Survey discovers six new species from Periyar Tiger Reserve in Keralam
Must read — 2 past UPSC questions on this theme (Prelims GS-1 2018, Mains GS-3 2018).
2-minute summary
A collaborative four-day faunal survey conducted at the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerala has documented six species previously unrecorded in the reserve. The newly recorded species include one bird—the golden-headed cisticola (Cisticola exilis), a rare high-elevation species—one butterfly, the common onyx (Horaga onyx), and four odonate (dragonfly and damselfly) species: the parakeet darner, Fraser’s clubtail, spiny horntail, and Nilgiri clawtail. This survey, which involved forest officials, academic institutions, and 21 NGOs, highlights the rich biodiversity of PTR. Experts attribute these discoveries to the reserve's healthy, unpolluted water bodies, diverse elevational gradients, and varied habitats ranging from evergreen forests to grasslands. The findings underscore the critical role of systematic, long-term biodiversity monitoring in understanding species distribution and strengthening conservation management.
Why it's in the news
A recent four-day collaborative faunal survey in Kerala's Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) successfully documented six previously unrecorded species (one bird, one butterfly, and four odonates). This highlights the ecological health of the Western Ghats and underscores the importance of systematic biodiversity surveys in protected area management.
Facts to remember
- Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) is located in the Southern Western Ghats of Kerala, specifically spread across the Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts.
- PTR was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1950 and subsequently designated as a Tiger Reserve in 1978.
- A collaborative four-day faunal survey at PTR documented six previously unrecorded species: one bird, one butterfly, and four odonate species.
- The newly recorded bird species during the survey is the golden-headed cisticola (Cisticola exilis), identified as a rare high-elevation species.
- The Periyar Tiger Reserve serves as an important watershed, being drained by both the Periyar and Pamba rivers.
Background and context
Located in the Southern Western Ghats of Kerala (Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts), the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) is an internationally renowned biodiversity hotspot. Declared a sanctuary in 1950 and a Tiger Reserve in 1978, it serves as an important watershed, drained by the Periyar and Pamba rivers. The reserve features a unique landscape characterized by an elevational gradient supporting tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests, and montane grasslands (sholas). While PTR is famous for its charismatic megafauna like tigers and Asian elephants, its micro-habitats support immense micro-faunal diversity. Systematic surveys conducted over the last decade have consistently added new species to its database, proving that even well-studied protected areas require continuous monitoring to track ecological changes, habitat health, and climate-induced species migration.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 48A — Directs the State to endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.
- Article 51A(g) — Imposes a Fundamental Duty on every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
Committees and reports
- Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) / Madhav Gadgil Committee Report — Recommended designating the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), highlighting the need to conserve fragile ecosystems like Periyar.
- High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats / Kasturirangan Committee Report — Sought to balance development and environmental conservation by designating 37% of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive.
Government schemes
- Project Tiger (now part of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats) — Provides funding and administrative support for the conservation and management of designated tiger reserves like Periyar.
- Project Elephant — Periyar is also a designated Elephant Reserve; the scheme supports the protection of elephants, their habitats, and migratory corridors.
International organisations
- UNESCO World Heritage Convention — The Western Ghats, including parts of the Periyar sub-cluster, is inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its outstanding universal value and biodiversity.
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) — Provides the Red List of Threatened Species, which helps assess the conservation status of newly documented and existing species in the reserve.
Previous UPSC questions on this theme
- Prelims GS-1 2018 — In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located ? (a) Arunachal Pradesh (b) Manipur (c) Meghalaya (d) Nagaland
- Mains GS-3 2018 — How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna?
Mains practice: The Western Ghats are home to exceptional levels of biodiversity and endemism. Discuss the ecological significance of protected areas like the Periyar Tiger Reserve and analyze how systematic faunal surveys contribute to effective conservation management.
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world's eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity. Protected areas within this region, such as the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerala, play a pivotal role in preserving this unique ecological heritage.
### Ecological Significance of Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR)
• **Diverse Habitats and Elevational Gradient:** PTR features a wide altitudinal range supporting varied ecosystems, including tropical evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, and montane grasslands (sholas). This gradient allows for distinct ecotones that support diverse wildlife assemblages.
• **Hydrological Value:** The reserve acts as a critical watershed, feeding major rivers like the Periyar and Pamba, which are vital for the drinking water, agriculture, and industrial needs of Kerala.
• **Refuge for Endemic Species:** PTR provides a secure habitat for highly threatened and endemic species, including the Nilgiri tahr, Lion-tailed macaque, and various endemic amphibians and flora.
### Contribution of Systematic Faunal Surveys to Conservation Management
• **Identifying Micro-Faunal Diversity:** While conservation often focuses on charismatic megafauna (like tigers and elephants), systematic surveys help document lesser-known taxa such as odonates (dragonflies), butterflies, and spiders, which are crucial ecological indicators.
• **Tracking Climate and Habitat Shifts:** Continuous monitoring helps scientists understand how species adjust their ranges along elevational gradients in response to climate change and habitat fragmentation.
• **Assessing Ecosystem Health:** The presence of sensitive species, such as specific odonates that require pristine aquatic habitats, serves as a direct bioindicator of unpolluted water bodies and overall ecosystem health.
• **Evidence-Based Policy Formulation:** Data from these surveys provides the empirical foundation needed for adaptive management, helping forest department officials mitigate threats, manage ecotourism, and protect critical corridors.
In conclusion, systematic biodiversity surveys are not merely academic exercises but essential tools for conservation. By shifting the focus toward holistic ecosystem monitoring, India can better safeguard the complex ecological web of the Western Ghats for future generations.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. With reference to the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), consider the following statements: 1. It is located in the Southern Western Ghats and is drained by both the Periyar and Pamba rivers. 2. It contains montane grasslands known as Sholas. 3. It is designated as both a Tiger Reserve and an Elephant Reserve. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. All three statements are correct. Periyar Tiger Reserve is located in the Southern Western Ghats of Kerala. It is drained by the Periyar and Pamba rivers. Its vegetation includes tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests, and montane grasslands (sholas). It is also a declared Elephant Reserve.
Q2. Consider the following pairs of newly recorded species and their biological classifications from a recent survey in the Western Ghats: 1. Golden-headed cisticola : Bird 2. Common onyx : Butterfly 3. Fraser’s clubtail : Odonate Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: D. All pairs are correctly matched based on the recent faunal survey in Periyar Tiger Reserve. The golden-headed cisticola (Cisticola exilis) is a bird, the common onyx (Horaga onyx) is a butterfly, and Fraser’s clubtail (Acrogomphus fraseri) is an odonate (dragonfly/damselfly) species.
Q3. Why are Odonates (dragonflies and damselflies) considered excellent bioindicators in forest ecosystems?
- They are primary producers that regulate the forest carbon cycle.
- They are strictly migratory species that indicate global wind patterns.
- They are the primary source of pollination for high-altitude coniferous trees.
- They are highly sensitive to changes in water quality and aquatic habitat physical structure.
Answer: D. Odonates are semi-aquatic insects. Their larval stage is entirely aquatic and highly sensitive to water pollution, siltation, and structural changes in water bodies. Therefore, their presence and diversity indicate healthy, unpolluted aquatic ecosystems and forest health.
Revision flashcards
- What is the Golden-headed cisticola (Cisticola exilis) and where was it recently recorded? It is a rare bird species typically found at higher elevations. It was recently recorded for the first time in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala.
- Which two major rivers drain the Periyar Tiger Reserve? The Periyar River and the Pamba River.
- What are Odonates, and which four species were newly recorded in PTR? Odonates are carnivorous insects comprising dragonflies and damselflies. The four newly recorded species are: Parakeet darner, Fraser’s clubtail, Spiny horntail, and Nilgiri clawtail.
- What is an 'ecotone' and why is it relevant to the Periyar Tiger Reserve's biodiversity? An ecotone is a transition area between two biological communities (e.g., forest and grassland). PTR's diverse ecotonal habitats support unique, highly diverse wildlife assemblages.
- Which non-governmental organization collaborated with the Forest Department for the PTR faunal survey? The Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS), along with 21 other NGOs and academic institutions.