Butterflies of the Khangchendzonga Landscape – Part I: History of Research, and Documentation During the British Era.
Sailendra Dewan Himalaya Darpan | October 16, 2025 The article traces the rich historical legacy of butterfly studies in the Darjeeling–Sikkim region, Khangchendzonga Landscape, a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot. It highlights how British naturalists during the colonial period such as H.J. Elwes, O. Möller, L. de Nicéville, and C.M. Inglis pioneered the documentation and collection […]
A Village on a River Bank Shows How Community-led River Restoration Works [commentary]
Teresa Scholastica Thomas, Sanmadi K.R., I. Santhanamari, M. Mathivanan, M. Soubadra Devy Mongabay | October 13, 2025 Thirupudaimaruthur, on the banks of the river Thamirabarani in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, emerged as a model village for using a hyper-local approach for river restoration. Waste from rituals in temples are frequently discarded into Thamirabarani. Agricultural runoff […]
Small Things
Seena Narayanan Karimbumkara, Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan, Seshadri K.S. Sanctuary Nature Foundation | October 10, 2025 Seshadri K.S., Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan and Seena Narayanan Karimbumkara have published their articles in Sanctuary Asia’s cover story titled “Small Things”. Seshadri’s article, “A Glimmer of Hope: India’s Amphibian Discoveries”, explores the surge in amphibian species discoveries across India and […]
Ants as pests: an overlooked challenge in dragon fruit farming
Sahanashree Current Science | October 14, 2025 Ants are integral to agricultural ecosystems, playing roles that range from beneficial to detrimental, particularly in dragon fruit (Selenicereus spp.) cultivation. The present study examines the diversity of ant species associated with dragon fruit orchards, focusing on their ecological roles, pest behaviour, and impact on plant health and […]
In Search of Degraded Forests for Restoration [commentary]
Aditya Pradhan Mongabay | September 29, 2025 In Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya, restoration practitioners were faced with several challenges, like growing land-use changes for tourism, habitat fragmentation and a narrow window for plantation. In this region, restoration is not a matter of digging pits and planting saplings. It is a deeply layered process, one that unfolds across […]
Exotic Flavors and Unseen Allies: Supporting Pollinators for Evolving Urban Diets
Chethana V Casiker, Sunil GM, Pavan K Naik, M Soubadra Devy Down to Earth | August 29, 2025 The rise of exotic foods in Bengaluru reflects a global trend in urban diets, driven by accessibility and health awareness. However, this shift poses ecological challenges, as many exotic crops depend on pollinators, which are declining due […]
Advancing Butterfly Documentation and Conservation Through Citizen Science in the Sikkim Himalaya
Rohit George , Pema Yangden , Sailendra Dewan PANDA | September 25, 2025 In recent years, alarming decline in i n s e c t p o p u l a ti o n , i n c l u d i n g butterflies, have raised urgent conservation concerns worldwide. Studies reveal that approximately […]
Malabar Whistling Thrush: The Lonely Schoolboy
Priya Ranganathan Round Glass Sustain | September 25, 2025 My feet set off a rippling motion as I enter the forest stream. The soft gurgling of the water mingles with the crik-crik-crik of the tiny night frogs that hop frantically out of my path. A hesitant hooting call has me twisting my neck to spot […]
Fishy Invaders: Think Before You Dump Them!
Nobin Raja Deccan Herald | September 13, 2025 A fish once released in a seemingly harmless act has now become a formidable ecological and economic menace. This problem is not limited to large fish like suckerfish; even small aquarium fish such as guppies and goldfish, often dumped when owners can no longer care for them, […]
Ultramarine Flycatcher: Feathered Friend on an Urban Campus
Siddhi Kulange Roundglass Sustain | September 10, 2025 “Ping!” my phone went, sounding a notification. “Saw the ultramarine flycatcher on the campus again this year”, the sender said, bringing back memories of the previous year’s unforgettable sighting. It was a fine January morning in 2023 when a bunch of us members of the Fergusson College […]
