Faunal Diversity of Eastern Ghats
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FAUNAL DIVERSITY OF EASTERN GHATS (Source: Proceedings of the National Seminar on the Faunal Diversity of Eastern Ghats Organized by the Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Centre, Chennai-600 028. Dated. 3rd and 4th March, 2016) S.No. Authors & Topic Abstract 1. A K Ghosh Indian subcontinent represents major ecosystems in an amazing way. While, mountain ecosystem of Himalayas remain distinctive across the northern landscape, the hills Biodiversity of Eastern Ghats and of India, known of Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats have Western Ghats attracted attention of scientists specially on their origin, evolution and diversity of life. The Eastern Ghats region covers 75,000 sq.km located Centre for Environment and Development between 770 22” – 220 81” East Longitude and 110 31” – 210 0” North latitude. The region extends over a linear distance of 1750 km. The northern border can be marked with the Mahanadi River and the southern border with Nilgiri Hills (Pulliah, 2002). Landscape and Biodiversity Eastern Ghats region is spread across three coastal states of India viz., Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The region cuts across a wide array of ecosystems from the semi-arid Kalahandi to coastal Vishakhapatnam. Three major Indian rivers viz., Mahanadi, Godavari and Krishna act as a main surface water resource; predominantly tropical monsoon climate is prevalent in the region. Biodiversity in Eastern Ghats flourished under an array of forests types ranging from evergreen to tropical semi- evergreen to moist deciduous forest extending into savannah and scrub jungle. Such diversity provide habitat for 2,500 species of flowering plants (recorded till 2001) dominated by family Fabaceae, Leguminoceae and Convolvulaceae. Sadly, Eastern Ghats fauna still remains ill explode or unexploded especially with reference to largest animal group of invertebrates, insects. In case, of vertebrates, insects. In case, of one can record 115 species of Herpetofauna and 297 species of birds, besides, a diverse spectrum of mammalian species starting from tree shrew to lesser cats to large Carnivores like jackals, wolf, hyena and Indian wild dogs etc. There is no consolidated account of fishes of Eastern Ghats. The endemicity of flora and fauna of Eastern Ghats will appear poor if compared with the Western Ghats; in case of plants about 4% of the flora is considered endemic to the region. Sadly, data on endemic fauna of Eastern Ghats seems to be lacking. Threats Major threats to the unique landscape includes high rate of deforestation largely due to development projects including mining, extending railway lines into eco sensitive zones, construction of multipurpose river valley projects, forest fires and shorter cycle of shifting cultivation in the tribal belt etc. In spite of the fact, that 12 protected areas have been declared in the Eastern Ghats, a number of plant species have been introduced to this region which may turn invasive and cause serious impact on native biodiversity. Discussion It seems imperative that, a well planned multi institutional biodiversity survey, covering all the ecological niches should be undertaken in this unique landscape on a time bound project mode. Hardly any data is available on the agro biodiversity of the region which one can expect to be very rich in the tribal belts. Documentation of the traditional knowledge on the uses of biodiversity will be of immense importance; with leading national institutions like Botanical Survey of India and Zoological Survey of India, and all five bureaus dealing with genetic resources under ICAR along with the renowned universities from three states which could provide a unique opportunity to document and widen our knowledge on Eastern Ghats, as has already been established for Western Ghats. Needless to say that, while, targeting a higher GDP may be a national goal so is the goals for sustainable development which have been prescribed by the United Nations in 2015, with target date of 2030. India being as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, 2002, and also a follower to the Sustainable Development Pathway could play a significant role in drawing a master plan for both Eastern and Western Ghats, which in violet in nature. 2. Chandra.K and Venkitesan. R FAUNAL DIVERSITY OF EASTERN GHATS: There is no consolidating information on the total faunal wealth of Eastern Ghats. Comparatively lesser information is available on the faunal resource of the Eastern Ghats; the Faunal Diversity of Eastern Ghats and dry forests of Eastern Ghats could not attract the Western Ghats - An Overview researchers as comparable with lush green forests of Western Ghats. Information on the fauna of the Eastern Ghats is poor and scanty. Eastern Ghats are unique in its Zoological Survey of India biotic attributes, is home to some of the charismatic and 535, M Block New Alipore – Kolkata - 53 endangered animals such as tigers, elephants, leopards, etc. It is where the aesthetic beauty of pristine forest dwells and also a treasure house for lavish population of wild flora and fauna. A total of 311 species of insects from different orders and families were recorded form the Eastern Ghats constitutes about 0.56 percentage (Table – 2) ZSI recorded 400 species of vertebrate fauna and 217 species of invertebrate fauna from the Similipal Biosphere Reserve, 55 Species from 10 orders and 19 families of mammals have been reported from the reserve. Avifaunal diversity and abundance is around 258 species (Alfred et al. 2001, Ramakrishna et al., 2006; ZSI, 1995), and forming a major portion of the vertebrate fauna, out of 110 reptiles found in Orissa (including sea turtles), 37 species are known to occur in Similipal. The invertebrate groups constitutes a total of 217 species comprises of Protozoa, Rotifera, Ostracoda, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Scorpionida, Orthoptera, Odonata and some families of Hemiptera, Lepidoptera Diptera and Humenoptera. The fauna of Chandaka-Dampara Wildlife sanctuary included 37 species belonging to 33 genera under 21 families and 10 orders Mammals (Tiwari et al., 2002). The avian fauna is represented by 167 species belonging to 116 Genera under 45 families and 17 orders, About 115 species of amphibians and reptiles have been reported form the Eastern Ghats (Daniel, 2000). The reptile fauna is represented by 33 species belonging to 27 genera under 12 families and 4 order, and amphibian fauna is represented by 13 species belonging to 9 genera under 17 families and 8 orders. Comparatively faunal diversity is abundant in Nallamalai Hills, Thulsi Rao (2007) recorded over 70 species of mammals, 302 species of birds, 64 species of reptiles, 20 amphibians, 55 fishes, 89 species of butter flies, 57 species of moths, 45 species of coleopteran, 30 species of Odonata and numerous other forms of insects have been inventorised in Nallamalai hills. Conclusion: The faunal resource of Western Ghats is fairly documented than the poorly concentrated Eastern Ghats. Western Ghats with a maximum number of 6340 species constitutes about 3.98 percentages and in Eastern Ghats with 884 species constitutes 0.55 percentages of the total Indian fauna. Inventories give a snapshot of the state of biodiversity and identify key variables, bio indicators and eco services renderers. They also provide baseline information for the assessment of change and they apply to all ecosystems from fully natural to intensively managed. Conservation measure like habitat restoration, Pollution control, Invasive alien species management, Environmental impact assessment of development activities, Awareness and education outreach, Legislation and enforcement and identification Key Biodiversity Areas are to be initiated to protect the natural resource of the country. 3. Dr. A.J.T. Johnsingh Conservation anywhere in the world is closely tied to peace, the economic status of the local people and the prevailing political situation. Mammal research and conservation in the Eastern Ghats of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have suffered as a result of political restlessness Conservation of Mammals in Western that in the past has resulted in insurgency, The Ghats and Eastern Ghats conservation status of large mammals including the elephant and tiger, even in Tiger Reserves like Simlipal, Satkosiaand Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam (no elephant), which I have visited, is poor. These forests also suffer from aridity and the presence of a large number of tribals who, Nature Conservation Foundation out of poverty, do not hesitate to indulge in the presence of Mysore and WWF – India a large number of tribals who, out of poverty, do not hesitate to indulge in poaching. Perhaps the best part of the Eastern Ghats contains large mammals is seen in the landscape around the river Cauvery, where we have protected areas such as Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Biligirirangan Temple Tiger Reserve, Male Mahadeshwara wildlife sanctuary and Cauvery wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. If large mammal species such as gaur, elephant and tiger are secure here, it may be because of the nearness of this landscape to the wildlife rich lower Nilgiris and the lack of insurgency which has resulted in better governance, enabling wildlife to thrive. Biligirirangan Temple Tiger Reserve, with its high mountains and shoal grasslands, looks like an extension of the Nilgiris. Murderer, poacher and smuggler Veerappan, who inhabited this landscape for several years, was considered a threat and was finally hunted down on 18th October, 2004. However years after his death, there is a feeling that his presence possibly gave some protection to the forests which have become increasingly vulnerable to illegal activities. Overall, mammal conservation in the Western and Eastern Ghats can be improved further if protected areas are kept inviolate, corridors are established and maintained and the biomass needs of the people are met in the periphery and outside the forest areas rather than from within the forest. This is a challenging task for the forest department, which represents the Government, and for the conservation community of peninsular India. 4. S.