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The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Plan infrastructure that minimises impact on native wildlife in Nilgiris, urge ecologists
A rare record of an Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis) in the Upper Nilgiris, due to the individual meeting an unfortunate end after coming into contact with a barbed wire fence in Udhagamandalam, has prompted ecologists and wildlife biologists to call for specific action plans to be put in place to safeguard smaller, lesser-known species of wildlife from being affected by human infrastructure. According to a short note published by authors Yeshwanth Kumar, K. Rishi, Saran Moorthi, M. Shahir, A. Abinesh, N. Moinudheen, and A. Samson in 'Mammology Notes', the carcass of the giant flying squirrel was found in April 2023, entangled in barbed wire fencing along the roadside near a private property. The researchers note that this is one of the first documented records of the species in the higher altitudes of the Nilgiris, with the species said to ideally prefer habitats between 500 and 2,000 metres above Mean Sea Level (MSL). One of the authors of the paper, A. Abinesh, said that the species preferred dry deciduous and evergreen forests, and were found in abundance along the Coonoor and Kotagiri ghats, as well as in Gudalur in the Nilgiris. 'Its occurrence in Ooty itself is very unusual, and it's not very often seen in Shola forests. This particular individual was seen near a patch of exotic species, which makes this particular record even more peculiar,' said Mr. Abinesh, who is a wildlife biologist. 'Need for comprehensive study' Another researcher, K. Rishi, said that a comprehensive study to identify whether there was a resident population in the areas surrounding Udhagamandalam needs to be undertaken. 'This species usually spends its time in the forest canopy, and usually avoids venturing close to the ground,' he said, adding that surveys should be undertaken if the individuals recorded in Udhagamandalam was part of a resident breeding population or stray individuals. Forest department officials stated that in 2023, there had been multiple reported incidents of Indian giant flying squirrels between a five-month period between April and August, primarily due to electrocution when the animals would accidentally glide into power lines. 'There could be multiple reasons as to why the squirrels could have ventured so close to the ground, leading to their deaths,' said Mr. Abinesh, who said that a lack of food in the forests and prevalence of invasive species, coupled with a lack of canopy cover around the town, could have led to the reported deaths of the individuals. N. Moinudheen, an independent wildlife researcher, said that such incidents highlighted the need for policies to be formulated as to what kind of protective barriers can be allowed in areas near reserve forests. 'It has been established that glass covered walls, power lines and barbed wire fences can affect a number of species, including squirrels, bats, birds, and even snakes. The government should look into what kind of steps can be taken to mitigate the impact of such infrastructure on native wildlife,' he said.
News18
23-05-2025
- Business
- News18
2025 Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey: From Registrations To Price To Itinerary, Check Everything Here
Last Updated: To note, riders who have been part of the previous editions of the Himalayan Odyssey will not be able to participate again as the company aims to get new participants on board. The homegrown two-wheeler maker Royal Enfield has been pushing the biking culture for years. To make it as interesting as possible, the company usually organise interesting events, motorcycle festivals, bike rides, and whatnot throughout the year. Again, the brand is back with another edition of its iconic Himalayan Odyssey, giving a lifetime opportunity to the 70 riders to explore the toughest terrains in the world. As per the details shared by the brand, the 2025 Odyssey will be an 18-day trip, starting June 28, 2025. The company has already kicked off the registrations nationwide. In case if you are interested in exploring the peaks of the Himalaya, accompanied by a massive convoy of bikers, visit RE's official website and get the related details about the upcoming ride. To note, riders who have been part of the previous editions of the Himalayan Odyssey will not be able to participate again as the company aims to get new participants on board. Price For Registration Talking about the charges, an individual can enrol themselves by paying an entry cost of Rs 80,000. For the couples, it costs Rs 1,60,000. The brand, in its official release, this year, the journey will be more exciting and adventurous as the company is marking its decades of existence in the business. Itinerary and Execution During the 18-day-long trip, the riders will be divided into two teams named Team Spiti and Team Zanskar. Each group will be assigned to complete a 2,600 km loop, crossing the roughest terrains littered with high-altitude mountain passes. The journey will start from Chandigarh and will summit the Umling La pass. It is situated at 19,000 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL). The release says that team Spiti will be riding in a group to Narkanda, Kalpa, Keylong, and Sarchu and will conclude the trip in Leh and Hanle. The team Zanskar will be taking the route from Jispal, exploring the highest altitude, going towards the Padum route before submitting themselves in Leh and Hanle. First Published: May 23, 2025, 14:09 IST
