Mongabay series: Beyond Protected Areas
Protected areas only cover about 5.02 percent of India’s total area. Consequently, a large percentage of India’s wildlife live outside protected boundaries. This gives rise to situations spanning between coexistence and conflict, which requires acknowledgement and awareness. With just five percent of India’s total forest cover officially protected, sharing habitat with humans is the reality for much of India’s diverse wildlife. In western Maharashtra, for example, every 100 square kilometers of land is home to 10 large carnivores (leopards and hyenas) -- and more than 30,000 people. In India, a protected area (PA) is defined as a zone “in which human occupation or at least the exploitation of resources is limited.” These PAs include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, community reserves and marine protected areas. In this series, Beyond Protected Areas, Mongabay-India will be addressing the urgent need to raise awareness of practices which make the land surrounding official protected areas more supportive of wildlife. One of the main threats to biodiversity outside protected areas is widespread infrastructure development, including linear incursions like roads and railways. The resultant habitat fragmentation splits up wildlife populations, causing an overall reduction in genetic diversity, which in turn decreases the resilience of species to pressures such as climate change and diseases. In this context, large carnivores prey upon livestock, while herbivores such as elephants, nilgai and wild boar damage crops. Human-wildlife conflict seems inevitable, but there are novel solutions that have come to light from across the country. We explore biodiversity and communities along the spectrum between conflict and coexistence, from across the country.
[Interview] Conservationist MK Ranjitsinh Jhala on the need for a grassland policy in India
Women take the wheel for safer tourism in Satpura Tiger Reserve
Habitat preservation in the Western Ghats can help enhance biodiversity in the hotspot
Climate change and catfight in the Himalayas: tigers, leopards venture into snow leopard land
Mapping connectivity and human-elephant conflict in Karnataka
Despite efforts and funds, human-wildlife conflict in Uttarakhand is not contained
Farmers in Kaziranga demand timely, sufficient compensation for the crop raids by wildlife
[Commentary] A safe passage for the jumbos to the islands on the Brahmaputra
[Commentary] A story of two mothers from a human-elephant conflict zone in Assam
Assam loco pilots on the need for effective communication to prevent elephant-rail collision
[Podcast] Imprints: Digging up bones with Advait Jukar
Helping wildlife navigate road and railway infrastructure
What’s for lunch? Elephants are picky eaters finds study in northern West Bengal
[Interview] Forests in the sky: ATREE scientist Soubadra Devy on studying tree canopies in India
India garners international support to save two endangered freshwater turtles
Grazing and invasive species impact food availability for wild herbivores in MM Hills, finds study
Uttar Pradesh reports an increase in rhino population since reintroduction over three decades ago
Adivasi honey harvesters demand forest control and criticise ‘unfriendly’ conservation measures
A newly described cave bat in Sri Lanka indicates presence of more species
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
- Marine plastic pollution is not just a waste problem; reducing production is needed too
- 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
India's Iconic Landscapes
- Majuli’s shrinking wetlands and their fight for survival
- 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
Beyond Protected Areas
- Wildlife rescue operations in Kashmir face an uphill battle with rising human-wildife conflict
- Pathogens find new pathways as agriculture, deforestation intensify
- Measuring the scavenging value of vultures
- New rules spell giant troubles for jumbos
Conserving Agro-biodiversity
- Pricey guests: Urban invasive species cost the world billions every year
- [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
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