Mongabay series: Almost Famous Species
Our Almost Famous Species series features lesser known species from India. It is created in the hope that familiarity will help generate concern and action for under-appreciated species. Through the series, we introduce to you India's gamut of invertebrates, birds and marine flora and fauna, which perhaps don't get as much attention as our more popular big cats and elephants. Stretching from the Nicobar Islands very close to the equator to the Western Himalaya in the north, India covers about 30 degrees of latitude, with a long coastline on its peninsula. The wide geographic extent, topographic features with multiple long mountain ranges and fertile river basins, and the monsoon winds give rise to a plethora of habitats that have been home to a variety of creatures. Yet, any mention of Indian wildlife always conjures up images of charismatic large mammals. We acknowledge that these are interesting; but we want to draw back the curtain on other species that are equally fascinating.
Watching my friendly neighbours, flying foxes
The Indus dolphin is struggling in India, thriving in Pakistan
Golden langurs cling to splintered forests and fringe villages in Assam
Overhead electricity wires prove death traps for Sarus cranes
The rare shark of the Ganga
Finn’s weaver faces a risk of extinction
Forests outside protected areas will be important to save Himalayan langurs: study
The great Indian bustard has a new ally: its human neighbours
Conserving the Toda buffalo before it is too late
Genetic study suggests Himalayan ibex could be different from their Siberian counterparts
Moved from temple ponds to the wild, black softshell turtles walk towards revival
Logging poses a threat to the arboreal Travancore flying squirrel
Study suggests tuna gillnet fisheries deadly for dolphins, but evidence unconvincing
Lakshadweep unveils world’s first sea cucumber conservation reserve
Conservation biologists navigate the new normal
Fireflies appear to be vanishing in this Andhra Pradesh village
Bats not the enemy in the fight against COVID-19
A new species of wood snake emerges in the Western Ghats, mottled in grey-brown
Indian scientists building DNA database to protect the elusive red panda
Special series
Wetland Champions
- [Commentary] India establishes the largest network of Ramsar Sites in South Asia
- [Commentary] Wetland champions: Promise from the grassroots
- The story of Jakkur lake sets an example for inclusive rejuvenation projects
- Welcome to Tsomgo lake: Please don’t litter
Environment And Health
- Stitching sustainability amidst climate change challenges
- Gujarat bans exotic Conocarpus tree amid health and environment hazard
- Malaria-carrying mosquitoes shift homes from forests to rice fields
- [Commentary] Neglecting household biomedical waste management can lead to adverse environmental effects
India's Iconic Landscapes
- Saving India’s wild ‘unicorns’
- Indrella ampulla’s genetic tapestry unveils colour morphs isolated across the Palghat Gap
- [Commentary] Up close and personal with the fragility of the Himalayas
- Studies reveal impact of land use on species diversity in rock outcrops
Beyond Protected Areas
- Rehabilitating trafficked star tortoises using genetic intelligence
- [Interview] Richie Mehta on addressing the elephant in the room in ‘Poacher’
- Scientists leap beyond Latin to give local flair to species names
- Deaths in human-animal conflict in Wayanad spark protests and debates
Conserving Agro-biodiversity
- [Commentary] GROW with agroforestry, a step towards sustainable land management
- Millet tradition loses flavour among Madhya Pradesh’s tribals
- A village nurtures traditional food systems in response to climate change
- Rising air pollution impacts India’s crop yields and food security
Just Transitions
- How unplanned coal mine closures in India are affecting dependent communities, especially women
- Green Credit Scheme’s ‘methodology’ doesn’t inspire confidence among experts
- Conflict over critical mineral prospecting in Odisha signals need for better community involvement
- Fuel leak in Manipur raises concerns over water contamination