Sandy shores, sand dunes, mangroves, mudflats, cliffs, seagrass meadows, salt marshes -- these diverse geographical features are coastal commons that support biodiversity and local livelihoods. What threats do they face? Max Martin explains.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/explainer-what-are-coastal-commons/

Richie Mehta, director and writer of the recent web series ‘Poacher’, talks to Mongabay-India about what it takes to bring a wildlife crime story to the screens. Interview by Priyanka Shankar.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/interview-richie-mehta-on-addressing-the-elephant-in-the-room-in-poacher/

Historically, the Gond art adorned tribal homes with natural pigments accompanied by Bana, a musical tradition of folklores. Today, the art form has undergone changes to include chemical colours and canvases.

Manish Chandra Mishra reports.

https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/converting-folklores-to-fine-art/

Tilapia, typically found in aquaculture facilities, has been found in the coastal waters off Tamil Nadu. Observations have revealed fish of various sizes, even in areas where they are not typically found; the fish is adapting its diet and breeding behaviour. Story by Sneha Mahale.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/tilapia-a-highly-adaptable-and-invasive-fish-found-growing-in-marine-waters/

Extreme one-day rainfall events in parts of India and Bangladesh have increased by four times over four decades due to the effects of climate change, finds study. Simrin Sirur reports.

https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/extreme-rainfall-events-quadrupled-in-meghalaya-due-to-climate-change-says-study/

The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change released a methodology for its Green Credit Programme, that allows trade of environmental benefits from tree planting. However, experts have raised concerns about relying too much on market forces for conservation & sustainability. Simrin Sirur reports.

https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/green-credit-schemes-methodology-doesnt-inspire-confidence-among-experts/

The inclusion of the Pallas’ cat and Central Asian lynx in the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species appendix could improve transboundary cooperation to conserve the migratory cats, while others call for more support and funding within India.
Story by Shailesh Shrivastava.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/wildcats-found-in-india-gain-international-conservation-status-at-cms-cop14/

The closure of ten mines in Bijuri and Kotma municipalities of Anuppur, Madhya Pradesh, has left around 5,000 people unemployed, triggering social and economic challenges, especially for women. Shuchita Jha and Flavia Lopes report.

https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/how-unplanned-coal-mine-closures-in-india-are-affecting-dependent-communities-especially-women/

Beetles’ role in pollination is largely unknown though they are globally recognised as early pollinators of primitive flowering plants. Arathi Menon reports.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/meet-the-beetles-the-tiny-titans-of-pollination/

In 2005, 18 sub-adult rhinos were translocated from Kaziranga and Pobitora, to Manas in Assam. A review of this 15-year rhino reintroduction programme finds that the translocated rhinos were able to adapt effectively to their new environment. Arathi Menon reports.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/saving-indias-wild-unicorns/

Residents in more than 15 villages in Jharkhand’s Saranda forest rely on shallow pits called 'chuas' for drinking water. The water in the pits, which is also used for cooking, is deteriorating and polluted. Manoj Choudhary reports.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/forest-laws-complicate-access-to-safe-drinking-water-for-tribal-groups/

Gujarat produces 80% of India's salt. The production process, however, is vulnerable to unpredictable rainfall and cyclones which could impact salt prices. Ravleen Kaur reports on how technological interventions could protect salt production.

https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/uncertain-weather-makes-that-pinch-of-salt-dearer/

The participation of the infrastructure development industry in electoral bonds highlights gaps in India’s environmental regulations, which have been eroded to accommodate business interests. Simrin Sirur reports.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/03/major-players-driving-indias-green-growth-story-spent-millions-in-funding-for-political-parties/

India's conservation efforts often prioritize forests, but wildlife corridors are crucial too. These pathways connect fragmented habitats, facilitating wildlife movement across ecosystems, ensuring population sustainability. Divya Kilikar explains.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/04/explainer-what-are-wildlife-corridors/

The forest department of Jammu and Kashmir has launched an initiative with local residents to collect dry pine needles that form a combustible mat in Jammu's forest, to convert them into bio-briquettes and handicrafts. Hirra Azmat reports.

https://india.mongabay.com/2024/04/converting-pine-needles-from-a-fire-risk-into-a-livelihood-opportunity/

Following Gauhati High Court’s order, Numligarh Refinery Ltd has started demolishing its boundary wall that had been obstructing a critical elephant corridor in Deopahar, putting an end to a decade-long legal battle. Story by Nabarun Guha.

https://india.mongabay.com/2024/04/walls-come-down-to-make-way-for-elephants/

As the threat of Nilgiri pipit going locally extinct looms large, bird researchers are urging the IUCN to uplist the status of the bird from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘endangered’. Arathi Menon reports.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/04/nilgiri-pipit-seeks-better-status-as-habitat-shrinks/

An international team has spotted 144 animals belonging to 35 species across India trapped in derelict fishing gear, as part of a social media study. Ghost nets are an indicator of the massive litter menace in India. Story by Max Martin.

https://india.mongabay.com/2024/04/creatures-entangled-ghost-nets-trap-creatures-small-and-great/

A new study analysed the faecal samples of vultures and found that vultures in south India were noted to feed more on wild carcasses, while those in the north fed mostly on domestic ungulates. Story by Sneha Mahale.
https://india.mongabay.com/2024/04/the-dietary-habits-of-endangered-vultures/

The rising demand for milk coupled with fodder scarcity leads to adulteration, where farmers try to create synthetic milk to maximise the value of their cattle. Hydroponic fodder offers a viable solution to this problem. Vandana K. reports.

https://india.mongabay.com/2024/04/amid-fodder-crisis-hydroponics-offers-new-hope-for-indian-farmers/