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Time of India
4 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Goa nears 500 bird species mark in 2025 checklist, almost 40% of India's total
Panaji: Goa's bird checklist now records 497 species, highlighting the state's exceptional avian diversity—nearly 40% of India's total—in just 3,702 sq km. The 2025 update adds eight new bird species to the list. 'Five of the eight newly added species are seabirds, of which the short-tailed shearwater and white-tailed tropicbird were documented through the Marine Stranding Network,' said Dr Pronoy Baidya, scientist and head, research and consultancy division, Arannya Environment Research Organisation, Morlem, Sattari. The information was published in the seventh version of the Goa bird checklist in Indian Birds Journal, authored by Baidya and treasurer of the Goa Bird Conservation Network (GBCN), Mandar Bhagat. 'The taxonomic updates follow the 2025 guidelines established by experts, Praveen J and Dr Rajah Jayapal, in their annual revision of Indian bird classifications,' Baidya told TOI . One of the most interesting documentations of this year was that of the African openbill's altered movement patterns. 'Initially reported by Aparna Laad from Majorda in 2021, the African openbill remained in scientific limbo for four years. It was classified as having 'unknown origin' until a subsequent sighting in Kerala in 2023 prompted scholarly reassessment,' Baidya said. 'Following scientific discussions published in Indian Birds Journal, researchers now recognise this species as a climate change-influenced stray visitor to India, representing the evolving migration patterns of this largely resident African water bird,' he added. Among other notable finds was the lesser noddy recorded at Galgibaga by Goa University research scholars, Sagar Naik and Shubham Rane. A great frigatebird was sighted by sea watchers from the Aguada Fort, while the streaked shearwater was documented off Goa's coast by a research team led by Jalmesh Karapurkar. Terrestrial bird additions provide equally compelling insights into Goa's ecological complexity. Jerdon's Bushlark, typically associated with dry grasslands of southern India, was reported by Omkar Damle from the Soccoro plateau, suggesting possible range expansions or habitat adaptations. The list also includes the rare yellow-rumped flycatcher in the Tamdi Surla forest area of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary, sighted by Kuldip Topo and Parag Rangnekar. The Goa Bird Checklist was launched during the second edition of the Goa Bird Festival in 2018. Unlike static taxonomic lists, this document undergoes annual updates that reflect current scientific evidence, including both species additions and removals based on International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria, and maintains rigorous documentation standards requiring photographic evidence, audio recordings, or museum specimens for species verification.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Time of India
Snake found coiled in AC unit at Bengal home
1 2 Kolkata: Panic gripped a household in Barasat, North 24-Parganas on Sunday when a non-venomous rat snake was found hiding inside the indoor unit of their split air-conditioner machine. Tapas Baidya, a private firm employee and resident of Nawpara, said he heard a strange crackling sound on Saturday night when his daughter turned on the AC. "When we looked closely at the unit, we saw the snake's face peeking out," Baidya told TOI. When AC service technicians couldn't coax the reptile out of the unit despite repeated efforts to release pressure on Sunday, the family informed the forest department. Though the snake had tightly coiled itself within the unit, forest department team managed to extract the snake, which escaped later. A forest officer said the snake might have entered the unit in search of food, mostly lizards and insects. The officials recovered its skin from the unit. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers sound alarm over increased number of disease-carrying insects: 'This is a major concern'
If you jump every time you see a spider, news that their numbers are decreasing in a particular area may be a relief — but the decrease in numbers has consequences. According to the Indian Institute of Science for a new study in the Himalayas shows that areas with domestic grazers are seeing a decline in spiders and an increase in "grasshoppers and disease carriers like ticks and mites." The 15-year study, published in Ecological Applications, examined how replacing wild herbivores like yak and ibex with domestic cattle like sheep in Spiti Valley affects arthropod numbers. "The team tracked the presence of more than 25,000 arthropods spanning 88 different taxa, including spiders, ticks, mites, bees, wasps, and grasshoppers, in fenced plots grazed separately by domestic and wild herbivores," per It analyzed the soil and vegetation. Arthropods rely on the vegetation as a source of food and habitat. The study found that the number of spiders, mites, and ticks was influenced by whether domestic or wild grazers were on the land. Spider numbers decreased while the populations of mites and ticks drastically increased. It's unclear why spiders are being reduced in number. One theory is they are losing a food source because plants are changing. "One of the most surprising observations was the massive difference in tick and mite abundance between native grazers and livestock," said Pronoy Baidya, the study's co-first author. The study authors also explained that an estimated 80% of global cattle have ticks that threaten human and animal health. Baidya added: "This is a major concern for zoonotic diseases." Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. According to the World Health Organization, "vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually." They include malaria, dengue fever, West Nile fever, yellow fever, Zika virus fever, chikungunya fever, and tick-borne encephalitis. Another concern about the decrease in spider numbers is the change in the ecosystem. "Spiders are predators; their ecological roles are similar to wolves, lions, and tigers. A low abundance of spiders can release grasshoppers from predator control," said Sumanta Bagchi, another author of the paper. Removing predators from an area can have drastic changes, as was the case in Yellowstone National Park when wolves were eradicated. According to National Geographic, without the wolves, elk overgrazed, causing a domino effect. Rabbit and mouse populations declined because they had nowhere to hide from predators. The researchers suggest rewilding "native herbivores and improved surveillance of vector-borne disease risks in areas where animals and humans coexist." The research team also calls for "effective conservation policies" to combat the issue. You can use your voice to speak to your representatives about enacting policies that will tackle the problem. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
