(September 22, 2023) It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the untimely demise of Jayachandran S, a cherished member of our WCS-India family. Jayachandran made significant contributions to our Livelihood Support Programme and wholeheartedly devoted himself to conservation initiatives in the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and the Nilgiris landscape in Tamil Nadu. In this difficult time, we extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to Jayachandran's family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. ...

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(September 22, 2023) Centre identifies 62 new elephant corridors; total now 150 | Down To Earth The central government's latest elephant corridor report reveals a 40% increase in elephant corridors, with a total of 150 corridors identified across 15 elephant range states in India. The increase in corridors reflects expanding ranges, but habitat modifications have led to decreased use in some corridors, calling for restoration efforts. Read more here. Studies on India's marine biodiversity by CMFRI...

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(September 08, 2023) India needs a single, comprehensive policy to tackle invasive species: Ankila Hiremath | Down to Earth Invasive alien species are a significant driver of biodiversity loss globally. Ankila Hiremath, a plant ecologist, discusses the history and impact of invasive species. She emphasizes the need for mitigation rather than restoration to a pre-invasion state. In the context of India, Hiremath notes that efforts to address invasive species have been more reactive than proactive and calls for com...

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(September 01, 2023) 172 incidents of seizures of red sand boa recorded from 2016 to 2021: WCS-India report | The Hindu A report by WCS-India reveals 172 incidents of illegal red sand boa trade in India from 2016 to 2021. The red sand boa is now acknowledged as one of the most traded reptile species due to its demand in the pet trade, as well as for use in black magic. Most incidents of trade were documented in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Social media, especially YouTube, plays a role in facilitating the illeg...

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(September 01, 2023) Dr. Aaron Savio Lobo, Senior Technical Advisor of our Marine Programme, recently participated in a Policy Lab on "Integrating Equity and Reframing Urban Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in South Asian Cities.” held in Colombo on the 21-23 Aug. Participants came from major South Asian cities and included a diverse set of backgrounds including academics and practitioners from urban planners, architects, ecologists, govt. and NGO´s.  Dr. Lobo facilitated a group discussion ...

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(August 31, 2023) The report, compiled by the Counter Wildlife Trafficking team at Wildlife Conservation Society-India, attempts to document and understand the illegal trade in red sand boas (Eryx johnii) in India using information collected from media articles on seizures. The report uses 172 red sand boa seizure incidents between 2016- 2021, which were reported in online media articles, to map and understand the trade. The report also has a partial ‘Crime Script’ that examines the different stages o...

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(August 25, 2023) Conservationists fear elevated corridor over Bannerghatta National Park will harm wildlife | The Hindu The State Wildlife Board's approval of an elevated corridor through Bannerghatta National Park has raised concerns among conservationists due to its potential disruption of elephant habitat and exacerbation of conflicts. The corridor's construction over several years is anticipated to disturb the landscape and escalate existing conflicts, prompting calls for informed mitigation measu...

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(August 18, 2023) As Sundarbans Nears Tiger Carrying Capacity, Indian Authorities Want Cooperation With Bangladesh | The Wire A report by the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India estimates that the population density of tigers in the Sundarbans has reached 4.27 per 100 sq km – against the estimated carrying capacity of 4.68. Tigers may have to move into parts of the Sundarbans that fall under Bangladesh and require a cooperation between the two countries for succ...

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(August 07, 2023) The silent trade of elusive small cats in Mizoram | Mongabay A study focusing on illegal trade in rare small cat species along the Indo-Myanmar border found that as regulations on trading body parts of big cats like tigers and leopards have tightened, smaller felid species like clouded leopards, Asiatic golden cats, and marbled cats have been increasingly targeted. Efforts to combat this include raising awareness among communities and promoting alternative livelihoods to reduce hunt...

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(July 28, 2023) Despite Criticism, Forest Conservation Amendment Bill Gets JPC Nod | The Wire The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill clears all changes proposed to the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 despite heavy criticism from scientists, conservationists, and activists. Its implementation will open large tracts of forest land to different kinds of land use changes, including developmental activities such as tourism, without the need for forest clearances.  Read more here. High Court dir...

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