We're thrilled to share some exciting news from the world of wildlife conservation! India has just inaugurated its very first butterfly sanctuary, a significant step forward in protecting our planet's delicate ecosystems.

Introducing the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary!

The existing Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala's Kannur district has been officially renamed and dedicated as India's premier forest area exclusively for butterflies. This landmark achievement, announced by the Kerala State Wildlife Board on June 18, 2025, is the result of 25 years of dedicated conservation efforts.

Key Highlights:

• Location: Nestled within the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats.

• Size: Spanning an impressive 55 square kilometers.

• Rich Diversity: Home to over 266 documented butterfly species, representing more than 80% of Kerala's total butterfly diversity! This includes many rare and endangered species crucial for our ecosystem.

Why is this important? This new status will significantly enhance efforts to:

• Safeguard vital butterfly migration corridors.

• Increase public awareness about the importance of butterfly conservation.

• Promote sustainable eco-tourism and crucial research initiatives.

Butterflies are not just beautiful; they are essential pollinators, playing a critical role in maintaining ecological balance. The establishment of this sanctuary marks a new chapter in India's commitment to protecting its invaluable biodiversity.

India's Environment Ministry is under the spotlight regarding its stance on tribal rights in forest management. This comes after nearly 150 organizations submitted a letter to the Prime Minister, alleging that the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has undermined the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006.

The controversy was sparked by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav's interview where he linked primary forest degradation to FRA titles. The protesting organizations have strongly refuted this, calling the statement "false and misleading" and an attempt to weaken the FRA. They also cited a National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) order for evictions from tiger reserves and the 2023 India State of Forest report, which also referenced FRA titles in relation to negative forest cover changes.

In response, the MoEFCC stated that the Minister's comments were "grossly misrepresented" and taken out of context. The ministry highlighted its proactive efforts in involving tribal communities, mentioning direct dialogues with Tharu and Soliga tribals. Additionally, the ministry defended recent amendments to the Van (Sansarkhan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, asserting that they comply with constitutional procedures and include a specific clause in its rules to recognize forest rights.

This ongoing dialogue underscores the critical balance between conservation efforts and the recognition of indigenous rights in India's forest policies.

IUCN India is excited to announce the 'Stories of Hope Media Fellowship', a unique opportunity for eight young, passionate journalists and storytellers to make a real difference in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR). This fellowship aims to empower media professionals to amplify critical conservation stories, inspiring action and spotlighting innovative, on-ground solutions to the challenges facing the Himalayas.

Why the Himalayas? The IHR boasts critical ecosystems but faces immense pressures from climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. This fellowship, part of the "Himalaya for Future" initiative (an IUCN-TATA Initiative supported by TCS Foundation), seeks to transform the narrative by highlighting solutions and community-led stewardship.

Fellowship Highlights:

• Focus: Document and disseminate impactful stories from the Indian Himalayan Region.

• Themes: Deepen media understanding of biodiversity, water conservation, climate change, sustainable livelihoods, cultural heritage, and more, across seven thematic and five cross-cutting areas.

• Experience: Engage with local communities, conservationists, and scientists through field visits to conservation hotspots.

• Resources: Gain exclusive access to "Himalaya for Future" program data and experts.

• Creative Freedom: Innovate in storytelling through articles, photo essays, and multimedia features.

What You'll Gain:

• Funding: Each fellow will receive INR 70,000 to support their work, covering fieldwork, equipment, and travel expenses.

• Publication: Opportunity to publish one story (1,000-1,500 words) on a selected theme through your respective media platforms.

• Impact: Become a voice for Himalayan conservation, influencing public opinion and policymaking.

Who Should Apply?

• Indian students, young journalists, and researchers aged 21-32.

• Strong interest in Himalayan themes and environmental/development reporting.

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in environmental or development reporting.

• Journalists working in print, TV, online platforms (including YouTube), both full-time and freelance.

• Women and local storytellers with deep regional knowledge are especially encouraged to apply.

Timeline:

• Duration: Maximum four months, starting from August 1, 2025.

• Key Activities: Fieldwork, research, drafting, and content development (August - October), Final submission and publishing (November).

How to Apply: Submit your application by July 18, 2025, via Google Form. Your application must include:

• Career goals

• Personal statement

• Writing sample (journalistic-style piece, published or unpublished, related to environmental issues)

• Statement of interest (400-500-word pitch on a fellowship theme)

• References from two individuals

• Updated CV

For More Information: Contact Ms. Akanksha, Communications and Partnerships Associate, IUCN India, at [email protected].

Andhra Pradesh has achieved a "Good" rating in the latest Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries for 2020-2025. This assessment, conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), highlights both significant improvements and areas needing further attention in the state's conservation efforts.

Key Findings:

• Overall Performance: Andhra Pradesh secured a mean MEE score of 62.76%, placing it firmly in the 'Good' category. Individual scores for the 10 Protected Areas (PAs) evaluated ranged from 51.56% to 78.13%.

• National Parks:

  • Papikonda National Park showed remarkable progress, moving from 'Fair' (45.5%) to 'Good' (60%).

  • Sri Venkateswara National Park maintained its 'Good' rating despite a slight decline from 70.31% to 63.71%.

  • Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park remained in the 'Fair' category, with a minor dip from 55% to 54%.

• Wildlife Sanctuaries:

  • Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary emerged as a top performer, moving from 'Good' to 'Very Good' with the highest score of 78.13%.

  • Nellapattu (65% to 69.53%) and Kolleru (53.33% to 61.29%) Wildlife Sanctuaries both improved, with Kolleru now rated 'Good'.

  • Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary saw significant improvement, rising from 59.17% to 73.44% and achieving 'Good' status.

  • However, three sanctuaries—Kambalakonda (65% to 59.68%), Koundinya (65% to 56.25%), and Sri Penusila Narasimha (57.5% to 51.56%)—experienced a decline and are now in the 'Fair' category.

• Report Release: The evaluation report was released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at the Indian Conservation Conference (ICCON-2025), held from June 24 to 27, 2025, at WII in Dehradun.

What's Next?

The report emphasizes the critical need for enhanced administrative capacity and targeted site-specific interventions to boost future conservation outcomes in Andhra Pradesh.

In a significant win for conservation, the Karnataka Forest Department has successfully recovered 300 acres of encroached land within the Bukkapatna Chinkara Wildlife Sanctuary. This substantial area, located in Survey No. 46 of Muthugadahalli Ambarpur, Tiptur sub-division, Sira Taluk, Tumakuru district, was originally declared forest land in 1926 under the Forest Rights Act.

Key Details:

• Scale of Recovery: This marks one of the largest forest land recoveries in Karnataka in recent years. While 120 acres were reclaimed last month from Kadugodi plantation, the Bukkapatna recovery stands out, although the record remains 600 acres in Kolar (2013) and 355 acres in Mallur (2014).

• The Encroachment: For the past 30 years, revenue officials had illegally granted this land to villagers. No residential structures were found, but agricultural activities like coconut, cotton, and arecanut cultivation were ongoing.

• Legal Action: The recovery was a result of stringent action initiated following Lokayukta directives and orders from the Supreme Court and Karnataka High Court. Section 64(A) proceedings of the Karnataka Forest Act of 1963 were invoked, leading to eviction notices and the full recovery of the parcel on Thursday, July 3, 2025.

• Future Plans: Forest department officials have already begun digging pits, laying trenches, and planning plantations suitable for blackbucks. Further recovery exercises are underway for other encroached parcels around the forest division.

About the Sanctuary: Also known as the Black Buck Sanctuary, Bukkapatna spans 36,000 acres and includes three reserve forests. It was officially notified in 2019 to protect the Indian gazelle (chinkara) and other diverse wildlife, including blackbucks, four-horned antelopes, sloth bears, leopards, striped hyenas, and Indian wolves, from threats like excessive grazing.

This action highlights the continuous efforts to protect and restore Karnataka's precious natural habitats.

We have exciting news from North Bengal! In a landmark decision, the state government has officially approved the establishment of three new, state-of-the-art veterinary hospitals dedicated to treating wild animals.

This crucial initiative will significantly enhance wildlife care in the region, providing much-needed, timely medical attention for animals injured by accidents, infighting, or human intervention.

Key Highlights:

• Three New Facilities: Hospitals to be built in Sukna (near Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary), Lataguri (on the outskirts of Gorumara National Park), and between Jaldapara National Park and Buxa Tiger Reserve Forest.

• Modern Amenities: Each facility will feature advanced operation theatres, USG centers, and anesthesia units.

• Land Allocation: Each hospital requires 3 bighas of land to ensure comprehensive care.

This long-awaited project, envisioned since the early 2000s, marks a monumental step forward in wildlife conservation, replacing time-consuming on-site treatments with dedicated, fully-equipped medical centers.