Latest news with #TheGrasslandsTrust
The Hindu
07-08-2025
- General
- The Hindu
A Shift in Maharashtra's Apex Predators
Depending on when you visit, the Kadbanwadi grassland wears a different mood. In summer, it shimmers gold. In monsoon, it blushes green. But one thing has remained constant for centuries, the sound of the wild. Until now. Just 276 kilometres from Mumbai, on the edge of a 2,000-hectare expanse, lies a village where wolves were once part of everyday life. Today, they are barely seen. Also Read: Who let the dogs out? This is a biodiversity hotspot. But the Indian grey wolf, the apex predator here, is vanishing. Once 70 is strong, only six remain. What's killing them? Not just habitat loss. It's something closer to home, feral dogs. Once domesticated, now wild, they hunt in packs of up to 50. Photos and Visuals credit: Emmanual, Purnima Sah, Khushi Rathore, Tanya Drolia, The Grasslands Trust Production: Yuvasree S Voiceover: Jude Weston
Hindustan Times
14-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
First native grass nursery in western Maharashtra yields encouraging results
The first-ever dedicated native grass nursery in Western Maharashtra is now flourishing in Gulunche village, located in Purandar tehsil of Pune district. What began as a modest ecological restoration initiative one and a half years ago has blossomed into a thriving hub of native flora, offering new hope for the revival of degraded grassland ecosystems in the semi-arid regions of the state. It is spearheaded by The Grasslands Trust in collaboration with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and the Pune district administration. (HT) Established in January 2024, the nursery was envisioned as a critical component of a long-term, science-driven grassland management program. It is spearheaded by The Grasslands Trust in collaboration with the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and the Pune district administration. The project, rooted in the heart of Purandar's semi-arid agro-climatic zone, is already showcasing tangible results. The nursery currently houses over 28,000 grass saplings across two structured enclosures and maintains a seedbank of 8,000 mature saplings, which serve as both a genetic reservoir and planting stock for restoration efforts. Plans are already underway to expand this seedbank to accommodate an additional 24,000 saplings in the coming months. Native grasses such as Cenchrus ciliaris (Anjan), Dicanthium annulatum (Marvel), and Sehima sulcatum (Pavanya), once common across the Deccan plateau, are now reclaiming soil where fertility had been eroded by decades of overgrazing and land degradation. Other species nurtured in the nursery include Chrysopogon fulvus (Dongri), Sehima nervosum (Sheda), Dichanthium foveolatum (Lohkhandi), as well as native tree species like Senegalia catechu (Khair) and Vachellia leucophloea (Hivar). Each of these plays a specific ecological role, ranging from enhancing soil fertility and controlling erosion to providing critical forage for herbivores like chinkara and blackbuck. What sets the Gulunche nursery apart is its community-driven model. Locals, including women and landless farmers, are deeply involved in every stage of the restoration process, right from seed collection and nursery maintenance to transplanting and post-plantation care. This participatory approach not only brings ecological benefits but also promotes socio-economic inclusion, offering livelihoods and skill-building opportunities to communities who have historically been marginalised in conservation dialogues. 'Restoring native grasslands is not just about growing grass—it is about restoring entire ecosystems,' says Mihir Godbole, founder and trustee of The Grasslands Trust. 'These landscapes support rural economies, provide habitats for endangered wildlife, and act as natural infrastructure to combat climate change. The success we are seeing in Gulunche is proof that ecological restoration can be both science-led and community-anchored,' he said. One of the project's major milestones came last year, when the team—backed by the Suzlon Foundation—successfully transplanted 45,000 grass saplings across a 5-hectare pilot plot. This year, they plan to scale up further by planting another 33,000 saplings and seedballs in an adjoining 5-hectare tract. The increase in scale reflects not only the confidence the team has built through data and field results but also the rising interest from environmental organisations and policy stakeholders. The nursery's work is reinforced by quarterly monitoring surveys to assess parameters like vegetation density, root development, soil moisture content, and biodiversity indices. Preliminary findings from these assessments indicate that plots restored with native grasses show improved soil structure, enhanced water retention, and signs of returning biodiversity—a clear indication that native species are better adapted to the local environment and more resilient to climate fluctuations than exotic alternatives. Despite their immense ecological and economic value, grasslands remain one of India's most overlooked ecosystems, often dismissed as wastelands in both land-use planning and conservation policy. Yet, these ecosystems serve as critical carbon sinks, support high biodiversity, regulate hydrology, and provide sustainable fodder that supports traditional pastoral livelihoods.
Hindustan Times
07-06-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Local ‘wildlife watchers' turn conservationists in Pune's grasslands
In an initiative which demonstrates that coexistence between wildlife and urban development is possible, more than 40 residents of villages around Pune – trained as 'wildlife watchers' to report sightings of elusive species such as the Indian grey wolf, striped hyena and leopard – have submitted over 350 verified reports covering more than 60 species of mammals, birds and reptiles within just six months. What's more, over 30 of these reports have prompted direct conservation interventions, including alerts about poaching and confirmations of breeding activity. This initiative, launched by The Grasslands Trust in partnership with the Pune forest department and Ashraya Hastha Trust, empowers local communities to become frontline conservationists through a custom mobile app and basic field kits. The 'Wildlife Watcher programme' is set in the grasslands and scrublands surrounding Pune, one of India's few megacities where large carnivores still inhabit human-dominated landscapes. Wolves, hyenas and leopards continue to roam these non-protected areas, making Pune a unique setting for such a grassroots' conservation model. The programme is built on the philosophy that conservation should be co-created with local communities rather than imposed from above. Unlike conventional methods that depend on expensive tools such as radio collars and centralised surveillance, this programme relies on traditional knowledge and the lived experience of local residents. Each participant receives a basic field kit comprising clothing, a torch, reusable water bottle, and simple field guide to support his/her work. Verified sightings are rewarded with recognition and upgraded tools such as binoculars, smartphones and trap cameras. Consistent contributors may also receive modest stipends in recognition of their role as biodiversity stewards. Mihir Godbole of The Grasslands Trust, said, 'Although launched just a few months ago in select areas around Pune—such as Saswad and Morgaon in the Purandar landscape—the programme is already showing remarkable results. Some watchers have even begun documenting animal behaviour and identifying individual animals by their markings; a clear sign that they are evolving into skilled naturalists.' Tushar Chavan, deputy conservator of forests (wildlife), Pune forest department, said, 'This initiative offers a dual advantage—it strengthens wildlife conservation while building awareness within the local community. People on the ground become more sensitised to the presence and importance of wildlife in their surroundings. Their involvement also provides real-time data that complements trap cameras, drone surveys, and other monitoring tools. Crucially, it helps us extend our reach into non-protected areas where wildlife continues to thrive outside formal boundaries.' Looking ahead, The Grasslands Trust aims to expand the Wildlife Watcher programme to other under-monitored and ecologically vulnerable landscapes across Maharashtra. 'But the focus remains on sustainability. We don't want a short-lived project that ends with funding. Our vision is to build a resilient, community-led conservation network that grows organically—driven by pride, purpose, and deep-rooted local knowledge,' Godbole said.
