Coexistence Consortium

🌊 Our Rivers, Our Future 🌍 Rivers are the lifeblood of our planet. They provide fresh water, support biodiversity, regulate our climate, and sustain cultural traditions that have thrived for generations. Yet, rivers worldwide are under threat—fragmented by dams, polluted by waste, and undermined by climate change and irresponsible development. When rivers are at risk, so too is our collective future. This year’s theme for the International Day of Action for Rivers is "Our Rivers, Our Future." It’s a powerful reminder that the health of rivers is inseparable from the health of our planet and all life on Earth. Rivers are not just resources; they are living ecosystems that connect us all. They are fundamental to human rights, providing clean water and supporting communities that depend on them for survival, culture, and livelihoods. The theme calls on us to unite in solidarity with rivers and the communities that protect them. From removing outdated dams to opposing water privatization and ensuring local voices are heard in river management decisions, this day is about taking action. It’s about recognizing that rivers are not just part of our past—they are central to our future. On this day, we rise together with communities worldwide who champion free-flowing rivers, defend water rights, and advocate for sustainable, inclusive river management. Whether it’s restoring a damaged river, fighting for clean water access, or ensuring communities have a say in development projects, every action counts. #InternationalDayOfActionForRivers #OurRiversOurFuture #WaterIsAHumanRight #ProtectOurPlanet #RiversAreLife

Malali moggu: A fading whisper of tradition, healing, and nature's delicate balance... Deep in the forests of the Biligiri Rangana Hills, the Soliga community sing of the Malali moggu—the tender flower buds of the Indigofera cassiodes plant. “Malali moggina vanavasalaa… Goru gorukko gorukkana… Malali mogga naa thindelaa… thindu vanavaasa naa maadine…Goru gorukko gorukkana” A Soliga traditional song, Gorukkana, that talks about the relationship that the Solega community has with the flower. “Living by Malali buds in the forest... (Goru Gorukko gorukkana is a chorus which has several interpretations). I ate Malali bud... Ate and dwelled in the forest”. These delicate pink to purplish flowers, part of the Fabaceae family, are more than just a seasonal marvel; they are a cherished traditional food, gathered during the Sankranthi season, and a symbol of the deep bond between the Soliga people and their land. It attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enriches the soil by fixing nitrogen, and sustains the fertility of the forest. Beyond its ecological role, it holds profound medicinal value - healing wounds, fighting infections, reducing inflammation, and offering relief for respiratory ailments. Yet, today, this precious plant teeters on the brink of extinction. As the forests shrink and traditions fade, the wisdom of the Soliga elders—passed down through songs, stories, and practices—risks being lost forever. An elder once said the following while thinking of the uncertainty of its future, "Malali gida kanasagothu etthakavo…sathyaka ondagothu eega… kaadu mugiya hunnigida mucchidetiga gidaga mugiya adenagotho?" (“Malali plant has become a dream...now somewhere there is one truth/ its existence....now after the lantana covered the whole forest.. don't know what happened to all those plants.”) The question now is: Will we recognize the true worth of this plant and the knowledge it carries before it vanishes? Let’s not wait until it’s too late to protect the Malali moggu and the cultural and ecological heritage it represents. #MalaliMoggu #IndigoferaCassiodes #SoligaCommunity #TraditionalKnowledge #NatureConservation #CulturalHeritage #MedicinalPlants #EcosystemBalance #SaveOurForests #IndigenousWisdom #Sustainability #Biodiversity

Our Coexistence fellow Vishal Mistry and the forest department team recently rescued a golden jackal from a residential area in Khadli village. The call came from Vishal’s field work area where crocodiles and humans coexist, reporting a rabid jackal entering the village. Upon arrival, they found the jackal with an old leg injury and marks on the body. After a careful examination, it was confirmed that the jackal did not have rabies. The team successfully rescued the animal using a large net and transported the animal to the Wildlife Care Center in Ahmedabad. This incident highlighted the challenges of human-wildlife negative interactions. Months earlier, similar situations had led to attacks on animals due to fear and misinformation, fueled by viral social media stories about wolves in Uttar Pradesh. Vishal and his team worked to educate villagers, preventing further harm to jackals and other creatures. This time, they ensured the rescue was conducted with the cooperation and understanding of the community and fostering coexistence. #WildlifeRescue #HumanWildlifeCoexistence #ConservationHeroes

Asmita Kabra, a social scientist with a PhD in Economics and expertise in political ecology, has worked in the forest fringe villages near Kuno National Park in Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, since 1999. She began her career teaching economics at the University of Delhi and later at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University Delhi . Her current work focuses on conservation policy, agrarian change, and community-based natural resource management, with a strong emphasis on environmental justice and local knowledge. Kabra’s interest in coexistence stems from her belief that social justice should not be sacrificed for biodiversity conservation. Through long-term engagement with local communities, particularly the Sahariya Adivasi, she observed that successful conservation requires including local knowledge and efforts in forest management. However, she notes that while local communities contribute significantly to activities like fire management and animal tracking, they are often reduced to low-paid laborers and dispossessed of their land and resources in the name of conservation. Motivated by a commitment to environmental justice and the power of grassroots engagement, Kabra emphasizes the importance of coexistence and local knowledge in conservation. She describes working with communities as a source of hope, humor, resilience, and peace, which has deepened her understanding of her own privilege and how to use it for a kinder, more empathetic world. Her work includes longitudinal research on conservation and rural change, using mixed methods like household surveys and ethnography. She also leads two NGOs working with over 40 forest-fringe villages, focusing on children’s futures, livelihoods, education, soil and water conservation, and community-based natural resource management. A key insight from her work is captured in a quote from a local community member: "Everybody needs facilities, even the cheetah. We understand that. But why are we being asked to give up our forests, which are our lifeline and our sustenance (Jangal hi garib Adivasi ka mai-baap hai)." This reflects the tension between conservation goals and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.

Thank you to everyone for participating and sharing your thoughts, experiences, and art with us for #RediscoverNature. The month of February might be over but that doesn't mean you have to stop bringing nature back into your lives. You can still participate in all our prompts! Tag us so we can keep celebrating coexisting with Nature! The #RediscoverNature campaign is a collaborative effort to help us all reconnect with nature in our everyday lives. It is brought to you by @aaranyak_india, @atreeblr, @biodiversitycollaborative, @bombaynaturalhistorysociety, @cwsindia, @coexistenceconsortium, @dakshin_seas, @era.india, @fesforcommons, @greenhub _india, @thehabitatstrust, @keystonefoundation, @ncf.india, @naturein_focus, @rgsustain, @therealeleco, @snowleopardindia, @wcsindia, @wctindia, @wrcs_india, @wildlifesos, @wwfindia, @zooreach.

This #WorldWildlifeDay 2025, let’s invest in a future where people and the planet thrive together! 🌍✨ From the highland steppes to the coral reefs, wildlife and biodiversity are the heartbeat of our planet. They sustain ecosystems, support livelihoods, and inspire wonder. But with over 1 million species at risk of extinction, the time to act is NOW. This year’s theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” calls for innovative solutions to fund conservation efforts and build a resilient future. From Wildlife Conservation Bonds to Debt-for-Nature swaps, let’s explore how we can protect the incredible diversity of life on Earth while supporting communities worldwide. #WWD2025 #ConservationFinance #ForNature #Biodiversity #SustainableFuture #ProtectWildlife #InvestInNature

Did you know clams were once a lifeline for coastal communities? 🐚🌊 Abundant on beaches, they were gathered for coconut plantation manure and cherished as a nutritious food source. But with the rise of fertilizers, this tradition has faded, and clam populations have dwindled. As vital filter feeders, clams are nature’s bio-indicators, reflecting the health of our environment. Let’s protect these tiny guardians of the sea! #SustainableLiving #OceanConservation #EcoAwareness

Simon Pooley, Lambert Lecturer in Environment (Applied Herpetology) at Birkbeck University of London, grew up in protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with parents who were a crocodile biologist and a botanist. Immersed in a wildlife conservation context from an early age, Pooley found his upbringing both inspiring and revealing. He observed the challenges faced by local communities excluded from protected areas and natural resources, as well as two key realities: (a) living alongside certain wildlife species is inherently difficult, and (b) humans and wildlife share landscapes outside formal protected areas. After a period outside of conservation, seeking a way to engage with this field on his own terms, Pooley found his path through environmental history. This approach allowed him to explore the social and ecological dimensions of biodiversity conservation, shaping his interdisciplinary focus. Trained in humanities and social sciences, Pooley earned his D.Phil on wildfire histories from Oxford in 2010. Since 2016, he has focused on human-wildlife coexistence, working with the IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence Specialist Group and the Crocodile Specialist Group. His interest in coexistence grew from recognizing that human-wildlife interactions extend beyond conflict. His research on human-crocodile relations in Africa and a 2019 visit to Gujarat, India, reinforced his belief in the importance of studying positive interactions and learning from rural communities that coexist with challenging species. He emphasizes the need to broaden conservation studies to include cultural and social dimensions. Motivated by his upbringing and the challenges of living alongside wildlife, Pooley advocates for landscape-level conservation that balances human and wildlife needs. He stresses the importance of working with communities to co-develop shared visions for biodiversity conservation, drawing on their experiences and values. His work focuses on understanding how communities coexist with crocodilians and developing principles for fostering coexistence. A key lesson from his work comes from Hemant Ode, a Gujarati man who transformed his grief after losing his daughter to a crocodile into efforts to help others live safely alongside these animals. Pooley highlights the resilience and wisdom of communities that continue to share landscapes with wildlife despite the risks, underscoring the importance of learning from their experiences.

What does coexistence with nature mean to you? This week, let’s reflect on how we can Bring Nature Back into our lives. Let's create space for nature to thrive alongside us, in its many forms, and rethinking how our actions impact the world we share. Start by challenging biases, embracing the overlooked, and asking: how can we make coexistence better for both sides? The #RediscoverNature campaign is a collaborative effort to help us all reconnect with nature in our everyday lives. It is brought to you by @aaranyak_india, @atreeblr, @biodiversitycollaborative, @bombaynaturalhistorysociety, @cwsindia, @coexistenceconsortium, @dakshin_seas, @era.india, @fesforcommons, @greenhub_india, @thehabitatstrust, @keystonefoundation, @ncf.india, @naturein_focus, @rgsustain, @therealeleco, @snowleopardindia, @wcsindia, @wctindia, @wrcs_india, @wildlifesos, @wwfindia, @zooreach.

The Thudi—a drum that beats as the heart of the Paniya community's ceremonies—carries stories of tradition and change. Once crafted with hides from animals like the barking deer, malabar giant squirrel, and monitor lizard, today it is made using goat hide, respecting the wildlife protection laws. While the sound and durability may differ, this evolution reflects their deep commitment to preserving tradition in harmony with the environment. You can see Kalan Chettan, a master woodworker, skillfully crafting a Thudi with goat hide—a testament to the resilience and artistry of the Paniya people. #TraditionEvolved #PaniyaCommunity #SustainableCrafts #CulturalHeritage #Handcrafted