(January 21, 2020) The 21st of January each year is observed worldwide as Squirrel Appreciation Day. On this occasion,  Sumashini P. S., a research fellow with Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, pens down some of her memorable encounters with flying squirrels in various parts of India. Read her blog to know more about the superheroes of the squirrel world.It was sometime in late January 2018. We seized a weekend to make a quick visit to Chakrata, from Dehra...

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(January 17, 2020) It’s all in a day’s work for Satovisha Samajder, now DFO Balod: searching for illegal timber kingpins, reclaiming encroached land in reserved forest areas, handling human-bear conflict situations, finding workable alternatives to problems, and developing, educating and employing tribals. The Divisional Forest Officer in Chattisgarh stays undeterred by challenges, considering them to be part of her job. She has even earned recognition from the UN for making Durg in Chattisgarh an open...

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(January 10, 2020) A safari is an opportunity to sight wild animals, gain insights into their world, understand them and glory in their existence. It’s also a time when you must tone down, be considerate and not disturb them or the visitors who have come to see them. Deeksha, a wildlife enthusiast, recalls a safari where an insensitive group created a din, ruining the novel experience of a sighting a tiger for everyone with their boorish behavior.It was 5 in the morning when I woke up to my father requesting...

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(January 03, 2020) Her positive attitude and ability to work hard helped young forest officer, Sudha Ramen, to revive Chennai’s Otteri lake in Vandalur Zoo. The dying lake had once attracted thousands of migratory birds. Now it was all dried up. Sudha took up the challenge, and in less than a year, much has changed. The lake is full. The birds are back. Sudha, a bio-medical engineer by training and an ex-techie who chose to switch to forest services, even developed an app that won her the Dr. Kalam Innovatio...

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