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Habitat Loss: A momentous threat

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You leave for work early in the morning, Work hard the whole day just for your family, You fulfil your responsibilities by providing them food, shelter and everything else in your power, But, you come back to see that the place you once called your home has been turned to rubbles. How will it feel to be in a familiar yet unfamiliar surroundings ? You don’t know where to find your family and you don’t know where and with whom you will have to spend the rest of your life. This blog is about another true story of the repercussions of the selfish needs of humans which is taking away the habitats of many animals every single day. Today, wildlife on our planet is under a serious peril and the major reason is Habitat Loss. Wildlife habitats in the world are being destroyed at a rate of approximately 5760 acres per day and 240 acres every hour. The primary effect of habitat loss is reduction in biodiversity. When an animal loses its natural habitat, it becomes vulnerable and stresse
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The Truth of Nagmani

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For centuries it is believed that when a Nag preserves its venom for (usually an Indian Spectacled Cobra) 100 years, an extremely valuable and rare gem forms inside or on its head which gives the snake supernatural powers. But is it really true? Does anything like Nagmani even exists? If yes, then what does it look like? And has anyone ever found a snake with Nagmani? According to a scientific research and wildlife experts there is no such thing as Nagmani. It is believed that these precious gems are formed on the head of a Nag after it preserves its venom for 100 years but biologically they can only live upto 15 to 20 years and they cannot preserve their venom for that long. Venom is basically a complex and modified saliva which not only acts as a defense mechanism or to kill its prey but also to digest its food. Venom comprises of complex proteins which are very essential to digest its food. Without using its venom it won’t be able to defend itself or digest its food. It is also beli
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Another Victim of Dark Magic and Superstitions

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The Red Sand Boa (Eryx johnii) is a non-venomous snake which belongs to the family Boidae. These snakes are native to countries like India, Pakistan and Iran. They can reach upto a total length of 2 feet. They are burrowing snakes and are found in drier regions where they can easily burrow in loose sand. They have a cylindrical body with glossy scales. But what is so uncommon about them, that each of these snakes cost in between 1.25 crores to 3.5 crores in the international market? Unlike many other animals, these beautiful snakes have fallen prey to the needs and superstitions of humans. These rare non-venomous snakes are used to make ‘medicines’, cosmetic products and for black magic. It is also known as the two-headed snake because the shape of its tail and head look akin. Usually snake charmers use sharp blades to carve a face out of their tail, and have spread a myth that for the first six months they move from one head and for the next six months they use their other head. B
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A Threat to Marine Ecosystem

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Shark Finning is the act of removing fins of the shark and repudiating the rest of the shark back to the ocean. The sharks unable to swim, sink to the ocean floor and die of suffocation or are eaten away by other predators. The reason behind suffocation is the inability to move to filter water through their gills causing lack of oxygen.   Shark Finning has increased since 1997 with great demand of the shark fin soup, which is regarded as a medicine to promote general well being in China and other Asian countries. It is also claimed to have anti-cancer properties. A single bowl of the shark fin soup costs around a 100 US dollars. The shark fins alone are sold for about 450 US dollars per pound. Today, Thailand is the world’s largest exporter of shark fins. Other world’s major shark fin exporting countries are Spain, Indonesia, Taiwan and Japan. On the other hand, clinical studies on Cancer patients, including a 1998 study by the Independent Cancer Treatment Research Foundation in Illino
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Guilty for no cause

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Humans have infinite needs, as soon as one is fulfilled they start running for the other one. As Oscar Wilde once said and I quote, “Nowadays people know the price of everything but value of nothing”. We never realize how our needs and wants cause suffering to the wildlife. The leather made of animal skin is always in great demand. The crocodile leather is considered one of the finest leathers and is used to make luxury products. Famous brands like Louis Vuitton use crocodile skin in their high quality and expensive items. The pattern of the crocodile skin is very unique and is very difficult to replicate. But is it really worth it to kill an animal just for its skin and to leave it in utter pain and agony? Do we see these products only by their monetary value or also by the loss of life of an innocent animal? Vietnam’s Crocodile Skin Industry – Vietnam exports thirty thousand to forty thousand crocodile skins every year. It supplies these skins to various tanneries that furthe
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Mass Killing of Snakes in the name of “Tradition” ?

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What is Nag Panchmi? Is it really posing a threat to the existence of snakes? Are 50000 – 70000 snakes dying each year because of our traditions and if yes then are the concerned authorities taking appropriate actions? Nag Panchmi is celebrated on the fifth day after Amavasya in the month of Shravan. There are various tales according to the people as to why we celebrate Nag Panchmi. Nag Panchmi is celebrated during the monsoon and all the snakes come out of their burrows. It is believed that snakes most commonly Cobra come out of their burrows to attack humans. Milk is offered to the snakes to incite a harmonious relationship and ensure satisfaction on Nag Devta's end.  The tale of this tradition also traces back to another parallel where it is believed that when Lord Krishna defeated Nag Kalia, there was a declaration by Lord Krishna on his victory that on the auspicious day of Nag Panchmi, people will offer milk and pray to the snakes. The logic behind this declaration was
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