Conservation Cartography with Mongabay-India (Part VI)

Our collaboration with Mongabay-India began in October 2021, with the objective of enhancing their stories with our spatial analysis expertise.  This blogpost documents the articles we’ve worked on together from July 2022 till the present. 

Karnataka’s port-development spree ignores coastal communities’ concerns

Eastern, northern, and southern limits of minor ports limits as defined by the Government, along the coast of Karnataka. Port limits for Tadri and Pavinakurve were unavailable.

Karnataka is accelerating its port-led model of development in an attempt to attract investors to the state. However, this strategy impacts those who live close to the site of proposed developments. At least three ports currently being built have encountered issues due to community opposition.

The state has one major port and 12 minor ports under different stages of development; the map locates these ports and their port-limits. This was the first in a three-part story on port development in Karnataka.

A road for a port cuts through the livelihoods of fisherwomen in Uttara Kannada

Map on the road connecting the ongoing Honnavar port project.

The second story in a three-part story on port development in Karnataka focused on the proposed port at Honnavar, where a road of around four kilometres long is being constructed. The entire stretch is the fish-drying ground of the coastal communities, and part of the proposed road also cuts through forest land. 

As part of the village coastal commons, they have been used by fishers over generations for drying fish; construction of the road would impact the livelihood of over 2,000 community members.

An upcoming port in Karnataka is shrinking space for olive ridley turtles

Turtle nesting sites (2015-2022) as per Honnavar Forest Department records. 

The last story in the three-part story on port development in Karnataka lists the discrepancy between the turtle nesting sites as reported by the Honnavar Forest Department, and that presented to the public by the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM). In brief, the NCSCM actually indicates that the turtle nesting sites are in the Arabian Sea; Olive Ridley turtles, like all sea turtles, nest on land. Our analysis indicates that the NCSCM made a basic conversion error when converting latitude-longitude pair values from one format to another, which was not identified before publication of their report.

Stubble burning is back, smothering north India with concerns for the upcoming winter

Crop burning instances in the Indo-Gangetic plains in 2021 and the PM2.5 levels during the same period.

One of the main causes of air pollution over the national capital region (NCR) and other areas of the Indo-Gangetic plains has been stubble burning. This is the practice of setting fire to straw stubble to clear fields before the new crop is seeded. The story notes that the number of incidences of stubble-burning so far is greater than it was at this time last year, despite claims by officials that they are prepared to handle the now-annual catastrophe. 

We prepared a visualisation using spatial data on fires and consequential PM 2.5 levels in the region, with each red pixel representing an area that contains actively burning fires. The grey pixels indicate PM 2.5 levels, the darker pixels leaning towards severe AQI. 

Mizoram youth protest against the national highways widening project

NHIDCL, which comes under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is currently carrying out widening work on four national highways in the state – NH-09 (Seling- Zokhawthar), NH- 102B (Keifang-Manipur), NH-302 (Lunglei-Tlabung) and NH-54 (Aizawl-Tuipang).

The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) has been criticised by environmental activists in Mizoram for ignoring environmental rules and regulations when working on highway projects in the state. According to the environmentalists, these initiatives have negatively impacted the environment, including damaging the state's water resources. The map we created to accompany this story depicts the four national highways in the state where the NHIDCL is currently carrying out widening work.

(Note: This is the sixth blog in the series, on our collaboration with Mongabay-India. Read the previous blog here, and the first in the series, here.)

When I see an elephant ___

‘When did you last see an elephant?’ Over the course of two days we asked players this question, and heard varied answers that often transformed into captivating tales about their experiences with pachyderms. We were at ATREE’s 25th Anniversary event, and the context for this question was the play-testing for a board-game we’ve created with elephant-human conflict as the theme.

The board game itself was first designed in 2016, with the aim being to emulate human-elephant conflict in India. In 2019, my colleagues Nandini and Shashank worked with Tejaswini N to create the second iteration of the design. The game was play-tested with friends and family in February and March 2020, before the pandemic curtailed any future development. In July 2022, Tejaswani suggested that we apply to play-test the game at a board-game event ATREE was hosting in Bangalore as part of their 25th anniversary celebration. ATREE accepted our application, and we began production.

Prior to producing the physical prototype, Aswathy S and I ran online trials of the game. We set up the play-test online in Figma for over two weeks, with wildlife biologists, ecologists, geographers and even a climate-scientist joining us! While we played to see as many instances of play as possible, one particular game stuck with me. Elephant movement in the game was hindered, and the player had the option to relocate the elephant to the nearest sanctuary. However, the nearest sanctuary was full and was unable to accept the elephant. This quandary prompted a wildlife biologist to remark; ‘… makes one question the true carrying capacity of our sanctuaries.’ 

Screengrab of a play-test online in Figma.

Once we had enough evidence to finalise on a physical prototype, I had it produced in person in Mumbai. It was by a chance that I was able to produce it quicker than expected; the combination of being in Mumbai, and in vicinity of previous contacts capable of delivering a quality-prototype that is easy to engage with.

On 17th August, we set out from Panjim to Bangalore by road. Our route passed through Mollem, another one of India’s various protected areas that’s threatened by fragmentation from linear infrastructure projects. Occurrence of human–wildlife conflict (HWC) increases when humans negatively affect the needs of wildlife or vice versa. It’s a difficult topic to navigate because such conflicts can cause damage to property &/ life. On the other hand, one major cause of human–wildlife conflict is increasing the human population next to wildlife habitats. In this game, players take on the role of villagers who defend their farms and villages from elephant movement through strategic fence placement and a bit of luck.

ATREE’s contribution to the field of conservation is extensive, while also pioneering knowledge systems to tackle complex conservation problems. The opportunity to learn from this room was exhilarating. On day one, we set the table up with our play elements for a brief period in the first half and then hosted a few game-plays during the second half. The first person to approach the table was a gentleman who walked past and then walked back up to enquire what was on the table. His curiosity was piqued after reading the title of the game! After our brief explanation, he spoke about the migration of the elephants in the Uttara Kannada and the consequent fear of spotting a jumbo. We took a break for lunch and then made our way to Dr. Nitin Sekar’s talk on conserving species that cause harm to us. His words on empathy for elephants resonated yet again before we returned to run more sessions with newer participants and conservation enthusiasts.

On the second day, we put out a post on social media inviting people to come play test with us. Before we started the setup, we visited our fellow participants at the board game event. I found a game on implementing local-level policies to reduce carbon emissions by two students of public policy engaging.

In our elephant-human conflict game, the player who plays first is determined by the answer to the question - ‘When did you last see an elephant?’ The participant with the most recent encounter begins the game, and then the game continues clockwise. Our first play-testers were a policy student and research assistant. The mechanics of the game were slightly complex to grasp before the game began, but as the game progressed, our play-testers made clearer strategic movements.

While we ran more sessions on the second day, there were particular instances of game-play that were most fascinating. In my opinion, the most thought-provoking game was the one where the players were a wildlife student, a conservation scientist, a professor of sociology, and a product designer. One of them was a board game enthusiast while for the others, it was the first time they were playing a  strategy game. One was a field practitioner and another was aiming to be one. Lessons were imparted on contextual sociology, game mechanics and idealism. Some of the conversations floating out over the board were - ‘Why do the sanctuaries have to be two hexes apart? No need for defragmentation, push all human development away from them’ or ‘What happens when the elephant is directed away from the board? It’s annihilated / It’s relocated to a sanctuary.’ Decisions made by the participants reflected their principles in ecological practices itself. As the rounds progressed idealism and realism clashed further.

Discussions on game play and context.

The second most fascinating game was when I played with two students of design from IISc. One of them had clear prior experience of human-wildlife conflict and the other participant did not. This was clearly displayed in the manner in which the game was played. One of them prioritised protecting farms and villages, while the other person conducted back-to-back development activities. Strategic play, and some luck, resulted in the person without prior wildlife experience winning the game. Their feedback suggested that we implement a particular model to randomise elephant movement in the game. While there are articles and papers to be read on the topic, the prospect itself is exciting! 

The last game at the event was my favourite one out of all, because it was the first game I had been completely kicked out of! The participants of the game were my friends from Bangalore. One of them was a friend from architecture college who now worked as a UX researcher, another a biotech major I’d met as part of a summer school programme earlier in the year, and the final participant was a pleasant surprise. We had been working together virtually for months, but didn’t recognize each other until our introduction. It was a chance meeting in real-life which was wholesome! The play itself was interesting to me because it clearly portrayed their personalities. There was an attempt to work with the commons, there was an aggressive development bid as well as a plea for a neutral stance, while I watched the game unfold from the sidelines. 

There are enormous gaps in ecological awareness beyond protected areas and lived experiences involving wildlife. I’ve been able to witness the varying conclusions of hypothetical choices, hear the flight or fight choices by humans and elephants alike. The experience of working, producing, and hosting this game has been unlike any other.

Comms. for Conservation

Environmental conservation is crucial for safeguarding natural resources, biodiversity, and the environment. Effective communication plays a vital role in this effort, enabling conservation professionals to share their research and insights with the public, policymakers, and other scientists. In India, where conservation challenges are many and diverse, conservation communication is vital for the success of (current and future) conservation efforts. From protecting endangered species and preserving natural habitats, to raising awareness about environmental issues and advocating for policy changes, there are a wide range of conservation efforts underway in the country. Effective communication in conservation science involves presenting information in a clear, accurate, relevant, and engaging manner, which is essential for conveying the importance and impact of these efforts, while ensuring that the right messages reach the right audiences.

I began drafting this blog approximately three months after beginning this new role. At that time, I attempted to map out the potential responsibilities and understand the unique aspects of this communication role compared to others. However, the draft sat unused for an extended period. A colleague once mentioned that writing serves as a way to document thoughts for future reference. Now, after a year in this role, I have a clearer understanding of its significance to me and in context. In the coming year, I hope to continue learning and growing in understanding.

Mapping the Conservation Communications Role at TfW.

In communications, it is important to narrow the scope of work based on the intended audience and the available medium. This ensures that the message is tailored to the specific needs and interests of the audience, and that it is delivered in the most effective way.

When determining the scope of work, the first step is to identify the purpose of the communication. What is the message that needs to be conveyed, and to whom? Understanding the intent of the communication helps focus the content and determine the most appropriate medium for delivery. Next, the audience and the medium that will be used to reach them is to be considered. Will the communication be directed at a general public, a specific group of stakeholders, or a single individual? Will it be delivered through a website, a social media platform, in a virtual/ in-person meeting, or some other medium? The choice of medium is dictated by the needs and preferences of the audience, as well as the resources and capabilities at disposal at the organisation.

By taking the time to carefully consider the intent and access to medium, one can narrow the scope of work in communications and ensure that the message is delivered effectively and efficiently. This can help to maximise the impact and effectiveness of the communication, and achieve the desired results.

Accessibility is a huge part of communication, especially via social media, because it allows for a wider audience to be able to use and engage with the platforms. This includes ensuring the platforms and their content are accessible to people of all abilities, as well as those using various devices and internet connections. For instance, social media platforms can enhance content accessibility by offering features like closed captions for videos, alt text for images, and adjustable font sizes to better serve users with diverse visual needs. In addition, social media platforms may use responsive design to ensure that their content is easy to read and navigate on a variety of devices, including smartphones and tablets. By prioritising accessibility, one can ensure that their content is available and usable to as many people as possible.

One way to make visuals in our work more accessible is through thoughtful design of cartographic media. This involves using clear and legible fonts, providing context with labels and keys, and selecting appropriate color schemes to convey information.

Designing maps to suit publication needs, from initial QGIS output to final publication.

Being a conservation communicator has taught me the value of flexibility in managing diverse tasks. My tasks tend to range from external communication efforts to internal tasks like preparing meeting reports, organising and archiving our extensive digital data, and handling collaboration requests or non-routine research. Day-to-day activities may fall under any of the following sub-categories: developing and implementing a communications strategy, creating content for various channels, coordinating work with partner-collaborator organisations, supporting team members to communicate their work, and participating in events and conferences.

This role is slightly different while working in the field, where my focus is on documenting the team's actions and efforts. This involves capturing the team's work through various forms of media, such as photos and videos, in order to provide a record of the team's progress and accomplishments. This documentation is vital to share the team's work with a wider audience and showcase the impact of TfW efforts.

Initially, determining the most effective approach for each task was a challenge, but by aligning technical requirements with available skills and refining workflows through trial and error, efficiency was achieved. Though adhering to this workflow has allowed for a smoother and more productive process; it is important to continuously assess and adjust work flows in conjunction with need and time constraints.

Workflow for a blog production at TfW.

In mid-July 2022, we altered our approach towards social media by treating it as an archive of our work rather than an instant form of communication. This shift allowed us to showcase the impact of long-term funding on the quality of our conservation efforts, rather than simply updates on current events. Without the pressure of immediate deadlines, we could devote more time to the work itself, resulting in a richer and more thoughtful representation of TfW’s efforts. 

An example for the same is our work on understanding the PARIVESH portal for conservation advocacy. We conducted an internal session with our consultants on PARIVESH, in early 2022. The portal has a wealth of data about all projects, both new and old, that are looking for green clearances, organised by state, year, category, and approval status. Knowing potential areas of intervention is essential for effective conservation advocacy, which makes it necessary to have a thorough grasp of what happens at each stage of approval. By March, we revised our outputs with Sanctuary Asia’s team to reach a wider audience. Later in the year, Sanctuary Asia published an overview of our output. This strategic shift in approach has enhanced our ability to showcase the value of our work and the support that is necessary for its continuation.

Screengrab of the online workshop on understanding PARIVESH.

Conservation is a multi-faceted field, involving numerous layers and factors that are meticulously monitored and evaluated throughout a project. By using experience-based metrics and other methods, we gain a clear understanding of the real impact achieved. It can be extremely rewarding to hear about the impact, as it often exceeds our expectations and demonstrates the far-reaching effects of our efforts.

Each project in conservation presents its own set of challenges and opportunities for creativity and innovation. Whether it’s redesigning an interview to ensure a natural flow, crafting an exhibition proposal, developing a board game about human-wildlife conflict, or visualizing a sci-comm illustration for a research paper, every task brings a unique challenge. These diverse experiences make conservation work continuously engaging and profoundly rewarding.