Animals and wildlife

on this World Ranger Day, while the world scrolls through headlines, the forest remembers – not in words, but in silence. In every rustling leaf, in every tiger that crosses a camera trap, in every rhino calf curled beside its mother – it remembers those who guard it, so others may live.

Accidental encounters with tigers have historically led to fatalities and injuries, making rapid medical response and efficient crisis communication a critical need.

As Nepal's climate continues to warm, the silent danger of venomous snakes in unexpected places is becoming a growing concern. The challenge ahead lies not only in monitoring their movement but in adapting healthcare systems to meet the threat slithering steadily uphill.

Nearly 5,000 elephants and 1,600 people have been killed in the last 15 years in clashes between elephants and humans in Sri Lanka, home to one of the largest remaining populations of Asian elephants, according to official figures.

The poaching crisis extends to elephants, India's National Heritage Animal. In the Malayattoor forest division of Kerala, between 2013 and 2015, at least 18 elephants were slaughtered for ivory.

Conservationists, activists, and newspaper editorials in India have long been expressing concerns about the “decline” and “neglect” of wetland ecosystems across India.

In his letter, Gandhi urged the government to cancel the tenders issued for offshore mining blocks, emphasising the need for rigorous scientific assessments of their environmental and socio-economic impact.

The minister said that as Sri Lanka moves forward, the challenge remains clear: finding sustainable, humane solutions that protect both livelihoods and biodiversity for future generations.