They scale forested hills, scamper down steep rocky slopes, slip over wet rocks, grasp tree trunks to regain their balance, and continue their patrol. India’s forest guards trudge through treacherous terrain while out on patrol duty. And that’s not all, … Read More
Like a mythical pale-and-smooth-skinned danseuse, with many arms outstretched, frozen in a mudra, is a tree that stands out against the scaly, warty and fissured barks of the brown-skinned denizens of India’s deciduous forests. It is stark, and striking, and … Read More
When we talk about Protected Areas, what comes to your mind? For most people, it is India’s jungles that support innumerable protected species of wildlife, such as tigers, elephants, rhinos, pangolins, bears, owls, butterflies, and orchids. Sadly, many people are … Read More
As citizens, many of us have a genuine concern for the environment. But what can we do to contribute towards the conservation of wildlife and its habitats, and a healthier, pollution-free environment? This is a question that many of us … Read More
Twenty-seven kilometres a day. We aren’t talking travel, but the pace at which roads are being built in India. Though the rate is the highest that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has achieved till date, its ‘ambitious target’ … Read More
Tigers and deer, forests and rivers, water and people: We’re all in it together! Conserving forests for charismatic umbrella species like big cats helps preserve the riches of fully-functioning ecosystems, on which, like all terrestrial species, humans also depend. Degradation … Read More
Across their ranges in India, tigers, lions and leopards suffer from loss of wild prey due to the poaching of herbivores for bushmeat and trade. As wild prey gets scarce, big cats are forced to disperse into human-dominated areas and … Read More
With the relentless surge of humanity, forests that are home to India’s big cats increasingly appear as shrinking, embattled islands when viewed from a high vantage point. Fuelwood collection, man-made fires, grazing and encroachments are the key drivers of forest … Read More
WCT President Dr. Anish Andheria, a trained large carnivore biologist, minces no words when it comes to the anthropogenic threats that are pushing the tiger, the most charismatic big cat, to the brink. In honour of Wildlife Week, let’s … Read More
Poaching of big cats has evolved over the years. While traditional tools such as jaw-traps, spears and guns are still used by poachers, they are being rapidly replaced by silent killing mechanisms such as poisoning (in the name of retaliation) … Read More
Law enforcement is one of the biggest challenges in protecting big cats. The conviction rate for wildlife crimes, which is barely 5% across the country, throws light on the lacunae in investigation, documentation, and prosecution; and explains why law has … Read More
The Asian medicine and luxury markets’ demand for animal body parts drives the poaching of big cats across their ranges. Tigers and leopards are killed for their skin, bones, brain, penis, testes, whiskers, skin and claws. Almost every part … Read More
India is home to three of the most charismatic big cats – the Bengal Tiger, the Asiatic Lion and the Indian Leopard. Tigers are found virtually throughout the country, except Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, the Lakshadweep Islands, and … Read More
A freshly washed-ashore specimen of Porpita porpita is a thing to behold, before it is smothered by tar balls, plastic and other trash (see second picture) on city beaches. Porpita porpita is surely among the prettiest of marine creatures you … Read More
The tiny, 6mm long flowers of Water Willow Justicia procumbens sport markings that serve as nectar guides to pollinators. “Thy centuries follow each other perfecting a small wild flower,” wrote the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore in his poem Endless Time. … Read More