Latest news with #WWF-India
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
‘Ist-ever' raptor survey in Pithoragarh records 24 species
Pithoragarh: The Uttarakhand forest department and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-India) jointly conducted a "first-of-its-kind" raptor survey in the Pithoragarh district, recording a total of 24 species. A follow-up survey focusing on the higher Himalayan region is planned for the near future, officials said on Wednesday. This initial phase of the survey was carried out from May 22 to 30 and covered areas below 2,500 meters in elevation. According to Abhimanyu Singh, divisional forest officer (DFO), Pithoragarh, the survey team included four members from WWF-India along with frontline forest staff including forest guards, foresters, and deputy rangers. "During the survey, 24 species of raptors were documented, including eagles, kites, falcons and buzzards," Singh said. Among the species observed were five resident vulture species, notably the critically endangered White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus). Their presence reaffirms the conservation significance of the Pithoragarh landscape for these apex avian predators, officials said. "This survey forms an important part of a broader initiative to establish robust baseline data on raptor diversity, distribution, and habitat use across the state. The findings will support future efforts in raptor conservation and behavioral studies," Singh added The next phase of the survey, focusing on areas above 2,500 meters in the Byas, Chaudas, Darma valleys and Milam region of Munsyari, will be conducted soon. "Raptors in the higher Himalayas differ significantly in terms of habitat, food chains and behaviour compared to those in lower elevations," the DFO said.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Tiger corridor of Kawal notified as Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve
The Telangana State government on Friday issued orders declaring the tiger corridor area connecting the Kawal Tiger Reserve in the State with the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra as 'Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve', as per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Covering the total area of 1492.88 square kilometres or 149288.48 hectares of area, the proposed conservation reserve spans across Asifabad and Kagaznagar divisions, encompassing parts of Kerameri, Wankidi, Asifabad, Sirpur, Koutala, Bejjur, Kagaznagar, Rebbana, Dahegaon and Tiryani mandals of the Kumram Bheem Asifabad district, and 78 reserve forest blocks, including Garlapet, Ada, Manikgarh East, Manikgarh West, Danora, Gudem, Bejjur, Kadamba and Girali. The area is a critical part of the wildlife corridor connecting Kawal with not only Tadoba, but Kanhargaon, Tipeshwar, and Chaprala wildlife sanctuaries in Maharashtra and Indravati Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh. The presence of resident, breeding tigers in the area and several inter-State tiger dispersal events over the past decade indicate that it is a crucial link for maintaining tiger connectivity in this part of the central India landscape, said the notification. Apart from tigers, the proposed area is home to a variety of other carnivores such as leopard, wild dog, sloth bear, wolf, hyena, honey badger and jungle cat, and supports diverse prey such as gaur, sambar, nilgai, chital, four-horned antelope, muntjac, and Indian gazelle, the introductory note said, also adding the elephants which had made an appearance here some time back. More than 240 bird species have made it home - including the Malabar Pied Hornbills, and Long Billed Vulture - for which it is the only nesting site. While the Tiger Census, 2022 reported the presence of at least four adult tigers and three cubs, strategic camera trapping, year round monitoring, and other surveys by the Forest department revealed the use of the area by more than 45 unique tigers over the last decade, most of which are transient. Since 2015, there have been five instances where three tigers have collectively given birth to a total 17 cubs. About eight leopards too were recorded in the proposed area during the All India Leopard Estimation, 2022. A conservation reserve management committee has been constituted with the Kumram Bheem Asifabad District Forest Officer as the convenor, sarpanches of Karji, Motlaguda, Murliguda, and Kammergaon panchayats, representatives from the NGOs Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society, WWF-India State Director, and Wildlife Conservation Trust, District Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Officer, District Agricultural Officer, and Forest Divisional Officers of Asifabad and Kagaznagar as members.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Upasana Kamineni advocates preventive wellness and purpose-driven leadership
In an engaging session titled 'Legacy, Leadership & Purpose – The New Age of Wellness,' Upasana Kamineni Konidela, Vice Chairperson of Apollo Foundation, shared powerful insights on healthcare, leadership, and self-care. Speaking to an audience in Hyderabad, Upasana emphasized the importance of preventive wellness, mental health, and women's empowerment in shaping a healthier society. The event marked the launch of FLO Health Kavach, a national initiative addressing women's key wellness challenges—including mental health, legal rights, financial literacy, and cybersecurity. 'If a woman is healthy, the whole household will be healthy,' Upasana noted, underscoring the ripple effect of women's well-being on communities. She urged attendees to embrace health insurance as 'the most empowering gift you can give yourself,' and reminded them, 'Rest is the best respect you give your body.' Upasana encouraged women to prioritize self-worth and self-care over societal validation. 'Don't wait to get sick. Prevention is better than a cure,' she said. Reflecting on her personal journey, she shared challenges faced as a woman entrepreneur, stressing the importance of being respected for one's work and ideas, not just for one's lineage. 'I want to be here because of my self-worth, not my birth,' she stated. An environmentalist at heart, Upasana spoke about the need for human-animal coexistence and highlighted Apollo's partnership with WWF-India, offering free medical care to forest staff across India. She concluded by redefining success: 'To me, success is how many jobs I create, how happy I am, and the time I make for myself. First define success for yourself—then pursue it.' The interactive session concluded with a vibrant Q&A on wellness trends, work-life balance, and purposeful leadership, leaving attendees inspired to lead healthier, more meaningful lives.
The Hindu
25-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Dr. Saji Varghese on going beyond teaching to make a social impact
The next in the monthly series by WWF-India that highlights niche and unconventional green careers through the stories of well-known personalities from the field of environment and conservation I never imagined that a casual walk across my university campus would lead to a global eco-innovation. I've been an Associate Professor of English at Christ University, Bengaluru, for over two decades. But, along the way, my passion for sustainable change nudged me beyond the classroom; into a world of agri-waste, biodegradable straws, and circular innovation. Born and raised in Maharashtra, I studied at Mt. Carmel Convent School in Chandrapur and completed my higher education at Dr Ambedkar College, Nagpur. I earned my PhD in English from Nagpur University. Teaching was something I was always drawn to, but I also carried within me a constant urge to 'do more.' While teaching at a college in a remote village in Maharashtra, I saw the stark realities of farmer suicides and poverty. I kept thinking about the children in slums who deserved a better future. That experience pushed me to ask, 'I might teach English for another 15 years, but how will I make a tangible impact on the life of at least one such child?' Turning point The spark came unexpectedly. One day, a visitor from the Netherlands mentioned how disturbing it was to see so many single-use plastic straws and how it has become a scourge to our environment. The next morning, I noticed coconut leaves littered across campus and, almost like an epiphany, it struck me. I picked one up, steamed it in my kitchen, and it clicked! The natural wax coating on the coconut leaf was perfect; it didn't need a polymer lining. That moment became the birth of Sunbird Straws, the world's first biodegradable drinking straw made from dead coconut leaves. With no lab, no funding, and just a desire to make a difference, our straws are today not only reducing plastic pollution but also supporting the livelihoods of over 200 women across India's coastal states. Sunbird is a small idea that continues to grow. Now, my mornings start at 3:30 a.m. and my 'lab' is still my kitchen. Whether it's exploring the use of pineapple leaf cuticle or pandanus leaves, I keep experimenting. At Christ University, I prepare for classes and lead the Centre for Design and Innovation for Social Entrepreneurship, where I mentor students to turn their ideas into scalable solutions. I spend my evenings at the Sunbird office, interacting and planning with our team. What excites me most is the ability to close loops: to turn waste into something of value. Discoveries that I make during my experiments promote waste to wealth, circularity, and biodiversity are helping both the environment and the lives of women in rural areas. One challenge we face is pricing. Sustainable products often cost more because they're labour-intensive. We've had to find a balance between improving efficiency and protecting the livelihoods our work supports. Every decision we make — whether it's adding a new machine or changing a material — is weighed against its social impact. To students and young innovators, my message is this: look around you. There are problems waiting for creative solutions. There's no 'right' time. You just need a critical eye and the tenacity to come up with sustainable alternatives. Innovation doesn't require a lot; sometimes, it just needs a critical mind, a coconut leaf, and a question worth chasing.
NDTV
16-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Sikkim's 'Wild' Golden Jubilee Gift: 21 Endangered Snow Leopards Identified
As Sikkim celebrates its golden jubilee of statehood on Friday, it has unwrapped a gift from the wild. The first-ever Snow Leopard Population Assessment Report, jointly presented by the Forest and Environment Department and WWF-India, has identified 21 endangered snow leopards in the high-altitude zones of north and west Sikkim. The study involved two years of meticulous scientific tracking, using camera traps, across the Himalayan terrain. The report suggests that there is enough habitat to support an even larger snow leopard population, opening up exciting possibilities for future conservation. To mark the occasion, the state has also introduced a new mascot, a snow leopard named "Kuzu", which is meant to symbolise Sikkim's commitment to wildlife protection and biodiversity. "This is not just a scientific milestone, but a testament to Sikkim's deeply rooted conservation policies," Pradeep Kumar, who is the principal secretary of the Forest and Environment Department, said, emphasising that the state's focused efforts are allowing forest life to thrive. Mr Kumar also recalled a rare instance where a Royal Bengal tiger and a snow leopard were captured on the same camera trap, highlighting Sikkim's unique ecological riches. 50 Years Of Statehood Sikkim, which enjoyed protectorate status after India's Independence, became a state in 1975 following a referendum. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the people of Sikkim on the state's golden jubilee on Friday, highlighting its serene beauty and "strides in diverse sectors". "Warm greetings to the people of Sikkim on their Statehood Day! This year, the occasion is even more special as we mark the 50th anniversary of Sikkim's statehood! Sikkim is associated with serene beauty, rich cultural traditions and industrious people. It has made strides in diverse sectors. May the people of this beautiful state continue to prosper," he wrote on X.
