In November 2013, our team from National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) set out on a ship R/V Roger Revelle hosted by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution for 17 days covering around 6000km in the offshore waters of the Bay of Bengal Sea to document marine mammals. We came across 12 species of marine mammals including blue whales, killer whales and sperm whales. Apart from these we saw turtles, flying fish, butterflies, dragonflies and, unexpectedly, some terrestrial birds. The expedition … Read More
Limulus Oil Seller in Kolkata
This picture was taken in May 2012 on the streets of Central Kolkata, West Bengal. I had been out doing street photography in my locality. Since I am very much concerned about conservation of nature and natural habitats, this shop caught my attention. I am a biology student and so I knew what these creatures were. These are live limulus or horseshoe crabs. Horseshoe crabs are rare marine fauna that have to be conserved. They are living fossils. A … Read More
Framing Ecologically Sound Policy on Linear Intrusions Affecting Wildlife Habitats
In the 20th meeting of the Standing Committee of the NBWL held on 13 October 2010, it was discussed that linear intrusions were a serious issue and a sound policy needs to be framed consulting various experts. The Chairman requested the member of the Standing Committee from the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore, to prepare a background paper that could be discussed at the next meeting to move towards the formulation of a policy on linear intrusions at the national level. … Read More
Orissa Imposes Seven-month Ban On Fishing Near Turtle Nesting Sites
Orissa has imposed a 7-month fishing ban within 20 kms of the coastline in three districts where there are olive ridley turtle nesting sites. Turtles have started congregating for their annual mating and mass nesting ritual. The ban has been imposed near the beaches of Gahirmatha, Rushikulya and Devi. Patrolling will be intensified to enforce the ban strictly. Last year, there were two nesting events and a record 7.2 lakh turtles had nested on the beaches. However, despite many conservation … Read More
Report Indicates Five Sea Turtle Danger Zones Exist in the Waters of India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
A study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has identified 11 most endangered turtle species and has said that the five of the danger zones are in the exclusive economic zones of India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Poaching and killing of wildlife is rampant on Indian shores. The Olive Ridley and the Hawksbill turtles nest on Indian shores and they face their most danger from becoming bycatches in fisheries as well as direct harvest of turtles and … Read More
National Centre for Marine Biodiversity Coming up in Gujarat
A National Centre for Marine Biodiversity (NCMB) is coming up in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The centre will have the goal of safeguarding the biodiversity of coastal area. It is the first research institute set up in a public private partnership in the country. Jamnagar is close to India’s only Marine National Park in the Gulf of Kutch. The overall mission of the centre will be to support integrated management of coastal and marine biodiversity and ensure sustainable development and hazard management. … Read More
Coral Reefs Face Extinction Before the End of the Century
Coral reefs around the world are facing extinction before the end of the century, due to increasing acidity in the ocean. A study which analyzed volcanic seeps that emit minerals and gases has shown that diversity and complexity of Coral Reefs drops as pH values fell from 8.1 to 7.8 and reef development stopped completely when the pH fell to below 7.7. The study of the seeps comes closest to simulating the effects of man made CO2 emissions. … Read More
Study to understand impact of Jaitapur Nuclear Project on Marine Ecology and Biodiversity
The National Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has planned to undertake a study to understand the possible effects of the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project on the marine ecology and biodiversity. The study will be conducted by five environmental organizations and headed by the BNHS director, A.R. Rahmani. The marine ecology around Jaitapur is considered vibrant. The study is expected to take a year and cost Rs. 5.86 crore. However, activists and experts are skeptical of the study as environment … Read More
Sixteen dolphins found washed ashore dead in Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Sixteen long-nosed dolphins were found dead at three places on the Puducherry coast. This is the 20th incident in 16 months. Wildlife officials visited the spot and inspected the dead mammals. One carcass was sent to the Rajiv Gandhi College for Veterinary Sciences for detailed analysis. All the dead appeared to be members of a pod and it is suspected that this was a case of mass stranding. … Read More
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