“Sky islands” are habitats that are found in the highest reaches of a mountain range. In southern India an ancient mountain chain, the Western Ghats, runs along the western coast where its mountaintops nestle the unique Shola forests. This habitat, which owes its origin to geography and historical climate change, also hosts many endemic species. Research on a small bird, the White-bellied Shortwing- a species adapted to this habitat, shows that on different “islands” that they occur, they sing different songs and are genetically different. Their population and survival is affected by habitat disturbance from humans. Workers employed in the adjoining tea-estates were using firewood from the forests for subsistence and this study examined the socioeconomic causes of this.  While highlighting current conservation challenges, this talk will also highlight restoration work by colleagues and provide some conservation solutions.