Country-level species conservation plans serve as a blueprint for identifying important areas, prioritizing management actions and judicious use of conservation funds. India is a biologically megadiverse country, yet many threatened and endangered species do not have science-based conservation plans. In a new study, scientists from Wildlife Conservation Society–India (WCS-India), University of Florida, Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) propose a detailed framework for conserving the endangered dhole in India using a combination of ecological, social, … Read More
A Species Recovery Plan for Jerdon’s Courser
Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) is a nocturnal cursorial bird found only in the State of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is one of the world’s rarest bird species and is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The species was believed to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1986 near Reddipalli village, Cuddapah District of Andhra Pradesh, India. The site where it was rediscovered was designated as the Sri Lankamaleswara Wildlife … Read More
Statement of Concern by Tiger Biologists on the WWF-GTF Report
On Sunday, April 10th, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Global Tiger Forum (GTF) issued a report stating that the world’s wild tiger population was on the rise, and on track for a doubling in a decade. We do not find this report1 and its implications scientifically convincing.
- Having devoted years of our lives to trying to understand and save wild tigers, we believe their conservation should be guided by the best possible science. Using flawed survey methodologies can
Army To Help Save Hangul or Kashmir Stag
The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI) will be collaborating with the Jammu and Kashmir Forest Department to help save the Kashmiri Stag (also know as Red deer or Hangul) in the Dachigam National Park. The stag is known for its reddish coat and two antlers. The state’s conservation program has seen the population increase from 172 in 2010 to 218 this year. The JKLI will work with the forest department to work out the modalities. The JKLI will also … Read More
India Starts Country Specific Conservation Red List
India has decided to start a country specific red list of endangered species. The IUCN’s red list is the reference point for conservationists all over the world. While India has 57 species listed in the IUCN list as endangered, information on many wild species is poor and listed as data insufficient. To fill this gap, two documents – “Red List of Indian Plants” and “Red list of Indian Animals” are to be released during the Convention on Biological Diversity to … Read More
Rhinos Adapting Well to Dudhwa National Park
A greater one-horned Rhinoceros cub was born about 10 days ago in Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh. The birth of the cub is seen as continuing success of a relocation program that began in 1984. The 27 sq km area within the park now has 31 rhinos, where there were only 7 to start with. The seed population came from Pobitora in Assam and Shulka Panta Reserve in Nepal. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List … Read More
Translocation of Swamp Deer Planned in Manas National Park
In accordance with suggestions given by UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee (WHC), the forest department is planning to increase the population of swamp deer in Manas National Park. Translocation of swamp deer from Kaziranga into Manas is planned as a three year project. Kaziranga has around 1200 swamp deer, whereas Manas has only 20. Eleven rhinos have been translocated from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary into Manas since 2008 and the translocation has been deemed successful.
The recovery plan has been prepared on … Read More
World Heritage Committee Defers UNESCO World Heritage Tag for Western Ghats
The World Heritage Committee (WHC) has deferred its decision to accord a World Heritage Site tag to the proposed 39 serial sites in the Western Ghats. This is the second time the Western Ghats has not been accorded the tag. The Union Environment Ministry is expected to try once more after Prof. Madhav Gadgil, who is heading the Western Ghats Expert Ecology Panel, submits his report on the 39 sites. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), acting as … Read More
Great Indian Bustard has been uplisted to Critically Endangered, the highest level of threat
One of the world’s largest species of bird is on the brink of extinction according to the 2011 IUCN Red List for birds, just released by BirdLife International. Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps has been uplisted to Critically Endangered, the highest level of threat. Hunting, disturbance, habitat loss and fragmentation have all conspired to reduce this magnificent species to perhaps as few as 250 individuals.… Read More
Jerdon’s Courser Species Recovery Plan Announced
One of the most threatened bird species in India; Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus) is endemic to the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Its extremely elusive and nocturnal behaviour makes it difficult to conserve this cursorial bird. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Birdlife International have classified this one of the world’s rarest bird species under Critically Endangered (CR) status.
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) along with the Royal Society for Protection of Birds (RSPB), Universities of … Read More
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