Biodiversity News

In a major boost to India’s wildlife research and conservation efforts, scientists have discovered a new species of non-venomous snake in the forests of Mizoram. Named the narrow-banded rain snake (Smithophis leptofasciatus), this elusive creature adds to the growing list of unique and endemic species found in the lush, biodiverse landscapes of Northeast India.

Asia is home to some of the world's most beautiful national parks, featuring diverse landscapes and rich ecosystems.

Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Meghalaya, and Rajasthan each have distinct and unique flowers that represent their culture. From the Water Lily in beautiful rivers, Marigold's presence in festivals, to the rare Lady Slipper Orchid, these flowers have significant value in rituals, traditional medicine, and celebrations across the states.  

In India, strict regulations prohibit owning certain exotic animals to protect biodiversity and prevent ecological imbalance. Tigers, elephants, Indian Star Tortoises, macaws, and owls are among the species protected under wildlife laws, emphasizing conservation and ethical concerns.

The International Day for Biological Diversity aims to raise awareness about biodiversity issues. The theme for 2024 is 'Be part of the plan'.

Freshwater species populations have plunged by 83% on average since 1970 that accounts for the largest fall of any species group as per the Living Planet Report 2022.

That data allowed the team to derive the temperature-diversity relationship across 10 geologic intervals that covered most of the elapsed time from the Cretaceous period through the modern day. Marine biodiversity tends to increase until the average surface temperature of the ocean reaches about 65 degrees Fahrenheit, beyond which that diversity slowly declines.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday participated in a session on 'Biodiversity, Oceans, Climate', at G7 summit in France, reiterating India's commitment towards tackling with global challenges.

Participants who played the Phylo game were not just remembering iconic species like the blue whale and sea otter, but things like phytoplankton, zooplankton and mycorrhizal fungi.

We typically think of sanitation as degrading the environment, but we find ways it could actually help improve it while bringing benefits for people.

Hammerhead flatworms are said to hunt through the soil and their bodies produce small amounts of a substance called tetrodotoxin, which immobilises prey. 

Insects, molluscs and other invertebrates have the highest proportion of emerging alien species.

The findings showed a nearly 80 per cent increase in oxygen levels from about 14 per cent 460 million years ago (the Middle Ordovician perid) to 24 per cent just 10 million years later during the Late Ordovician period.

Pandas are leading us to even greater ways to care for nature and health of humans and the planet, Liu added.

The last expedition of similar scale in Tibet, regarded as roof of the world was conducted in the 1970s.

Reacting on reports of United States President Donald Trump pulling out of the Paris climate accord, Union Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that India is committed towards its responsibilities related with environment.

The zoo, located 6 kms away from the township of Dimapur, is also home to the majestic Bengal Tiger and the great Indian hornbill that has remained a major attraction for many visitors, who throng the park to get an overview of the wildlife species.

In the first phase, it was implemented in Chamba, Kullu, Sirmaur and Shimla districts.

LEDs made up just 9% of the global lighting market in 2011, but forecasts suggest they will account for 69% by 2020.