CONTENTS
December 2017On the coverThis subadult tiger was caught
mid-stride in Ranthambhore by the
photographer as it mock-charged its
sibling in play behaviour that is so
vital to its future when confl icts over
territories, mates or the protection of
young ones become real life or death
issues. Sanctuary’s Lifetime Service
Awardee 2017 Valmik Thapar says
“Saving tigers is possible. For this,
working with local people is essential.
Discussing issues with all is vital,
but only in a climate of change and
change at the very core of our entire
system. For the future of tigers, the
Forest Department will have to share
power and enter new partnerships
with humility of purpose and mission.”
NEWS
8 World Scan Elephant trophy ban
reversed, Only 30 Sumatran rhinos
left? Lemur meat on the menu,
Crushing biocrusts.
9 India Scan NGT Notice to Ken-Betwa
Project, Tiger census to be more accurate,
Citizens support group formed for marine life,
Arunachal’s Demwe Project loses green nod.
10 Climate Watch Climate change
deadly for health, Jellyfi sh population
explodes, India highly vulnerable, Ban on
neonicotinoids in Europe?Photographer: Jaisal Singh
PHOTO FEATURE
12 Insectdom A collaborative project
between Sanctuary and The Bombay Natural
History Society (BNHS) showcases some
little wonders of natural history from the
archives of the incredible BNHS museum.PEOPLE
30 Meet Shashank Dalvi Author and birding
expert Bikram Grewal speaks with long-time
associate and Sanctuary Wildlife Service
Award 2017 winner Shashank Dalvi to share
both purpose and vision with readers.
90 NGO Profi le In the remote villages
that fringe the Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary,
two Project Leaders for Sanctuary’s ‘Mud
on Boots’ project are spearheading a
heartwarming community movement to
protect the region’s biodiversity as part of
the very active Bhutan Glory Eco-club.NATURAL HISTORY
38 The Water Walker Sushil Chikane
encounters a newly-described gecko, which
was caught walking on water.
60 Birds & Beasts In the second of a
two-part series, birdman, author and
fi rst-rate naturalist, Sumit Sen, writes
about species that have not been
recorded for several decades, but cannotbe categorised as ‘extinct’ given the
diffi culty in spotting them.
64 The Turf War Arpit Parekh chronicles
a territorial battle between a tiger in its
prime and an upstart competitor in the
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
84 Sanctuary Papers Oddments of
natural history, with a few scientifi c
discoveries thrown in for good measure.REPORT
34 Tourism’s Potential for Conservation
When well-managed, tourism, unlike most
industries, can create a thriving economy
that is not dependent on the one-time
consumption of natural resources – one
where the local communities can become
active partners both in tourism and in nature
conservation, writes Joanna Van Gruisen.IN THE FIELD
40 Belling the Cat Stotra Chakrabarti,
refl ects on four years spent tracking four
lionesses and their prides in the human-
dominated landscapes outside the Gir
National Park.
66 Exploring Wild Yercaud From
discovering invasive fi sh species to close
encounters with a bamboo pit viper and
watching gambolling gaur calves, Eric- The Good Fight
“Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may
come tomorrow.” – Helen Keller, The Story of My Life
When Nature’s narrative turns despairing, these individuals bring us stories of
hope, inspire us to be resilient and remind us that it is a planet worth fi ghting
for. Sanctuary is committed to honouring these trailblazers, year after year,
for we believe they drive the change we need.
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