The critical importance of early warning systems in disaster-prone regions took center stage at the “Early Warning to Early Action – A Multi-Hazard, Multi-Stakeholder Approach: Learning from Coastal Ecosystems” convening held in Odisha, India. Organized by Reliance Foundation and the United Nations India, the event marked the beginning of a series of global discussions aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response, particularly in the Global South.

This convening brought together experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and other nations across the Global South to share knowledge and explore innovative solutions for effective early warning systems (EWS). The event focused on Odisha’s leadership in disaster management, particularly in coastal areas, where the impact of extreme weather events is acutely felt. Experts from national disaster management agencies, the UN, academia, and NGOs participated in in-depth discussions on improving early warning and early action systems.

Suresh Pujari, Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Odisha, underscored the state’s proactive role in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters. He highlighted the need for better integration of disaster prediction and information analysis for more accurate early warnings, a call echoed by many throughout the convening. “Odisha is committed to further strengthening early warning systems, and we are excited to collaborate with the UN, Reliance Foundation, and other partners in advancing this cause,” Pujari said.

The convening served as a platform to showcase Odisha’s leadership and its successful implementation of early warning systems that have saved lives during cyclones, floods, and other extreme events. Reliance Foundation’s CEO, Jagannatha Kumar, emphasized the importance of impact-based forecasting to ensure that early warnings translate into actionable outcomes at the local level. “As climate change drives more frequent and severe natural events, our early warning systems must evolve to ensure they effectively reach and protect vulnerable communities,” he said.

One of the most pressing areas of discussion was the integration of socio-demographic data with meteorological information to enhance the precision and relevance of early warning messages. This multi-hazard, multi-stakeholder approach aims to future-proof disaster preparedness strategies by using technology, innovation, and local knowledge to create a more resilient disaster response system.

Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator for India, highlighted the significance of the convening in the context of the UN Secretary-General’s call for “Early Warning for All” worldwide. He stressed that the knowledge and practices shared by Odisha’s disaster management experts are invaluable not just for India but for other countries in the Global South that face similar challenges. “The UN remains committed to strengthening early warning systems and building community resilience through collaboration with the Government of India, Reliance Foundation, and our civil society partners,” said  Sharp.

The Odisha convening is the first in a series of such events, designed to document best practices, foster innovation, and produce actionable policy outcomes that will save lives and livelihoods across disaster-prone regions. By bringing together global experts, practitioners, and stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, the series aims to drive forward a more resilient and disaster-ready future for communities worldwide.

As the world continues to grapple with the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-driven disasters, the convening’s discussions are a timely reminder of the importance of early warning and early action systems in reducing disaster risk and protecting vulnerable populations globally.

When we think of slow and steady, the image of a tortoise often comes to mind. But behind that unhurried gait lies a remarkable creature capable of defying time itself. The tortoise is among the longest-living animals on the planet. Their extraordinary lifespan has fascinated biologists and storytellers alike, leading us to wonder: how do these creatures live so long? Is it the giant tortoises of the Galápagos or the smaller, land-dwelling species that hold the key to longevity? Let’s take a deeper look.

A Life of Patience and Persistence

The tortoise’s slow walk is not just a quirky trait — it’s a life philosophy, ingrained in their very survival. These creatures are not in a race against time, they are its patient conquerors. Some species of tortoises can live well over a century, and in the case of the Giant Tortoise (known for its immense size), individuals have been documented living for more than 200 years. But why is it that these ancient reptiles live so long, while their cousins, the turtles, tend to have shorter lifespans?

In terms of lifespan, tortoises—especially the giant tortoises—lead the pack. A giant tortoise can outlive many other creatures, including their ocean-dwelling cousins, the turtles. While turtles generally live between 50 to 100 years, giant tortoises surpass this, sometimes even living beyond 150 years. In fact, Jonathan, a Seychelles giant tortoise living on Saint Helena Island in the South Atlantic, holds the record as the world’s oldest living land animal at 189 years old. Jonathan, who was born in 1832, has outlived all of his peers, continuing to thrive on the island where he was discovered.

The Science Behind Their Longevity

The secret to the tortoise’s longevity lies deep within its biology. While there are several factors that contribute to their long lives, two of the most significant are evolutionary adaptations and cellular processes that are finely tuned to conserve energy and maintain health over decades.

From an evolutionary perspective, tortoises face fewer natural threats in their environment compared to faster, more vulnerable animals. For many species of tortoises, survival has been less about outpacing predators and more about outlasting them. Many tortoises lay multiple eggs, often many more than a single clutch, and they continue to reproduce over several decades. This “quality over quantity” approach to reproduction ensures that their genes continue to thrive, while their individual lifespans stretch out.

Moreover, tortoises tend to have slower metabolic rates compared to other animals. Their bodies conserve energy by keeping their metabolic processes at a steady, slow pace. This “slow burn” strategy is key to their extended lifespans. A slow metabolism means that fewer cellular processes are damaged by the wear and tear of daily life, which translates into fewer health issues in old age.

One of the most fascinating aspects of tortoise longevity is the role of their telomeres. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that prevent them from fraying and tangling. Every time a cell divides, the telomeres shorten slightly. In most organisms, as the telomeres shorten, cells lose their ability to divide, eventually leading to aging. However, in tortoises, the telomeres wear down at an unusually slow rate, allowing their cells to divide without the usual detrimental effects seen in other animals. This slower rate of telomere shortening helps them avoid age-related diseases such as cancer and ensures that their cells remain healthier for longer.

Furthermore, some studies have revealed that tortoises are capable of a process called apoptosis—a form of programmed cell death—where damaged or dysfunctional cells are destroyed before they can cause harm. This controlled form of self-destruction in damaged cells helps prevent the formation of tumors and other age-related diseases, which is another reason for the tortoise’s impressive lifespan.

The Giants of the Tortoise World

When we talk about longevity in tortoises, we cannot overlook the giant tortoises of the Galápagos Islands and the Seychelles. These remarkable creatures have not only captured our imagination but have also become living symbols of resilience and endurance.

The Galápagos Giant Tortoise, for instance, can live over 150 years, and some individuals have even outlived the scientists who studied them. They were once thought to be heading for extinction, but thanks to conservation efforts, their populations have stabilized.

In India, a rare breed of tortoise known as the Aldabra Giant Tortoise has been known to live up to 255 years. This species, although not as well-known as the Galápagos counterparts, is another testament to the wonders of nature’s design.

Turtles, which are often found in aquatic environments, tend to live shorter lives, averaging about 30 to 50 years

But what about other, lesser-known giants? In Kasaragod, Kerala, India, a giant soft-shell turtle species was discovered in May 2021, which lives in freshwater, weighing over 100 kilograms! These giant creatures are living proof of the astonishing adaptability and longevity that nature has to offer.

The Mystery of Tortoises and Turtles

While all tortoises are technically land-dwelling creatures, there is an interesting distinction between tortoises and turtles. Turtles, which are often found in aquatic environments, tend to live shorter lives, averaging about 30 to 50 years. Tortoises, on the other hand, tend to have larger bodies, longer necks, and more robust shells. Their heavy, often plant-based diet plays a role in the additional years they add to their lifespan.

A surprising discovery made in the Seychelles in recent years has sent shockwaves through the scientific community: certain tortoises, once thought to be herbivorous, have been seen eating birds and other small animals. This has raised questions about the adaptability of tortoises in changing environments and has piqued the interest of researchers studying their survival strategies.

What Lies Ahead?

Despite all that we know about these extraordinary creatures, there is still much to discover. Researchers continue to study tortoises, particularly the giant species, to learn how their unique biological traits could benefit human medicine, particularly in the fight against aging and diseases like cancer. The discovery of their telomere dynamics, coupled with the ability to prevent cell damage through apoptosis, could one day revolutionize the way we approach longevity and healthcare.

For now, we can only marvel at the tortoise’s timeless existence, its slow, steady journey through the ages, and the lessons it teaches us about patience, resilience, and the secrets of life’s most enduring creatures.

In a heart-wrenching journey spanning continents, three African elephants will soon embark on a transformative path to healing and freedom. Vantara, a world-renowned wildlife sanctuary in India, will soon welcome Achtaum, Kani, and Mina—a trio of African forest elephants who have spent nearly 23 years under the harsh, confining conditions of a private zoo in Tunisia. For these majestic creatures, a new life of care and compassion awaits.

In a powerful act of compassion and responsibility, Vantara (Star of the Forest), one of the world’s leading wildlife rescue centers, is preparing to receive three African forest elephants from the arid confines of Tunisia. These elephants—Achtaum, Kani, and Mina—are between 28 and 29 years old, and their lives have been anything but ordinary. For two decades, they have lived in Friguia Park, a private zoo in Tunisia, where they were brought from Burkina Faso as young calves. What began as a hopeful chapter for these elephants has, over the years, become a story of neglect and financial hardship.

Friguia Park, once an attraction for visitors seeking a glimpse of these majestic creatures, faced mounting financial challenges that left it unable to meet the elephants’ complex and ever-evolving needs. The zoo, with limited resources, struggled to provide the elephants with the care they desperately required—especially in terms of their specialized diet, healthcare, and proper living conditions. The decision was made: the elephants could no longer stay in Tunisia, but a return to the wild, where they could reclaim their rightful place, was not an option. Instead, the zoo sought out Vantara. Founded by Anant Mukesh Ambani, Vantara has become a sanctuary of healing for wildlife from around the globe.

Founded by Anant Mukesh Ambani, Vantara has become a sanctuary of healing for wildlife from around the globe

Despite being the stars of Friguia Park for many years, life at adverse conditions had taken a toll on Achtaum, Kani, and Mina. A recent veterinary assessment conducted by Vantara’s team revealed startling health concerns. They have become vulnerable to a range of conditions: skin ailments, malnourishment, and poor physical health. Achtaum, the male of the group, has a split tusk and a molar tooth infection, requiring immediate and ongoing medical intervention. Kani, one of the females, has cracked nails—likely due to prolonged exposure to hard, unnatural flooring. Their living quarters were little more than poorly ventilated concrete cells, with limited access to natural elements like fresh water, green forage, or the essential mental stimulation elephants need to stay healthy.

The lives of African forest elephants—an already endangered species—are a stark contrast to what these elephants have experienced in Tunisia. Native to the dense, tropical forests of Central and West Africa, African forest elephants are creatures of the wild, living in vast landscapes where they forage freely for a wide variety of leaves, fruits, and bark. They thrive in lush environments, where access to clean water, mud wallows, and dense vegetation supports both their physical health and their complex social structures.

At Vantara, the elephants will experience a radical change. The sanctuary’s expansive enclosures—carefully designed to replicate their natural habitat—will allow them to roam through native foliage, bathe in mud pools, and forage for a diverse and nutritious diet. With wide, forested spaces to roam and plenty of room to engage in natural behaviours, Achtaum, Kani, and Mina will finally know the freedom they were denied for so long.

This is not just a rescue. It is a reminder that no creature is beyond hope, and that the power of compassion can change even the darkest of destinies.