One of the fastest growing divisions of the tourism industry, ecotourism is touted for demonstrating both conservation and economic benefits. The main objectives of ecotourism are ostensibly to provide financial aid for conservation of natural areas and ensuring employment and economic profits for those living in the area. This is expected, in turn, to result in the involvement of local communities in conservation and management activities. Consequently, local involvement could ensure the sustainability and longevity of such initiatives.

The drivers of discord between humans and wild species often lie deeper than the shallow measuring implements of science can reach. We explore the lived experience of conflict between fishing communities and turtles in two very different socio-ecological contexts in the Lakshadweep Islands and the Orissa coast.

Based on our studies in Norway and India, and the rapidly expanding scientific literature in this field, it is safe to say that human-wildlife conflicts are a universal state of affairs. This is a serious issue because it represents a long term threat to the persistence of wildlife as well as negatively affecting the lives of millions of people. Our conflict research is motivated by a desire to identify paths towards conflict reduction and mitigation, for the benefits of both people and wildlife.

We would like to begin by acknowledging that Hawk

Here the author presents his experience and observations of the debate over the construction of the port at Dhamra, and IUCN

Metapopulation biology shows how

Larger forests can help control extinction, not epidemics

Lessons from marine ecology

A recent report that the Union ministry of environment and forests may be exploring the possibility of allowing private persons to breed wild animals and extract medicinal products from them has sent a ripple of discontent amongst the country s conserva

One of the common engagements that the public has with wildlife is reading about wildlife or ecological research in newspapers and magazines. Exploration of remote areas, the discovery of new