Overview of the Survey
- Conducted by:
- Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Foundation
- Travancore Nature History Society
- Other non-governmental organisations
- Duration: February 6–9, 2025
- Location: Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Palakkad district, Kerala
- Coverage: 11 base camps across diverse habitats of the reserve
- Objective: Document biodiversity and update the species checklist
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
Key Findings
Avian Biodiversity: 7 New Bird Species Identified
- Notable bird sightings:
- Great Indian hornbill (Vulnerable species)
- Ceylon frogmouth (Endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka)
- Lesser fish eagle (Near Threatened)
- Shaheen falcon (Indian subspecies of peregrine falcon)
Butterfly Diversity: 5 New Species Recorded
- Other notable butterfly species observed:
- Five-bar swordtail
- Spot swordtail
- Southern birdwing (India’s largest butterfly)
- Malabar banded swallowtail (Western Ghats endemic)
- Sahyadri grass yellow
- Nilgiri tiger
- Southern blue oakleaf
- Kanara swift
- Black angle
Odonates (Dragonflies and Damselflies): 3 New Species Documented
- Total odonate species in the reserve now: 69
- Newly identified species:
- Brown darner (Gynacantha dravida Lieftinck, 1960)
- Parakeet darner (Gynacantha millardi Fraser, 1920)
- Vestalis submontana Fraser, 1934
Significance of Findings
Indicator of Rich Biodiversity
- The addition of 15 new species highlights the ecological richness of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
- Recording new species during the dry season suggests strong habitat resilience and environmental stability.
Conservation Implications
- The presence of species like the Great Indian hornbill, lion-tailed macaques, and Malabar banded swallowtail emphasizes the reserve’s role in protecting endemic and endangered species.
- The discovery of new odonates and butterflies underlines the need for microhabitat conservation within the reserve.
Strengthening Ecotourism & Research
- The survey’s findings can enhance ecotourism potential by showcasing the rich avifauna and butterfly diversity.
- Provides new avenues for ecological research, including pollinator studies and habitat management strategies.
