Latest news with #PramodG.Krishnan
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Kerala to seek sterilisation of Bonnet macaque near forests
Mass sterilisation of the Bonnet macaque, a widely seen primate species, may be undertaken in Kerala as part of measures to control its population. The Kerala Forest Department will shortly approach the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change seeking permission to carry out sterilisation of the species endemic to South India. Farmers and people living in forest fringes have complained about crop loss caused by the troops of monkeys. The animals, according to farmers, damage a wide variety of crops, including coconuts and agricultural crops. The presence of the species has been reported in almost all the eco-tourism centres of the State. The department had drawn up a 'Mission Bonnet macaque' as part of a 10-point programme to reduce instances of human-wildlife conflicts. The sterilisation programme, along with other initiatives, is part of the mission, said Pramod G. Krishnan, Chief Wildlife Warden (CWW), Kerala. After wild pigs, the Bonnet macaque is the second species for which population-control measures are being proposed. Though wild pigs are being culled, there are no plans to cull the monkeys. The proposal is to sterilise the troops in specific locations and release them back into their territories. The sterilised animals will be sheltered for some time for the healing of their wounds. The State had earlier made some isolated attempts to sterilise the monkeys, said Mr. Krishnan. The project requires the permission of the Union Ministry since the species is included in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act. The species is included in Schedule 1, considering the fall in their overall population. Besides sterilisation, the department plans to implement waste management programmes in eco-tourism centres where these animals feed on leftover food. The practice of visitors feeding the animals will be thoroughly discouraged, he said. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has included the species in the 'vulnerable' category considering its declining population. Studies indicate that the species faces serious population decline, even up to 65%, in some parts of its distribution range. Hunting, persecution, removal of native avenue trees, feeding by humans, and displacement by Rhesus macaques in the northern parts of the range are believed to have contributed to the decline. The presence of the species has been recorded in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, according to the IUCN assessment. Incidentally, the Ministry had earlier shot down the proposal of the State government to classify wild pigs as vermin.
The Hindu
15-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Seminar highlights impact of citizen science in bird watching
A two-day national seminar titled 'Birdwatching through Citizen Science: A Decade of Transformation' was jointly organised by the College of Climate Change and Environmental Science and the College of Forestry under Kerala Agricultural University (KAU), in association with the Kerala Bird Monitoring Collective (KBM). The event, held at the university's central auditorium recently was inaugurated by Pramod G. Krishnan, Chief Wildlife Warden of Kerala. The seminar brought together scientists, researchers, and birdwatching enthusiasts to celebrate and reflect on ten years of Kerala's pioneering citizen science initiative in bird monitoring. Key dignitaries in attendance included KAU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ashok; Dr. Kannan C.S. Warrior, Director of Kerala Forest Research Institute; Dr. O. Nameer, Dean of the College of Climate Change and Environmental Science; Dr. Ratheesh R.L. of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University; and Praveen J. from Bird Count India, Bengaluru. The seminar featured presentations on avian studies across habitats such as wetlands, forests, and water bodies, along with discussions on research publications and interactive Q&A sessions. Topics included current birdwatching practices, challenges, and future opportunities. Around 200 participants from scientific, academic, and research backgrounds attended the event. 10 years of bird monitoring The Kerala Bird Monitoring Collective is celebrating a decade of impactful citizen science in bird observation and conservation. Over the past ten years, more than 10,000 citizens across Kerala have contributed over 7,00,000 bird records under this initiative. To date, 559 bird species have been documented in the State through this collective effort. One of its landmark achievements is the completion of the Kerala Bird Atlas, Asia's largest bird mapping project, accomplished in just five years through surveys across 3,000+ locations by over 1,000 birdwatchers. The Common Bird Monitoring Programme has played a vital role in tracking everyday bird species that serve as ecological indicators. This initiative has helped generate baseline bird data at the panchayat level, supported by the distribution of awareness materials such as local bird posters to several panchayats and municipal bodies. Structured monitoring of heronries has yielded insights into nesting, population trends, and threats. The Asian Waterbird Census has enabled accurate estimation of waterbird populations and their migratory patterns, offering a clearer understanding of the health of Kerala's wetlands. Efforts like beach combing have supported the documentation and conservation planning for declining coastal bird populations. To assess the ecological state of internationally recognised wetlands, Ramsar Site Monitoring has been undertaken. Meanwhile, Pelagic Bird Surveys have helped study seabirds and their migration patterns. Systematic bird surveys are also being carried out across all forest divisions in the State. Through these initiatives, Kerala has emerged as a model for community-driven biodiversity documentation, combining grassroots participation with scientific rigor in the realm of bird conservation.
