(January 25, 2024) Gangetic dolphin rescued in Odisha, may be indicator of more freshwater dolphins in river | Down to Earth In Odisha's Balasore district, a rare Gangetic dolphin was rescued by forest officials after being caught in fishing nets. The dolphin, blind by birth, is a critically endangered species slated for release into the Budhabalang river, suggesting the potential presence of more freshwater dolphins. This incident underscores the need for conservation efforts like 'Project Gangetic Dol...

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(January 23, 2024) The Counter Wildlife Trafficking programme of WCS-India, in collaboration with the Goa State Biodiversity Board, conducted a one-day workshop on the topic ‘Understanding the acceptance of alternatives to Bengal Monitor Lizard skins for use in Ghumats by artisans and players of Ghumats in Goa’ on 17th, November 2023. Over 64 participants from diverse backgrounds participated, including artisans, ghumat makers, music stalwarts, and officials from the Directorate of Art & Cul...

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(January 19, 2024) Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival gears up for its 9th Edition | Down to Earth The 9th Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival in Arunachal Pradesh, from January 18-20, highlights hornbill conservation by celebrating the Nyishi community's shift from hunters to conservationists. This year's theme, "Domutoh Domutoh, Paga hum Domutoh" in Nyishi language, emphasises the critical need to conserve hornbills. The festival features activities like bird-watching, cultural ...

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(January 12, 2024) T.N. tests five survey methods in pilot study of Nilgiri Tahr population estimation | The Hindu The Tamil Nadu government conducted a pilot study to estimate the Nilgiri Tahr population using five survey methods in a conservation project launched by CM Stalin. The preliminary results suggest the drone survey method is promising, overcoming challenges, but mist conditions are a limitation. The final survey method will be chosen after statistical analysis, aiming to understand Tahr distribution...

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(January 05, 2024) India gears to use eDNA to identify, track wildlife | Mongabay The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) is pioneering the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to assess biodiversity, offering a promising tool for measuring wildlife, studying flora and fauna, and identifying hard-to-find species. This innovative approach also holds potential for providing crucial data on invasive alien species in India, with ZSI initiating a pilot project to explore the applications of eDNA in wildlife monit...

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