With time, Lakhi’s age caught up with her, and she showed signs of slowing down, old injuries got inflamed and she seemed to prefer resting against the mud beds in her enclosure
With time, Lakhi’s age caught up with her, and she showed signs of slowing down, old injuries got inflamed and she seemed to prefer resting against the mud beds in her enclosure. Late Saturday evening on the 3rd of March, she seemed more weary than usual, and even as her knees buckled under her, Asha and Coco rushed to her side to support her. Asha appeared calm and strong, as if she knew in her own way that this was it – Coco panicked initially, rushing about and running circles around her fallen friend. The team rushed in, the crane was called in to lift her back to her feet and support her – the elephants moved aside and watched, Asha touching them gently as they huddled together. They stood back as the team tried to get her back to her feet, even the younger elephants seemed uncharacteristically calm. Maybe they knew, maybe they realised it was time to let go and had their chance to say their goodbyes, and wanted to let her pass in peace. Lakhi resisted being lifted, as if she too knew her time had come. She let out her final breath and slumped down against the mud bed, eyes shut looking like she was completely at peace. As the team moved away, heartbroken, Asha rumbled loudly from where she was standing, but none of the elephants moved – Coco let out a small wail, and from every enclosure elephants responded softly with rumbles, trumpets and huffs all the way from the bulls to the closerby females like Phoolkali like an orchestra of calm, reassuring solidarity for their fallen friend.
Username: All_the_Best Published on 2024-12-24 11:53:18 ID NUMBER: 127760
The short answer is yes. But, how do we know this? A number of studies, including one that spanned 93 years by researchers at the University of Maryland, have concluded that the sands of the Sahara have been expanding for some time, primarily southward into the Sahel region. Having grown an estimated 10% since 1920, this is an undeniable fact that continues to be demonstrated year after year, with expansion often at its fastest during the summer months when the already dry desert becomes even more absent of water.
The growth of the Sahara Desert is mainly driven by natural climate variability and human-induced climate change. Naturally, a process called the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), a periodic climate cycle in the North Atlantic Ocean, significantly influences this expansion by affecting regional rainfall patterns. In the case of the Sahara, during warm phases of the AMO, this region experiences drier conditions, causing the desert landscape to spread.
The Sahara Desert's expansion is causing significant environmental and socio-economic issues. As mentioned, the southward creep of the desert into the Sahel is exacerbating drought conditions, making it difficult for local populations to maintain their agricultural and pastoral livelihoods. The loss of this farmland leads to food insecurity, pushing communities into poverty and increasing competition for resources. This can, and sometimes has, resulted in conflict and displacement as people migrate in search of more habitable areas.
As mentioned before, the Sahara's growth results from the complex interplay between natural cycles and climate change. Tackling this issue requires understanding these drivers and implementing strategies to mitigate their impacts on vulnerable regions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting sustainable land management practices are some of the steps we can also take part in to help address the root causes of desertification.
Bera Lake, located in southwest Pahang, Malaysia is a natural freshwater system of lakes. The 35 km long and 20 km wide lake drains into the Pahang River. The Bera Lake is one of the unique and remote wetland wildernesses in the country. It is peninsular Malaysia’s largest freshwater swamp. The ecosystem, consisting of islands of peat swamp forests and a patchwork of dry lowland dipterocarp forests, is rich in flora and fauna. The ecosystem is protected by the Ramsar Convention and has a core zone of 260 square km, and a buffer zone of 275 square km.
Tanjung Piai is a cape in Malaysia’s Pontian District, representing Peninsular Malaysia’s southernmost point. The coastline of the cape features rows of unspoiled mangrove forests that are highly significant in conversation. 22 species of mangrove trees grow in this ecosystem. The mangroves also act as an important bird habitat and both resident and migratory birds can be observed here. The Tanjung Piai’s coastal mangroves are part of an Important Bird Area and also a Ramsar wetland of international significance. Several hotels and resorts have been built around the region. However, the government mandates that environmental rules and regulations are maintained strictly by those owning private property in the area.
The Pulai River starts at the Mount Pulai and drains into the Tebrau Straits. At the mouth of the river is the largest seagrass bed of the country. A vast mangrove ecoregion is also located here. Intensive research is carried out in the ecoregion to study the unique collection of flora and fauna here.
Located on the islands of Borneo, the Lower Kinabatangan Segama Wetlands span an area of 788.03 square km. The site was added to the Ramsar List on October 28, 2008. The wetland area constitutes three Forest Reserves, the Kuala Maruap and Kuala Segama Forest Reserve, Kulamba Wildlife Reserve, and the Trusan Kinabatangan Forest Reserve. These wetlands serve as an important habitat for numerous resident and migratory birds. They are also a vital habitat of the Bornean orangutans and are significant for the conservation of orangutans.
Often called the "lungs of the Earth," the Amazon rainforest spans nine countries, but about 60% lies in Brazil. In recent years, disastrous fires, caused mainly by humans, have engulfed extensive tracts of this precious forest and killed its wild inhabitants in thousands. These fires have plundered the natural wealth of vast sections of the Amazon, making a mockery of millions of years of evolution.
The Amazon rainforest has incredible biodiversity. It is the world's most biodiverse ecosystem hosting around 10% of the global species. It is the birthplace of innumerable small rivers and streams that give rise to the mighty Amazon River that supports millions of human and animal lives in its basin area. About 3 million indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon also depend on the forest for their survival.
The short answer is yes. But, how do we know this? A number of studies, including one that spanned 93 years by researchers at the University of Maryland, have concluded that the sands of the Sahara have been expanding for some time, primarily southward into the Sahel region. Having grown an estimated 10% since 1920, this is an undeniable fact that continues to be demonstrated year after year, with expansion often at its fastest during the summer months when the already dry desert becomes even more absent of water.
The growth of the Sahara Desert is mainly driven by natural climate variability and human-induced climate change. Naturally, a process called the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), a periodic climate cycle in the North Atlantic Ocean, significantly influences this expansion by affecting regional rainfall patterns. In the case of the Sahara, during warm phases of the AMO, this region experiences drier conditions, causing the desert landscape to spread.
The Sahara Desert's expansion is causing significant environmental and socio-economic issues. As mentioned, the southward creep of the desert into the Sahel is exacerbating drought conditions, making it difficult for local populations to maintain their agricultural and pastoral livelihoods. The loss of this farmland leads to food insecurity, pushing communities into poverty and increasing competition for resources. This can, and sometimes has, resulted in conflict and displacement as people migrate in search of more habitable areas.
As mentioned before, the Sahara's growth results from the complex interplay between natural cycles and climate change. Tackling this issue requires understanding these drivers and implementing strategies to mitigate their impacts on vulnerable regions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adopting sustainable land management practices are some of the steps we can also take part in to help address the root causes of desertification.
Bera Lake, located in southwest Pahang, Malaysia is a natural freshwater system of lakes. The 35 km long and 20 km wide lake drains into the Pahang River. The Bera Lake is one of the unique and remote wetland wildernesses in the country. It is peninsular Malaysia’s largest freshwater swamp. The ecosystem, consisting of islands of peat swamp forests and a patchwork of dry lowland dipterocarp forests, is rich in flora and fauna. The ecosystem is protected by the Ramsar Convention and has a core zone of 260 square km, and a buffer zone of 275 square km.
Tanjung Piai is a cape in Malaysia’s Pontian District, representing Peninsular Malaysia’s southernmost point. The coastline of the cape features rows of unspoiled mangrove forests that are highly significant in conversation. 22 species of mangrove trees grow in this ecosystem. The mangroves also act as an important bird habitat and both resident and migratory birds can be observed here. The Tanjung Piai’s coastal mangroves are part of an Important Bird Area and also a Ramsar wetland of international significance. Several hotels and resorts have been built around the region. However, the government mandates that environmental rules and regulations are maintained strictly by those owning private property in the area.
The Pulai River starts at the Mount Pulai and drains into the Tebrau Straits. At the mouth of the river is the largest seagrass bed of the country. A vast mangrove ecoregion is also located here. Intensive research is carried out in the ecoregion to study the unique collection of flora and fauna here.
Located on the islands of Borneo, the Lower Kinabatangan Segama Wetlands span an area of 788.03 square km. The site was added to the Ramsar List on October 28, 2008. The wetland area constitutes three Forest Reserves, the Kuala Maruap and Kuala Segama Forest Reserve, Kulamba Wildlife Reserve, and the Trusan Kinabatangan Forest Reserve. These wetlands serve as an important habitat for numerous resident and migratory birds. They are also a vital habitat of the Bornean orangutans and are significant for the conservation of orangutans.
Often called the "lungs of the Earth," the Amazon rainforest spans nine countries, but about 60% lies in Brazil. In recent years, disastrous fires, caused mainly by humans, have engulfed extensive tracts of this precious forest and killed its wild inhabitants in thousands. These fires have plundered the natural wealth of vast sections of the Amazon, making a mockery of millions of years of evolution.
The Amazon rainforest has incredible biodiversity. It is the world's most biodiverse ecosystem hosting around 10% of the global species. It is the birthplace of innumerable small rivers and streams that give rise to the mighty Amazon River that supports millions of human and animal lives in its basin area. About 3 million indigenous inhabitants of the Amazon also depend on the forest for their survival.
