Habitat fragmentation, greatest threat to conservation: Expert

MANGALURU: The Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) hosted a special talk on “Wildlife Conservation in a Human Dominated Landscape” by wildlife conservationist Praveen Bhargav at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture, Ballalbagh, recently.Praveen Bhargav, Managing Trustee of Wildlife First, spoke in depth about the current state of wildlife and forest conservation in India. “Today, about four lakh square kilometres, roughly 12% of India’s land area, consists of dense or moderately dense forests. Of this, only 1.67 lakh square kilometres, or around 4%, are designated as protected areas for wildlife,” he noted. Highlighting the population status of flagship species, he said India currently hosts an estimated 2,500–2,900 tigers, 3,000–4,000 lion-tailed macaques, 300–400 Asiatic lions, and 25,000–27,000 elephants.Pointing to habitat fragmentation as the greatest threat to conservation, Bhargav said, “Beyond framing laws, the real challenge is to prevent fragmentation, which disrupts both flora and fauna. Large infrastructure projects cutting across the Western Ghats have severely impacted habitats. Much of this can be avoided by optimally using existing infrastructure, which benefits both ecology and economy. It is not about opposing development, but about finding balanced solutions.

”He also drew attention to the illegal wildlife trade, describing it as the second-largest illicit trade after narcotics, and urged the creation of a specialised enforcement force to tackle it. “Surprisingly, India has no law specifically to protect rivers, which are among our most strategic natural assets. We must look at conservation through an integrated model that goes beyond merely protecting trees,” he said.Architect and environmental planner Niren Jain, co-convener of INTACH Mangaluru Chapter, introduced the guest and coordinated the programme. INTACH Convener Subhas Basu was present.Bhargav has worked extensively in the fields of conservation policy, law, and advocacy in India. He served on the National Board of Wildlife and various expert committees of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The author of two books on wildlife law, and is a recipient of the Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award.