Faunal Diversity in Munnar: 24 New Species Documented in Recent Survey
- January 19, 2025
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
Faunal Diversity in Munnar: 24 New Species Documented in Recent Survey
Sub: Env
Sec: Biodiversity
Why in News
- A recent faunal survey conducted in the Munnar Wildlife Division has led to the discovery of 24 new species of birds, butterflies, and odonates. This exercise has significantly enhanced the region’s faunal checklist and highlighted Munnar’s ecological richness.
- Organized By: The Forest Department in collaboration with the Travancore Nature History Society.
Below is a summary of the survey areas:
| Survey Area | Description |
| Mathikettan Shola National Park (MSNP) | Situated in Idukki district, Kerala, India. Characterized by undulating landscapes with hillocks of varying heights. Features a unique montane evergreen forest ecosystem, resembling the vegetation of the Cardamom Hill Reserve. |
| Pambadum Shola National Park (PSNP) | Located in Idukki district, Kerala, India. Situated in the eastern part of the Southern Western Ghats, the park features misty and cloudy climates throughout the year. Comprises montane evergreen shola forests, providing habitat connectivity between other national parks in the region. Home to several endangered species of flora and fauna, including the highly elusive and endangered Nilgiri marten. |
| Anamudi Shola National Park (ANP) | Situated in Idukki district of Kerala. The park is a part of the Anamalai sub-cluster of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Known for its dense shola forests and montane grasslands. It supports several endemic and rare species, such as the Nilgiri marten and the Nilgiri tahr. Plays a crucial role in maintaining the hydrology of the region as it feeds several perennial rivers, including the Pambar River. |
| Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) | Situated in Idukki district, Kerala. Lies adjacent to Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi Shola National Park. Dedicated to protecting the rare and endemic Neelakurinji flower (Strobilanthes kunthiana), which blooms once every 12 years. The sanctuary is home to species such as the Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri wood pigeon, and various endemic butterflies. |
| Eravikulam National Park (ENP) | Situated in the Idukki district, near Munnar, Kerala. Encompasses the highest peak in South India, Anamudi (2,695 meters). A UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Western Ghats. Famous for the largest population of the endangered Nilgiri tahr. Known for its shola-grassland ecosystem and rare Neelakurinji flower. The park is a source of the Pambar River, a tributary of the Cauvery River. |
| Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWLS) | Located in Idukki district, Kerala. Positioned adjacent to the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Features a unique xerophytic vegetation type and thorn scrub forests. Home to the highly endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrel and a large number of mugger crocodiles. Hosts several endemic butterflies, such as the Grass Jewel and the Southern Birdwing. |
Findings from the Survey:
Birds:
- New Bird Species: Brown Hawk Owl, Barred Buttonquail, Spotted Owlet, Mottled Wood Owl, Baya Weaver, Red Munia (Red Avadavat), Richard’s Pipit, Jerdon’s Bushlark, Golden-Headed Cisticola, Large Grey Babbler, and Chestnut-Bellied Nuthatch.
- Notable Bird Species: Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Steppe Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Spot-bellied Eagle Owl, Indian Eagle Owl, and Blue-eared Kingfisher.
Butterflies:
- Endemic Butterfly Species: Red-disc Bushbrown, Palni Bush-Brown, Palni Fritillary, Palni Four-ring, Nilgiri Four-ring, Nilgiri Clouded Yellow, and Nilgiri Tiger.
- Grass Jewel (smallest butterfly in the State) abundant at Chinnar.
- Southern Birdwing (largest Indian butterfly) recorded in multiple camps.
Odonates (Dragonflies and Damselflies):
- New Odonate Species: Cratilla lineata calverti, Macrodiplax cora, Palpopleura sexmaculata, Tholymis tillarga and Lestes elatus.
Below is a table summarizing species:
| Species | Description |
| Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) | IUCN Status: Endangered Endemic to the Western Ghats; the largest existing wild population is found in Eravikulam National Park. |
| Nilgiri Wood Pigeon (Columba elphinstonii) | IUCN Status: Vulnerable Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala |
| Nilgiri Pipit (Anthus nilghiriensis) | IUCN Status: Vulnerable Pambadum Shola National Park, Kerala |
| Palani Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron fairbanki) | IUCN Status: Near Threatened Anamudi Shola National Park, Kerala. Endemic to the higher regions of the Palani hills and parts of Munnar. |
| Nilgiri Marten (Martes gwatkinsii) | IUCN Status: Vulnerable Mathikettan Shola National Park, Kerala The only marten species in southern India; endemic to the Western Ghats. |
| Nilgiri Flycatcher (Eumyias albicaudatus) | IUCN Status: Least Concern Munnar region, Kerala Endemic to the Western Ghats; prefers high-altitude shola forests and plantations. |
| Nilgiri Tiger Butterfly (Parantica nilgiriensis) | IUCN Status: Not Evaluated Munnar region, Kerala |
| Red-disc Bushbrown Butterfly (Mycalesis oculus) | IUCN Status: Not Evaluated Munnar region, Kerala |
| Palni Fourring Butterfly (Ypthima ypthimoides) | IUCN Status: Not Evaluated Munnar region, Kerala |
| Nilgiri Clouded Yellow Butterfly (Colias nilagiriensis) | IUCN Status: Not Evaluated Munnar region, Kerala |
| Nilgiri Four-ring Butterfly (Ypthima chenui) | IUCN Status: Not Evaluated Munnar region, Kerala |
| Grass Jewel Butterfly (Freyeria trochylus) | IUCN Status: Not Evaluated Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala The smallest butterfly in Kerala; abundant at Chinnar. |
| Southern Birdwing Butterfly (Troides minos) | IUCN Status: Not Evaluated Munnar region, Kerala The largest butterfly in India; recorded in most of the camps during the survey. |
| Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius) | IUCN Status: Endangered Endemic to the Western Ghats; the largest existing wild population is found in Eravikulam National Park. |
| Munnar Bush Frog (Raorchestes munnarensis) | IUCN Status: Endangered Munnar region, Kerala |