Mangalajodi- a Falcon's Eye View

(click on the image for a larger view)

Mangalajodi, a village in Tangi in the state of Odisha (India), is the northern edge of Chilka Lake, one of the largest wintering grounds for migratory birds in the Indian subcontinent, hosting more than a million birds from 230 species annually!  Mangalajodi is also a unique conservation success story, where the efforts of a few committed locals helped transform a village that depended on bird poaching for subsistence, into protectors of those very birds. Today, Mangalajodi hosts a large number of birdwatchers, photographers and tourists every winter, earning the place a prominent spot on India's ecotourism map.

I was recently commissioned by 'Song of the Wild' to visit Mangalajodi and create an illustration of the place. The illustration will be a part of an art exhibition 'The Magic of Mangalajodi', being held in Bhuwaneshwar's Lalit Kala Akademi from the 7th to the 13th of December. Thanks to Mr. Avinash Khemka, a wildlife photographer and the brain behind the display, for hosting me at Mangalajodi, and to my friends Panchami Manoo Ukil and Bikram Grewal for making me a part of the show. Thanks also to my friend and scientist Tiasa Adhya, who is studying the Fishing Cat in the wetland, for helping me generously with information about the area, and to Mr. Madhu Behera, a poacher-turned-protector and tour guide, for showing me around.

Recommended reading on Mangalajodi: Panchami Manoo Ukil's article for Sanctuary Asia here. 

The Wings of a Cormorant

Ornithology meets Bollywood in my column with Sunday Mid-day today!

Research in Translation- Elephants in Myanmar

My third comic in the series Research in translation for Current Conservation magazine, is based on a science paper by Tirtha Patel on the conservation threats to Asian Elephants in Myanmar. The series aims to re-tell science paper as comic strips. If you're a scientist and wish to make a submission, visit this link.

Neighbourhood Trees of Delhi

Delhi has always been a tree lover's paradise. Its city parks, forests and green spaces host a wide variety, from mighty banyans to svelte acacias. Here are some of the most common ones seen around where I live, the Cheesewood being the most common species.

The comic appears in my column with Sunday Mid-day.

Monopterus rongsaw

Meet Monopterus rongsaw, a new species of Swamp Eel discovered from the famous Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya! Congrats to amphibian biologist Rachunliu G. Kamei and team from the Natural History Museum of London, for the discovery.

Read the article on the discovery on the Natural History Museum's website here, written by Josh Davis.

A Royal Tiger Hunt

Sunday Mid-Day brings out a special segment on Yavatmal's 'problem tigress' Avni's management by the Forest Ministry and Maharashtra Forest Department, and the deeply flawed and dubious involvement of Shafath Ali Khan in the operation. Here is my take for this special edition of the paper today.

Diwali 2018

Diwali 2018. From my column with The Hindu BLink.

Eco-friendly Diwali Tips from Wild Animals

Green Humour wishes readers from India and abroad a happy and eco-friendly Diwali. The comic appears in my column with Sunday Mid-day.

Prints and greetings available on my webstore here. For orders within India, write to me on rohanchakcartoonist@gmail.com.

The Killing of Avni

No veterinarian at the scene. A dart hand-pierced through her skin. The Nawab's son shooting her dead despite the shooting orders issued in the Nawab's name. 

While the killing of Avni, Yavatmal's 'problem tigress' may have become inevitable and imperative, the way it was done raises some very embarrassing questions about the credibility of the Maharashtra Forest Department.

Read Vijay Pinjarkar's detailed reportage of the incident here. 

Research in Translation- Hydel Power and Patagonian Fish

My second comic in the series 'Research in Translation' with Current Conservation magazine, is based on a study from Patagonia, involving a fish species (Galaxis platei) and dams. If you are a scientist looking to simplify your research in the form of a comic strip, participate in the series here: https://www.currentconservation.org/submit/