Study on of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka and adjoining areas in Goa Manju Siliwal* The study was carried out to understand the ground theraphosid are thriving well. These status of ground burrowing tarantulas, are ideal sites to study threshold, habitat Thrigmopoeus truculentus, T. insignis and preference/characterization, inter/intra-species Chilobrachys fimbriatus in Castle Rock, Karnataka competition for habitat, co-existence of two or more and adjacent areas like Mollem WLS and Cotigao species in small stretch of area, dispersal ranges, WLS in Goa. There had been informal reports of etc. In one of the site, the numbers of burrows theraphosid spiders being collected for pet-trade were above 350 in a starch of 200m. In Castle from these areas. During the study I did not come Rock, the dominant species amongst theraphosid across any direct evidence of collection of these were Thrigmopoeus spp., whereas in Mollem spiders for pet trade. Moreover, local people were WLS and Cotigao WLS, Goa C. fimbriatus was also not aware of any collection of these large- dominant species. In Mollem and Cotigao, burrows bodied spiders by foreigner or locals for pet-trade. of C. fimbriatus were commonly found on tree holes, This could be due to various reasons like Castle trunks and in depression of forked braches apart Rock area supports Reserve Forest and monitoring from the roadside bunds. Burrows of adults and is not very strict due to large area and lack of juveniles spiders of the genera Thrigmopoeus and staffs; collection is not at regular basis and the Chilobrachys were easily distinguishable based on visit did not coincide with time of pet trader’s visit; burrow structure. collection may be taking place from outside the Protected Area and therefore not being noticed so The common threats observed in all the three sites far. were human disturbance and habitat loss, which had lead to a fragmented population of theraphosid In all the three sites the distribution of theraphosid spiders. These areas have potential population of spiders was patchy. In Castle Rock, there were the three theraphosid species which needs to be two sites where theraphosid spiders conserved. Therefore, there is an urgent need to (Thrigmopoeus truculentus, T. insignis and include them under the local forest management Chilobrachys fimbriatus) were found in high density. plans and take necessary actions to conserve these These two sites are ideal to be named ‘ areas where theraphosid spiders are occurring in ghats’ due to high number of theraphosid burrow high densities. congregations. A recommendation to forest department will be made to give special emphasis *Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand. for conservation of these two patches where E-mail: [email protected]

CEE Material Available The theme and slogan for the World Environment CO2 Pick Right Campaign Kit in 15 Languages Day in 2008 was ‘CO2: Kick the Habit! : Towards English, Hindi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, a Low Carbon Economy’. The slogan announced Telugu, Assamese, Boro, Bengali, Ladhakhi, by UNEP was adapted by the Ministry of Marathi, Oriya, Urdu and Punjabi. Environment and Forests, Government of as “CO2, Pick Right! Towards Sustainability and Methodology Growth”. Dissemination of a campaign kit, followed by training of teachers and those responsible for Pick Right! Is a positive message which encourages communicating with schools. each individual to reflect on lifestyle choices which matter in dealing with Climate Change. The choices Availability we make are vital in the carbon footprint that we CO2 Pick Right leave on earth. By making the right choices we can Campaign Kit is still lead our future towards sustainability and growth. good and useful for teaching and is being The Campaign kit consists of distributed by • Booklet: The booklet contains information on the Centre for Environ- right choices one can make to reduce the impact of mental Education, climate change. Ahmedabed. • Poster (set of 2): Pick Right related messages & Paryavaran Ambassador campaign. Contact : Centre for • Sticker-sheets: logo and slogan ‘CO2: Pick Environment Education, Right!; caricatures of leading Indian celebrities/ Nehru Foundation for Development, personalities and right choices for climate change. Thaltej Tekra, Ahmedabad 380 054. E-mail: [email protected] • Stencil: A plastic stencil bearing ‘CO2 Pick Right!’ 11 ZOOS' PRINT, Volume XXIV, Number 10, October 2009, (RNI 11:1)