18th edition of Vembanad fish count records 61 species

 

THE HINDU BUREAU, 

ALAPPUZHA, september 29, 2025

The 18th edition of the Vembanad fish count (VFC) recorded 61 species, including 58 finfish and three shellfish.

As part of the annual count, a survey was conducted in the southern parts of Thanneermukkom bund under the aegis of the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment- Community Environment Resource Centre (ATREE- CERC). Around 110 volunteers, including academics, researchers and fishers from across the region, participated in this year’s count, which was conducted with the financial support of the State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK).

In a statement issued here, Maneeja Murali, senior programme officer, ATREE- CERC, said that rain and slush in the lake had adversely affected the fish count. Compared to the previous year, the number of fish species recorded was lower. The 17th edition of the VFC had recorded 85 species, including 74 finfish and 11 shellfish.

The decline in the average weight of Attu Konju (Macrobrachium rosenbergii, giant freshwater prawn) from 500-600 grams to around 300 grams is a cause for concern among inland fishers. “As in previous years, the availability of giant freshwater prawns was very low. The continued decline in both availability and weight for three consecutive years underlines the need for urgent intervention,” said Ms. Murali.

Sajeevan M. K., Dean of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos), suggested the need for further research into the plight of the giant freshwater prawn and the continued decline of fish diversity in the lake.

Volunteers said that due to the abundance of water hyacinth, boats could not access many areas. Oil deposits were found spread across the water near the Nazarath church at Kumarakom, resulting in very low fish availability.

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Two new antlion species discovered

 

THE HINDU BUREAU,  

THRISSUR, september 29, 2025

Researchers from the Shadpada Entomology Research Lab (SERL) at Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, Thrissur, have discovered two new species of antlions belonging to the family Myrmeleontidae under the order Neuroptera.

The first species, Indophanes keralaensis, was identified from the forest regions of Sairandhri and Siruvani in Palakkad district as well as Pampadum Shola National Park in Idukki.

The name honours Kerala, where the Western Ghats, one of the world’s most critical biodiversity hotspots, dominate the landscape.

The second species, Indophanes sahyadriensis, was recorded from Siruvani (Palakkad), Pakshipathalam and Thirunelly (Wayanad), and Ranipuram (Kasaragod). Its name refers to the Sahyadri, the local term for the Western Ghats, which harbours unique native habitats.

Genus Indophanes

The genus Indophanes is reported from China, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It previously included nine species worldwide. With this discovery, the total has increased to 11. In India, the number of Indophanes species has risen to five, of which three are recorded from Kerala.

The findings have been published in the international scientific journal Zootaxa. Researcher at SERL and Assistant Professor at St. Aloysius College, Elthuruth, Suryanarayanan T. B., research supervisor and head of SERL Bijoy C., Assistant Professor of Christ College and Hungarian scientist Levente Ábrahám were behind this discovery.

Speaking about the broader significance of the discovery, Dr. Suryanarayanan noted: “This reinforces the crucial role academic institutions and local biodiversity surveys play in filling the gaps in India’s faunal inventory, particularly for lesser-known insect groups like antlions.”

Order Neuroptera

Antlions are often mistaken for damselflies due to their similar appearance but can be distinguished by their long, clubbed antennae.

They come under order Neuroptera which includes holometabolous insects while the damselflies come under order Odonata, which includes hemimetabolous insects.

Beneath loose soil

Many antlion larvae are known for constructing conical sand pits to trap prey. Larvae of the genus Indophanes do not build pits. Instead, they live beneath loose soil, sheltered from direct sunlight, wind, and rain.

With these two additions, Kerala now records 12 species of antlions, while India’s tally rises to 110, according to Dr. Bijoy.

The study was supported by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi.

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Forest dept. to take up reclassification of the bonnet macaque with Centre

 

SANDEEP VELLARAM, 

IDUKKI, September 27, 2025

In Idukki, the State’s cardamom heartland, farmers have been raising alarm over mounting crop losses caused by bonnet macaques. With complaints flooding in and urgent calls for intervention growing louder, the Forest department has proposed a reclassification initiative aimed at mitigating the primate menace while not ignoring the protection status of the species.

Job J. Neriamparambil, Assistant Conservator of Forests, says many complaints have been received about the bonnet macaque, a common type of primate in the High Range Circle areas, which is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

“We will table the farmers’ complaints before the Chief Wildlife Warden and submit a report to the Union government demanding that the bonnet macaque be moved from Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act to Schedule II. When the animal is reclassified in Schedule II, the Forest department could prevent its menace,” says the official.

Prabhu, a cardamom farmer in Kumily, says a large number of bonnet macaques are arriving on the plantation and destroying the plants.

“We are using firecrackers to drive away the animals, but when the farmers leave the plantation, they return. I am spending nearly ₹1,000 a week for buying crackers,” says the farmer.

Serious threat

Stany Pothen, chairman, Cardamom Planters Federation, says the cardamom farmers are facing a serious threat from the macaque menace. Compared to other animals, these primates are destroying entire plants, and there is no way to stop them.

“We can prevent the entry of wild pigs, including other animals, through the use of solar fencing and other fences. But there is no possible solution to prevent the menace of the bonnet macaques. At a time, a group of 100-odd bonnet macaques raids the plantation leaving the crops fully damaged,” says Mr. Pothen.

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Number of polluted river sites are showing a slight reduction: CPCB

 

JACOB KOSHY, 

NEW DELHI, september 23, 2025

The number of locations in Indian rivers unfit to bathe saw an incremental dip to 807 in 2023 from 815 in 2022, according to a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) made public on Monday. There was, however, a reduction in the number of river locations considered “most polluted”.

The agency monitors and compiles data in two-year phases on river health — specifically measuring a parameter called biological oxygen demand (BOD) of India’s rivers. BOD is proxy for organic matter dissolved in water with a low number indicating a healthy river. A BOD greater than 3 milligrams per litre indicates rising pollution and is considered unfit for bathing.

Two continuous locations exceeding the criterion in a single river is counted as a ‘polluted river stretch’ (PRS).

PRS of rivers

In 2023, there were 296 PRS/locations found in 271 rivers. In 2022, there were 311 PRS/locations in 279 rivers.

Maharashtra (54) had the highest number of PRS or locations followed by Kerala (31), Madhya Pradesh and Manipur with 18 each, and Karnataka (14). However, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand had the highest number — five — of stretches or locations in ‘Priority 1’.

In the 2022 assessment, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh had the highest number of ‘Priority 1’ river stretches (6), Maharashtra had the highest number of polluted river stretches at 55, followed by Madhya Pradesh (19), Bihar (18), Kerala (18), Karnataka (17), and Uttar Pradesh (17).

PRS with a BOD exceeding 30 mg per litre are considered ‘Priority 1’, meaning, the most polluted and thus needing urgent remediation. In the latest assessment, the number of ‘Priority 1’ stretches reduced to 37 from 45 over the 2022 assessment.

The CPCB network monitors water quality at 4,736 locations across the country including rivers, lakes, creeks, drains and canals.

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Death of nine bonnet macaques in Kerala capital raises poisoning fears

 

THE HINDU BUREAU, 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, September 23, 2025

The Kerala Forest Department has registered a case into the mysterious deaths of nine bonnet macaques near Palode in Thiruvananthapuram.

The carcasses were found in a rubber plantation and at a nearby stream in Mankayam on Sunday. The presence of foam and froth around their mouth has raised suspicion of possible poisoning or disease.

The post-mortem examination was conducted at the State Institute for Animal Diseases at Palode on Monday. While preliminary findings of the necroscopy did not provide any conclusive cause that led to the deaths, a comprehensive report is awaited. Besides, a toxicology assessment will also be undertaken to examine the presence of poison.

Official sources also indicated the possibility of sending samples to the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal. The examination could shed light on the possibility of a possible outbreak of Kyasanur Forest Disease (monkey fever), a tick-borne viral haemorrhagic fever, in the simian population.

The wild animal menace has thrown normal life out of gear in several parts of Pangode and Peringamala gram panchayats.

The major threats come from wild elephants, wild boars, and monkeys.

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State picks holes in NGT panel report recommending increasein safety distance from quarries

 

G. KRISHNAKUMAR, 

KOCHI, september 23, 2025

The State government has picked holes in the report by an expert panel that recommended a safety distance of 150 m between stone quarries and residential or inhabited areas.

A report submitted by the government before the Principal Bench of the National Green Tribunal (
NGT) on September 18, 2025 claimed that the panel report has flaws in many aspects and there is no need to enhance the present regulatory distance of 50 m.

Based on scientific studies carried out in quarries located in nine districts, the committee, which was appointed by the NGT, found that the existing safety distance of 50 m was highly inadequate.

The government report claimed that the results of the live experiments conducted by the committee have many anomalies and lacked proper methodology and design. There were 497 granite quarries functioning in Kerala during 2022-2023.

The sample set composed of only nine quarries (1.8%) to interpret the whole scenario. Standard sampling with an acceptable margin of error of plus or minus 20% required a minimum of 23 samples to represent the data set of 497 quarries. Besides, the reason for site selection was not furnished. Districts with the highest number of working quarries were avoided, it said.

The government claimed that the records attached to the report pertaining to the nature and timing of blasting conducted in quarries showed that blasting is carried out daily in two prefixed timings, with maximum 60 holes. It is rarely that a quarry in Kerala functioned with blasting of 60 holes at a time.

‘Area will come down’

The panel had erroneously created a circumstance to project maximum ground vibration in each case, which is “unfair and unjust.”

The government stated that the area suitable for mining in Kerala would come down substantially if the distance criteria is increased. It will result in imminent shortage of construction material, it claimed.

The joint committee comprised experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad; Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee; CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Roorkee; the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun; Directorate General of Mines Safety, Bengaluru; Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, Dhanbad; and the Central Pollution Control Board.

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Survey reveals presence of 12 more faunal species at PTR

 

THE HINDU BUREAU, 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, September 22,2025

Bourdillon’s Blackbird, Sahyadri Grass Yellow, and Sahyadri Torrent-Hawk spotted during a biodiversity survey held at the Periyar Tiger Reserve from September 11 to 14.

A biodiversity survey at the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) has added 12 new species records to its faunal checklist, reaffirming its status as one of the most biodiverse landscapes in the Western Ghats.

The additions include eight butterflies, two odonates and two subspecies of birds.

The survey, held from September 11 to 14, was jointly organised by the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala Forest department and the Periyar Tiger Conservation Foundation in collaboration with the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS).

Teams were deployed across 26 strategic basecamps spread through the reserve’s 925-sq. km expanse, which straddles the Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts.

Different habitats

PTR is one of India’s premier tiger reserves, renowned for its mosaic of tropical evergreen, deciduous, grassland and montane shola habitats.

The biodiverse-rich region supports more than 300 bird species, 200 butterflies, 100 odonates and megafauna such as tigers, elephants and gaurs.

A key focus of the survey was the assessment of butterfly diversity. The survey recorded 207 species, including eight new records.

These included the Sahyadri Grass Yellow (Eurema nilgiriensis), the Plain Orange-tip (Colotis aurora), Sahyadri Yellowjack Sailer (Lasippa viraja kanara), Lankan Plum Judy (Abisara echerius prunosa), Plain Banded Awl (Hasora vitta indica), Montane Hedge Hopper (Baracus subditus), Sahyadri Small Palm Bob (Suastus minuta bipunctus) and Indian Dart (Potanthus pseudomaesa).

The other notable observations included the Malabar Banded Peacock (Papilio buddha), Kerala’s State butterfly, and Western Ghats endemics such as Malabar Tree-Nymph, Nilgiri Tiger and Travancore Evening Brown.

New records

The odonate survey documented 71 species over the four-day period, with two new additions, increasing PTR’s checklist to 108 species.

The new records were the Sahyadri Torrent-Hawk (Macromia bellicosa) and Coorg Torrent-Hawk (Macromia ellisoni).

Several endemic odonates were also observed, including Laidlaw’s Horntail and the Travancore Bambootail.

Subspecies

Bird specialists confirmed the presence of two subspecies of resident birds, Bourdillon’s Blackbird (Turdus simillimus bourdilloni) and the White-throated Ground Thrush (Geokichla citrina cyanota). The iconic Great Indian Hornbill, Kerala’s state bird, was recorded from nearly all camps.

Other notable sightings included the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Grey-headed Bulbul, Wayanad Laughing Thrush, Black-and-Orange Flycatcher, and Nilgiri Pipit.

The survey also documented about 40 species of ants, 15 species of herpetofauna, six species of cicadas and several mammals such as Bengal tigers, leopards, dholes, gaurs and elephants. The participants also observed smaller but ecologically significant mammals like the brown mongoose, striped-necked mongoose, small Indian civet, smooth-coated otter, Indian porcupine and black-naped hare.

PTR assistant field director Lakshmi R., who inaugurated the survey, emphasised the importance of community-scientist partnerships in biodiversity monitoring. Such surveys help bridge the gap between conservation managers and research groups, she pointed out.

'Living laboratory'

Pramod P.P., field director of the reserve, described PTR as a “living laboratory” of biodiversity.

“Each survey adds to our understanding of this fragile ecosystem and strengthens the case for its conservation. The new additions highlight how much remains to be discovered and protected in the Western Ghats,” he said.

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MSC Elsa 3 shipwreck caused ecological disruption in Arabian Sea, finds study

 

THE HINDU BUREAU, 

KOCHI, september 21, 2025

A scientific investigation carried out by the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), Ministry of Earth Sciences, has confirmed that the sinking of the container ship MSC Elsa 3 off Kerala coast on May 25, 2025, has led to significant ecological disruption in the south-eastern Arabian Sea.

The shipwreck impacted water quality, plankton, benthos, fish eggs and larvae, and other marine life.

The persistence of oil even after several days, highlighted the risk of continued leakage. The study underscored the urgent need for sealing of the wreck’s fuel compartments and long-term monitoring of the impacted region to safeguard marine ecosystems.

The analysis of PAH (Polyaromatic hydrocarbons) fractions revealed the presence of naphthalene, fluorene, anthracene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene. The elevated levels of naphthalene, which normally indicate human-induced contamination, strongly suggested leakage from the wreck’s fuel compartments.

The study found that large numbers of fish eggs and larvae collected from the affected area showed signs of decay. On the seafloor, benthic organisms showed clear signs of ecological stress.

Sensitive species declined sharply within days of the incident, leaving behind only pollution-tolerant worms and bivalves.

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As monsoon starts retreating, Kerala likely to see below-normal rainfall

 

DHINESH KALLUNGAL, 

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, September 16, 2025

With the southwest monsoon starting the formal withdrawal from the country, originally from Rajasthan on September 14, three days ahead of its normal withdrawal date, the four-month rainy season in Kerala is likely to conclude with below-normal rainfall this year.

The State has received 1,612.6 mm of rainfall as of September 15 against the seasonal average of 1,888.2 mm of rain, a shortfall of 15%. The shortfall is likely to widen slightly as the major oceanic parameters or atmospheric conditions are not favourable for pushing the monsoon current into the State during the fag end of the season.

The tentative latitude of upcoming weather systems in the Bay of Bengal is also not very favourable for triggering any intense spells in Kerala during the next two weeks. However, light to moderate and short-lived spells are expected to continue. As per the long-period average, Kerala has to receive a normal rainfall of 2,018.7 mm during the four-month season. Although the season is expected to be below normal, the southwest monsoon will be ‘normal’ in the logbook of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), as a deviation of within 19% of the long-period average is considered ‘normal’ (i.e., rain within the range of 1625.1 mm to 2412.3 mm is normal).

Rain-deficient districts

Though the monsoon was somewhat evenly distributed across the State this year, rain would be deficient in Idukki, Wayanad, and Malappuram, where rain is already 36%, 37% and 26% deficient. Last year also the southwest monsoon was 13% below normal in Kerala. However, the State received a normal northeast monsoon rainfall, replenishing the waterbodies. For Kerala, the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon is marked by the beginning of the northeast monsoon, with easterly winds becoming stronger up to 4.5 km above mean sea level.

This year, the evolving negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) conditions, a climate driver characterised by cooler-than-normal sea surface temperature (SST) off the coast of Africa and warmer SST on the eastern side of the Indian Ocean, and the cool equatorial Pacific nearing the La Niña threshold may have a strong bearing on the northeast monsoon rainfall, according to experts.

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