Latest Conservation Insights and News
Explore key updates from India’s protected landscapes and global biodiversity milestones. From Kaziranga’s rich insect diversity and UNESCO’s recognition of India’s Cold Desert to urgent calls for protecting Telangana’s state bird, impactful wildlife research on tigers, and international forest conservation pledges—stay informed and inspired by the latest in conservation and ecology.
Suriname Pledges to Permanently Protect 90% of Its Forests
Suriname’s government has announced an ambitious commitment to protect 90% of its tropical rainforests, far exceeding the global 30x30 conservation target. Covering over 15 million hectares, Suriname’s forests harbor rich biodiversity including jaguars, tapirs, and over 700 bird species, while playing a crucial role as a carbon sink by absorbing more carbon dioxide than it emits.
This historic pledge was announced during Climate Week in New York City by the Foreign Minister on behalf of President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons. The government plans to update conservation laws to strengthen protections and recognize Indigenous and Maroon peoples’ ancestral land rights.
A coalition of environmental donors has committed $20 million to support forest conservation and create sustainable livelihoods in local communities. This pledge sets a new global standard for Amazonian nations battling deforestation and climate change.
Protecting Telangana’s State Bird: The Palapitta (Indian Roller)
The Indian Roller, locally called ‘Palapitta’, is Telangana’s official state bird but faces serious threats during the Dasara festival due to superstition-driven capture and caging. These birds often suffer injuries, stress, and fatal conditions due to captivity and improper care.
Rescue efforts by NGOs and wildlife authorities have been ongoing, with increasing numbers of Palapittas being freed and rehabilitated each year. Public vigilance is critical—citizens are urged to report any sightings of captive birds to local wildlife helplines.
The Palapitta plays an important ecological role in controlling insect populations and requires urgent protection from illegal practices exacerbated by urbanisation and habitat loss.
Impact of Human Activity on Tiger Gut Microbiome: A Scientific Study
A recent study by CSIR-CCMB highlights how tourism, livestock grazing, and human disturbances in tiger habitats disrupt the gut microbiome of India’s national animal. Sampling from five major tiger reserves across core and buffer zones reveals significant microbial diversity differences linked to human pressures.
The findings emphasize the urgent need for regulating tourism and grazing in buffer zones to preserve tiger health and long-term survival. The gut microbiome is crucial for digestion, immunity, and resilience, and its disruption signals threats beyond visible habitat loss.
Researchers recommend strict controls on vehicular traffic, relocation of villages, and habitat management to reduce anthropogenic stress on tiger populations.
Study supported by Department of Science & Technology, published in Global Ecology and Conservation.
Kaziranga National Park: Rich Insect and Spider Biodiversity
A recent survey documented 283 native insect species vital for the park’s ecological health.
Kaziranga is home to a diverse array of insects and spiders including:
- Butterflies & Moths
- Ants, Bees & Wasps
- Beetles & Spiders
- Many species critical to pollination and pest control
- These tiny creatures play key roles in sustaining the park’s biodiversity and ecosystem balance.
UNESCO Includes India’s Cold Desert in Global Biosphere List
India’s Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve has been named among 26 new biosphere reserves across several countries, UNESCO announced on Saturday. With this addition, India now has 13 biospheres listed in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR).
Spanning about 7,770 sq. km across the dramatic landscapes of Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul-Spiti district, the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve was included in the WNBR at the 37th session of UNESCO's International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) held in Paris, Union Minister for Environment and Forests Bhupender Yadav said in a post on X.