Parambikulam Reserve provides 15 new species to its biodiversity guidelines

Overview of the Survey

• Performed by:
  • Parambikulam Tiger Conservation Basis
  • Travancore Nature Historical past Society
  • Different non-governmental organisations
• Period: February 6–9, 2025
• Location: Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, Palakkad district, Kerala
• Protection: 11 base camps throughout numerous habitats of the reserve
• Goal: Doc biodiversity and replace the species guidelines

Relevance : GS 3(Atmosphere and Ecology)

Key Findings

Avian Biodiversity: 7 New Fowl Species Recognized

• Notable chicken sightings:
  • Nice Indian hornbill (Weak species)
  • Ceylon frogmouth (Endemic to the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka)
  • Lesser fish eagle (Close to Threatened)
  • Shaheen falcon (Indian subspecies of peregrine falcon)

Butterfly Range: 5 New Species Recorded

• Different notable butterfly species noticed:
  • 5-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

• Complete odonate species within the reserve now: 69
• Newly recognized species:
  • Brown darner (Gynacantha dravida Lieftinck, 1960)
  • Parakeet darner (Gynacantha millardi Fraser, 1920)
  • Vestalis submontana Fraser, 1934

Significance of Findings

Indicator of Wealthy Biodiversity

• The addition of 15 new species highlights the ecological richness of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.
• Recording new species throughout the dry season suggests sturdy habitat resilience and environmental stability.

Conservation Implications

• The presence of species just like the Nice Indian hornbill, lion-tailed macaques, and Malabar banded swallowtail emphasizes the reserve’s position in defending endemic and endangered species.
• The invention of recent odonates and butterflies underlines the necessity for microhabitat conservation inside the reserve.

Strengthening Ecotourism & Analysis

• The survey’s findings can improve ecotourism potential by showcasing the wealthy avifauna and butterfly variety.
• Offers new avenues for ecological analysis, together with pollinator research and habitat administration methods.