NatureNib
Published in Press

Smitten by the Himalayas

The lofty, majestic, ice-capped Himalayas continue to inspire seekers of knowledge and natural beauty into documenting its various attributes 

Aptly named Himalaya, meaning “abode of snow”, this majestic mountain range is akin to the crown of India with the world’s top 10 highest peaks. Towering more than five miles above sea level, the snow-capped mountains form a massive border between the Indian subcontinent and the rest of Asia. In fact, the Himalayan abode has 14 peaks more than 8,000 meters high and some 200 peaks more than 6,000 meters. They have for centuries inspired sadhus to soothsayers, painters to photographers, botanists to zoologists; all have walked the mountains for inner salvation. Some have even conquered them by trekking, climbing and risking their lives to understand the mighty Himalayas.

Crimson choreography

The graceful flamingo is falling victim to electrocution by high-tension cables at its breeding ground in west Gujarat 

A flock of flamingos are the most beautiful birds with their flaming shades of rosy pink. Collectively wading in blue lagoons, the pink birds make a profound statement for any casual onlooker. However, for the birdwatcher, they are a thrilling sight to behold when viewed through binoculars. It is not just because they are tall and slim but they also have gorgeous contours. Above all, they are not easy to find because of their rarity in the Indian sub-continent.

Living monuments

Three holy rivers merge with their gushing waters here; so do millions of pilgrims from across the country congregate at the Sangam in Allahabad for a holy dip to ward off their sins. At this very same venue stands a massive, magnificent yet lonesome tree. Probably one of the largest and longest living trees in India, this monolithic tree has been thriving albeit precariously by sipping water at the confluence. Reportedly over 1000 years old, this Baobab tree is a living monument and a mute witness to numerous Kumbh Melas held under its boughs.

From amateur lensman to Bharatpur’s birdman

Born in the small town of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, Kailash Navrang was a boisterous boy. Growing up during the 1970s, he had little interest in going to the ramshackle local government school and dropped out in Std X. However, curious by nature, he watched with interest the stream of foreigners who regularly visited the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary on the outskirts of town.

Namdhapa tropical rain forest in Arunchal Pradesh boasts such exotic wildlife as tiger, leopard and the rare hoolock gibbon, notes N. Shiva Kumar

The Himalayas were awesome with their snow decked peaks as I peeped through the aircraft's windows while flying into Dibrugarh airport in Assam. From Delhi, it was a long cramped flight, but seeing the mighty meandering Brahmaputra down below in so many twists and turns like liquid threads was equally breathtaking. As I deplaned my three friends were waiting and we took off for another adventure. Driving through lush manicured tea gardens, we encountered milestones with remarkable names like Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Digboi and Margherita, etc., some of which were branded by British in their heydays of colonial India. 

India's successful Project Tiger could do even better, say experts

Fifty years after the launch of Project Tiger in India, the country hosts 75% of the world's wild tigers, with the numbers increasing from 2,967 to 3,167 from 2018 to 2022 according to the Status of Tigers 2022 report. The growth in numbers, though, hides the fact that tiger numbers are not rising everywhere in India, that other endangered species and forest dwelling human communities have been neglected in the single-minded focus on preserving the tiger.

No Considerable Improvement In Hangul Population

Even as the population of the Kashmiri stag, also called locally as Hangul, is stable, there is no considerable improvement in its population due to various concerns, the department of the Wildlife Protection, Jammu & Kashmir (DWLP) has said in a report. Hangul is a critically endangered species as per IUCN, Red List Data, a Schedule I Species in Indian Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

Iconic wildlife species - The BIG seven by N.Shiva kumar

The diversity in India's jungles is spectacular. But seven iconic species are a big draw in wildlife tourism. The tiger is the totem for wildlife tourism in India as it brings in plenty of big bucks. In 2017-18, the Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan had a revenue of Rs.33,77,28,080, which is indeed impressive. Similarly, the tiger reserves in Madhya Pradesh-Bandhavgarh, Kanha, Panna and Pench-earned 400 per cent more in tourism than what the State and Central governments provide as their annual budget. Akin to Africa's "big five"-the elephant, the lion, the rhinoceros, the leopard and the buffalo-India has the "big seven", or seven beasts that are sacrosanct in their respective wilderness, the vast vistas of grasslands and woodlands that nurture them.

World elephant day: 'Over 2,600 elephants living in captivity in India'

The Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura is all set to celebrate World Elephant Day on Saturday (August 12). Managing and operating three rescue and rehabilitation facilities, Wildlife SOS claims to have to date managed to help over 50 elephants. "World Elephant Day is an annual event aimed to protect and preserve the elephants on our planet, as well as to promote awareness about the need for their conservation," claimed a press statement issued by Wildlife SOS. At over 70 years old, Suzy is the oldest elephant at the centre. She suffers from a complete loss of vision in both eyes and is devoid of molars. While aged nearly 60 years, Bhola is an old male elephant who suffers from loss of sight and a serious tail injury. Being mindful of his safety, the layout and arrangement of Bhola's enclosure are never altered. Besides, Nina is a 60-year-old elderly female elephant who suffers from arthritis and ankylosis in her limbs. She is also completely blind, which was likely a result of being stabbed in the eyes by a bullhook.

Manipur shows the herbal way to health

Manipur's rich plant wealth is a gift to mankind that needs to be nurtured with care, says biotech entrepreneur Rajkumar Kishor "Manipur is a mega biodiversity hotspot. One does not have to explore wilderness spread over 22,327 sq km to discover its distinctive floral wealth. Instead, a casual visit to the all-women Ima market with 4,000 stalls, in the heart of Imphal, will convince scientists and tourists alike. Herbal products straight from the forests and kitchen gardens are sold here on a daily basis," says Rajkumar Kishor, one of the few first-generation entrepreneurs in Biotechnology and Life Sciences in North-East India.