A resplendent bush frog found only in Munnar
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A comprehensive amphibian and reptile survey will be conducted across the protected areas of the Munnar Wildlife Division from Thursday to Sunday (September 3 to 6). According to officials, the survey will be conducted across the Eravikulam, Anamudi Shola, Pambadum Shola, and Mathikettan Shola National Parks as well as the Kurinjimala Sanctuary. A team of around 60 experts and volunteers, joined by an equal number of Forest department staff, will take part in the four-day long survey.A survey held in 2022 documented 52 amphibian species and 47 reptile species in the Munnar Wildlife Division.Wildlife Warden K. V. Harikrishnan said, “The 2022 initial survey focussed primarily on species identification within each protected zone. However, this edition aims to collect deeper ecological data. The main objectives include estimating species abundance, mapping distribution ranges, assessing habitat changes, and identifying species not previously recorded.”The survey is being conducted jointly by the Munnar Wildlife Division and the Aranyakam Nature Foundation. Mr. Harikrishnan and Assistant Wildlife Wardens Nizam A. and Anilkumar A., along with herpetologist Sandeep Das and researchers Nithin Divakar and Dhruvaraj S. from the Aranyakam Nature Foundation, will lead the survey. The survey will also cover the ecologically vital ‘sky islands’ of the shola-grassland ecosystems. The area has been divided into 16 base camps to ensure a rigorous, scientific survey.Officials added that a one-day workshop will be organised for the department personnel on Wednesday, covering survey methodologies and the herpetological diversity within the protected areas. Published - September 01, 2026 08:07 pm IST
