Visually appealing, orchids also play an important ecological role by supporting biodiversity and specialised pollinators

These salt-loving trees safeguard shores, store carbon, and sustain countless species—helping balance ecosystems and fight climate change

“Jhuru . . . jaldi neeche aao,” Amma shouts. Jhuru is atop a hill with his friend Bagha the leopard sprawled next to him. “Bagha, why do they always call me when I am with you?” “Well, they don’t want us to be together,” says Bagha licking his paws. “Or are they scared?” Jhuru asks. He gets up and shouts, “Amma, aataa” and proceeded to sprawl again next to Bagha.

A simple, lucid explainer on the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of wildlife corridors.  

Thanks to the real-life bat, the reel-life Batman became a superhero. I have vivid childhood memories of the trees near my school from which more bats hung than leaves. During summery dusks, they’d glide away en masse in a procession. I believe, even then as today, people would’ve been susceptible to the viruses spread by their droppings. But such cases were unheard of. Rather, people fed upon this fascinating creature to cure their ailments— like, rheumatism, asthma, and chest pain; and used bat hair to treat shivering during fever.

Whenever that sweet tinkling sound traverses through my balcony, my entire mood rejuvenates. I crane my neck, investigating its source, and scan my lushy green enclave for a soft jingling song. Tracing the tsee…tseer… notes, I rejoice with delight on spotting the chirpy, cute, bundle of joy—the Indian White-Eye.

If there was ever a parliament of birds, then this avian would have delivered the most vociferous speeches. No doubt quirky artists caricatured it in their popular Angry Birds game. I’m sure you all must have enjoyed playing this viral pastime and gotten amused by the perpetual furious look on the birds' faces. Recognised as the most argumentative bird, the Jungle Babbler couldn’t be named more aptly... 

Stories travel fast. Love stories travel faster. In the last couple of decades, Valentine’s Day, celebrated on February 14, has become a global festival. What is the green angle to it?