The present study investigated the diversity and seasonal dynamics of algae in five important wetlands of the Eastern Himalayas viz., Kapla Beel, Sorbhog Beel, Kukarjan Beel, Gandhi Beel and Kaplimara Beel which were designated as B1, B2, B3, B4 and B5 respectively. The study was conducted from December, 2019 to November, 2021 for a period of two years. A total of 265 algal species belonging to 104 genera, 30 orders and 57 families were recorded under 11 taxonomic classes. Maximum algal species richness was recorded in Kapla beel (B1) with 137 species, while, minimum species richness was observed in Kukarjan beel (B3) with 91 species. The algal community in the present study displayed distinct seasonal changes. As per Palmer’s pollution index, the study sites could be arranged as: B4 (30)> B3 (29)> B1 (28)> B5 (26)> B2(23). PCA graph displayed significant correlation between algal classes and four seasons during the study period.
Conservation biology increasingly acknowledges that effective biodiversity conservation is closely linked to social equity; however, gendered dimensions of environmental stewardship remain insufficiently examined within Asian contexts. This paper presents a narrative and conceptual review of ecofeminist and social-ecological scholarship to examine how women’s knowledge, roles, and participation influence biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Asia. Focusing on documented cases from South and Southeast Asia - including community forestry initiatives, indigenous resource management practices, and women-led environmental movements - the study situates gender within core conservation concerns such as ecosystem resilience, local biodiversity protection, and sustainable resource governance. Through thematic synthesis of existing literature and case-based evidence, the review identifies three conservationrelevant dynamics: (i) women’s traditional ecological knowledge contributes to sustainable management of forests, water, and agro-biodiversity; (ii) gender-inclusive participation improves conservation outcomes by enhancing local compliance, stewardship, and institutional legitimacy; and (iii) ecofeminist frameworks provide analytical tools to critique exploitative power structures that undermine both ecological integrity and community-based conservation. The paper contributes to conservation biology by demonstrating how integrating gender equity and women’s participation into conservation strategies can strengthen biodiversity outcomes in Asia. By linking ecofeminist theory with applied conservation practices, the study offers a conceptual foundation for gender-sensitive conservation planning, policy formulation, and communitybased biodiversity management, highlighting women as indispensable actors in achieving long-term ecological sustainability.
Understanding community perspectives on large carnivores is essential for designing effective coexistence strategies in human-wildlife conflict zones. This study examines social attitudes toward leopards among 79 residents of five villages bordering Bannerghatta National Park, India. Semi-structured interviews and quantitative analyses examined how experiences of conflict, institutional support, and compensation influence willingness to coexist. While 72% of respondents supported leopard conservation, only 18% felt coexistence, defined as accepting leopards’ regular presence near settlements, was feasible, revealing a coexistence paradox of moral support without spatial tolerance. No significant associations emerged between conflict experience, perceived support, or compensation and willingness to coexist. However, gaps between official mitigation advice and community beliefs, along with low satisfaction with institutional responses, highlight opportunities for improved outreach. These findings emphasise that coexistence requires more than tolerance; practical progress depends on context-specific risk mitigation, community-inclusive governance, and culturally grounded education that can rebuild trust and support long-term conservation outcomes.
In the current investigation, the diversity, abundance, and conservation status of avian species was documented from May 2023 to August 2023 at Kathok and Khecheopalri Lake, West Sikkim, India. Data was collected using direct observation and point count method. A total of 155 birds from 22 different families and 56 species were reported at the study sites during the periodic visits. The maximum number of the species observed both at Kathok Lake (n=5) and Khecheopalri Lake (n=6) belongs to the family Leiotrichidae. Summer migrants include Verditer flycatcher and Barn swallow at Khecheopalri Lake. The Verditer flycatcher, however, was also observed as a summer visitor at Kathok Lake. For the conservation status, all the recorded species were categorized as “Least Concern” in the IUCN Red List and for the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972, the recorded species were classified under Schedule IV. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index value was found to be 2.52 and 3.27 for Kathok Lake and Khecheopalri Lake, respectively, thus indicating the higher bird diversity at Khecheopalri lake in comparison to Kathok Lake. Consequently, an understanding of the composition and diversity of bird communities is necessary to assess the importance of local or regional landscapes for avian conservation. Further studies in different seasons mainly focusing on how seasonal interactions drive population change in different bird species, are required for better understanding and monitoring of the birds.
The present collection of Sida angustifolia Mill. (Malvaceae), from Sivaganga district, Tamil Nadu, confirms its occurrence in Tamil Nadu which was previously treated as being doubtful. This species is described and a photographic plate given to assist with its future identification.
