Visnukandhy Kovindasamy’s Post

A couple of weeks ago, I embarked on a field research trip to Coorg in India and Chiang Mai in Thailand to better understand the diversity of human-elephant interactions in these conflict-inflicted regions. In the coffee-agroforestry landscapes of Kodagu district of Karnataka, home to India's highest population of wild elephants, habitat loss led by continued fragmentation of forests due to crop cultivation/expansion and proposed infrastructure development projects pose a threat and further disrupt traditional elephant corridors. Some of the mitigation strategies implemented to keep elephants within the protected areas include solar fences, elephant-proof trenches, and rail barricades. However, the elephants seem to have managed to circumvent most of these barriers and in some cases, this has only led elephants to become increasingly aggressive as they are constantly being chased. Meeting Saengduean Chailert, better known as Lek who runs Elephant Nature Park and Save Elephant Foundation in Chiang Mai, Thailand was inspiring. Operating in a male-dominated industry, Lek fought all odds to start her own elephant rescue and rehabilitation center to not only improve the living conditions of captive Asian elephants but also support the local economy through reforestation, community development, and women’s empowerment initiative. Today, as we celebrate #InternationalDayofForests, this issue is very relevant as forests bridge the critical gap in promoting human-elephant coexistence by enabling indigenous people and local communities to live in harmony with nature and wildlife. Special thanks to Sumanth Bindumadhav and Vinod Krishnan from Humane Society International India for all their support and invaluable partnership in this research. #conservation #wildlife #humanelephantconflict #coexistence

🌍 Today is World Orangutan Day! 🦧 Today we want to celebrate these incredible, intelligent and wonderful beings and raise awareness of their heartbreaking plight. Did you know that orangutans are believed to be the most intelligent beings on the planet after humans? They are also heartbreakingly critically endangered 💔 with their habitats rapidly being destroyed due to agriculture, palm oil production, infrastructure development. Most devastatingly, according to the Orangutan Project, orangutans are poached and hunted for their meat with mothers frequently killed by hunters and their babies sold on the black market as "cute pets". 💔 A century ago, orangutans lived in forests all through south-east Asia, unfortunately, today, they are only found on two islands, Sumatra and Borneo. The Orangutan Project are doing incredible work to protect orangutan habitat and rescue those in need, for more information on how you can help, head to https://lnkd.in/efV6qU5 🧡 #WorldOrangutanDay #SaveTheOrangutans #EndDeforestation

Celebrating Bhutan For Life program initiative on #theEarthDay 🌱 Bhutan for Life program is a groundbreaking initiative securing a sustainable future for Bhutan's magnificent forests and wildlife. Salient feature of BFL as a #PFP in the world: Asia’s first #ProjectFinanceforPermanence- a Long-Term Funding solutions: Bhutan for Life secures permanent financing for protected areas, ensuring their survival for generations. #Biodiversityconservationinitiatives: The program supports the conservation of endangered species like tigers and snow leopards. With support from Bhutan for life program conducted National Snow Leopard Survey and National Tiger Survey in 2022-2023 and the National Forest Inventory 2022-2023. #ThrivingCommunities: What makes Bbutan for Life unique among rest of the PFP is that the Bhutan for Life empowers local communities through sustainable livelihood initiatives and helps manage human-wildlife conflicts. #ClimateAction: By preserving forests, Bhutan for Life ensures Bhutan remain a natural carbon sink, mitigating climate change impacts. Together, with Bhutan for Life, we can create a lasting positive impact on our planet. #EarthDay2024 #BhutanForLife #BeAnEarthDayHero

*Join Us in Making the Himalayas Greener!* Why it Matters? The Himalayas, a vital ecosystem, is facing severe environmental challenges like deforestation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. Adverse climate changes are adding further threats. Our Mission: Himalay Unnati Mission (HUM) is committed to restoring the ecological, economic, spiritual and socio-cultural heritage and balance of the Himalayan region. How you can help? On Harela, the Monsoon Festival falling on 15th June, we've launched a massive tree plantation campaign. Your contribution of just INR 200 or more will fund the planting of native trees adapted to local conditions. Impact: Your donation doesn’t just plant trees; it supports sustainable ecosystem management. We involve volunteers, local experts, schools, and government bodies to ensure lasting positive change for 3 years. Be a Green Warrior: Join us in protecting the Himalayas' biodiversity and promoting ecological balance. Get Involved: Visit www.savehimalayas.org to donate or learn more. Together, let’s make our Mother Earth proud. Help us save the Himalayas—one tree at a time. Contact: Email: info@savehimalayas.org Call: +91 75950 95566 *DONATE A TREE TODAY* – Click below https://lnkd.in/gctjBgWY #harela #himalayunnatimission #savehimalayas #uttarakhand #srisriruraldevelopmentprogram #SSRDPT #ArtofLiving #HimachalPradesh #Sikkim #ArunachalPradesh #Nepal #Bhutan #ecology #environment #TreePlantation #ClimateChanges

Happy Madaraka Day! 🎉 In celebration of this significant day, we are thrilled to announce an exciting new project aimed at enhancing our environmental resilience, We will soon start, probably in July, to make seedlings of nearly 10 species of trees after mastering aloes for nearly 3 years. These trees will be sold to whoever wants to be part of positive change and help our government in the ambitious plans of planting millions of trees. We picked this range of tree species known for their valuable Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) and their ability to thrive in arid and semi-arid lands (aside from bamboo... the odd one out), which is where tree planting is more needed (together with mangroves in coast, we'll go there too eventually..). These trees shall support biodiversity, create shambas (like castor) and provide essential resources for local communities with their products when mature. Our chosen species include: 1. Baobab 2. Croton 3. Tamarind 4. Castor 5. Bamboo 6. Boswellia (Frankincense) 7. Commiphora (Sweet Myrrh) 8. Moringa 9. Acacia Senegal (Gum Arabic) Join us in this green initiative to foster sustainable development, enhance local economies, and create a healthier environment for future generations. Let's make a lasting impact together! 🌳✨ "The best time to plant a tree was yesterday. The second best is now. " #juabyagar#agarlimited#madarakaday#greeninitiative #sustainability#conservation#communitygrowth #biodiversity #empowerment #treeplantingkenya

Two dozen cheetahs in India’s Kuno National Park are cooling off under water sprinklers to beat the deadly heatwave in the country.   The cheetahs were brought from South Africa and Namibia in September 2022 under a plan to reintroduce the species to India and are now housed in soft enclosures in the protected Kuno forest of central Madhya Pradesh state.   As temperatures have soared to around 50C, park authorities have been forced to make cooling arrangements for the 25 big cats. They have laid a pipeline, around 13km long, inside the soft enclosures to sprinkle water on the cheetahs through the “torturous summer”, the Deccan Chronicle newspaper reported.   #India #Cheetahs #WaterTechnology #Heatwaves #WaterCrisis #ClimateChange   This content is jointly prepared by ripple2wave and ZWEEC Analytics Pte Ltd. Follow us for more interesting content on #water and #sustainability.   Sourced from: https://lnkd.in/gnrJy2rm  

🌍✨ Emotions Drive Action: Celebrating Earth Day in Midigo, Uganda ✨🌍 #EarthDay is a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness with our planet, where emotions play a pivotal role in driving actions for its preservation. Our dedicated team at WNIH in Uganda is spearheading a place-based development approach in Midigo, nestled within the Yumbe District, that taps into the deep emotional attachment of its people. Our journey begins with understanding the unique potential of Midigo through engaging discussions and gathering insights from the local community. What emerges is a shared purpose centered around the health of the "Shea belt food system," characterized by semi-wild shea trees. These trees not only provide ecological and economic benefits to farmers and the community but also serve as a source of pride and tradition. From fruits to oil-rich nuts, the shea trees offer valuable resources that support livelihoods and foster a vibrant agricultural ecosystem. However, the very existence of the shea tree species is under threat from various factors, including forest encroachment and indiscriminate cutting. Yet, amidst these challenges, lies the promise of regeneration, fueled by the resilience of the shea tree belt and the unwavering commitment of the community to steward the land. On this #EarthDay, we take pride in championing regenerative practices that foster a deep connection between people and the land, particularly with the sacred Shea trees. By restoring and protecting our natural ecosystems, we honor our commitment to Earth and pave the way for a healthier, more resilient future for all. #EarthDay2024 #RegenerativeDevelopment #Sustainability #SheaTrees #CommunityEngagement #EnvironmentalConservation #REFOOTURE

Two dozen cheetahs in India’s Kuno National Park are cooling off under water sprinklers to beat the deadly heatwave in the country.   The cheetahs were brought from South Africa and Namibia in September 2022 under a plan to reintroduce the species to India and are now housed in soft enclosures in the protected Kuno forest of central Madhya Pradesh state.   As temperatures have soared to around 50C, park authorities have been forced to make cooling arrangements for the 25 big cats. They have laid a pipeline, around 13km long, inside the soft enclosures to sprinkle water on the cheetahs through the “torturous summer”, the Deccan Chronicle newspaper reported.   #India #Cheetahs #WaterTechnology #Heatwaves #WaterCrisis #ClimateChange   This content is jointly prepared by ripple2wave and ZWEEC Analytics Pte Ltd. Follow us for more interesting content on #water and #sustainability.   Sourced from: https://lnkd.in/gnrJy2rm  

Saalumarada Thimmakka, Mother of Trees, Living legend, True Climate Hero at 113 years 🌍🌸💐🥇🥇🥇🙏🇮🇳🌸 She will live for 1000 years through her trees ! Any doubts ? She is incredible, deeply committed to caring for our planet, and an inspiring example to us all. Her remarkable contributions to environmental preservation will be appreciated for generations to come. At 113 years old, she is a living testament to the power of dedication and perseverance. Her life reminds us that the choices we make today create lasting ripples into the future. Her legacy, especially the 8,000 trees she has planted, will live on. These trees will offer fruits for nourishment, shade for comfort, and shelter for countless birds and animals. They will also serve as valuable resources for future generations, providing wood and protection for people in need. Her life's work teaches us that while we may not live as long, we can still leave behind a meaningful legacy of stewardship for the Earth. While many of us may not live as long as she has, we can still make a significant impact on the planet. Simple actions, like reducing plastic consumption by choosing reusable bags, bottles, and containers, can help reduce the waste that clogs our oceans and pollutes our environment. Switching to renewable energy sources like solar power or supporting energy-efficient technologies helps lower our carbon footprint and slow the pace of climate change. Planting trees, supporting reforestation projects, or even cultivating a small garden can help improve local air quality and promote biodiversity. Spreading awareness and educating others about sustainable living also has a powerful impact, as it encourages more people to make environmentally conscious choices. By incorporating small, intentional actions into our daily lives, we all contribute to the health and preservation of this planet we share. Let us aim to earmark 30% green cover in all our projects #biodiversity #trees #forest #saveplanet #biophillic #climatechange #womenleadership #women #plants #nature #climate #world #linkedin #earth #wood #sustainability #architecture #architects #buildings #engineers

Today, we celebrate World #Orangutan Day, a time to recognize and honour these remarkable great apes that call the forests of #Borneo and #Sumatra home. As we mark this special occasion, let us reflect on the plight of the orangutan and renew our commitment to protecting this #endangered species and the precious habitats they depend on. However ,there is hope. Across the world, dedicated #conservationists, scientists, and concerned citizens are working tirelessly to protect orangutans and their forests. Let us all pledge to do our part. Whether it's reducing our consumption of unsustainable palm oil, supporting #conservation organizations, or simply spreading #awareness, each of us can play a role in ensuring a future where #orangutans thrive once more. #wildlifematters #orangutansday #savetheanimal #savetheplanet #supportconservation #getinvolved