Nature educator
Meet an Educator is a monthly series by Early Bird that features the work of educators across India who are actively spreading the joy of birds and nature. This month’s featured educator is Thanigaivel Annamalai, an environmental researcher with ATREE who aims to bridge the gap between science and people.
Enough water for 3-4 months for Bengaluru, says BWSSB; experts call for long-term measures
As the erratic southwest monsoon continues in Karnataka for the second consecutive month, Bengaluru continues to reel under a dry spell. According to the cumulative rainfall data for the city from June 1 to July 9, Bengaluru Urban has recorded a -35% departure from normal, while South Interior Karnataka recorded -24%. The scenario has raised […]
Illegal Lotus Farming Threatens Thamirabarani Wetlands
The Thamirabarani irrigation system, one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest water management networks, supports agriculture, drinking water, fisheries and livelihoods through a vast chain of canals and tanks. While the water resources department (WRD) leases many tanks for fish culture, leaseholders in several locations have illegally begun cultivating lotus for commercial sale, in violation of lease […]
India’s Worsening Fire Seasons
For nearly a century, Uttarakhand’s Van Panchayats have managed community forests, regulating grazing, protecting forest resources and helping prevent fires. For communities that depend on forests for fodder, fuelwood, and water, protecting the landscape has never been solely an environmental concern but a matter of livelihood. A report submitted to the Uttarakhand High Court earlier […]
Environmentalists Call for Protection of Biodiversity-rich Perungulam Tank
Criticising the usage of chemical fertilizer in the waterbodies to boost lotus cultivation, M. Mathivanan, a senior research associate from ATREE, says such practices further deteriorate the water quality. Perungulam tank serves as a major habitat for migratory ducks and the spread of lotus plants across the waterbody has reduced the availability of open-water habitats […]
Retracing Paths: Mapping to rebuild relationships of coexistence
A deep dive into ATREE’s effort that is converging knowledge systems – traditional wisdom, satellite data and state records – to support forest-dwelling communities reclaim rights and their identity
Experts Flag Ecological, Privacy Concerns Over Drone Deployment for Wildlife Monitoring
“Relatively few studies have examined how drones affect wildlife behaviour. Available research indicates that the high-pitched sound of drones, which mimics that of bees and wasps, causes annoyance and disrupts these insects’ regular movements. There are instances of them attacking drones,” says Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan
Kingmakers: Meet the Insects that Make India’s Famed Mangoes
Dr. Devy said monoculture farms that prevail in rural areas are more prone to pest attacks, and hence suffer higher pollinator loss as well. However, she also said she sees hope in bee-safe pesticides and in farmers timing their sprays to avoid peak pollinator activity — practices already in use in several western countries.
Two New Microscopic Snail Species Discovered In Meghalaya’s Limestone Caves
Scientists have discovered two new species of microscopic, vividly coloured snails in Meghalaya’s limestone caves, officials said on Wednesday. The finding sheds light on the region’s largely unexplored underground ecosystems, even as experts warn of threats from mining and increasing tourist activity, they said.
Village Documents 600 Species Through a Community-led Survey
Kiraksal, a hilly village in the drought-prone region in Maharashtra, has documented 606 species, including the Indian wolf and striped hyena. The project used camera trap experiments to document wildlife and conducted GIS mapping of five-year data to ascertain land use patterns. Through the support of the gram panchayat and the forest department, this village […]
