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.

Village outposts near fringe forest farms

it is such small village outposts bar homestead plantations and agriculture plots near fringe forests that are the first line of defence/caution in cases of human wildlife interactions. While in some cases these lead to conflict especially when large ungulates like Gaur and Sambar enter into areas where there are standing crops, in most cases the presence of humans at night do help in keeping away wildlife.
Our teams endeavour has been to observe this process and its effectiveness and wherever possible suggest some measures that can enhance and safeguard both the farmers as well as wildlife.
It has been an uphill task but nevertheless there has been some limited success after trial and error.

The base of the vazra falls

The vazra falls in the Chorla Ghats have been home to me for a decade and half now and have shaped my career as well as my life. Here the falls cascade almost 142 meters into the valley and later join the Valvanti river.
Here, at the fag end of the monsoons these falls cascade into a rainbow and give it an ethereal feel.

Asian Weaver Ants || Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775) taking away a shrimp head

Asian Weaver Ants || Oecophylla smaragdina (Fabricius, 1775) taking a shrimp away at Nerul, bardez Goa. It is such smaller facets of urban biodiversity that need to be observed and appreciated. This image was taken in my backyard and I am sure one can see such events unfolding in any homestead farm or garden across the state.