Episode 34: Protecting the India's Elephant Corridors with Upasana Ganguly from the Wildlife Trust of India

The Think Wildlife Podcast

Ecosystems around India are becoming increasingly fragmented. This is particularly concerning for megafauna species, such as tigers and elephants. Landscape connectivity is a vital component of megafauna conservation in India. This is because the dispersal of megafauna outside of existing reserves is critical to maintaining the genetic diversity of the larger population. The immense fragmentation between tiger populations has resulted in the increased prevalence of melanism, a phenomenon associated with inbreeding depression. Moreover, preserving wildlife corridors between protected areas is crucial in preserving biodiversity while also minimizing human-wildlife conflict.

One of the leading projects aimed at promoting landscape connectivity in India is the “Rights of Passage” program established by the Wildlife Trust of India, in partnership with the Government of India. It aims to secure connectivity and safe passage for large mammals like elephants and tigers across their identified corridors. In this episode, I interviewed Upasana Ganguly, the Manager of “The Rights of Passage” project. We talk in detail about the importance of wildlife corridors, the threats, and the conservation of these corridors.

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