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New Indian Express
7 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Eravikulam ranked India's best national park
KOCHI: In a major recognition for Kerala's conservation efforts, the Eravikulam National Park in Munnar has been ranked the best among all national parks in India, as per the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) 2020–25 conducted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Eravikulam scored an impressive 92.97%, sharing the top rank with Dachigam National Park in Jammu & Kashmir. The MEE was conducted across 438 Protected Areas in the country over multiple phases by expert panels, following global criteria laid down by the IUCN and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). Evaluations were based on 32 parameters grouped under six key aspects of conservation management, a release said here. Notably, Kerala emerged as the only state to receive a 'Very Good' rating, with a total score of 76.22%, outpacing states like Karnataka (74.24%), Punjab (71.74%), and Himachal Pradesh (71.36%), which were rated 'Good.' Two other protected areas from Kerala's Munnar Wildlife Division also made it to the top tier: Mathikettan Shola National Park (90.63%) and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (89.84%). The 97 Eravikulam Park, located in the high-altitude shola-grassland ecosystem of the southern Western Ghats, is home to the largest surviving population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and is known for its rare kurinji flowers (Strobilanthes kunthianus), which bloom once every 12 years. The evaluation praised the park for its eco-tourism model built on strong community participation, its clean management, and its innovative use of technology. Eravikulam also hosts India's first Virtual Reality Nature Education Centre, allowing visitors to experience biodiversity without entering sensitive habitats. The park includes an interpretation centre, orchidarium, fernery, and segregated tourism zones to ensure minimal ecological disruption. Highlighting the achievement, Kerala's Forest and Wildlife Minister A K Saseendran congratulated 'officers and staff across the Forest Department who worked tirelessly for this.' Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G Krishnan noted that the recognition was especially meaningful as Eravikulam celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year. The Western Ghats landscape—linking multiple protected areas across Kerala and Tamil Nadu—is described in the report as a critical biodiversity corridor. The Eravikulam model, it concludes, demonstrates how conservation, tourism, and local communities can coexist without compromising ecological integrity.
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Science
- Indian Express
ZSI to aid Army with research on edible fauna; announces celebrations for its 110th Foundation Day anniversary
Written by Shambhavi Pandey The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) will mark its 110th Foundation Day on June 30 with a series of key initiatives, including the signing of two MoUs with the Indian Army and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The MoU with the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School of the Indian Army is aimed at supporting research on edible fauna in the Himalayan region to aid survival training in remote terrains, while the other MoU will be signed with the IUCN to strengthen global partnerships in biodiversity conservation. Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday at the Kolkata Press Club, Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director of ZSI, announced the plans for the upcoming celebration at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre. The event will be presided over by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, with top ministry officials in attendance. Banerjee also highlighted the organisation's upcoming role as host of the Animal Taxonomy Summit 2025, which will bring together over 500 delegates from India and abroad to discuss taxonomy, systematics and faunal conservation from July 1 to 3. In honour of its 110th year, ZSI has organised a 110-hour national hackathon on biodiversity conservation and climate change. Of the 205 participating teams, five have made it to the grand finale scheduled for June 30. These finalists—from Jabalpur, Jodhpur, Digha, Solan, and Shillong—will compete for cash prizes of Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000. One of the highlights of the Foundation Day will be the release of the second version of the Checklist of Fauna of India, a comprehensive record of over 1,05,000 known animal species compiled by more than 180 scientists. 'ZSI is like an organisation that makes Aadhaar cards for different species,' Dr. Banerjee joked, explaining that the list documents when, where, and by whom each species was discovered. The event will also see the release of ZSI's flagship publications, Animal Discoveries and Plant Discoveries, alongside other new volumes. Dr Banerjee credited the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at both the central and state levels for enabling the scientific progress that leads to new discoveries each year. 'Being relevant for over a century in a fast-changing world is no small feat,' she said. The writer is an intern at The Indian Express
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Two endangered species once thought extinct make unlikely comeback in national park: 'Like time-traveling'
Two species have made a remarkable comeback in South Australia, according to The Guardian. Western quolls and brushtail possums were reintroduced to the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park 10 years ago, and populations are now booming. Rangers and volunteers were able to identify 135 western quolls and 30 brushtail possums over the course of five nights in protected habitat. The quolls were last seen in the area in the 1880s and are only otherwise found in parts of Western Australia. The carnivorous marsupial used to inhabit 80% of the entire Australian continent, but predation by foxes and feral cats has been a major threat, according to the IUCN. Meanwhile, the brushtail possums had been considered extinct in the 1940s. Repopulation efforts were led by the government's Bounceback program, which has been protecting key habitat for these and other species. By managing certain areas of national parks, the program has provided habitat for sensitive populations to grow with additional safety measures. Biodiversity loss is already tragic in its own right, but it entails material loss for human society as well. For example, bat populations in Southeast Asia have been helpful to rice farmers by predating on destructive insects. Elsewhere, sea otters have been feeding on sea urchins, which would otherwise destroy kelp forests. Kelp forests are vital fish habitat, supporting the fishing industry. Pollinators play a massive role in propagating crops we rely on in food supply chains. Supporting healthy ecosystems and endangered animals of all kinds can provide benefits to humanity in ways that aren't always immediately apparent. Non-profit Wild Deserts has been working on a separate campaign in New South Wales. Its principal ecologist, Rebecca West, said the reintroduction of western quolls was "like time-travelling … going back to what it would have been like 200 years ago if you set up camp in the Strzelecki desert," per the The Guardian. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Khaleej Times
4 days ago
- Science
- Khaleej Times
Dubai opens world's first fungi conservation centre in 'global step forward'
Dubai has opened the world's first conservation centre dedicated exclusively to fungi. This initiative, a significant step for global biodiversity, was established in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The new Centre for Species Survival officially opened on Tuesday at Terra in Expo City Dubai, marking both a regional and global milestone. Speaking to Khaleej Times, Marjan Faraidooni, Chief of Education and Culture at Expo City Dubai, explained the motivation behind the initiative. "There are many species survival centres around the world, but there hasn't been one in the Middle East. Because Terra is committed to conservation and research, and we realised nobody was focusing on fungi, we wanted to set up the centre with the IUCN," she said. "This is a global step forward that aligns with the UAE's environmental values and its commitment to biodiversity. Through this centre, we're raising awareness about ecosystems and their role in addressing global issues like climate change and biodiversity loss," she added. "We're very proud to be the first in the Emirates because we believe in the mission and the impact it can bring." Faraidooni emphasised that fungi are not only adaptable but essential to life across varied environments, including the UAE's deserts. "The beautiful thing about fungi is that they grow in places you can't imagine. They're resilient, and they thrive when the environment is right—whether in the Amazon or beneath our desert sands. We used to harvest truffles here, known locally as 'Fagaa,' which were used for both food and medicine. That tells us fungi have always been a part of our heritage," she said. The centre will initially focus on fungi native to the region, launching Red List assessments to evaluate extinction risk. "There are currently 1,300 fungi on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, so there is a lot to do to document and understand their threats to guide policy and action," Faraidooni added. What is mycelium? During the launch, experts from IUCN and the broader mycology community emphasised the pivotal role of fungi in ecological systems. Although often overlooked in conservation efforts, fungi play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, soil formation, and plant health. Underground fungal networks, known as mycelium, help trees communicate, share nutrients, and protect ecosystems from invasive species, acting as silent engineers of the natural world. Beyond ecology, speakers at the event highlighted the innovative potential of fungi in sustainability and design. Mycelium-based construction materials are being developed as biodegradable, modular building components. Mycelium-based construction materials have been utilised in a project that created a fully circular pavilion. This pavilion, made from locally sourced mycelium, was designed to be dismantled and reused for coral reef restoration. Another concept involved modular refugee shelters made from agricultural waste—these structures are low-cost, easy to assemble, and environmentally friendly. Events to foster awareness In the UAE context, fungi such as truffles and other desert fungi species are part of both ecological and cultural landscapes. Traditionally foraged after desert rains, these species have been used in medicine and are emblematic of the deep relationship between people and their environment. The centre also aims to engage local communities through education and cultural programming, with a focus on ethno-mycology—studying how people have historically interacted with fungi. Upcoming public exhibitions, school partnerships, and citizen science walks are planned to foster greater awareness. The centre is not just for scientists, it's for chefs, farmers, artists, teachers, and families. People are invited to step into Terra's "Under the Forest" exhibit for interactive experiences that showcase the impact of fungi on the ecosystem.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
‘Extinction crisis' could see 500 bird species vanish within a century
More than 500 bird species could vanish within the next century, researchers have found, calling for urgent 'special recovery programmes' such as captive breeding and habitat restoration to rescue unique species. Birds such as the puffin, European turtle dove and great bustard will be among those to disappear from our skies if trends continue, according to the paper. Their loss threatens to unravel ecosystems across the globe. 'We face a bird extinction crisis unprecedented in modern times,' said Kerry Stewart, lead author of the research from the University of Reading, who described the headline finding of the paper as a 'shocking statistic'. It is triple the number of birds that went extinct in the previous 500 years. The paper, published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, examined data from nearly 10,000 birds (almost all of those known to exist) and used IUCN data to predict extinction risk. Habitat loss – driven mainly by the expansion and intensification of agriculture – emerged as the most significant driver of species extinction. But even if habitat loss, hunting and climate breakdown stopped today, about 250 species could still die out, as they are already teetering on the brink of extinction. Local conservation efforts may feel small but they are essential to save a species from going extinct, the researchers found. 'Many birds are already so threatened that reducing human impacts alone won't save them. These species need special recovery programmes, like breeding projects and habitat restoration, to survive,' said Stewart. Conservation success stories show it is possible to bring species back from the brink of extinction. By 1987, the California condor – North America's largest bird – had gone extinct in the wild. There were about 22 birds in captivity, which were then bred and released; now there is a population of 350 in the wild. In the UK, the bittern – a shy-reed-dwelling bird – went extinct as a breeding bird in the 1870s because its wetland habitat had been drained for farming. Now, thanks to habitat restoration, their population is at its highest in more than 200 years, with more than 280 booming male bitterns recorded last year. Prof Manuela González-Suárez, senior author of the study at the University of Reading, said: 'Stopping threats is not enough. As many as 250-350 species will require complementary conservation measures … to survive the next century.' Related: Bringing back the birds: the 'ghost woodlands' transforming England's barren sheep fells The latest State of the World's Birds report found nearly half of the planet's bird species are in decline. Habitat loss, logging, invasive species, exploitation of natural resources and climate breakdown were highlighted as the main threats. 'There is no magic bullet for solving the extinction crisis,' said Stuart Butchart, chief scientist at BirdLife International, who was not involved in the research. 'Protected areas can play a key role, while abating threats from agriculture, logging, fisheries, hunting and other sources is essential. However, some species require targeted recovery efforts, involving interventions like captive breeding and release, translocation, or supplementary feeding, to overcome barriers to recovery. 'This paper adds to a growing body of evidence showing that actions across the whole framework will be necessary to stop human actions from driving species extinct.' Find more age of extinction coverage here, and follow the biodiversity reporters Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app for more nature coverage
