Batagur baska, commonly known as the Northern River Terrapin, belongs to the family Geoemydidae, a group of freshwater turtles widely distributed across Asia. It is a close cousin of the Southern River terrapin (Batagur affinis). The species was first described by John Edward Gray in 1830.
Sunil Limaye (ex- Forester and Wildlife Conservationist) is a tad amused when we say that forest rangers have occupied a larger-than-life persona in pop culture for years. From ‘The Forest Rangers’ (1942) starring Fred MacMurray to ‘Sherni’ (2021) starring Vidya Balan, forest officers in their myriad roles have captivated viewers as they tackled conflicts in deeply hostile forests. Limaye agrees that most forest rangers deal with intense pressures and obstacles...
In 2023, India celebrated 50 glorious years of Project Tiger. When the nation became independent in 1947, the tiger count in the country was estimated to be between 40,000 – 50,000. But, when the first official tiger census took place in 1972, the results were appalling - the animal was tethering on the brink of extinction with an abysmal count of less than 2000. The first all-India tiger census figure...
On one rainy Sunday afternoon aptly termed “Snake Season” by one speaker, herpetologists, scientists, conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts gathered together at Holiday Inn Airport, Kolkata to attend “Let Us Co-live Together” by Jain Group.
India’s famous ornithologist and naturalist flopped down on the protruding roots of a giant tree and reached for his bottle of orange juice that he was carrying with him. After all the tiring work he had done over the past couple of hours, it was nearly a tumble. Dr. Ali was thirsty and gulped down the fluid. The year was 1987 and this was just a few months before the...
Kaiser-i-Hind. Great Archduke. Chocolate Tiger. Punchinello. Indian Purple Sapphire. If you are thinking these are names of some exotic dishes or even flowers, we forgive you. They are, in fact, names of some charming butterfly species that are found in Northeast India. The Northeastern part of India contains some of the world’s most northernly tropical rainforests. This region, that stretches across the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipura,...
The combined length of the world’s coastline is typically estimated to be 3,56,000 kms as per the CIA World Factbook. Every year, a little part of it - the quiet coastline of Odisha in India to be precise - becomes the arena of an extraordinary natural event. What unfolds here is the spectacular phenomenon of mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles known as arribada (Spanish for “arrival”). This occurrence, where...
SOHAM SENGUPTA
Soham Sengupta, a Sociology graduate from St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata, has specialized in Mass Communication, Advertisement, and Political Science. An alumnus of St.James' School, Kolkata, Soham is an accomplished national-level debater, having won prestigious national debates like the Revd.
Dr. Samuel Slater Memorial Debate, Clifford Hicks Memorial Debate, LMC Debate, and Frank Anthony Debate. Currently, he is an active Public Relations professional at Sagittarius Communications Pvt. Ltd.
GURJEET WALIA
Environ's Senior Features Writer, Gurjeet Walia has spent over two decades researching and writing on diverse topics and has a deep passion for conservation and sustainability. In her free time, she enjoys folk music, Netflix, Sudoku, and quirky quizzes.
SHILADITYA CHAUDHURY
A communication architect and restaurateur behind renowned brands like Oudh 1590 and Chapter 2, Shiladitya Chaudhury is a regular contributor to wildlife features for the Telegraph,and is passionate about wildlife photography having travelled far and wide on his photography projects. As a governing body member of NEWS and HRAEI, he has significantly contributed to conservation and hospitality, while his photography and adventurous spirit have earned him widespread recognition
BISWAJIT ROY CHOWDHURY
Once a chartered accountant and lawyer, Biswajit Roy Chowdhury left his corporate career to pursue environmental causes. As the Founder of Environ and Nature Environment & Wildlife Society (NEWS), he has led mangrove restoration and alternat livelihood projects in the Sunderbans, authored over 16 books, and contributed to major conservation efforts funded by national and international organisations.
