S3|EP26 - Conservation at a Crossroads: Landscape Ecology, Roadkill & Wildlife Corridors in India with Landscape Research and Conservation Foundation

India’s biodiversity hotspots are under growing threat from linear infrastructure—highways, railways, canals, and transmission lines that fragment habitats and disrupt wildlife corridors. In this thought-provoking episode of the Think Wildlife Podcast, we dive into the world of landscape ecology and wildlife conservation with two leading conservationists, Sheetal Kolhe and Milind Pariwakam, co-founders of the Landscape Research and Conservation Foundation (LRCF).With extensive experience at institutions like the Wildlife Trust of India and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Sheetal and Milind share powerful insights into the hidden cost of development on India’s wildlife. From tiger movement barriers to roadkill data gaps, this episode explores real-world conservation strategies and the power of citizen science to drive change.🌿 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:* The basics of landscape ecology and how it helps manage biodiversity across fragmented habitats* The devastating impact of roads and railways on India's wildlife and ecosystems* The role of wildlife corridors in ensuring genetic flow and ecological balance* First-hand stories from landmark mitigation efforts, like the Kanha–Pench Corridor.* How the Roadkills India app is empowering citizens to report animal deaths and shape infrastructure policy* Mitigation measures like underpasses, speed restrictions, noise barriers, and bypasses in biodiversity management* The challenges of integrating ecology into infrastructure planning* The rise of citizen science in collecting critical data for wildlife conservation* How India’s protected areas, which cover less than 5% of land, can be safeguarded from developmental threats Why Linear Infrastructure Matters:Linear infrastructure often slices through forests, grasslands, and wetlands—severing wildlife corridors and increasing animal deaths from roadkill and train collisions. Sheetal and Milind discuss how roads don’t just kill animals but cause behavioral changes, pollution, habitat degradation, and even promote invasive species. These threats undermine long-term biodiversity conservation in India’s ecological hotspots.The Power of Citizen Science:One of LRCF’s flagship initiatives is the Roadkills App—a citizen science tool that enables everyday travelers, naturalists, and forest guards to document wildlife fatalities on roads. This data is critical to influencing conservation outcomes, building mitigation structures, and pushing for policy reforms. A new, upgraded version of the app is launching soon with features for iOS users, expressway-safe reporting, and better data collection.Want to help? Report roadkills via WhatsApp: +91 920-993-8195Include the location, photo, species (if known), road name, and time. Your contribution supports real-time biodiversity management.Follow LRCF:* Instagram: @lrcfindia | @roadkills.india* Twitter: @roadkillsindia* Facebook: @roadkillsindia Get full access to The Think Wildlife Podcast at anishbanerjee.substack.com/subscribe