is lost
Grazing, Lazing, Wallowing: The Good Life of the Wild Water Buffalo
Young wild water buffaloes form jaunty bachelor clans. They spend much of the dry season together, lazing around, grazing leisurely, and wading and wallowing in swamps, often submerged neck deep for very long periods.
The Smallest Pigs In the World Have the Best Homemaking Tips
Pygmy hogs make sophisticated nests in the ground, amidst tall, thick grasses. Nest building is a carefully engineered group effort that shelters them and protects them from predators
Stag Party: The Eastern Swamp Deer’s Bachelor Life
As the eastern swamp deer grow older, they form bachelor groups of about 1O to 15 individuals. The stag code is simple — hang out and graze to your heart's content
The Grotesque Elegance of the Greater Adjutant
The cleaners at the Boragaon garbage dump near Guwahati, get some help from an unlikely crew member, the greater adjutant
The Greater One-Horned Rhino Has its Own Scent Code
Rhinos use their sharp sense of smell to keep in touch with the clan. They spray urine to mark territory, and poop in the same spot for several months to let others know their status and to check if any females in the vicinity are ready to mate. Think of it as a smelly social network
The Return of Kaziranga’s Greater One-horned Rhinoceros
Rhino dung is a source of great knowledge. Scientists are creating a database of rhinoceros DNA, extracted from their massive dungheaps, to track populations, and use it as forensic evidence to catch poachers
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
A Lesson in Love: The Great Hornbill Charms a Mate
Wooing a female hornbill can take days, even weeks. After all, it's a big decision. Great hornbills are monogamous and even mate for life
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.
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
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