This week’s environment and conservation news stories rolled into one.

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Modelling study finds rural employment scheme plays an important role in forest cover

The impact of MGNREGA leads to a high win-win outcome for livelihood and forest cover when job days cross 1210.

The hispid hare’s habitat in Himalayan grasslands is shrinking fast

Often called ‘bristly rabbit’, this elusive species is among the world’s rarest mammals within a monotypic genus.

Small cats’ ecology review flags declining conservation status

A recent paper emphasises implementing effective conservation measures such as legal protection to safeguard India’s small cats.

Storing carbon in the form of gas hydrates deep under water

Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean can serve as potential carbon sinks by storing gas hydrates in depths beyond 2,800 metres.

To save the vulnerable fishing cat, protect its threatened wetland habitat

Spread across Asia, this small wild cat species faces myriad threats, including habitat loss, hunting and retaliatory killings.

[Video] Flowers of worship sow seeds of sustainability

A project in West Bengal’s Tarapith temple recycles used flowers into vermicompost, reducing pollution and providing compost for local farmers.

Unchecked shrimp farming transforms land use in the Sundarbans

This surge in shrimp farming has disrupted local communities, displacing them from their traditional livelihood of agriculture.

India experiments with parametric insurance to mitigate costs of disasters

Parametric insurance relies on a predetermined set of parameters which, when met, triggers a payout immediately.