Residents of Bidapaju village in Odisha, India, were unaware of the Forest Rights Act (FRA) until 2020, despite its enactment in 2006. A non-profit, Nirman, informed them about their rights, leading to skepticism initially. The forest department had marked trees for timber without villagers' consent, but after learning about the FRA, the villagers protested and prevented tree cutting. They faced challenges, including boundary disputes with an adjacent village, but eventually claimed 738 acres of forest land. The villagers now manage forest resources responsibly, with a system for timber and bamboo harvesting. The Divisional Forest Officer, Kshama Sarangi, acknowledged the FRA's benefits but warned of its misuse and the need for thorough checks before granting titles.

The Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre has developed a Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) vaccine, initially trialed on guinea pigs and rats, aimed at protecting the Asiatic lion population in Gir National Park. The vaccine is a response to a 2018 incident where 27 lions died from CDV. The vaccine will undergo three trials before potential administration to lions, despite concerns from wildlife researchers about the impact of captivity on vaccinated lions. The 33 lions vaccinated in 2018 remain in captivity, raising questions about the feasibility of releasing vaccinated lions back into the wild. The Gujarat Forest department seeks to have a locally available vaccine, contrasting with previous imports from the US. Experts are divided on the approach, with some suggesting vaccination of dogs to prevent disease spread and others advocating for natural selection. The National Tiger Conservation Authority of India's 2020 protocol includes vaccinating dogs against CDV to protect tigers.

Millet consumption among tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh, India, is declining due to the Green Revolution's promotion of rice and wheat. Despite millets' nutritional value and climate resilience, tribal populations have shifted to rice, which is freely accessible through the public distribution system, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Efforts to revive millet consumption include the United Nations declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets and local initiatives promoting millet-based foods. However, challenges such as traditional processing methods, lack of minimum support price, and the loss of traditional recipes hinder the mainstreaming of millets. NGOs and government schemes are working to address these issues, with some success in promoting millet cultivation and consumption.

Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh is preparing for the arrival of African cheetahs, with heightened security and infrastructure developments such as quarantine centers and helipads. The project, overseen by the Prime Minister's Office, involves experts from the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Wildlife Institute of India. Local villagers, particularly from the Saheriya tribe, are optimistic that the cheetahs will boost tourism and development, although some are indifferent or misinformed about the project's status. The monsoon season has caused accessibility issues, with damaged roads and lack of network coverage, highlighting the challenges faced by residents in remote areas. Rehabilitation efforts are underway for villages affected by these issues, with the promise of better opportunities and infrastructure.

Approximately 50,000 tribals from Chhattisgarh, displaced by the Maoist-Salwa Judum conflict in 2005 to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, are ineligible for land entitlements under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, according to the Union Minister for Tribal Affairs. The tribals, categorized as Internally Displaced People, are struggling to obtain land titles in their new states, despite a day-long protest in New Delhi. The minister clarified that the Act's provisions do not apply to those displaced by conflict, as opposed to government projects. Activists argue that the government's support of Salwa Judum technically constitutes 'illegal eviction or displacement.' The Ministry is working on guidelines for clarity but has made little progress. The Chhattisgarh government has been asked to list IDPs for in-state rehabilitation, while the state has expressed willingness to welcome back and rehabilitate the displaced tribals. However, many IDPs have established new lives and do not wish to return to Chhattisgarh.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government has approved the auction of 16 oil blocks, with nine in the Cuvette Centrale of the Congo river basin, a critical ecosystem. Greenpeace Africa has condemned the decision, highlighting the potential catastrophic effects on climate and local communities, and is urging the DRC to revoke the decision. The Cuvette Centrale, rich in carbon and vital for many communities, was intended to be protected under the Brazzaville Declaration. The DRC's commitment to climate solutions is questioned by this move, especially after the country's pledge to fight global warming and the $500 million donor pledge to protect its rainforests at COP26.

The Indian Desert Cat sighting in the Akola buffer zone of the Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Madhya Pradesh, initially considered rare, is challenged by independent wildlife experts. The species, adaptable to various habitats, has been spotted in central and western India, including the PTR in 2018, with 541 sightings recorded in 2018-19. The cat's presence in forests is less due to competition with the dominant Indian jungle cat. The PTR field director seeks authentication of the WII's photographs, which have not been shared with the reserve. The Indian Desert Cat is listed as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List. The PTR buffer zone's restrictions on human activities may have facilitated the cat's jungle ventures. Sightings in the Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary suggest the species' adaptability to semi-arid conditions. The cat's population is difficult to ascertain without direct evidence, and sightings have decreased due to road accidents and habitat loss.

The Zoological Survey of India and the Odisha government have initiated a flipper-tagging program for Olive Ridley turtles at Rushikulya and Gahirmatha rookeries in Odisha. The project aims to tag 30,000 turtles to aid in conservation planning, with 8,450 already tagged. Despite a delay due to the turtles not arriving en masse the previous year, Anil Mohapatra of ZSI is optimistic about tagging 10,000 turtles annually over three years. The program is part of a long-term species monitoring strategy, although only about half the tags are expected to remain functional after the turtles leave the nesting sites.