(June 29, 2018) Grasslands stretching far and wide till the eye can see; Koppal, a district in Karnataka is blessed with a varied set of landscapes from rocky outcrops to grasslands - these habitats play home to some of the most elusive wildlife species in India.The Indian grey wolf, striped hyenas, jungle cats, rusty spotted cats, leopards, blackbucks, jackals, foxes are some of the species spotted in this widespread landscape.Despite the rich biodiversity, Koppal isn’t a protected area. Through the gene...

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(June 15, 2018) Wild Seve, a novel initiative set up to speed up and ensure compensation reaches the affected families, is helping bring some amount of harmony amidst human wildlife conflicts.Chennegowda leads the way through a narrow, labyrinthine path that winds and curls past little houses with gardens and backyards. Every time it looks as though you have reached the destination, the path veers capriciously to the left or right, opening up more homes, more gardens and backyards.  The houses are neat, wi...

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(June 12, 2018) A unique relocation package in Kudremukh National Park came with its own set of challenges.His teeth all stained with the constant chewing of betel leaf and areca nut, hair grey at a relatively young age, and a vast amount of information that he displays as he talks, the 40-something Sudhakar Shetty from the Kerekatte enclosure in Kudremukh National Park is one person who will give you different reasons for moving out of the park.Sudhakar Shetty in his new house © Manish Machaiah/WCS IndiaB...

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(June 05, 2018) On World Environment Day, can we pause a bit to explore ways in which natural habitats can be conserved without negative impacts on any species?Cheetal herd in Ammavayal land after the people moved out. ©Arul BadushaVast stretches of fallow land, deep in the forest, where paddy was once grown, have now turned pastures for cheetal, sambar and few wild pig. Congregating in large numbers they bask in the evening sun. It has been four years since the humans left this stretch of the forest in Am...

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(June 01, 2018) Fallow land in Koppal, North Karnataka ©Meghana SankaYellowing grass lines the roads, extending into the horizon, and far away a curious face appears – one blackbuck, joined by others, looks up to see why we are visiting them. Assured we mean no harm, they resume their jumping.These grasslands often categorized as “wastelands”, are home to a wide number of species; both herbivores and carnivores. Blackbucks, striped hyenas, sloth bears, leopards, civet cats, rusty spotted ...

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