Why India needs stable urban forests | The Hindu
Urban forests play a vital role in mitigating pollution, climate change, and urban heat, while supporting biodiversity and public well-being. Rapid urbanisation threatens these green spaces, as seen in Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli, prompting judicial intervention. The Nagar Van Yojana aims to establish 1,000 urban forests by 2027 to restore ecological balance in cities.
Asiatic lion population in Gujarat rises from 674 to 891 in 5 years; spreading beyond traditional habitats | Down to Earth
The Asiatic lion population in Gujarat has risen from 674 to 891 over five years, with 507 lions now living outside Gir National Park. The 2025 census covered 35,000 sq km across 11 districts, using advanced tracking methods. Officials highlighted that with the lions’ expanding range and adaptability there is a need for broader conservation strategies.
Inside the human-bear conflict in northern India | Mongabay
Since 2000, over 2,300 bear attacks have been recorded in northern India as Asiatic black bears increasingly enter human-dominated areas in search of food. Habitat changes, reduced forest resources, and human waste attract bears to orchards and settlements. Wildlife officials are conducting rescues and raising community awareness, while researchers are documenting conflict zones and exploring mitigation strategies.
Karnataka to geo-tag visiting olive ridley turtles | The New Indian Express
Karnataka will geo-tag olive ridley turtles visiting its coast to monitor their movement and nesting patterns, becoming the second Indian state to do so after Maharashtra. The initiative aims to address declining nesting due to coastal erosion and human interventions, while enhancing conservation efforts through inter-state coordination and local community involvement.
Live baiting: Why ‘misplaced kindness’ is becoming a problem for tigers in India | The Indian Express
Live baiting of wild tigers, though officially discouraged, continues in some Indian reserves under the guise of care, leading to dangerous habituation and human-wildlife conflict. Experts warn that such interventions undermine natural processes, compromise tiger behaviour, and escalate risks to both tigers and people.
India raises alarm as Himalayan glaciers melt, calls for greater regional cooperation | The Economic Times
At the Sagarmatha Sambaad in Kathmandu, India urged greater regional cooperation to address accelerating glacier melt and climate impacts in the Himalayas. It criticised developed nations for failing on climate finance commitments and highlighted national efforts, including a Himalayan mission, adaptation plan, and a snow leopard population assessment. India also called for joint conservation under the International Big Cat Alliance.