The recent study conducted by the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) in Bengaluru spotlights the behavior and habitat utilization of the endangered lion-tailed macaque, a species endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Conducted in the Silent Valley National Park, which acts as a vital conservation area for this primate, the research reveals how habitat selection and movement strategies of the macaques are influenced by varying levels of human activity, even within designated protected zones.

Key Findings:

• Research Focus: The study, titled “Highs and lows of arboreal life: Space use and movement strategies of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in the Western Ghats of India,” focuses on the spatial ecology and movement-based habitat selection of two troops of lion-tailed macaques living in areas with different levels of human presence in the park.
• Population Status: Lion-tailed macaques are critically endangered, with fewer than 4,000 individuals remaining. They are primarily found in the Western Ghats, and Silent Valley National Park serves as a crucial sanctuary for their conservation.
• Study Leadership: Sikha Hariharan, a Doctoral Fellow at CWS, led the research, employing GPS tracking, vertical space use assessment, and advanced movement modeling to observe the behavior of the macaque troops.

Research Insights:

• Troop Observation: The study monitored two distinct macaque troops—one located within the buffer zone of the park and the other residing in the core zone.
• Movement Patterns:
  • The troop in the buffer zone exhibited a smaller home range and predominantly utilized the mid-level forest canopy (94.2% of their time), which indicates a strategic behavioral response potentially to human presence and predation risks.
  • Conversely, the troop in the core zone demonstrated a greater tendency to explore the forest floor, displaying more terrestrial behavior than previously thought for this species, which is traditionally viewed as arboreal.

Ecological Flexibility:

• The findings challenge the long-standing belief that lion-tailed macaques are strictly tree-dwelling animals; they showcased adaptability by utilizing varied forest spaces including the ground level.
• While both troops spent ample time in the mid-canopy, the behavior of the core-zone troop highlights their capacity for ecological flexibility.

Resource Utilization:

• Both macaque troops exhibited consistent patterns in their spatial usage in proximity to crucial resources, such as fruiting trees and dense canopy areas, emphasizing the importance of resource distribution in their habitat selection.

Conservation Implications:

• Hariharan underscored the importance of understanding animal movement as an indicator of how wildlife adapts to changing environments. The study emphasizes the need for continuous canopy connectivity and suggests that three-dimensional space use should be incorporated into wildlife conservation planning to mitigate risks associated with terrestrial exploration.

Conclusion:

The CWS study enhances the understanding of lion-tailed macaques’ adaptability in the face of human pressures within protected areas. It illustrates the significance of wildlife monitoring and the need for targeted conservation strategies that factor in the complex interactions between animal behavior, habitat selection, and environmental changes.

Important Points:

• The Centre for Wildlife Studies conducted a study on lion-tailed macaques in Silent Valley National Park.
• Study indicates how habitat use varies with human presence in protected areas.
• Lion-tailed macaques are endangered, with fewer than 4,000 remaining.
• Two macaque troops tracked, one in buffer zone (restricted area), one in core zone (interior).
• Buffer troop preferred mid-level canopy; core troop showed more ground activity.
• Findings challenge the notion of macaques being strictly arboreal, highlighting ecological flexibility.
• Research emphasizes the need for continuous canopy connectivity in conservation planning.

On May 2, 2025, an Australian boatbuilder, Incat, unveiled the world's largest electric-powered ship, Hull 096, which measures 130 meters (426 feet) in length. This vessel is designed to transport 2,100 passengers and up to 225 vehicles, primarily serving the ferry route across the River Plate between Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Uruguay. The ship is powered by over 250 tonnes of batteries, emphasizing the shift towards large-scale, low-emission transportation solutions in maritime travel.

Key highlights from the article include:

• Launch Details: Incat launched Hull 096 in Hobart, Tasmania, highlighting its role in promoting sustainable transport.
• Environmental Impact: The shipping industry is responsible for nearly three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is pushing for a global pricing system to limit maritime carbon emissions, mandating that all ships use a less carbon-intensive fuel mix by 2028; non-compliance may result in financial penalties.
• Concerns over Biofuels: Environmental groups caution that a potential reliance on biofuels could lead to issues like deforestation and is insufficient for addressing overall maritime emissions.
• Technical Specifications: Hull 096's Energy Storage System (ESS) offers more than 40 megawatt hours of installed capacity and was developed in partnership with Finnish engine manufacturer Wartsila. The ship is equipped with eight electric-driven waterjets.
• Industry Perspective: Wartsila's Marine President Roger Holm emphasized the role of ferries in providing eco-friendly transportation solutions and the necessity for ship electrification to help achieve net-zero emissions in the maritime sector.
• Initial Design Plans: Initially named China Zorilla, the ship was intended to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) before being transformed to operate on battery power.

This innovative ship marks a significant step towards reducing maritime emissions and meeting increasing transportation needs in an environmentally conscious manner.

Encephalitis International has launched a global campaign titled "Preventing Future Encephalitis: Climate Change and Infectious Disease" to highlight the increasing threat of encephalitis and the importance of vaccination against it. This campaign comes in response to the alarming connection between climate change and the rising incidence of infectious diseases, including encephalitis.

Key Highlights:

• Campaign Launch: Encephalitis International, a UK-based health charity, initiated a campaign aiming to raise awareness about the role of climate change in the increasing risks of encephalitis.
• Understanding Encephalitis: Encephalitis refers to the inflammation of brain tissues caused either by infection or autoimmune responses, affecting over 1.5 million people annually worldwide.
• Vaccination Awareness: The charity emphasized the importance of vaccination for combating this rising threat. Alarmingly, 77% of people are unaware of the condition, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.
• Climate Change as a Factor: Ava Easton, chief executive of Encephalitis International, noted that the warming planet is creating conditions that are more favorable for the spread of diseases that cause encephalitis.
• Emerging Infections: The displacement of disease-carrying vectors, like mosquitoes and ticks, is leading to new infections emerging in areas where they were previously absent, increasing the risk of outbreaks.
• Global Disease Trends: There has been a rise in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis, and encephalitis globally. Diseases that were once controlled, such as diphtheria, are at risk of re-emerging.
• Vaccination's Impact: World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that vaccines have saved over 150 million lives in the past 50 years, while outbreaks of preventable diseases expose populations to increased healthcare costs.
• India's Immunization Efforts: India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) targets 27 million infants and 30 million pregnant women annually, providing vaccinations against 12 diseases, including Japanese Encephalitis, a significant concern given the 1,548 reported cases in 2024 across 24 states.
• Future Initiatives: A global webinar is scheduled for April 29 to delve into the link between climate change and the rising incidence of encephalitis, providing strategies to improve vaccine coverage, particularly in rural regions.
• Advocacy for Vaccination: Netravathi M, a professor at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, reinforced the message, stating that every vaccination step represents progress towards a safer, disease-free world.

In summary, the emphasis on addressing climate change and its relationship to infectious diseases, coupled with the promotion of vaccination, is critical to combating the rising threat of encephalitis and similar diseases. Efforts to enhance global vaccination strategies and public or community awareness are essential to mitigate these health risks effectively.

Summary:

On the evening of May 2, 2025, a significant conservation event took place on the Chennai coast as over a hundred Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings were released into the sea from a hatchery at Elliot’s Beach, Besant Nagar. This event marks a positive outcome in a season fraught with challenges, including a worrying surge of turtle carcasses from January to February, which raised alarms among conservationists.

Efforts from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, in collaboration with the Fisheries Department and the Indian Coast Guard, have led to a remarkable rebound in both nesting turtle and hatchling numbers. As of April 29, 2025, Tamil Nadu reported the collection of 319,895 turtle eggs, resulting in the successful release of 229,432 hatchlings. Cuddalore emerged as the leading location for hatchling releases with 81,622, followed by Mayiladuthurai and Chennai with 38,582 and 37,689 hatchlings released, respectively. This compares favorably to 2024 when Chennai had only managed to release 38,230 hatchlings by early June.

To enhance future conservation efforts, Ms. Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, outlined strategies which include:

• Implementing turtle telemetry studies,
• Continuing the Turtle Task Force,
• Establishing a marine protection force for the Chennai area.

One of the key recommendations focuses on improving collaboration with local municipalities for better waste management and beach cleaning, along with initiatives to dim beach lighting to benefit turtles. Furthermore, Chief Wildlife Warden Rakesh Kumar Dogra announced a new mobile application aimed at aiding data collection for turtles, which will help track vital parameters such as nest width, depth, and temperature. This data will be crucial for replicating favorable hatching conditions in hatcheries and ensuring the survival of the species.

Important Sentences:

• Over a hundred Olive Ridley turtle hatchlings were released into the sea from a hatchery at Elliot’s Beach, Chennai.
• Over 37,000 hatchlings have been released along the Chennai coast despite a challenging start to the season.
• Hundreds of turtle carcasses washed ashore in January and February, causing concern among conservationists.
• The collaboration of the Forest Department, Fisheries Department, and Indian Coast Guard has resulted in a rebound in nesting turtles.
• As of April 29, 2025, Tamil Nadu collected 319,895 turtle eggs, releasing 229,432 hatchlings.
• Cuddalore led the region with 81,622 hatchlings released, followed by Mayiladuthurai and Chennai.
• Strategies for conservation include turtle telemetry studies, continuation of the Turtle Task Force, and forming a marine protection force.
• A mobile app for turtle data collection has been developed to track essential information for conservation efforts.
• Emphasis was placed on better waste management and beach cleaning with local municipalities to protect turtle habitats.

The article discusses the current state of mango production in India in the context of rising temperatures attributed to climate change. It synthesizes anecdotal evidence from farmers and scientific data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), highlighting the challenges and adaptations in mango cultivation.

Summary:

1. Decline in Mango Quality and Yield:

   • Farmers have reported reduced sweetness, higher prices, early arrivals in the market, and shorter shelf-life for mango pickles.
   • Concerns are rising about the future of mango harvests in light of climate change.

2. Temperature Trends:

   • The IMD notes that 2024 was the warmest year on record since 1901, with annual mean surface air temperatures 0.65°C above the 1991-2020 average.
   • The last 12 years have consistently shown warmer conditions, breaking the historical pattern of alternating cool and warm years.

3. Mango Productivity Data:

   • Historical data from the Horticulture Department reveals productivity variations between 5.5 to 9.7 metric tonnes per hectare (MT/Ha) from 2001-2025, with an expected productivity of 9.4 MT/Ha for 2024-25.
   • This is higher than other major mango producers, China (8.74 MT/Ha) and Thailand (8.36 MT/Ha).

4. Increased Cultivation Area:

   • Area under mango cultivation increased by 2.34% in 2023-24, indicating a rise in both area and production volume (224.23 lakh tonnes compared to 208.72 lakh tonnes the previous year).

5. Impact of Climate Change on Mango:

   • Higher temperatures potentially lead to fruit drop, sun scalding, and uneven ripening. Specific varieties like Alphonso may experience spongy tissue disorder.
   • Environmental stresses such as fluctuating weather patterns are disrupting the blooming and fruit-setting stages of mango trees.

6. Genetic Diversity and Adaptation:

   • Research led by Rajdeep Haldar highlights the role of genetic diversity in enhancing mango adaptability to climatic challenges.
   • Mango species have the potential to thrive despite climate changes due to various physiological mechanisms that help them adjust.

7. Future Outlook:

   • Despite current challenges, the adaptability of mangoes and the genetic diversity available provide a reason for optimism in maintaining mango production levels amidst increasing temperatures.

Important Points:

• Concerns are raised over mango quality and financial impact on farmers due to climate change.
• 2024 recorded the highest temperatures globally since records began.
• Expected high productivity figures for mango cultivation, surpassing other countries.
• Continuous expansion in mango cultivation area reflects positive trends.
• Climate change impacts include fruit quality and ecological disruptions.
• Genetic adaptability of mango plants could mitigate some adverse effects of climate change.
• The future of mango production shows potential due to advancements in agricultural practices and genetic research.

The article underscores the importance of addressing climate change and enhancing agricultural resilience while harnessing the potential of genetic diversity in crops like mangoes.