On August 7, 2024, the Mangaluru Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) hosted a special talk by Dr. K. Ullas Karanth, a renowned conservation zoologist and tiger expert, at the Kodialguthu Centre for Art and Culture. Dr. Karanth’s presentation, titled “Saving Wildlife in Changing India,” highlighted India’s rich biodiversity and the critical conservation efforts that have prevented its collapse.
Dr. Karanth noted that India, covering just 2.2% of the world’s land area, hosts 7.7% of the mammal species, 13% of the bird species, and 24% of the carnivorous species. He attributed the success of conservation to political support from leaders like Indira Gandhi and dedicated efforts by forest officers. Despite these efforts, only 10% of India’s land serves as wildlife habitat, with 4% designated as protected areas.
Emphasizing a species-centered approach, Dr. Karanth explained how projects like Project Tiger have drawn public attention to charismatic animals, aiding large-scale conservation. He shared his pioneering work with camera traps and radio collars to study tiger populations and behavior, which provided reliable data for scientific research.
Dr. Karanth also reflected on the growing appreciation for wildlife conservation at the grassroots level, though he warned of ongoing threats from the wildlife trade and human population pressures. He stressed the need for sustainable energy solutions to support future conservation efforts.
Subhas Chandra Basu, convener of INTACH Mangaluru, welcomed the gathering, while architect Niren Jain introduced the guest speaker.