Travel Lakshadweep
Hundred Thousand Islands
New Earthworm found in the Andaman and Nicobar islands
Jan 15th
The new species of earthworm found in the Andaman and Nicobar islands has been named Moniligaster ivaniosi, after the name of the college where the researchers are from – Mar Ivanios, in Thiruvananthapuram. Samples collected from Port Blair by CSIR Emeritus scientist Oommen V. Oommen and Assistant Professor K. Ramachandran were identified by Jaya Manazhy and Aja Manazhy, senior research scholars in the Department of Zoology of the college, under the guidance of K. Vijayakumaran Nair.
More than 15 species of Moniligaster have been reported from India. Right now, the specimen of the new species has been deposited at the Zoological Survey of India, Kozhikode. It has special characteristics such as a black line running along the middle region and three pairs of genital apertures. The species is most probably endemic to the Andaman and Nicobar islands.
India-Bangladesh Sunderbans Ecosystem Forum
Apr 5th
Calling it ecologically vulnerable would be an understatement. We’re talking about the Sunderbans. Forty percent of this ecosystem lies in India, and the rest in Bangladesh. The Sunderban Tiger – which has seen better days – is on the decline. This forum also plans to take a joint tiger census, too.
The forum will be launched in September 2010. Minister Jairam Ramesh stressed the need to conserve this stretch of land as it affects the region’s climate, sea level and mangrove growth.
The forum’s efforts will lay special emphasis on afforestation, prevention of islands’ erosion, management of mangroves and conservation of the tiger. The Union Cabinet has approved Rs 300 crore to be spent in West Bengal; and most of it on the Sunderbans. The project will also look into eco-tourism.
Spider That Spins The Largest We
Dec 31st
Imagine a spider weaving a web that’s larger than a metre in diametre? Well, scientists have found that a spider from the Golden Orb Weaver family – the Nephila komaci – does so! It was discovered in a reserve in South Africa.
The new species was named after Andreij Komac, who died in an accident at the time of the discoveries.
Also check out: www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article6883080.ece
On A Playground Of Ice – Glacier Cruises
Dec 22nd
The countries near the North Pole are most famous for… Ice! What else?
Well, let’s call them glacial behemoths. Cruises in this part of the world are of a different kind. Cruises along the glaciers and icebergs are a great way to explore these lands. Centered around Alaska, Canada and the Scandinavian nations, glacier cruises are a popular tourist attraction.
And, it’s not just miles of white ice you’ll get to see. Most of the cruises are jointly called ‘Wildlife and Glacier Cruises’. True to the name, you can spot bears, porpoises, sea otters, sea lions, whales, and a number of avian friends.
It’s not a passive cruise at all. You can get down to some neat kayaking, caving, iceberg climbing, jetboat rides, hunting (in the season and with permission), high mountain climbing and fishing.
The catamarans and cruises will take you past snaking rivers of ice, blocks of icebergs, rough seas and fjords. Whoever said ice was boring!
World’s Smallest Orchid!
Dec 15th
You can nearly miss this tiny thing – it’s just over 2mm across! Scientists discovered this almost transparent orchid in Ecuador, which has about 4,000 species of orchids, in the first week of December. It belongs to the Platystele genus. Ecologist Lou Jost, who works with the EcoMinga plant-conservation foundation, also discovered 28 new orchids in the last few months or so.
India’s Tears – Loktak Lake, Manipur
Nov 15th
Loktak Lake, located in Manipur, is the largest natural freshwater lake in northeastern India. It is covered with phoomdis, which is a mass of floating vegetation. The lake was designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1990. The lake is the lifeline of the people of southern Manipur. People depend on it for their livelihood, food and transport.
It is home to several types of riverine migratory fishes from the Irrawady – Chindwin river network, and also has resident and migratory waterfowl, some coming from as far as the Himalayas. The Keibul Lamjao National Park is a floating wildlife reserve and the lone place where you’ll find the Saigai deer. Also called Manipur brow-antlered deer, it has an estimated population of 106 (in 1991). The lake and the nearby areas house about 425 species of animals. There are 116 species of birds, too.
The lake suffers from a lot of environmental, climatic and wildlife threats. People have been uprooted, animals and birds displaced and the lake and the land itself have undergone tremendous irreversible changes. Though there have been many governmental and private efforts to bring the lake back to life, a lot needs to be done still.
Saving The Komodo Dragon – Indonesia
Aug 21st
The Komodo Dragon is the largest lizard in the world, and it is only found in the volcanic islands of Komodo, Pinca, Padar and other nearby small islands in Indonesian archipelago. The Komodo National Park came into being in 1980 and in 1986, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere reserve.
According to UNESCO, the park has about 5,700 lizards. An adult Komodo Dragon can weigh up to 70kg and can grow up to three metres in length. The park also conserves animal like the lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo, cobra, friarbird, vipers, Timor deer, fruit bats and orange-footed scrubfowl. The park is also home to different varities of coral.
The area used to have human inhabitants even before the park was established. Now, about 4,ooo people live on these islands. They are mainly fishermen and traders. They trace their ancestry to Indonesians as well as Chinese settlers.
Bali is the nearest point from where you can charter a flight or travel via road to the park. There are boat services from Bali, Labuan Bajo, Bima and Lombok. The islands are a treat for Scuba divers. Places like Toro Oi, GPS Point, Nisaleme Island, Letuhoh Reef, South Tala, Tiga dara and Crystal Rock are popular dive sites.
In order to conserve the flora and fauna of the national park and the near by waters, authorities are providing alternative livelihood for the inhabitants of the park and there are many programs for research and to keep a check on the islands’ intricate ecosystems.