Sanctuary Asia - May 2018

SANCTUARY ASIA, 2018 MAY 13

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIE

F

Dear

Cub

kids,

Skinned knees from falling off bikes, scraped shins while scaling walls, scratched up arms from rescuing kittens... many of you know exactly what I’m talking about! After an injury, isn’t it amazing to watch how your skin heals? At first there is the blood, which knows when to stop flowing. The next day, a moist yellow-orange wound. A few days later, a dry, dark maroon scab surrounded with tender skin, until magically – usually before the week is out – the scab falls away to reveal fresh pink, new skin beneath. Because we are a part of nature, it’s not so difficult to understand that this is exactly how the Earth heals itself too. No matter how much damage has already been

done, if we stop ‘rubbing salt in the wound’, the planet can – and will – fix itself! The ‘Nature Needs Half ’ declaration says it best: it is the urgent responsibility and moral obligation of all nations to respect nature and preserve its vital functions which requires, on average, 50 per cent of all land and seascapes protected and interconnected by 2050 to maintain Earth’s biodiversity and life-giving services. Each one of us needs to support the people and organisations who are already working hard to protect our planet, but also, we need to make a commitment to make some changes in our lives. On June 5, 2018, World Environment Day, all good earthlings will focus on one thing: beating plastic pollution.

According to a latest survey, rhino population in Kaziranga National Park (KNP), has seen an increase by 72 pachyderms* since 2013. The population has risen from 2,329 to 2,401 rhinos, a significant success despite the threat of poaching looming large. According to forest authorities, there could be 200 more, as several rhinos are found in the neighbouring areas of KNP, areas which are yet to be included in the survey.

A wildlife survey has revealed an increase in gharial population in India by 426 in a single year. These fish-eating crocodilians were once found all across India. However, due to loss and destruction of their riverine habitats, the species is now listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Conservation efforts by wildlife departments in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have led to a revival in gharial populations in the

Rise in Assam’s greater one-horned rhinoceros population

Ban on sand mining leads to a rise in gharials!

Kaziranga in Assam, a UNESCO world heritage site, is home to the largest population of greater one-horned rhinoceros in the world. The greater one-horned rhino or Indian rhino is listed as a vulnerable species by the IUCN.

Chambal National Sanctuary area, where the numbers now exceed 1,680. The ban of sand mining in Chambal has been instrumental in the survival of not just gharials, but also muggers, whose

Rajasthan chooses to saveGreat Indian Bustard habitat Rajasthan rejected the National Highway Authority (NHA’s) plan to develop an emergency airstrip on a national highway in Jaisalmer, in a bid to protect its state bird,the Great Indian Bustard (GIB). As a portion of the proposed airstrip would have passed through the Ramdevra forest area, a breeding site for the Great Indian Bustard, the Rajasthan Forest Department turned down the NHA’s proposal. The Forest Department feared that the noise from the plane landing and take-off procedures would drive the GIBs away from the area.

PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2017ALOK BHAVE/ENTRY-SANCTUARY WILDLIFE

VIKRAM BATRA/ENTRY-SANCTUARY WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS 2017

In this issue, learn all about the massive – and reversible – plastic problem: how it negatively affects all life on Earth, including us, and most importantly what you and your friends can do about it, starting NOW. By acting together, it’s pretty incredible what can be achieved. Just look to the ants. Or to the bees!Also in this issue, meet a bunch of crazy cute wild cat kittens, witness the magic of butterfly metamorphosis, say hello to India’s only parrot species, feast your eyes on images of ‘beach life’ and much more. Happy reading, happy holidays and never forget – ‘if you can’t reuse it, refuse it’!Your friend,

Rajasthan’s decision to protect its state bird must be appreciated. Being the only

stronghold of the critically endangered bird, targeted conservation measures in Rajasthan become crucial. With less than 150 GIB individuals left

in the world, the Rajasthan government has launched a species recovery programme and has set up captive-

breeding centres. Rajasthan’s dedication to its state bird has set an example for other states towards conservation of species, especially those endemic* to their region.

population has seen an increase from 562 to 613 individuals. Sand mining along the banks of Chambal river was previously leading to the destruction of the animals’ eggs, which drastically affected their population.

almer,

in

bird,the. h

in

t

go

v

sp

e

THOMAS HARDWICKE_PUBLIC DOMAIN