shot-button

Read Nature And Wildlife News

What is a 'worm moon' and does it still mark the start of spring?

The worm moon has risen. The final full moon of winter in the northern hemisphere appeared on March 25 and owes its name to Native Americans who noted winter's end by the trails of earthworms it illuminated on the newly thawed soil. Common names of full moons generally come from seasonal animals, colours or crops: wolf moon, pink moon and harvest moon. But the worm moon may be losing its significance, as climate change leads to wetter summers and milder winters in much of the world.  To track how the worm moon might be changing, we can look at a particular earthworm species (Lumbricus terrestris, aka the dew worm, nightcrawler or lob worm) which is unusually easy to track. Also sometimes called the common earthworm, if you see a big worm in the garden, it's likely to be this species. Most worms spend most of their lives underground, but the dew worm almost completely leaves its deep burrow, with its tail tip left in, as it ventures onto the soil surface every night to feed on dead leaves. Also Read: First-time voters in Maharashtra consider climate action a key poll issue These worms also mate on the soil surface. They may be hermaphrodites (both male and female) but still need to exchange sperm with a partner each fertilising the other. Such activities usually take place under the cover of darkness to avoid birds and other potential daytime predators. However, the worms are restricted by soil conditions at the top of the burrow. They cannot surface if the soil is baked dry (in summer) or frozen (in winter). In theory, the passing of winter would kickstart surface activity (and therefore the worm moon). Yet if the winter isn't that cold, we perhaps need to reconsider which moon should be termed the worm moon. Maybe a date earlier in the year would be better, or perhaps the term may cease to have any real meaning. We can get a sense of how these earthworms can adapt to changing circumstances by looking at the northernmost populations, such as those in Finland, which are exposed to 24 hours of daylight in summer. These 'white nights,' when the sky never gets dark, put additional stress on these worms as they cannot use darkness to hide from predators but must still feed and mate at the surface while conditions allow. Finland v Lancashire v OhioA decade ago, Kevin Richard Butt from the University of Central Lancashire set out with his colleagues to see if Finnish worms behaved any differently during the white night period to worms of the same species taken to Finland from lower latitudes. He compared native dew worms from an area in south-west Finland at 60°N, with those from Lancashire in the UK (53°N) and Ohio in the US (40°N, more than 2,000km south of Finland), both of which have dark nights throughout the year. Also Read: World Wildlife Day: How wildlife rescuers conserve leopards in Mumbai Butt and his team put these worms outdoors under ambient (white night) light in soil-filled drainpipes (1m deep) in a large, controlled-temperature water bath (an old chest freezer with no lid). They looked at their feeding and mating, and in parallel, repeated the experiment under darkened conditions at night.In the darkness, they found that worms from all three origins were similarly very active in feeding and mating. Under ambient conditions, the Finnish worms were generally the most active. They emerged earlier in the evening and ceased their activity later in the morning than those from the two more southerly populations. It seems the species had adapted to its conditions, with a normal reluctance to surface during daylight overtaken by a need to feed and mate. "Perhaps with warming soils, earthworms are becoming more active during traditionally colder or drier months. This will increase their effect on the soil, earthworms are ecosystem engineers and lead to increased soil fertility which is generally positive, even if churning up the soil can lead to further decomposition and greenhouse gas emissions," remarks Butt. A worm moon and white nights would never normally appear in the same sentence. However, changes in the activities of worms as the global climate becomes less predictable imply that we need to rethink at least one of our terms of reference that has marked time for hundreds or thousands of years. One must enjoy the traditional worm moon while it lasts, he adds.  Also Read: Mumbai-based beach cleanup group celebrates 314 weeks of environmental triumph This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

27 March,2024 11:59 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: istock

First-time voters in Maharashtra consider climate action a key poll issue

Climate action ranks as the second-most crucial factor influencing the choice of political candidates or parties among first-time voters in Maharashtra, according to a recent survey. The survey titled 'Perception of First-Time Voters (aged 18-22 years) on Climate Education in India' revealed that 52.2 per cent of respondents advocate for climate education as the government's most effective strategy to combat the climate crisis. A significant portion of participants expressed a need for more comprehensive climate education to bridge the gap between awareness and actionable knowledge. The survey was conducted in a collaboration between Asar Social Impact Advisors, the Climate Educators Network (CEN), and CMSR Consultants. It surveyed 1600 first-time voters from states including Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. A total of 400 respondents from Mumbai and Pune participated in the survey. The survey's findings underscore the urgency and importance of integrating climate education into our curricula, tailoring it to meet local contexts and students' needs, thereby fostering a generation equipped to tackle the climate crisis proactively. On the quality of environmental education in schools and colleges, responses varied across different regions. In Delhi, the prevailing sentiment among respondents (58 per cent) was that the quality of environmental education is 'average', with 25 per cent considering it 'poor'. Conversely, in Maharashtra and West Bengal, a majority of respondents (47 per cent and 58 per cent respectively) rated environmental education as 'good'. In Tamil Nadu, 39 per cent of the respondents perceived their environmental education positively as 'good', while another 25 per cent described it as 'average'. On coverage of climate change topics, across locations, topics like global warming, greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, and biodiversity loss were commonly addressed in the school curriculum. However, the majority of the participants expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of depth and solution-oriented approach. Despite some detailed discussions on specific aspects like greenhouse gases and mitigation strategies, there was a common sentiment of inadequate coverage or in-depth discussions about climate change and no practical solutions to address environmental challenges. Participants also emphasised the need for practical solutions in climate education, and topics like sustainable development goals and waste segregation to be integrated into the curriculum. They called for climate education to be free from political bias and made it mandatory, suggesting adjustments to the credit scoring system to reflect its importance. There was a notable lack of awareness about climate change causes and consequences, highlighting the need for more knowledge dissemination. The need for comprehensive and in-depth coverage on topics like global warming, medical waste management, acid rain and ozone depletion was emphasized. There were suggestions for a deeper exploration and analysis of the hazardous nature of industrial pollution and including detailed information on how climate change can be mitigated and reversed within the curriculum. While a significant portion of respondents felt adequately informed about the causes and consequences of climate change through their education, qualitative findings revealed that many felt the knowledge imparted was insufficient. In Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, a significant majority of respondents, comprising 93 per cent, 89 per cent, and 82 per cent respectively, reported learning new and significant aspects of climate change in school. However, in Delhi, only 23 per cent of respondents stated the same. Respondents also suggested various strategies for the government to effectively tackle the climate crisis. The top strategy mentioned by respondents of West Bengal (87 per cent), and Delhi (74 per cent), was enhancing sustainable transportation infrastructure. Likewise, 80 per cent and 72 per cent respondents from West Bengal and Delhi respectively suggested implementing stricter regulations on carbon emissions to tackle the climate crisis. Maximum respondents from Tamil Nadu (55 per cent) and Maharashtra (52 per cent) believed that an effective strategy would be to conduct climate education and awareness programs. Prioritizing the development and utilization of renewable energy sources was suggested by 80 per cent respondents from West Bengal followed by 70 per cent, 50 per cent and 45 per cent respondents from Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra respectively. Participants also stressed the importance of political commitment to addressing climate change issues, indicating a growing awareness among voters regarding environmental sustainability and its influence on political decisions. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

23 March,2024 05:11 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Each year the green cover in the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone has been shrinking

Environmentalists demand stricter enforcement of laws on Holi

Ahead of Holi celebrations, green activists of Agra have demanded effective steps by the Agra Municipal Corporation to ensure that environmental pollution on Holi was minimised through the use of eco-friendly colours and firewood. In a memorandum to the municipal corporation chief the activists demanded the promotion of the use of "Gau Kashth" -- briquettes made from cow dung, hay and saw dust. "The general trend is to chop branches of trees on a large scale and use them for burning 'Holika' (the holy bonfire). People have been piling up all kinds of garbage, plastic, polythene, leather cuttings from shoe factories, household waste, used clothes, on the Holika which is set on fire around midnight," said environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya. Another big problem is that these "Holikas" are lit up on main road crossings. "The coal tar also gets burnt and leaves huge scars on the roads. These potholes are rarely filled promptly. Some people also burn used tyres. Clearly, the administration has to stop all this," said green activist Padmini Iyer. Each year the green cover in the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone was shrinking. Lakhs of saplings planted during the rainy season hardly survive for want of care. "The green cover in Agra is hardly nine per cent. The national policy guideline is 33 per cent. For Holi, burning hundreds of trees is assaulted both in urban areas and rural hinterland. We must educate our people and provide them alternatives," added 'River Connect' Campaigner Jugal Shrotriya. A rough estimate of the number of Holikas set on fire in Agra city is more than a thousand. "If an average of 10 quintals of firewood is burnt, one can calculate the damage and loss," said Chaturbhuj Tiwari. In the rural areas, people generally use cow dung cakes and Vilayati Babool branches, but in urban areas, since firewood has become exorbitantly expensive, people choose to burn all the trash and waste available. This releases large quantities of noxious gases into the atmosphere, the activists said. They appealed to the administration to campaign and create awareness to sensitise people to the hazards of pollution. By using alternative materials like organic waste, the emission of harmful pollutants can be contained. The state pollution control board should continuously monitor and enforce regulations. The corporation should immediately clean up and fill up the potholes on the roads created by Holika Dahan. People should also be encouraged to use eco-friendly colours and gulal, the activists suggested. Already the air pollution level in Agra is very high. Recent reports suggest that despite a slew of measures after the historic Supreme Court verdict in 1993 to save the Taj Mahal from pollution, there has not been any significant change in the air quality or the pollution level in the city. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

22 March,2024 04:02 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Image for representational purpose only. Image courtesy: iStock

Earth Hour 2024: 60 minutes to sustainable actions

An annual event that provides a collective moment of optimism to celebrate our one shared home. And to raise awareness for addressing the dual biodiversity and climate challenges that the planet is facing. Earth Hour 2024 is scheduled to be celebrated worldwide on 23rd March from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. In a unique way to go beyond the campaign's tagline "Switch Off," the Earth Hour India 2024 champions, Sudarsan Pattnaik, Ranveer Brar, Peepal Baba, Radhika Khandelwal and Shivang Mehta, encourage all to spend 60 minutes doing something positive for our planet, for people to reconnect, learn and inspire others to take care of the planet. Celebrity chef Ranveer Brar shares his inspiring journey towards embracing sustainable food practices and his ideas on avoiding food wastage. He has prepared a unique watermelon rind pickle recipe for Earth Hour, encouraging people to move towards sustainable zero-waste cooking. Sudarsan Pattnaik, a world-renowned Indian sand artist and Padma Shri Awardee, has been spreading the message of protecting the environment and nature, among many other social causes. As Earth Hour India 2024 Champion, he shares, “It is a great opportunity for all of us to join the global movement this Earth Hour and "Give an Hour for Earth, not only to switch off lights symbolically but also to commit an hour to sustainable actions. I urge you all to join me on 23rd March to spread the message far and beyond, to create the Biggest Hour for Earth.” Spend a thrilling hour on a virtual safari in Ranthambore, where award-winning photographer Shivang Mehta will demonstrate the art of photographing tigers and other wildlife creatures in action. This online masterclass will tackle various aspects of nature photography, from equipment preparation for a tiger safari to mastering morning and evening light, framing animals in their habitats, and effective post-production techniques. Catch the live class on the WWF-India YouTube channel. Plant a tree with Peepal Baba to Give an hour to the planet. Community engagement in plantation drives means everyone helps plant trees together, which makes our neighbourhoods greener, and makes us feel connected and responsible for our planet. This Earth Hour, join Peepal Baba on a tree plantation drive in Jaunapur City Forest, Delhi, on 23rd March at 10:00 am. Chef Radhika Khandelwal strives for zero-waste in the kitchen and finds innovative ways to use every part of the produce. Head to her restaurant, Fig & Maple, in the Greater Kailash 2 market any day of March 2024 for a specially curated Earth Hour meal. Give an hour for Earth at Fig & Maple by indulging in a curated dinner experience showcasing seasonal ingredients and rich biodiversity of indigenous grains sourced from small, local producers. The Hour Bank, the new online interactive tool of Earth Hour, invites everyone, everywhere, to find the most enjoyable ways to give an hour for Earth. Whether it is a mindful walk through the woods, cooking a sustainable dish, learning to grow veggies, or engaging in a home scavenger hunt to identify and swap out unsustainable products with eco-friendly alternatives, there are myriad options to choose from. The Hour Bank provides a list of activities and events based on participants' lifestyle interests and preferences, from food and fitness to art and entertainment. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever  

18 March,2024 10:20 PM IST | Mumbai | IANS
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

From Pitbull Terrier to Rottweiler: Centre tell states to ban 23 breeds of dogs

The central government has directed states to ban the sale and breeding of 23 breeds of ferocious dogs, including Pitbull Terrier, American Bulldog, Rottweiler and Mastiffs, amid rising instances of people dying due to pet dog attacks. The directive issued to states and Union Territories bars people from keeping as many as 23 breeds of dogs as pets. In a letter dated March 12 to chief secretaries of all states and UTs, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying also said that these breeds of dogs, which have already been kept as pets, should be sterilised to prevent further breeding. Flagging serious recent issues of death of human beings due to dog bites by some ferocious breeds of dogs kept as pets, the department said it has received representations from citizens, citizen forums and Animal Welfare Organisations (AWOs) to ban some of the breeds of dogs from keeping them as pets and other purposes. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying had set up an expert committee under the chairmanship of the Animal Husbandry Commissioner with members from various stakeholder organisations and experts in view of the representations. The panel has identified 23 breeds of dogs, including mixed and cross breeds, as ferocious and also dangerous for human lives. Pitbull Terrier, Tosa Inu, American Staffordshire Terrier, Fila Brasileiro, Dogo Argentino, American Bulldog, Boerboel Kangal, Central Asian Shepherd Dog and Caucasian Shepherd Dog are among the breeds sought to be banned from the Centre. Other breeds include South Russian Shepherd Dog, Tornjak, Sarplaninac, Japanese Tosa and Akita, Mastiffs, Terriers, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Wolf Dogs, Canario, Akbash Dog, Moscow Guard Dog, Cane Corso and Bandog. "...the above dog breeds, including crossbreeds, shall be prohibited for import, breedings, selling as pet dogs and other purposes," the letter said, quoting the recommendations of the expert panel. The Centre's Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has asked local bodies and state-level departments of animal husbandry not to issue any license or permit for the sale and breeding of banned dog breeds. The Centre has published the Prevention of Cruelty to the Animal (Dog Breeding and Marketing) rules, 2017 and the Prevent of Cruelty to Animal (pet shop) rules, 2018. In the letter, Joint Secretary in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying O P Chaudhary said implementation of the rules is vested in local bodies and state animal welfare boards as well as the Department of Animal Husbandry.  This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

14 March,2024 12:08 PM IST | New Delhi | PTI
The World Wildlife Day is observed every year on March 3 to raise awareness about the wild fauna and flora across the globe. Photo Courtesy: AFP

Experts share safe hacks to deal with wildlife animals in human-dominated spaces

The adjoining areas of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) have recently witnessed instances of wildlife coming in contact with humans. Leopards have been spotted in schools at Mulund, Bhandup, Borivali, Andheri and in malls at Thane. No human casualty has been reported in these incidents. “The movement patterns of these animals are based on their instincts and not intentions”, shares Pawan Sharma who works as a wildlife rescuer at the Mumbai based welfare organisation called RAWW (Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare). According to Pawan, Leopards do not have intentions to harm humans and they wish to coexist with people. The suburban areas connected with SGNP have a higher incidence of witnessing wildlife as they lie at the periphery of the forest. On World Wildlife Day, we reached out to RAWW to learn about human-wildlife interaction. In a telephonic conversation with Midday, Pawan shares few handy tips for people on how to deal with wildlife when they spot one. Do not feed monkeys Monkey menace has increased due to mistakes made by humans. People tend to feed monkeys on commands of local priests for religious purposes. This leads to changes in the eating habits of monkeys as they stop making efforts to find food themselves. Monkeys begin to approach humans for their meals thereby changing their natural instinct to hunt for food. Pawan shares that one needs to learn the difference between domestic and wildlife animals - Monkeys should not be fed in order to curb their menace in the cities. Improve waste management in the city It is imperative to manage waste lands in the city. In markets, often dust bins and dumping grounds lay open and uncovered. This invites Monkeys and Leopards to find their food in these spaces. Thus, they tend to return back to stray dump in search of food. To discourage this habit, waste need to be managed better to deter wildlife from seeking food in those areas. Lights on in areas of Leopard sightings In case of Leopard sightings, it is important to keep the places well-lit. The spaces need to be garbage-free in order to capture or rescue the Leopard. Often Leopards come to hunt dogs and not humans. Thus, it is important for people to understand the behavior of this animal. They should not get scared and try to kill the animal in a mob reaction. Rather, they should call wildlife rescuers to safely catch the animal and send it back into the wild. Keep construction sites free of favourable conditions for birds Birds may attack workers at the construction sites and wreak havoc upon them. In such cases, workers are advised to stop working till the bird has grown up and flown back to its natural habitat. It is advised to keep the construction sites free of favourable conditions for birds to their nesting and breeding habits. People should not offer food to birds, in particular, Owls, even if they make screeching sounds. Dispose edible waste to curb snakes in residences Snakes can be found all across the city. Due to monsoon, snakes come out of drainage sources with the purpose of hunting in residential areas. Drainage serves as a thriving habitat for snakes as they find food, shelter and mating partners there. To curb snakes from entering human habitats, it is essential to manage edible waste. Such wastes are consumed by rats and rodents which serve as food for snakes. Thus, the problem has to be curbed at the root level. Do not feed an injured bird Sometimes people feed an injured bird out of care and concern. What they don’t realise is that the bird might be dehydrated due to its injury. In this case, the food particles may get stuck in their food pipe which in turn can choke the bird leading to its death. One can contact their local vet to learn about efficient first aid when they encounter an injured bird. Read More: How wildlife rescuers are preserving the endangered species of Maharashtra

04 March,2024 10:13 AM IST | Mumbai | Ainie Rizvi
Every year, World Wildlife Day is celebrated on March 3 to raise awareness about the world's flora and fauna. Photo Courtesy: istock

Mid-Day Premium Living with leopards in Mumbai: Rescue, rehab and conservation measures

Situated in the heart of Mumbai, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) is a protected area housing 52 leopards in its vicinity. With increasing pressures on their habitat combined with their ability to live in human-dominated spaces, leopards have been spotted in suburban areas like Marol, Bhayandar and Uttan. Recently, a leopard was also filmed behind the IIT-Bombay campus In Powai. Such spottings tend to create fear amongst locals as they lack an understanding of these jungle cats and their remarkable adaptability to urban settings, informs Venu Parmeshwar, head of operations, Wildlife Conservation Society – India. Consequently, these encounters led to human-wildlife conflicts which, in turn, caused their numbers to decline in the early 2000s. Taking cognisance of their dwindling numbers, wildlife conservation groups across India embarked on developing coexistence between humans and the Panthera-family cat. The result? An 8 per cent rise in leopard population from 2018 to 2022 as per the ‘Status of Leopards in India 2022’ report by the Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Also Read: How wildlife rescuers preserve endangered species of MaharashtraForest surveyors observed 20 states and tallied 13,874 leopards by the year 2022, as per the report. While these numbers reveal satisfactory outcomes, conservation efforts are still needed, opine experts. On World Wildlife Day, midday.com dialled up city-based wildlife experts to discover how they are tracking, studying and safeguarding the leopard population in Mumbai.  Living with LeopardsTaking on the wildlife-forward challenge, SGNP has collaborated with WeWork India over ‘Living with Leopards,’ a project that tackles leopard conservation through a three-pronged approach: research, education, and awareness. As Parmeshwar suggests – there exists a gap in understanding the physiological and behavioural aspects of leopards, that needs to be addressed urgently. Known for their athletic bodies, these agile cats can run up to 57.9 kilometre an hour and cover 20 feet in height during a single leap, informs Pune-based wildlife rescuer – Tuhin Satarkar. Owing to their fast tempo and wild disposition, people often tend to have misconceptions about spotted predators. Satarkar shares some of them with Midday.  Apprehensions about leopards:1 It’s a myth that leopards actively seek out humans. While leopards may occasionally come into contact with humans, they typically avoid confrontation and prefer to retreat rather than attack. 2. Though in some instances, they have attacked humans but such occurrences are relatively rare. Leopards do not typically prey on humans as a primary food source. 3. In most cases, leopard attacks on humans occur due to provocation, such as when humans encroach upon leopard territory or inadvertently provoke the animal. 4. Leopards are solitary and elusive animals that prefer to avoid confrontations. They are not inherently aggressive towards humans and usually only attack if they feel threatened or cornered. 5. While conflicts between humans and leopards do occur, the overall risk posed by leopards to human populations is often exaggerated. With proper management and conservation efforts, coexistence between humans and leopards is possible in many areas. Through the initiative ‘Living with Leopards,’ the goal is to dispel such misconceptions and foster a deeper understanding of these leopards amongst locals Karan Virwani, CEO of WeWork India tells Midday. Taking us through their modus operandi, Virwani shares the three-pronged approach they have undertaken to preserve leopards in their natural habitat. Also Read: Experts share safe hacks to deal with wildlife animals in human-dominated spaces Stage 1: Identifying and profiling leopardsTrap cameras have been positioned strategically across 49 locations within the park to research the leopard population. The images captured by the camera trap play a crucial role in the identification and differentiation of individual leopards, he informs. These agile felines exhibit unique rosette patterns that are similar to spot-like formations spread throughout their bodies. With the information these cameras capture, conservators process it to inform their research on leopard population dynamics. This data has proven instrumental in gathering a comprehensive understanding of leopard behaviour. “Leveraging this process, we have successfully identified and distinguished a minimum of 52 distinct leopards, contributing significantly to our understanding of the population's intricacies and enhancing conservation efforts,” he adds.  Stage 2: Studying leopards in natural habitatPost-profiling comes the role of social surveys and fieldwork to analyse leopard psychology. This approach helps unravel the multifaceted aspects of leopard behaviour including their dietary needs, breeding patterns, migratory tendencies and cultural significance, outlines Parmeshwar. Through the application of radio telemetry, researchers unveil the home ranges of leopards in SGNP, shedding light on their movements and habitat preferences. By employing techniques such as camera trapping, track surveys and genetic analysis, researchers at Living with Leopard have developed a deeper understanding of leopard survival in SGNP. Through these social surveys, they have gathered data on their population densities, individual identification and genetic diversity. Additionally, they have also developed knowledge of their distribution and habitat preferences. Complementing surveys is the role of fieldwork that has enabled researchers to observe and document behaviours such as hunting strategies, territorial markings, social interactions and responses to environmental stimuli. With these insights into the trophic interactions between leopards and their prey species – wildlife experts are now actively monitoring their habitation and breeding practices. Also Read: World Wildlife Day 2023: Who eats what, and how much, at National Park? Stage 3: Educating locals on coexistenceThe last stage encompasses the creation of awareness materials that are developed from the analysis of diverse datasets. Through awareness sessions, talks and workshops as a direct outcome of the research findings and insights acquired, the team has mobilised locals to develop an informed approach to leopards. “These informative sessions target a broad audience, including the general public, forest department staff and officials. Our awareness sessions were hosted at the Nature Interpretation Centre (NIC) and the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay which serve as a platform for disseminating knowledge and engaging stakeholders in conversations about the criticality of conserving leopards,” shares Parmeshwar.  Technological interventions for leopard conservation“Leopards are one of the most charismatic and versatile large wild cats found in India,” opines Rushikesh Chawan, Head of The Habitats Trust based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The trust he works for, recognises and supports conservation groups and individuals, who strive to safeguard India’s natural habitats and native species of flora and fauna, especially the lesser-known species and neglected habitats. With increasing concrete covers in Mumbai, these stealthy cats inadvertently venture into human-dominated spaces and pose a challenge to their coexistence with humans. However, Chawan sheds light on the role of technology as a crucial tool in conserving leopards. “One significant technological advancement, apart from camera traps, is the use of satellite telemetry for monitoring leopard populations. The recent estimate of the leopard population in India has served as a baseline for assessing how leopards are doing in the wild. Furthermore, advancements in genetic analysis enable researchers to study leopard populations' genetic diversity and connectivity, thereby aiding in conservation planning.”  Sensors, social media and sensitisationLeopards being versatile, they are found in a range of environments from forests to urban sprawls. Modelling on the Geographic Information System (GIS) platform using layers of information from their movement patterns to food preferences and availability can help mitigate the risks of co-habitation with humans, adds Chawan. To mitigate human-leopard conflicts, technology can be used to find solutions such as electric fencing, motion-activated deterrents, and early warning systems. Motion-activated deterrents, such as the use of sensors and CC TV cameras to detect leopard presence and send alerts can be effective in reducing negative interactions, especially in urban settings. Additionally, leveraging social media, online platforms and mobile applications to raise awareness, mobilise support and engage communities in best practices can go a long way in leopard conservation efforts. Overall, by harnessing the versatility of technology, wildlife conservators have enhanced leopard conservation efforts, improved monitoring and research capabilities, and promoted co-habitation between leopards and humans. Also Read: How urbanisation is affecting wildlife in and around Mumbai

04 March,2024 09:30 AM IST | Mumbai | Ainie Rizvi
Representation Pic

CMFRI proposes 'shark hotspots' to protect endangered species

The ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has proposed to demarcate "shark hotspots" in Indian waters to implement spatio-temporal fishing regulations, given the declining trend of shark catches. This move aims to safeguard endangered species, juveniles, and breeding adults from targeted fishing. Presenting the status of shark fishery in India at a consultative meeting on the conservation of sharks held here, Dr Shoba Joe Kizhakudan, head of the Finfish Fisheries Division of the CMFRI said that sharks have not evolved to withstand over-exploitation. "They cannot reproduce fast enough to make up for the increasing number of deaths every year as most sharks have a long lifespan and low reproductive output. The presence of juveniles in landings further intensifies the threat to their sustainable population," he said. According to CMFRI, the landings of elasmobranches, a group that includes sharks, rays, and guitarfish, declined by approximately 55 per cent between 2012 and 2022. Highlighting CMFRI's research works on sharks, CMFRI Director Dr A. Gopalakrishnan said the institute in the next five years will focus on understanding the complex interplay between fishing activities and other factors affecting shark populations. "CMFRI has been recognised as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Scientific Authority in India and is responsible for conducting Non-Detrimental Finding (NDF) studies on CITES-listed marine species. Six NDF documents covering 11 resources have been brought by the institute so far," he added. Gopalakrishnan also said that annual landing estimates of 121 species of elasmobranches from the Indian EEZ are being carried out by CMFRI. "The government of Oman has requested CMFRI's technical guidance for their shark and ray research programmes, including the use of classical and genetic taxonomic identification tools," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

21 February,2024 07:53 AM IST | Kochi | IANS
Children's book author Zai Whitaker was in Mumbai at the 14th Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest. Photo Courtesy: Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest

Mid-Day Premium Zai Whitaker: Adivasis in India don’t get the importance they deserve

For children’s book author Zai Whitaker, Mumbai will always be home and where she grew up even though the naturalist moved to Chennai in 1974 and later helped start the Madras Crocodile Bank. Coming from a family of naturalists, her interest in wildlife and conservation almost came naturally. “We lived in Andheri where there were jackals, and you could just walk across the fields to Juhu beach,” says Whitaker, whose oral storytelling is as immersive as her writing in books for children.  Recently, Whitaker was in Mumbai at the 14th Tata Literature Live! The Mumbai LitFest to discuss her latest book, ‘Termite Fry’, about the Irula tribe in Tamil Nadu, and she believes it was a story waiting to be told. She shares, “It is a very powerful and a true story, and I was seeing it happening in front of my eyes. The Wildlife Act had come into effect in1972 and I was there in 1974, and it was the transition phase, where they suddenly couldn’t catch snakes. What else are they going to do, as that is the only thing they know how to do. So, they can’t really use the forests.”  Lack of awareness about adivasis “I wanted to hook the reader to this amazing community of people who are vanishing. They are also a metaphor for all the Adivasi communities in our country and around the world,” adds Whitaker, who also helped start the Irula Tribal Women's Welfare Society in 1986 to aid the women from the tribe, who have primarily been known to be snake-catchers and depend on it for their livelihood. Whitaker’s book comes at a time when there is an ongoing awareness and discussion around indigenous people not only in India but also around the world. So, does she believe the adivasis, as they are popularly called, get the importance they deserve in our country? “The adivasis don’t get the importance they deserve,” pat comes the reply, before she continues, “They are absolutely unique and have knowledge and wisdom and skills that nobody else has, and which can be used selfishly for us in the mainstream community. However, it is like (right now) either we are indifferent to them or that they are niche or the ‘wild people’.”  Interestingly, they have also soaked technology into their daily lives.She narrates, “Two Irula boys got the Padma Shri and had to go to Delhi (in 2023), which is like another country for them. So, I thought somebody should go and help them navigate. However, one of the boys said, ‘I think I have it on my phone’. He had WhatsApp on his phone and found the email that the Ministry had sent him with all the details.”This amazed Whitaker, who has spent most of the last five decades around the tribe, and it is no wonder why she is so fond of the tribal community and its people.  The change she believes has to be a balance and truly believes that change will come to the indigenous communities. “The important thing is that it should come in the way they want and at their pace and this is not happening if you are taking away their forests and arresting them for eating something that they have traditionally eaten.” Need for change Whitaker has written over 20 books for children over the years – some of which include 'Kali and the Rat Snake' and 'Cobra in My Kitchen' and 'Sálim Ali for Children: The Bird Man of India' among others. In all her time as an author, she has observed how the reaction to the environment has changed over the decades. She explains, “I find it interesting how small kids are getting worried about the planet. The other day, I got one of them saying, ‘Aunty, when is the planet going to end and how is it going to end?’ We are bombarding them with this stuff, and they are losing their childhood with it in a way, waiting for this apocalyptic end to come.” The Chennai-based author, who has also been a teacher for close to two decades, says the children bothering about impending doom has also taken the fun out of their childhood, more than earlier generations have faced before.  But she asks, “Is that okay? It is the bureaucrats we need to be telling about this and not these young kids.” It is also why she believes authorities need to do more, especially in Mumbai, where people are starved of access to open spaces. “I seriously think Mumbai needs to take their open spaces seriously. I think these citizen groups need to be empowered because without the government’s help, we can’t do anything. We can whine and complain but that’s about it. So, it would be great that the government saw NGOs and others like us as a partner rather than somebody who is always criticising,” she concludes. 

20 February,2024 10:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Nascimento Pinto
Image for representational purposes only. Photo Courtesy: iStock

February most likely to break many global heat records: Meteorologists

February is on course to break a record number of heat records, meteorologists say, as human-made global heating and the natural El Nino climate pattern drive up temperatures on land and oceans around the world, media reported. A little over halfway into the shortest month of the year, the heating spike has become so pronounced that climate charts are entering new territory, particularly for sea-surface temperatures that have persisted and accelerated to the point where expert observers are struggling to explain how the change is happening, The Guardian reported. “The planet is warming at an accelerating rate. We are seeing rapid temperature increases in the ocean, the climate’s largest reservoir of heat,” said Dr Joel Hirschi, the associate head of marine systems modelling at the UK National Oceanography Centre. “The amplitude by which previous sea surface temperatures records were beaten in 2023 and now 2024 exceed expectations, though understanding why this is, is the subject of ongoing research.” Humanity is on a trajectory to experience the hottest February in recorded history, after a record January, December, November, October, September, August, July, June and May, according to the Berkeley Earth scientist Zeke Hausfather, The Guardian reported. He said the rise in recent weeks was on course for 2C of warming above pre-industrial levels, though this should be the brief, peak impact of El Nino if it follows the path of previous years and starts to cool down in the months ahead, The Guardian reported. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

17 February,2024 06:38 PM IST | London | IANS
Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

Mutant Chernobyl wolves develop anti-cancer abilities, may pave way for cure

Mutant wolves around Chernobyl, where the world’s worst nuclear accident took place 35 years ago, has now developed anti-cancer abilities, an advance that may open door for cure against the deadly disease, according to a study. In 1986, a nuclear reactor at the Chernobyl power plant exploded, releasing cancer-causing radiation and irradiated debris into the environment. The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone (CEZ), a 1,000 square mile zone surrounding area, cordoned off to prevent further exposure to radiation, has been recolonised by wildlife like horses, wolves, forests, and fungi. Now, researchers at the Princeton University in the US are studying how the wolves of Chernobyl survive and thrive despite generations of exposure and the accumulation of radioactive particles in their bodies. The team led by Cara Love, an evolutionary biologist and ecotoxicologist in Shane Campbell-Staton’s lab at Princeton in 2014 went to the CEZ, radio-collared wolves, and took blood to understand the wolves’ responses to cancer-causing radiation. Using these specialty GPS collars armed with radiation dosimeters, “we get real time measurements of where they are and how much (radiation) they are exposed to,” said Love. They discovered that Chernobyl wolves were exposed to upwards of 11.28 millirem of radiation everyday for their entire lives, over six times the legal safety limit for the average human worker. Unlike wolves living exclusively outside the CEZ, Love found that Chernobyl wolves have altered immune systems, similar to cancer patients undergoing radiation treatment. And most promising, she has identified specific regions of the wolf genome that seem resilient to increased cancer risk. Most human research has found mutations increasing cancer risk (like BRCA does with breast cancer), but Love's work hopes to identify protective mutations that increase the odds of surviving cancer. Tragically, Covid-19 and ongoing war in the region have prevented Love and her collaborators from returning to the CEZ since. “Our priority is for people and collaborators there to be as safe as possible,” she said. Love presented the findings at the Annual Meeting of Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology’s Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington in January. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.

09 February,2024 04:55 PM IST | New York | IANS
This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK