Indrella ampulla colour morphs

A new study shows that the Palghat Gap in southern India is the barrier separating the various colour morphs of the endemic gastropod Indrella ampulla. The article by Arathi Menon on Mongabay makes for excellent coverage of this study, which yet again proves the biogeographical mettle of the Palghat Gap!

Read another Green Humour comic on genetic isolation resulting from gaps in the Western Ghats here.

Cartoon for Roundglass Sustain.

(For readers from outside of India: the word ‘Mallu’ is a colloquial term referring to Malayali people from the southern state of Kerala).

Theri Sand Dunes and the Madras Hedgehog

Tamil Nadu has its own dune, and the dune has its own Timothy Chalamet- the endemic Madras Hedgehog! Last year, I had the pleasure of venturing twice into the Theri dunes of Tirunelveli, with researcher Maria Antony and hedgehog biologist Brawin Kumar, but was never lucky enough to spot the animal. Hunted for various superstitious rituals and losing wild scrub habitat to development and urbanization, the Madras Hedgehog is now becoming increasingly rare.

To readers from Tamil Nadu who may take offence at the ‘Dune’ comparison when there is already a Tamil film called ‘Theri’ starring superstar Vijay, my due apologies! While I am indeed aware of the popularity of the film, I am not sure if it has anything to do with the red sand dunes, not having watched it yet (and if it makes up for anything, I have not watched Dune yet either!)

Comic from my column with The Hindu Sunday Magazine.

Kaveri or Cauvery

Is it ‘Kaveri’or ‘Cauvery’? The South Indian river’s Smooth-coated Otters discuss, in my column with Roundglass Sustain. The river is threatened by dams, sand mining, blast-fishing and deforestation.

Sholas and the Sholakili

The Sholas, montane grassland-forests of the Western Ghats are an endangered ecosystem. The Sholakili tells you why. Comic from my column with The Hindu Sunday Magazine. 

Dugong Reserve in Tamil Nadu

India gets its first Dugong Reserve in Tamil Nadu! Comic from my column in Roundglass Sustain.

Adani and Pulicat

The Adani International Environmental Crime Syndicate has had its eyes on taking more of Pulicat Lake for a while now. The public hearing for their 6000+ acre megaport in the lagoon, which will not only destroy marine wildlife, flood catchments, and cyclone buffers, but will also displace lakhs of people, is scheduled for the 22nd of January, 2021. Comic from my column with The Hindu Sunday Magazine.

Grizzled Giant Squirrel and Kaveri Dam

A dam proposal at Mekedatu in the Kaveri Wildlife Sanctuary threatens one of the last strongholds and populations of the near-threatened Grizzled Giant Squirrel. Comic from my column with The Hindu. Read Bhanu Prakash Chandra 's article on the issue in The Week here. 

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary under threat

Vedanthangal, India's oldest water bird sanctuary, is on the way to being denotified and opened up for industries and commercialization. The State Wildlife Board of Tamil Nadu has already cleared the proposal, which is now awaiting the National Wildlife Board's stamp (whose utter lack of commitment to conservation we are all well familiar with by now). Sun Pharma, located at just 3.7 km from the lake, is already looking to expand its industrial activities in the region. Vedanthangal is an important breeding ground for several water birds such as pelicans, storks and ibises. The proposal has met with stiff resistance and a call to withdraw it has managed to create pressure on the Govt. of Tamil Nadu. You too can voice your opposition on Twitter (#SaveVedanthangal) or on email to the CMO Tamil Nadu and the MoEFCC.

A Tamil version of the cartoon (Translated by Vishwaja and M. Yuvan):

Indian Research on Coral Bleaching

A new study by marine biologists (lead author T. Thinesh of Pondicherry University) delves into previously unexplored details of coral bleaching. These findings are bound to help reef recovery and translocation efforts across Indian marine waters. Join the Powder Tang fish (yes, that's really the name of this species) to kkow more, in this comic from my column with The Hindu.

Adani Port and Pulicat Fisherwomen

Pulicat's fisherfolk are fighting Adani's expansion of the Kuttapally Port with a seafood festival at the Chennai Kalai Theru Vizha over the weekend, in collaboration with InSeason Fish. To learn how seafood can be consumed in a way that supports sustainable fisheries, follow InSeason Fish for more informtion.

Lion tailed Macaques and Canopy Bridges

Nature Conservation Foundation has been doing some pathbreaking conservation work across India, and one such example is in Valparai, Anamalai. Canopy bridges made of canvas and lined with rubber have been very effective in providing a safe passage for the endemic and endangered Lion-tailed Macaques. 

Comic from my column with Roundglass Sustain. More of my work on Valparai for Nature Conservation Foundation can be viewed here.

Chennai Water Crisis

Chennai is suffering the worst water crisis in its history. Meanwhile, in other cities, it's business as usual. 

Valparai Landscape and Habitats

(Click in the image for a larger view)

The Valparai Plateau in Tamil Nadu's Coimbatore district, is unique in many ways. Located in the Anamalai Hill range of the Western Ghats, the plateau is largely owned by private tea and coffee estates. And yet, Valparai is home to a wide variety of endemic and endangered fauna. Rainforest fragments interconnected by tracts passing through agricultural estates provide habitats and corridors for Asian Elephants, Gaurs, Lion-tailed Macaques and small carnivores, while offering nesting spaces to Great Hornbills, Malabar Grey Honrbills, the endemic White-bellied Shortwing, and a variety of herpetofauna and insects. 

Commissioned by the Nature Conservation Foundation, I visited Valparai in December 2017 over this project, visiting NCF's field sites, guided by two of my most admired people in ecology- Dr. Divya Mudappa and Dr. TR Shankar Raman. NCF has been doing extensive and exemplary work in the region, spanning a range of projects such as rainforest regeneration, providing a safe passage for elephants, monitoring hornbill nests, and conserving Lion-tailed Macaques. The project gave me a chance not only to witness the landscape in greater detail, but also learn from the two veterans, as well as Dr. M Ananda Kumar, whose work has been instrumental in reducing human-elephant conflict in the region. Read more about NCF's work here. 

NCF has a beautiful interpretation centre at Iyerpadi, Valparai, where two of my projects (including this illustration) are up for display. Make sure you visit the centre the next time you're here; not just because it has beautiful artwork and merchandise but also because it's a great place to see the rare Nilgiri Marten!