Rajendra Bhai on National Wildlife Advisory Board.

Rajendra P. Kerkar, environmentalist from Goa and known to all of us as Bhai Kerkar is one of the 10 non official members who has been nominated to the National Wildlife Advisory Board. An affidavit to this regard was submitted to the Ho Supreme Court of India by MoEF — Bhai kerkar focuses on water conservation, community knowledge documentation and protection of the Northern Western Ghats of India. A well-known conservationist he has spent his life spreading awareness about nature, especially in the hinterlands of Goa. He is also a member of the Goa State Wildlife Board. I have been fortunate to have learnt some early lessons in community conservation and human-wildlife interactions from him and continue to do so. Image by Stalin SM.

Anti Poaching and Patrolling camps like these are often our frontline defence for field wildlife conservation. They are not only ears and eyes of the Forest Department but also a vital field level link between field biologists, communities, field staff of the forest department and nature tourists. We acknowledge and appreciate their vital role in conservation as well as in enforcement of rule of law.

The Sun came out for a bit and this Indian Bronze back tree snake ( Dendrelephis trisits) came out from nowhere and began foraging actively in the leaf litter. Primarily a tree dweller I have seen individuals of this species forage on ground before, but this one was bold enough to do so in my presence. Yes of course i sat still, but It did see me twice…and went ahead and tried stalking a skink before slithering away in a tree hollow that was a foot above the ground.