Humans and elephants have been co-existing for thousands of years. The respect that humans bestowed towards the elephants can be seen through the rock paintings at Bhimbetka, seals and inscriptions of Harappa , rock carvings and sculptures at various ancient Indian temples and importantly on the Lion Capital at Sarnath- which is now the emblem […]
How can we solve human elephant conflict? Read More »
Can nature be preserved and respected without anthropogenic disturbances, an interpretation promoted by the passionate environmentalist John Muir; or should it be used as “the better benefit for the biggest number of people, for a long time” as the radical environmentalist Gifford Pinchot places it in the nineteenth century? Conservation and preservation are linked closely
The world famous Red sandalwood (Pterocarpous santalinus) is endemic to India. It can only be found in southern parts of Eastern ghats. It is small tropical tree and source of sandalwood oil found in Sheshachalam forest of Andhra Pradesh. India contributes around 90%of the total red sandalwood production in the world. It is considered as
Pushpa exposes the true plight of Red Sandalwood Timber Read More »
One hundred and thirteen years after the last genuine record, the Forest Owlet, Athene blewitti, has been rediscovered in low foothills dry-deciduous forest north of Shahada in Maharashtra, India. This augurs well for the conservation of the species. The town of Shahada is in the Tapi (Tapti) River Valley at about 150 m elevation. This
Saving the Endangered Forest Owlet Read More »
We all know that, Earth is the only planet with variety of diversities. To sustain this healthy diverse ecosystem there must be a balance among the nature and humans. Primarily because of human activities the condition of earth is corrupted. Humans have left no stone unturned to deteriorate the condition and due to which the
What are some of the main threats to wildlife? Read More »
That was a rainy morning on a day in August 2008, my father was busy plucking a flower from our garden in front of my home which is in the remote village of Honnavara taluk of Uttara Kannada, in the mysterious Western Ghats. Suddenly he spotted green vine snake not one, not two but it
Where is my Green Vine Snake? Read More »
Amongst one of the widely worshipped deities in India, Lord Ganesha is an epitome of the link humans share with elephants. Elephants were and still are connected to divinity -enhancing a sense of deep respect towards them from amongst the masses. These huge pachyderms symbolize strength, unity and care. However, even though cared for and
What are the causes of human elephant conflict in India? Read More »
A teenage boy caught me by surprise while I was humming away at a traffic light. He had a bamboo basket in one hand, hiding a snake, and the other hand outstretched towards me for alms. Laying out his palms for money, he pulled out a bamboo basket with his other hand. Evidently, he had
Death away from home – The Ugly Side of Snake Charming Read More »
Situated 80 km from Dehradun, is a village called Bangseel, in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand. A young boy from this village, had a certain passion and love for nature, which could even eclipse that of renowned naturalists and ecologists. A boy of the village, but a man of nature, Arun Gour established the
Son of Nature – Establishing a Conservation NGO Read More »
With the emancipation of the dinosaurs across the world in the 2018 sci-fi film Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, a big question of their co-existence with humans is raised at the end of the film. Well, in their sci-fi world, the sequel will provide the answer but, we humans have been co-existing with the dinosaurs’ relatives:
The Hidden World of India’s Reptiles Read More »