As we celebrate 100 years of Disney, can you match the iconic quotes with the characters who said them? Take this quiz now.
Enchanted expressions scripted in stardust…get to know some enduring and inspiring quotes from Disney characters by trying your hand at this quiz. How many can you get right?
As we near the end of National Wildlife Week, take a look at these fascinating lifeforms with which we share our country.
National Wildlife Week is celebrated annually in India to explore, appreciate and preserve the incredible biodiversity of our country. It is a time to connect with nature, learn about our native species, and reflect on the vital role wildlife plays in maintaining the balance of our ecosystems. Through a series of events and initiatives, National Wildlife Week reminds us that we share this planet with a multitude of fascinating and often fragile creatures. It serves as a call to action, reminding us that the responsibility for the well-being of these species rests in our hands. By working together, we can ensure a harmonious coexistence with wildlife and leave a legacy for future generations.
Play this word search to find the names of some fascinating plants and animals.
Read more on these plants and animals.
Indian Swellshark
Reaching up to 49.5 cm in total length, it inhabits the deep waters of the Indian Ocean. Its range extends from the coastal waters of Kollam in Kerala to Valaichchenai, Sri Lanka and even as far as North Sentinel Island in the Andaman Islands. It is suspected that the species has declined in numbers over the last three generations due to exploitation from extensive fishing.
Drury Paphiopedilum
These orchids in this genus are commonly referred to as “slipper orchids” due to the flower’s unique shape that often resembles a slipper or shoe. With a restricted distribution of four sq.km. on the Agastamalaya Hills at the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, sightings are rare. Due to over exploitation, the species was believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in 1972. In 1991, a conservation programme begun at the Tropical Botanic Garden and Research (JNTBGRI) was successful in propagating this species from seeds collected from wild.
Indian Vulture
This species suffered an extremely rapid population decline due to feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac. The frequency of reports of Indian Vulture sightings declined by 90% between 2000 and 2018, further indicating a steep reduction in numbers.
Mamira
Found only in Arunachal Pradesh, this plant is used in the traditional Indian systems of medicine: Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. Unsustainable and commercial exploitation of the plant for international trade has led to its current critically endangered status. As a medicinal plant, the roots are collected from the wild and traded as Mishmi teeta and used to cure fever, headaches and gastric problems. However, this plant is now under cultivation.
Purple frog
Recently unearthed in the Western Ghats, this burrowing frog has been documented only in five locations. It is the last surviving representative of an ancient frog lineage (Nasikabatrachidae) that branched off from its closest relatives approximately 130 million years ago. The main threat to this species is the loss of its forest habitat to encroaching agriculture such as coffee, cardamom, ginger and other cultivated crops.
Sun bear
The world’s smallest bear, it inhabits forested areas in northeast India and takes its name from a patch of light fur on the chest resembling the sun. Its natural range has suffered substantial fragmentation and has shrunk due to extensive deforestation, logging (legal and illegal), forest fire and conversion of the rainforest into oil palm plantations and other commercial crops. Also, as its body parts are used in traditional medicine, the sun bear is hunted and often killed when it raids human crops.
Indian Sandalwood
Scientifically known as Santalum album, this is a valuable and aromatic tropical tree species native to India, particularly in the south. Its highly prized heartwood is used to produce sandalwood oil, which has been traditionally used in perfumes, cosmetics, and religious rituals. Since the products of this species command a high price, illegal trade is rife and there has been a marked decrease in the availability of Indian Sandalwood.
Meizotropis pellita
Commonly known as Patwa, it is a perennial shrub endemic to Uttarakhand. Since it is found in a highly restricted area and is under threat due to deforestation, habitat fragmentation and forest fire, it has made it to the IUCN’s list. The essential oil extracted from its leaves contain antioxidants and can be a promising natural substitute for synthetic antioxidants in pharmaceutical industries. This is the main reason for its decline.
Trot, trot, trot! India has made ripples at the 19th Asian Games. Find out more.
What does a wildlife rehabilitator do? Do you think this career would appeal to you? Find out by reading this article.
A wildlife rehabilitator is a compassionate guardian of injured and orphaned animals, tirelessly working to mend their wounds and restore their freedom in the wild. They are the unsung heroes of the natural world, nurturing and releasing creatures, ensuring a harmonious balance in our ecosystems.
Scroll through the slider to know more:
Introducing you to some fiction and non-fiction books on wildlife. Enjoy turning the pages of these books.
National Wildlife Week is celebrated from the October 2 to 8 in India. The aim is not only to protect and preserve India’s flora and fauna but also to try and learn more about it. Here is a list of books that will help you know more about wildlife in India. Once you have an understanding, you will be better placed to conserve and preserve.
Click on the icons and know more about these books.
How much do you know about music and its related terms? Find out in this fun game.
Music is always the way to a calmer mind. Be it to have fun, make merry, or just relax, music has always made a difference. There are many terms related to music. How many of them are you familiar with? Play this game to find out.
The rules are simple: you are given a list of words, sorted by length, along with a blank grid. You need to figure out where each word is to be placed in the grid.
How well do you know your snakes? Find out with this memory game.
Snakes play a crucial role in ecosystems and have significant importance in various aspects of our natural world. They are natural predators of rodents and other small mammals. By keeping rodent populations in check, they help prevent the spread of diseases and reduce crop damage. This makes them valuable allies of farmers.
They are a part of the food chain and serve as both predator and prey. They contribute to the biodiversity of ecosystems by being a food source for larger animals. Their presence in an ecosystem helps support a diverse range of wildlife. Snakes also have cultural and ecological significance in various regions, and their conservation is important to maintain the overall health and balance of ecosystems.
Now play this memory game to learn about a few snakes.
Adopt fitness as a lifestyle. While you read about the benefits of fitness, also try this word game to find a word related to fitness.
Regular exercise offers numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits that make it important for virtually everyone. Here are three key reasons why everyone should incorporate workouts into their routine:
Improved physical health: Exercise helps strengthen the heart, improve circulation, and reduce the risk of heart diseases like hypertension and coronary artery disease.
Muscle and bone strength: Strength training and weight-bearing exercises promote the development of muscle mass and bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Mental and emotional well-being: Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters.
Long-term health benefits: Regular physical activity can lower the risk of various chronic diseases, including certain cancers, stroke, and metabolic syndrome. Exercise enhances overall quality of life by improving physical function, mobility, and independence, allowing individuals to stay active and engaged as they age.
Now play this game to see which word you get to.
National Wildlife Week special! Can you match the iconic Indian animals with their home State?
Several rare and remarkable species call our country home. Can you match some of them with the States where they can largely be found?
Photos: The Hindu Archives, Nissar Ahmad, Wikimedia Commons
How much do you know about the folks working to protect India’s natural diversity? Read on.
It’s National Wildlife Week from October 2 to 8. While we celebrate our flora and fauna, let’s also keep in mind the people fighting to conserve and protect our natural resources. So here are seven wildlife conservationists and the work they do.
Move the slider from right to left to read about each person.
