Koppal will change your idea of wildlife conservation, semi-arid landscape emerges as key refuge, study urges rethink of ‘wasteland’ classification
Open natural ecosystems, low-intensity rainfed farming and pastoralism have been key to sustaining species such as striped hyena, sloth bear, blackbuck, and Indian Grey Wolf
India’s controversial bid to reintroduce cheetahs
This is a land grab in the name of conservation, Nitin Rai, a fellow at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, told the outlet. Pointing to past conflict between state-led conservation efforts for tigers and the land rights of Indigenous communities, Rai said that “the cheetah, like the tiger, is being […]
What’s Ailing India’s Green Credit Programme?
“Nearly all GCP sites are on potential Community Forest Rights lands. The risk of communities losing their right over forests increases under GCP,” said Gautam Aredath, a policy analyst at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)’s CFR Central India Initiative
For project in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli, trees set to be planted 1,000 km away — on already forested land
“The idea that destruction of a single contiguous 937-hectare patch of dense forest can be offset by 23 fragmented patches in a completely different ecological zone is untenable,” said Sharachchandra Lele, distinguished fellow at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment. “The FAC itself notes that a majority of the land already […]
The Forgotten Wilderness: Indian Grasslands
Across the vast sweep of the Indian subcontinent lies a landscape long misunderstood, frequently dismissed, and quietly vanishing – grasslands. To the untrained eye they may appear empty, even barren, especially when compared with forests clothed in towering trees or wetlands alive with shimmering waters and aquatic and semi-aquatic life.
What does India’s new Paris Agreement pledge mean for climate action?
Dr Sharad Lele, professor of environmental policy and governance at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, tells Carbon Brief that the increase in India’s forest NDC target is “concerning” for several reasons.
These four women are helping their communities conserve freshwater
Rising Temperatures Begin to Reshape Behaviour of Plants and Wildlife Across India, Say Scientists
Unusually high temperatures across India are disrupting the natural cycles of plants and wildlife Scientists report early flowering, delayed bird nesting and altered behaviour among amphibians and reptiles Ecologists warn that seasonal mismatches between species could have long-term impacts on ecosystems Heat stress, drying water bodies and early forest fires are compounding the risks for […]
Invasive Trees, Roaming Dogs, and the Fragile Balance of Thar’s Desert Predators
“For example, mesquite can alter grasslands and convert them into woody-dominated states, and thus favour generalist species. Species (of rodents) such as Rattus are more commonly found in mesquite thickets compared to open grassland specialists such as Millardia. Habitat structure driven by invasive species, and the associated differences in predation risk, microclimate and food availability, […]
Tamil Nadu: Rare Little Stint Arrive in Thoothukudi, Environmentalists Flag Habitat Loss of Migratory Birds
“Every winter, lots of migratory birds travel from Europe to India to overcome the climatic conditions and for the food resources. So here we are seeing the little stint. They are coming from Europe to India every winter in large numbers. They prefer seashore areas, especially the sulfans, mangroves and other seashore areas, where we […]
