Hi, I’m speaking to the most passionate, naturalist/researcher/herpetologist-on-ground in the Andamans - Nariman Vazifdar. We discuss the biodiversity of the archipelago – which is mostly unexplored islands with individual unique species.  He speaks about the rainforest of the islands and he enlightens us about the hardwood Bullet wood tree and the Superior wood; and the historical connection involving British rule and the Japanese and their impact on the local indigenous tribes, flora and fauna. Nariman also speaks of invasive/introduced species like stray dogs which are now a threat to the local species like the turtles.  He tells us how animals from the mainland change their behaviour to survive in island habitats e.g. frogs trying to eat snakes rather than the other way around.

He discusses the serious business of snake rescues including current dangerous trends and how to ethically release them. We also discuss his co-written book on Turtles, Tortoises and Terrapins post his sojourn with Turtle Survival Alliance. We talk about the impact of construction and lack of sustainable tourism on the ecology of the island the depletion of groundwater and the increase in garbage. Even if you don’t ever visit the islands, this episode with Nariman is a #mustlisten.

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