From being a serious contender for the title of India's 'National Bird' (strongly supported by Salim Ali, the 'Birdman of India') to ending up declared 'Extinct' (with less than 150 left in the wild), the journey of the Great Indian Bustards has been regrettably tragic. Recent surveys indicate that three iconic wildlife species in India- Indian Cheetah, pink-headed duck, and the Great Indian Bustard- have gone extinct over the last century, due to desertification (overuse of pesticides and insecticides, conversion of forest cover to agricultural land, unregulated development) and deforestation.
For details, visit: https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/three-iconic-species-endemic-to-india-gone-extinct-due-to-desertification-researchers-7320651.html https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/the-battle-to-save-the-great-indian-bustard-1573259-2019-07-25 Here's a funfact: During the selection process of the national bird, its name was dropped in favour of the Indian peacock. One reason was the potential for being misspelt.
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Recent investigations suggest that the population figure of tigers may have been overestimated by as much as 16%.
For details, visit: https://thewire.in/environment/tiger-population-survey-indian-express https://indianexpress.com/article/india/tiger-count-up-but-official-photos-show-one-in-seven-could-just-be-a-paper-tiger-6011560/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/09/20/paper-tigers-indias-big-cat-surveys-reporting-numbers/ Marine litter is a menace that has severely disturbed the intricate links of the fragile aquatic ecosystem. Unregulated dumping of human-related waste and by-products (both biodegradable and otherwise) has caused disproportionate variations in the composition of the ecosystem, leading to extinction / exodus of species, and destruction of rich habitats like the coral reefs.
As per NOAA (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/deadzone.html), hypoxic zones are areas in the ocean where the oxygen concentration is so low that animals can suffocate and die, and as a result are often called "dead zones." Runoffs from farms and cities drains into rivers, which utlimately meet the sea. This runoff contains an overabundance of nutrients from fertilisers, wastewater treatment plants, and other sources. The term “dead zone” is apt, since most marine life either dies, or, if they are mobile such as fish, leave the area. Habitats that would normally be teeming with life become, essentially, biological deserts. Not only is this harmful for the environment, and ultimately for the humankind as a whole, this phenomenon is also affecting the livelihoods of millions of coastal fishing folks across the world, who solely depend on the catches from the shallow waters for sustenance. This piece was done during a workshop in Kochi, Kerala, to raise awareness about the menaces of marine litter, and to avoid use of plastic. COMING SOON!!!!
Starring Momma Bear, Kid Bear, Global Warming, and Icebergs (Not-at-all-welcome guest appearance). "Gripping performances that will melt your hearts" - The Chimes of India. Aarey Forest in Mumbai is about to fall prey to so-called 'Development'. We should not be surprised though. This is not the first time that EIA reports have been blatantly ignored. Hopefully, the voices raised by concerned citizens would help save the forest, its biodiversity, and in the process, the city itself !!!
For details, please read: https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/mumbai/cover-story/cutting-aarey-trees-can-lead-to-floods-at-airport-in-heavy-rain/articleshow/70968625.cms |
ConceptClimate change is very much real - no matter what some people say or believe in. This problem has surfaced exclusively due to unsustainable human practices and activities. Not only have we, humans, become extremely vulnerable to the various menacing calamities (becoming more and more frequent), every other species that co-habit this planet are sadly facing the brunt as well, for no fault of theirs. Archives
August 2020
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