habitat centre

India's Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted the nation's "coexistence-based management" approach to tackle human-wildlife conflict amidst growing economies. He emphasized that conservation efforts extend beyond mere numbers, focusing on habitat expansion, connectivity, and multi-species protection, including tigers, lions, leopards, snow leopards, and cheetahs, with the International Big Cat Alliance poised to foster cross-border cooperation.

Rajasthan's state bird, the Great Indian Bustard, sees a conservation boost with two new chicks born via Artificial Insemination at Jaisalmer breeding centers. This brings the total at facilities to 86, with 26 born through AI. While wild populations remain concerningly low, captive breeding offers renewed hope for the critically endangered species' future.

Dr Ketan Deshpande, Founder and Chairman of FUEL, has received the Dr BML Munjal Social Impact Award 2026 for promoting education and skilling among underserved youth. Presented in New Delhi, the award recognises grassroots social initiatives across sectors. FUEL stated that its programmes have reached more than one million young people through training, scholarships and career guidance. The organisation has also trained over 2.9 lakh students and supported economically disadvantaged learners with scholarships.

Ranchi is experiencing a health crisis due to unpredictable weather, leading to a 10-15% surge in seasonal ailments, particularly affecting vulnerable groups. Doctors report increased viral fevers, respiratory issues, and a disturbing rise in snake bite incidents as humidity drives reptiles towards settlements.

NTCA greenlights translocation; arrivals expected in July-Aug

CBSE and AIIMS New Delhi have launched Phase II of Project MATE across more than 60 schools in Delhi NCR to strengthen adolescent wellbeing and counselling support. The initiative focuses on emotional, social and psychological development of middle-school students through classroom modules, peer-support systems and parent workshops. School counsellors participating in the programme will undergo intensive training at AIIMS New Delhi before implementation begins for students of Grades VI to VIII from July 2026.

A remarkable new snake species, Calamaria incredibilis, has been discovered in China's Guangxi region. This tiny, non-venomous reptile employs a unique defense mechanism, using its tail to mimic its head, tricking predators into attacking the wrong end. This discovery highlights the rich, undocumented biodiversity hidden within southern China's ancient forests.

Rajasthan’s conservation story has shifted from loss to recovery. A state once seen as a desert with shrinking habitats is now a national testbed for wildlife turnarounds — from Sariska’s 2008 tiger reintroduction after local extinction, to a tiger landscape that has expanded far beyond Ranthambore. Tourism has turned reserves into local economic engines, while leopard hotspots from Jaipur’s Jhalana to Jawai’s rocky commons draw global attention — and scrutiny. In the Thar, Great Indian Bustard breeding offers cautious hope, even as Sambhar’s 2019 bird deaths warn how fragile wetlands remain

Actor-director Anshuman Jha’s Lakadbaggha 2: The Monkey Business is set for an exclusive market screening at the Marché du Film ahead of its official world premiere later this year. The India-Indonesia co-production blends martial arts action with an environmental message centred around illegal wildlife trafficking and the critically endangered Yaki monkey. Speaking about the sequel, Anshuman calls the Lakadbaggha franchise his “love letter to animals” and says the second instalment expands the story on a larger international scale. He also opens up about taking an independent Indian action franchise to global audiences and how the Indo-Indonesian collaboration organically came together.

In a surprising turn of events, a muntjac deer found itself stuck on an escalator at a Marks & Spencer in the UK, leaving shoppers amused and concerned. Fortunately, dedicated rescuers were able to free the confused creature, igniting a wave of humorous memes online.