yet again ... getting lost ... then enjoying self-discovery ...

The Vanishing Herds The Wild Water Buffalo Anwarudddin Choudhury Gibbon Books and The Rhino Foundation for Nature in North East India 2010 Wild Water Buffalo brings forth two memories. One was the first clear sighting at Kaziranga - along the highway - with a friend. Recall staring at its magnificence in silence for more than few minutes; we did not stop as much for the Asian Elehpant or the Indian Rhinoceros. The horns seemed ‘unreal’. Second is its popping up in discussions during Baghmara days. Locals mentioned of Rewak being the place where Wild Water Buffalo used to occur and the only place in Garo Hills where it was common and a senior forest department official had shared – more than once - of his having seen a herd of 20 some years back on the plateau in Balpakram NP. This query on Garo Hills is addressed in the book. ‘A bull was ordered by the authorities to be shot dead for killing human beings near Rewak in present South Garo Hills district in 1935...

A Pocket Guide to the Birds of Meghalaya Anwaruddin Choudhury Gibbon Pocket Guides The Rhino Foundation for Nature in North East India 2014 Book Each of the species enlisted is accompanied by an alphabet indicating its status (eg: u = uncommon). Sketches, local names and images are present for some species. Select species also bear notes - like the Tawny-breasted Wren Babbler and the Grey Sibia. There are few lines on each of the bird families. The book also brings in old i.e. British era data which increases the richness; specimens collected from across Meghalaya. Basic information is present on Protected Areas, Important Bird Areas and even places one could stay at. Bibliography could be of interest to people interested in the state. Few people know the region like the author and with his vast experience he is able to bring our pointers like – Some Key Birding Sights. As one reads one gets an idea of his abnormally high level of familiarity with the reg...

The Beautiful and the Damned Life in New India Siddhartha Deb   2011 Penguin Viking The book -  Is a breezy read shaped in a non preachy tone - Talks about multiple India’s and brings out the starkness – the India and Bharat story is not just a press creation but a stark reality - Shares author’s experiences and interactions at multiple locations with people from separate / unconnected backgrounds – bringing it out as a widespread phenomenon - Highlights how more and more of us know less and less of our country – and care even less for / are oblivious to the India(s) other than one in which we dwell - Makes one question development and globalization - one wonders what people mean when they say development - and why so many people want it -  Interestingly jumps from page 27 to 71 – on account of a case filed by The Indian Institute of Planning and Management – an issue the band on the jacket conveys in bright colour -  ...

On a lovely late winter morning four of us were moving within the Dampa Tiger Reserve when we stopped to observe the possible contours of a proposed ‘development’ action. This was between Phaileng and Phuldungsui ( appx 250 mtrs before the Varihaw anti poaching camp ) near Keipuizel ( place where - years ago - tiger has been sighted crossing the road ). As I enjoy - doing in Mizoram - I took one kuwa ( betel-net ) and began loitering up and down the winding road. All of a sudden my eyes fell on a carcass. I excitedly requested others to join. We clicked images ( with the photographer and carcass in varying positions ), tried to measure the carcass, made attempts to put the ‘mammal book’ and note-pad to good use yet were not sure on exact species. But, like the proverbial four wise men who had come across the elephant, we had observations and questions on the carcass. First the questions: Was it a road kill? Can this have been eaten by a Clouded Leopard ( Kelral )...

Share a piece published on DTE blog during May 2015. We are a people in a quandary about the present. We are a people in search of our future. -Barbara Jordan I have experienced more than a few dilemmas in the course of my journey in wildlife conservation. But I believe that conversations with people, some of whom I learn from in no small measure, have helped to enrich the journey and also underscore these quandaries. Any of these quandaries that you will read about hereon emerge by virtue of practices widely accepted today. However, complex challenges that confront wildlife conservation presently warrant a relook at the conventional practices . A programme-director at a conservation organisation recently shared his experiences. He told that whenever he asks his colleagues about the next step in conservation, after camera-trapping or the use of automated cameras to capture wildlife, he, unfortunately, gets only one answer from them. In a very confident tone, they always s...

Pleased to share a poster presented at IUFRO 2014 World Congress Congress Theme:  Forests for People Title:  Mapping boundaries of Community Conserved Areas: Institutional and operational challenges Authors:  Swati Chaliha and Nimesh Ved Abstract: Defining spatial boundaries of Community Conserved Areas (CCA) are perceived as pertinent for stakeholders to have common understanding and for laying down operational rules. In Nagaland, India assigning natural features as boundaries have been a customary practice and cadastral maps do not exist. Having CCA boundaries here is crucial in the wake of current development and conservation paradigm. Process of mapping boundary led to myriad questions. While in one CCA of Nagaland, authors with villager’s support mapped boundary by walking with GPS receivers, and data analysed using GIS; in another CCA efforts involved equipping selected villagers with skills of using GPS for mapping. In the first case, an or...

Mizo and Mara Names Mizo Asian Elephant Sai Asiatic Black Bear Savawm Assamese Macaque Zawng Binturong Zamphu Capped Langur Ngau Chinese Pangolin Saphu Clouded Leopard Kelral Common Leopard Keite Common Otter Sahram Dhole Chinghnia Gaur Ramsial Golden Cat Keisen Grey Mongoose Sarivaithun Himalayan Brown Goral Sathar Himalayan Striped Squirrel Hleimualrang Hoary-bellied Squirrel Hleipui meipar Hog Badger Phivawk Hoolock Gibbon Hauhuk Indian Wild Pig Sanghal Jackal Sihal Jungle Cat Sauak Large-toothed Ferret Badger Sahmaitha Leopard Cat Sangar Malayan Giant Squirrel Awrrang Malayan Sun Bear Samang Munjtac Sakhi Pallas's Squirrel ...