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New Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Karnataka HC cancels appointment of Meera BK as acting V-C of Maharani Cluster University
BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court quashed the appointment of Dr Meera BK as acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) of Maharani Cluster University by the Governor of Karnataka and Chancellor of Universities Thaawarchand Gehlot. The high court, however, granted liberty to the Chancellor to appoint an acting vice-chancellor in accordance with the law. Justice R Nataraj passed the order recently, while allowing partly the petition filed by Dr TM Manjunath, director of the School of Humanities and Liberal Arts of Maharani Cluster University, questioning the notification dated March 28, 2025, issued by the Chancellor for the appointment of Dr Meera, professor, Department of Zoology, Maharani Cluster University, as the acting VC. She was appointed after the retirement of Dr Ushadevi C as acting VC. The petitioner has also sought direction to the Chancellor to appoint him as acting VC. The court, however, said the claim of the petitioner that he alone should be appointed as acting VC cannot be considered for the simple reason that it is for the Chancellor to exercise discretion to appoint the seniormost person and therefore, this court cannot arrogate to itself the power vested in the Chancellor. Hence, the Chancellor is at liberty to consider appointing an acting VC by Section 16(2) of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000 and if the petitioner is eligible, the Chancellor may consider appointing the petitioner in accordance with law, the court said. Contending that he is a senior director eligible to be appointed as the acting VC and his name was found at the top of the list of directors sent by the Registrar of the varsity to the Chancellor, Manjunath alleged that the Chancellor, without considering his name, appointed senior most woman professor of the Department of Zoology as acting VC, though she was not even a Director of any school of the varsity. The impugned notification was silent as to why the petitioner was not considered and as to how Dr Meera was more suitable for the post, he argued. However, the counsel representing the Chancellor contended that the university was established to impart quality education to aspiring female students. In furtherance of this objective, the Chancellor intends to better understand the academic and psychological needs of the female students and has appointed Meera as acting V-C. Rejecting the contention of the Chancellor, the court said that the Special Secretary of the Chancellor did not restrict the post to women candidates while writing to the Registrar of the university to send the list of senior most Deans or Directors. Similarly, it was not mentioned in the impugned notification that there was any irregularity or illegality in appointing the petitioner as a Director. Therefore, the Chancellor cannot now supplement reasons to sustain the impugned notification and therefore the notification is in violation of Section 16(2) of the Act, 2000, the court said.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Karnataka HC cancels appointment of Meera B.K. as acting V-C to Maharani Cluster University
The High Court of Karnataka has quashed the Governor's order of appointing Meera B.K. as acting Vice-Chancellor of Maharani Cluster University, Bengaluru, while pointing out that she was not the senior-most dean/director to qualify to be in-charge V-C of the varsity as per the provisions of the Karnataka Universities Act, 2000. Justice R. Nataraj passed the order while partly allowing a petition filed by T.M. Manjunath, who is the senior-most dean/director in the university. The petitioner had questioned the March 28, 2025, order of the Governor in appointing Ms. Meera as acting V-C contrary to Section 16(2) of the act. 'When a statute requires a particular act to be done in a particular manner, it has to be done in that manner or not at all. When Section 16(2) of the Act, 2000, mandates that whenever a vacancy in the office of V-C remains unfilled, it is the senior-most dean of the university who may be appointed to act as the V-C. The Chancellor cannot arrogate to himself the power to appoint anyone else to act as the V-C,' the court observed. Pointing out that though Ms. Meera was earlier appointed as a director of the university, she did not take the charge as the post of director but remained as a professor in the Department of Zoology, the court said that she was not even a director to be considered for holding the post of acting V-C as per the law. While refusing to accept the contentions of the chancellor and the State government that the senior most woman professor was selected as an acting V-C as the varsity is primarily catering to the girl students, the court said that this 'contention does not stand to reason as the Special Secretary to the Governor/Chancellor when calling for the list of senior most deans/directors of the university did not restrict it to women candidates.' 'This apart, there is nothing on record to establish that the Maharani Cluster University is a women's university, where the V-C should be a woman as in the case of Akkamahadevi University,' the court pointed out. Though the court declined to direct the chancellor to consider only the petitioner [Mr. Manjunath] as acting V-C, as it is the discretion of the chancellor to make an appointment to the post, it gave liberty to the Chancellor to consider the petitioner, if he is found eligible, to the post while appointing acting V-C as per Section 16(2) of the act.
Scroll.in
22-05-2025
- Science
- Scroll.in
In Kashmir, the cost of living with predators
In the forests and valleys of Kashmir, a quiet struggle plays out daily between local communities and two of the region's most elusive predators – the Asiatic black bear and the leopard. In recent years, incidences of these carnivores attacking livestock for prey has become a growing concern. This poses a dual threat: it undermines rural livelihoods and jeopardises the long-term survival of these wild animals. A new study examined livestock predation in three protected areas of southern Kashmir, to assess the economic toll of these losses and map the spatial patterns of such attacks. 'Much of the focus so far has been on human injuries and fatalities,' says co-author Bilal A. Bhat, senior assistant professor at the Department of Zoology, University of Kashmir. 'However, for a more comprehensive understanding of human-wildlife interactions, it's essential to also gather data on livestock predation and crop damage. This broader approach is critical for developing effective management strategies that balance human needs with wildlife conservation.' Carnivore hotspots The study by University of Kashmir researchers focused on Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, Achabal Conservation Reserve, and Rajparian Wildlife Sanctuary. These sites were selected for their varied human-wildlife interactions, land-use patterns, and socio-economic dynamics. All three protected areas are surrounded by villages where farming and livestock rearing are a main source of livelihood. Overa-Aru, the largest, spans 425 square kilometres and is bordered by eight villages. Achabal has nine villages in its buffer zone, while Rajparian is more isolated, adjacent to just one village. From January 2021 to December 2022, researchers surveyed 50 households across these three protected areas – 29 in Overa-Aru, 19 in Achabal, and two in Rajparian. Each had experienced at least one case of livestock loss during that time. Data was collected using a snowball sampling method, starting with reports from village heads and then verified through other residents. Where possible, researchers visited the sites to confirm attacks. Monthly check-ins with village heads were carried out over the two-year period to track new incidents. Affected livestock owners were interviewed to gather information about the attack, including details of the animals, timing, location, and predator species. GPS coordinates were recorded on-site using a handheld device or, where needed, estimated using Google Earth. In total, 92 animals were lost – 59 in Overa-Aru, 30 in Achabal, and three in Rajparian. Most of those killed were sheep, followed by cattle, horses, and goats. Leopards were responsible for a majority of the kills. 'Sheep are often targeted due to their ideal size, lack of defensive behaviour, ease of capture, and wide availability,' explains Bhat. 'We also observed surplus killing – where several animals are killed in a single attack – mainly by leopards, a pattern noted in other studies as well.' On the prowl The researchers also found that the two predators exhibited distinct hunting patterns. While bears also targeted cattle, leopards preferred horses. Most attacks occurred during the summer months, especially in June and July. Both predators struck mostly during daytime, aligning with livestock grazing routines. This goes against conventional wisdom, which suggests leopards usually hunt at night. The attack locations also varied. Bears typically stayed within forested areas, avoiding human settlements. Leopards, however, were bolder – some attacks took place inside livestock pens or near homes. As for the livestock themselves, no specific age group was consistently targeted. However, animals between four and six years old were slightly more vulnerable – possibly due to increased mobility or tendency to stray from the herd. Counting the cost The financial burden of these losses was substantial. In Overa-Aru, loss because of livestock predation amounted to nearly Rs 13 lakh over two years – more than Rs 22,000 per affected household annually. In Achabal, losses reached Rs 8.78 lakh, with households averaging just over Rs 23,000. Rajparian had fewer total losses, but the per-household cost was higher (around Rs 40,000) due to the small number of respondents. These amounts are significant for families who depend on agriculture and livestock. In most cases, no compensation was provided, fuelling frustration and increasing the risk of retaliatory killings. Despite the hardships, many respondents expressed a generally positive attitude toward wildlife, acknowledging its ecological value. 'Negative sentiment arises from the severe economic toll – especially among lower socioeconomic groups who rely on livestock for sustenance,' says Bhat. 'This frustration increases the likelihood of retaliatory killings, posing a significant challenge to conservation.' Addressing the critical role that the sample size plays in a perception study, Aniruddha Majumder, scientist and divisional in-charge, animal ecology division, State Forest Research Institute – Jabalpur, shares, 'In this case, the very small sample size requires a clear and detailed justification, such as constraints like limited accessibility or logistical challenges. Additionally, perception studies involving human-carnivore interactions need to represent different age, sex, and other demographic groups to assess costs more accurately.' Majumder is not associated with this study. The way forward The study also reveals a deeper truth: protecting wildlife isn't only about conserving forests, it's also about supporting the people who live alongside them. Understanding where and when attacks happen can help authorities design smarter, more targeted responses. The authors note that restoring habitats and prey populations within protected areas are crucial to easing conflict. Involving local communities in habitat restoration, alongside clear demarcation of grazing zones, can help rebuild natural prey bases. Additionally, a timely and efficient compensation scheme could ease economic stress while supporting conservation goals. Likewise, funding for stronger corrals and improved livestock guarding, especially during high-risk summer months when herds move to higher altitudes, can reduce predation. 'Without timely intervention, both rural livelihoods and the future of large carnivores hang in the balance. Authorities, in collaboration with local communities, academic institutions, and NGOs, must adopt a comprehensive conflict management strategy, one that safeguards people and wildlife alike,' says Bhat.
Forbes
27-03-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Targeted Conservation Efforts Help Restore Crashing Biodiversity
A major review of over 67,000 animal species has found that with greater resource allocation, conservation can halt and reverse biodiversity loss. European bison (Bison bonasus) are a coonservation success story. (Credit: JMrocek) The planet is being confronted by a growing biodiversity crisis, with 28% of more than 160,000 assessed species threatened with extinction, and an estimated one million species facing this tragic fate due to human activities. And yet in the face of all this, conservation measures are providing promising results. But which actions make conservation efforts successful? This is the main question that a recent scientific review sought to answer. To answer this question, a UK-based team of researchers published their analysis of more than 67,000 animal species that are either threatened or facing extinction to identify which sorts of conservation efforts are helping to bring them back from the brink. The researchers did this by evaluating data collected by the IUCN Red List for 67,217 animal species to specifically determine: 'We found that almost all the species that have moved from a more threatened category to a less threatened category have benefited from some sort of conservation measures,' observed the study's lead author, conservation biologist Ashley Simkins, a PhD student in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, where he is a member of King's College. 'It's a strong signal that conservation works.' But according to the findings, these threatened or endangered animals did not benefit from just one conservation action, nor is there one main solution for responding to conservation issues for all species. 'Sadly there is no 'silver bullet' or one solution to avoiding declines,' Mr Simkins told me in email. 'Many species are declining due to human pressures, particularly from habitat loss or degradation (often driven by agricultural expansion) or unsustainable use of species.' Although there is no 'one size fits all' solution, Mr Simkins and collaborators did uncover some commonalities shared by animal species that have conservation success stories. These commonalities that have helped many species recover include habitat protection, breeding programs, and legal protections. They also found that, many recovering species live in isolated areas, such as islands, where successful conservation efforts can be fully implemented without interference. Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus), Almuradiel, Ciudad Real, Spain. (Credit: Diego Delso / CC BY-SA 4.0) 'While biodiversity loss is a genuine crisis, it's vital that we celebrate the success stories wherever and whenever we can,' Mr Simkins mentioned in email. 'It's so hard for a species to improve its conservation status, but with the right effort, we can turn things around.' Several of the many conservation success stories worth mentioning include the Iberian lynx, Lynx pardinus, once the world's most endangered cat. This animal's population rebounded from just a few hundred individuals to a few thousand. Likewise, the kākāpō, Strigops habroptilus, a flightless nocturnal parrot from New Zealand, has benefited from imaginative and dedicated recovery programs. And the European bison, also known as the European wood bison or wisent, Bison bonasus, which was hunted to extinction in the wild by the early 20th century, now roam several countries in Eastern Europe, thanks to decades of devoted conservation efforts. Similarly, some marine species also have inspirational conservation success stories to tell. Probably the most familiar are humpback and blue whales, which were driven to the brink of extinction not so long ago by commercial whaling, but are making a comeback after an international moratorium was enacted on whaling. 'Almost everyone will have their own favorite example of a conservation success story, whether it's the bald eagle in North America, or the red kite in the UK,' Mr Simkins mentioned. 'We need joint action to ensure these positive stories aren't the exception – they're the norm.' Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). Public domain. Despite Mr Simkins' enthusiasm, these success stories are still comparatively rare: the study found that six times more species are declining rather than improving. And this is why it is so important to identify what we can do to prevent population declines in vulnerable species before they become threatened. Indeed, much like for preventative medicine, identifying and adopting preventative conservation measures are preferable and more cost-effective than attempting to rescue a species after it is serious trouble. 'Humans have gotten pretty good at what could be considered 'A&E' conservation—focusing on species at very high risk of extinction,' Mr Simkins noted. 'What we're less good at is preventing species from becoming threatened in the first place. We need to move beyond treating the symptoms of biodiversity loss and start addressing the root causes.' These root causes include habitat destruction, hunting and other forms of persecution, and the growing effects of the climate crisis. 'To avoid these declines, we need to find ways to alleviate these pressures on species, and work with stakeholders in these areas to find solutions that both provide what they need whilst minimising harms on wildlife,' Mr Simkins recommended in email. 'We also need greater funding to conservation to scale up actions if we want to ideally avoid or at least minimise declines.' In their review, Mr Simkins and collaborators emphasize collective, locally driven conservation. For example, in Papua New Guinea, conservation biologists worked with local communities to replace hunting wild tree kangaroos with sustainable forms of animal protein, including farming chickens and fishing – an approach that benefits both people and wildlife. 'It's vital that we as conservationists are working with stakeholders, rather than dictating to them, whether that's an Indigenous community in Papua New Guinea or a farmer in Somerset,' Mr Simkins pointed out. 'Conservation doesn't have to be a zero-sum game – there are compromises that can benefit both the natural world and human society.' This study provides a broad overview of which conservation actions are most helpful for recovering species and also highlights species that still require conservation interventions. It's important to note that although the study finds that actions taken to prevent species extinctions usually lead to improvements, it also finds that conservation actions rarely lead to full recovery of threatened species. Additionally, Mr Simkins and collaborators note that there still are gaps in the IUCN Red List data due to inconsistencies in assessment and documentation strategies across species. Thus, improving documentation of conservation actions that are currently underway and scaling up conservation efforts will be essential to assist the recovery of biodiversity. The research collaboration for this work consisted of scientists from the University of Cambridge, BirdLife International, Oxford University, and Durham University, along with the IUCN, which maintains the world's largest database of the conservation status of the world's species known as the Red List. 'Despite huge losses and declines of species, we find conservation action has driven improvements in more than one hundred species, with almost all species improving in status having conservation actions in place,' Mr Simkins and collaborators write in their review (ref). 'This suggests with greater resource allocation, conservation can halt and reverse biodiversity loss.' Ashley T. Simkins, William J. Sutherland, Lynn V. Dicks, Craig Hilton-Taylor, Molly K. Grace, Stuart H. M. Butchart, Rebecca A. Senior, and Silviu O. Petrovan (2025). Past conservation efforts reveal which actions lead to positive outcomes for species, PLOS Biology 23(3):e3003051 | doi:10.1371/ © Copyright by GrrlScientist | hosted by Forbes | Socials: Bluesky | CounterSocial | Gab | LinkedIn | Mastodon Science | Spoutible | SubStack | Threads | Tribel | Tumblr | Twitter
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists celebrate after making first-time discovery inside Southeast Asian cave: 'It's an exciting moment'
Scientists spotted the great Himalayan leaf-nosed bat in Bangladesh for the first time, expanding the map of where this fascinating creature lives across Asia, as reported by Mongabay. A team of researchers found these unique bats living in a cool, dark cave in southeastern Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts during field surveys between July and December 2023. The discovery brings fresh hope for wildlife protection in the region. "We were thrilled to confirm this species in Bangladesh," said lead researcher M. Abdul Aziz of Jahangirnagar University's Department of Zoology. "It's an exciting moment for both local and global bat conservation efforts, as this discovery not only adds to the national fauna but also provides a deeper understanding of the species' distribution across South Asia." Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The bats' distinctive nose-leaf structure helps them live in complete darkness. About 75-80 of these bats now call the cave home, sharing their space with other bat species. This finding marks a breakthrough for Bangladesh's wildlife checklist. Before this discovery, scientists knew of 31 bat species in the country. Now they've added one more to the list, suggesting more hidden treasures might exist in Bangladesh's caves and forests. The cave housing these bats holds special meaning for local communities, as it serves as a spiritual retreat for a Buddhist monk. Thanks to this cultural significance, the cave receives protection from local authorities, creating a haven for its winged residents. But the story gets better. These bats play a key role in keeping our ecosystems healthy by eating insects and helping plants reproduce. Their presence shows the rich biodiversity of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. "With this discovery, we now have a clearer picture of the diversity of bat species in Bangladesh," Aziz said. "But there's still much to be done to fully understand the distribution and ecological role of bats in the country." The research team plans to keep studying caves across Bangladesh, hoping to uncover more natural wonders and protect them for future generations. 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.
