7 new frog species reported from Western Ghats and Sri Lanka

T. Nandakumar Thiruvananthapuram,   The Hindu, October 30, 2014  A team of researchers from India and Sri Lanka has discovered seven new species of golden-backed frogs in the Western Ghats-Sri Lanka global biodiversity hotspot, throwing new light on the highly distinct and diverse fauna in the two countries. The results...

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Periyar Tiger Reserve a haven for butterflies too, finds survey

Giji K. Raman THEKKADY,   The Hindu, October 27, 2014  A butterfly survey at the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) recorded 246 out of the 340 species in the Western Ghats. The survey ended on Sunday. There are 32 strict Western Ghats endemic species, and the survey team could record more than 95 per cent of them, R. Sreehari,...

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For elephants, danger lurks in abandoned pits

K. S. Sudhi KOCHI,   The Hindu, October 27, 2014  Abandoned elephant capture pits numbering 60, which could still trap pachyderms and other wild animals, have been located in three forest ranges of Ernakulam district. Most number of pits, around 40, has been identified in Kuttampuzha Forest range and the rest are in...

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Bio-resources may not come free

T. Nandakumar Thiruvananthapuram,   The Hindu, October 26, 2014  The Nagoya Protocol, an international agreement which came into effect on October 12, is expected to help the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB)implement an Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism under which industrial units in the State will be required to pay for access to biological resources. Officials said the legal framework provided...

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Plant diversity in coastal areas under threat: study

T. Nandakumar Thiruvananthapuram,   The Hindu, October 25, 2014  As many as 225 plant species traditionally used by coastal communities in southern Kerala for food, medicine, fodder, artefacts and other purposes could soon be struggling for survival unless conservation measures are initiated on a war footing, a survey...

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No quarrying in ESAs till biodiversity board report gets nod: government

K.C. Gopakumar KOCHI,   The Hindu, October 25, 2014  The State government on Friday informed the Kerala High Court that if any quarrying operations were allowed in the ecologically sensitive areas (ESAs), it might adversely affect the issue of the final notification based on the Kerala State Biodiversity Board report by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). In a statement, the State government...

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A tribal fights the tiger’s war

K. A. Shaji   Palakkad,   The Hindu, October 25, 2014   He may be the answer to the debate on tiger versus tribal, where tiger conservation and livelihood of forest-dwelling tribespeople fail to find a common ground. A school dropout from the Sunkam tribal colony inside the Parambikulam tiger reserve,...

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Marine biodiversity cells mooted for protection of sea turtles

Mini Muringatheri Thrissur,   The Hindu, October 21, 2014  Experts have suggested the formation of national and State-level marine biodiversity cells for the conservation of sea turtles and marine fauna. The objective of the biodiversity cell will be to coordinate between participatory departments to improve nesting...

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New catfish species sighted at Manimala river

T. Nandakumar Thiruvananthapuram,   The Hindu, October 13, 2014  Scientists have reported a new species of catfish from the Manimala river in Kottayam district, highlighting the need for more efforts to unearth the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats. Mathews Plamoottil, Assistant Professor, Government College, Chavara,...

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Report on ESA mapping to be submitted next week

T. Nandakumar  Thiruvananthapuram,   The Hindu, October 12, 2014 With Chief Minister Oommen Chandy scheduled to meet Union Minister for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar next week, the Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSSB) has fast-tracked the preparation of a report on the demarcation of ESAs (Ecologically Sensitive...

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Palmyra on the wane

T. Nandakumar Thiruvananthapuram,   The Hindu, October 5, 2014  Palmyra trees, which used to define the landscape of the areas in Thiruvananthapuram and Palakkad bordering the neighbouring Tamil Nadu, are fast becoming a rarity. The tall palms with their fan-shaped leaves are steadily declining in numbers, a report prepared...

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Flowering plants of Western Ghats get a reference

T. Nandakumar Thiruvananthapuram,   The Hindu, October 5, 2014  As a global biodiversity hotspot and a world heritage site, the Western Ghats is a magnet for conservationists, nature lovers, scientists and researchers hoping to delve into the secrets of its abundant flora and fauna. But despite decades of study by individuals...

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Panel to study damage caused by wild boars

K.S. Sudhi KOCHI,   The Hindu, October 4, 2014  A three-member committee of wildlife experts has been formed in the State to study the damage caused by wild boars to the forest ecosystem and small wild animals and to compare the measures adopted by developed countries in facing the ‘mishap caused by wild pigs.’ The State...

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Drive to save mangroves

KANNUR,   The Hindu, October 4, 2014 A public awareness campaign about the importance of protecting mangroves will begin here on October 11. Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan will flag-off the Kandal Vana Samrakshana Yatra in which 15 MLAs from different parts of the State will participate. The ‘yatra’ is planned as visits by the people’s representatives to the mangrove-rich areas in the State to highlight the message...

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Mari’s conservation efforts get rewarded

K.A. Shaji Palakkad,   The Hindu, October 1, 2014  Mari is a name now synonymous with forest conservation. The 46-year-old Muduga tribal’s contribution to preserving the rich biodiversity of the rainforests of Silent Valley in Palakkad district and to research on its flora and fauna by top scientists in the past three...

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