Latest news with #BombayNaturalHistorySociety
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Lesser Florican faces near extinction in Raj grasslands
Jaipur: Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), once a vibrant emblem of Rajasthan's monsoon grasslands, has now almost vanished from its core breeding grounds in Ajmer, Kekri and Shahpura. This breeding season, wildlife researchers found only a single male, a steep fall from five in 2024 and 39 in 2020, signalling a catastrophic 97% decline in the wild. A recent landscape survey by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) confirmed the grim numbers. The lone male, belonging to the smallest member of the bustard family and locally called Kharmor, was spotted near Bandanwara. "The situation is alarming. These endemic birds return to Rajasthan every monsoon to breed, usually arriving by late June after crops are sown. This year, only one was recorded," said BNHS researcher and wildlife scientist Sujit Narwade. In 2023, the forest department declared a 931-hectare conservation reserve in Arwar village, Ajmer, for the Lesser Florican — one of four bustard species in India, all on the IUCN Red List. However, local birdwatcher Balveer Singh said, "No effort has been made to remove Prosopis juliflora or restore grasslands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The area remains unprotected, with free-ranging dogs and heavy grazing continuing." Endemic to the Indian subcontinent, the Lesser Florican is a birdwatcher's delight. During the monsoon breeding season, males sport striking plumage and leap up to two metres in the air, producing a frog-like rattle heard 300–400 metres away to court females. Historically, the bird's breeding and non-breeding habitats were semi-arid grasslands. Today, invasive shrubs have overtaken much of this land, making it unsuitable. Experts warn that Rajasthan still has about 5,000 hectares of pastureland in this region, and timely restoration could benefit conservation. Shrinking grasslands due to agriculture, mining and overgrazing have forced the species to adapt to farmlands, coexisting with local communities. Yet, pesticides have turned these unprotected agropastoral areas into unsafe breeding zones. IUCN member Dau Lal Bohra said , "The proposal to declare certain lands as Biodiversity Sites allowing regulated agriculture while protecting the birds remains stalled," he said. With this, future of forest department's conservation breeding programme at Shokaliya, Ajmer, in partnership with the Wildlife Institute of India, also looks bleak as the wild population teeters on the brink. "In two years, 11 eggs have hatched successfully — but with numbers in the wild at rock bottom, the survival of this grassland dancer remains uncertain," said a forest official. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Deccan Herald
05-08-2025
- General
- Deccan Herald
BNHS, Tata Power partner to plant 2.7 lakh native saplings using Miyawaki plantation in Mulshi
Mumbai: The Bombay Natural History Society has partnered with Tata Power to launch a Miyawaki afforestation initiative at its hydro generating stations in Mulshi in Pune district. Using the Miyawaki technique, 2.7 lakh native saplings including 54 indigenous species will be planted to restore biodiversity, enhance carbon capture, recharge groundwater, and reduce initiative marks a significant step towards restoring native biodiversity, increasing green cover, and supporting Tata Power's long-term sustainability part of the partnership, Tata Power will identify and provide suitable land parcels around its catchment region, offer research-based insights on native species, while BNHS will lead the on-ground implementation, monitoring, and ecological management of the Miyawaki plantations. The project will be executed in three phases over five years across 47 acres in the villages of Adgaon and Barpe near Mulshi. The Miyawaki method is a proven technique for creating dense, fast-growing, and self-sustaining native forests in limited spaces. By planting native species in carefully selected combinations and layers, the technique fosters natural habitat restoration, significantly enhances soil quality, improves water retention, and supports pollinators and other wildlife. Its application in the ecologically sensitive hydro catchment zones of Mulshi will not only restore biodiversity but also build natural climate buffers and contribute to long-term ecosystem 'Mulshi Pattern' Producer, Punit Balan returns with his next venture – Jaggu Aani Juliet.'This initiative is vital for conserving fragile ecosystems and enhancing native biodiversity. Collaborating with an organisation that has nation-building and ecological stewardship at its core makes this endeavour truly meaningful for us,' said BNHS President Praveensingh Pardeshi, who is also the CEO of Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA).'With this initiative, we aim to create a measurable impact in conserving biodiversity and fostering sustainable development in the region,' added BNHS Director Kishor Rithe..'For over a century, Tata Power's hydro operations in the Western Ghats have been a testament to harmonising development with nature. This Miyawaki afforestation initiative in partnership with BNHS builds on that legacy, restoring critical ecosystems, reviving native biodiversity, and reinforcing our commitment to climate-resilient growth. Rooted in science, this collaboration reflects our vision of sustainability that goes beyond business to serve as a long-term custodian of India's natural heritage,' said Himal Tewari, CHRO, Chief – Sustainability & CSR, Tata Miyawaki method is a proven technique for creating dense, fast-growing, and self-sustaining native forests in limited spaces. By planting native species in carefully selected combinations and layers, the technique fosters natural habitat restoration, significantly enhances soil quality, improves water retention, and supports pollinators and other wildlife. Its application in the ecologically sensitive hydro catchment zones of Mulshi will not only restore biodiversity but also build natural climate buffers and contribute to long-term ecosystem resilience.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Flamingos light up Kovalam
Chennai: Bird watchers in the city were surprised to spot nearly 200 Greater Flamingos at Kovalam Creek recently, more so because wildlife officials said they were not sighted at their regular haunts such as Pulicat Bird Sanctuary in Tiruvallur, Kodiakkarai in Nagapattinam district, or the newly declared flamingo sanctuary at Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram. A senior wildlife official said that in Kodiakkarai, flamingos begin arriving from Sept and stay for about six months. Former deputy director of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) S Balachandran said flamingos breed once in four years, and in some areas, they can be seen year-round. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai In Kanyakumari district, the backwaters near saltpans often host them due to the mixture of saline and fresh water that ensures adequate feed. This combination influences their extended stay, Balachandran said. Regarding Dhanushkodi, Balachandran said that the lagoon, now declared a flamingo sanctuary, dries up in summer, forcing the birds to move elsewhere. K V R K Thirunaranan of The Nature Trust said the availability of feed and absence of human disturbance attracted flamingos to Kovalam Creek every year. Thirunaranan and his team recorded mostly flamingos in non-breeding plumage and juvenile birds. "Since 2017, our team has recorded flamingo sightings here during July, albeit in small numbers, which always surprised us," he said.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Time of India
Hope takes flight: 10 rare vultures shipped from Pinjore to new conservation home in Hyderabad
Gurgaon: Ten long-billed vultures are on their way from Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC) in Pinjore to Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad under the national conservation breeding programme. This is the first time the vultures are sent to this centre. "The critically endangered vultures were carefully selected for the transfer based on their health, age, and behavioural traits to ensure optimal success in future breeding. Each bird was placed in an individual wooden crate to ensure safety and reduce stress during the journey, which is being undertaken by road in a fully air-conditioned bus," said Hemant Bajpai of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). The birds will reach Telangana in two and a half days. "This exercise is being done to bring about diversity in the population. The Telangana centre has nine white-rumped birds, but there are no long-billed vultures. That is the reason why we have selected these birds," he added. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon The goal is to strengthen the ex-situ conservation initiative, focusing on breeding and eventual reintroduction of vultures into the wild to counter their rapidly declining population. Earlier, similar exercises were carried out in Bhopal and Gujarat. "They will be bred in captivity and eventually released into the wild just like we do here in Pinjore. We sent around 50 to 60 vultures to Bhopal and Gujarat so far for breeding," he added. To further minimise travel-related stress, JCBC staff members followed standard avian transport protocols, ensuring the vultures were last fed two days before their departure. Long-billed (Gyps indicus) and white-rumped (Gyps bengalensis) species were among thousands of vultures who used to thrive in India until the 1990s, when farmers started administering drugs such as diclofenac, ketoprofen, and aceclofenac to cattle. These chemicals, highly toxic for vultures, led to a near-wipeout of their population as the birds ended up consuming them while feeding on cattle carcasses. The drugs were later prohibited from use in veterinary medicines. Now, there are an estimated 6,000 long-billed vultures and around 3,000 white-rumped vultures left in India. To ensure their population does not dwindle further, BNHS established Vulture Care Centre in Haryana's Pinjore in 2002. The centre was later upgraded and renamed the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre in 2005. "This inter-state transfer is a key milestone in the collaborative conservation efforts led by Central Zoo Authority in partnership with the forest departments of Haryana and Telangana, and Bombay Natural History Society," said Vivek Saxena, chief wildlife warden, Haryana. Seven team members, including vulture keepers and veterinary doctors, are travelling to Hyderabad along with the vultures. The team which will receive them at their destination includes Dr G Babu Rao, senior biologist, Md Abdul Gaffar, junior veterinary officer, Sri Bushanam, head animal keeper and animal keeping staff members K Raja Kumar, S Pavan Kumar, Md Nizamuddin, and S Venkatramulu.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary: A last bastion for endangered dolphins in Bihar
Patna: In the ancient heartland of Bihar, where the Ganga meanders past whispering sandbars and age-old settlements, a 60km stretch of river pulses with rare life. This is the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS), India's only protected habitat for the endangered Ganges river dolphin and a last bastion for the "blind swimmers" of the subcontinent. Named after the historic Vikramshila University, this sanctuary, declared in 1991, stretches from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon, encompassing a rich mosaic of riverine biodiversity. Apart from being a safe haven for the iconic susu, it is also a thrumming aquatic theatre, hosting everything from elusive otters to critically endangered gharials, from soft-shelled turtles to over 135 species of waterfowl. The sanctuary is, in every sense, a living, breathing example of what India's rivers once were and could still be. "More than 250 dolphins and their calves can be sighted at Jhanwi Ghat, west of Bhagalpur. That is a clear indication that the water here is relatively clean and fit for the survival of dolphins," said Arvind Mishra, member of the governing council of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and a representative of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. "The efforts of both the authorities and environmentally conscious citizens have played a major role in creating conditions suitable for wildlife to flourish here," he added. What sets VGDS apart is its shifting, dynamic nature. During the monsoon, the Ganga's meandering channels and inundated floodplains reshape the land and water, constantly redrawing the map of this sanctuary. A particularly rich 36km stretch from Sultanpur to Bhagalpur turns into a breeding paradise for birds with sandbars emerging as seasonal nurseries for nesting species. "The sanctuary is also recognised as an 'important bird area' by the BNHS. It supports a host of endangered and migratory species like the Indian skimmer (Rynchops albicollis), Pallas's fish eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus), Greater spotted eagle (Clanga clanga) and Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni). Greater and Lesser adjutants too have been reported here," said Mishra. "The ecosystem also supports a sizable population of gharials, various freshwater turtles and numerous fish species," he added. But beneath this shimmering surface lies a current of concern. "Pollution from fertilisers and pesticides in agricultural runoff, along with industrial and domestic effluents, continue to threaten the sanctuary's delicate balance," said Sunil Chaudhary, a Bhagalpur-based expert on Ganges dolphins. "Construction of hydroelectric dams, bridges and irrigation reservoirs disrupt aquatic movement, while accidental killings in gill nets and poaching remain persistent threats," he added. Despite these looming challenges, there is an undercurrent of optimism. Conservationists believe the tide may be turning. Govt initiatives, community engagement and scientific studies have started to yield visible results. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
