karnataka biodiversity board biodiversity … volume(4...biodiversity newsletter issue #...

BIODIVERSITY NEWSLETTER Issue #

BiodiversityNewsletter

Volume-5, Issue:4 October-

December 2014

KARNATAKA BIODIVERSITY BOARD. BENGALURU IN THIS ISSUE

A warm wel come to all the readers ofEditorial Board

www.newsonair.nic.in

Sacred Groves : An Overview{1-3}

Kariyattalagundi NagaBrahmasthana- Sacred Grove{4-10}

Two new species of frogsdiscovered from Western Ghats{11-12}

Board Activities {13-20}

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KARNATAKA BIODIVERSITY BOARD

“The aim of Karnataka Biodiversity Board(KBB) is to create awareness and disseminate

information of Biodiversity. Keeping this inview, KBB is bringing out this quarterly

Newsletter that will help you in gaining insightsabout the ongoing activities of KBB and

highlights of issues related to Biodiversity”

Shri. R. M. N. Sahai. IFS (Retd)., Chairman

Shri. Rajkishore Singh. IFS., Member Secretary

Dr. Ramakrishna Arkalgud, Consultant

Shri. Vinayak Kulkarni, Publication in charge,Technical Executive

BIODIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | Issue #

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One of the critical issues on the national and global agenda is the need to preserve biodiversity for futuregenerations while trying to understand and document the indigenous knowledge of resource management practices.Religion, being a powerful instrument for convincing people, has always been used for meeting the desired objectivesof the society. The various religious philosophies have contributed significantly in the conservation of forests,biodiversity and landscapes by promulgating customary norms, practices and beliefs. Some prominent live examplesof traditional and cultural forms of biodiversity conservation still exist and are in practice, which include sacredgroves, sacred species and sacred landscapes. Sacred groves are the religious practice of conserving biodiversitywith strong beliefs, customs and taboos and are treasure house of rare and endemic species. Everything within thesegroves is under the protection of the reigning deity of the grove and the removal of any material, even dead wood ortwig is a taboo (Gadgil & Vartak, 1976). Such groves still exist in many parts of the world and represent relictvegetation of the locality, preserved in its original form with minimal disturbance. Preservation of these groves,though on the pretext of religious beliefs, is of importance for conserving germ plasm that is otherwise under threatfrom human interference (Khiewtan & Ramakrishnan, 1989).

The concept of sacred groves is still relevant and exists today, especially in many parts of Mexico, Ghana,Nigeria, Syria, Turkey and Japan (Gadgil & Vartak 1976). In India, they occur in Western Ghats, Madhya Pradesh,Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Karnataka, etc., and found in variety of habitats from scrub forests of Thar Desert(maintained by Bishnois), to rain forests of Kerala in Western Ghats, Himachal Pradesh in the North and Kerala inthe south are specifically known for their large number of sacred groves. India has the highest concentration of sacredgroves in the world. Estimates suggest that there might be between 1,00,000 and 1,50,000 sacred groves around thecountry (Malhotra et al., 2007) and named differently in different parts of India such as Law lyngdhoh in Meghalaya,Kovil kadu in Kanyakumari, Dev bhumi in Uttarakhand, Kavu in Kerala, Sarna and Deorai in Madhya Pradesh, Oranin Rajasthan, Jaherthan and Garamthan in West Bengal, Deovan in Himachal, Ummanglai in Manipur, etc. Theexistence of such undisturbed pockets is mostly due to certain taboos, strong beliefs, supplemented by mysticfolklores.

Services of sacred grovesBiodiversity in sacred groves: The sacred grove is kept in a comparatively undisturbed condition, due to faith andregard of local people and the belief that the sylvan deities would be offended, if trees are cut, flowers and fruits areplucked. The vegetation composing the sacred groves is very different from that of the surrounding areas of theregion. Many of the sacred groves are studied in different parts of India, with a general focus on diversity of plantspecies. Hariyal Devi and Tarkeshwar sacred landscape are one of the examples of rich heritage of plant diversitysituated in Garhwal Himalayas. About 372 species are found in Tarkeshwar sacred landscape and more than 100species are found in Hariyali sacred landscape. Kabi sacred grove in North Sikkim has 241 species of plants in a 3km2 area. Jamir and Pandey (2003) studied plant species diversity of three sacred groves in Meghalaya and found395 species, 14 % of which were endemic. 83 species are reported in Nakuleshwar sacred grove from KumaonHimalaya (Singh et al., 2011). Tiwari et al. (1998), studied 79 sacred groves in Meghalaya, ranging from 0.01 to 900hectares in size and found that the species diversity was much higher than in disturbed forests. In addition, the speciesMyristica magnifica and Pinanga dicksoni are now mainly confined to a Myristica swamp in a sacred grove of UttaraKannada in northern Karnataka.

Rare and endemics plant species from sacred groves: A number of studies have emphasized that many sacredgroves are repositories of rare species. Haridasan and Rao (1985) have reported at least 50 endangered and rarespecies in sacred groves of Meghalaya. Kunsteria keralensis, a climbling legume, reported from a sacred grove in

Sacred Groves: An Overview


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southern Kerala, is confined to that sacred grove (Mohanan and Nair, 1981). Belpharistermma membranifolia,Buchanania lanceolata and Syzygium travuncorium are rare species found only in some sacred groves of Kerala.Mohanan also discovered a rare species of cinnamon, Cinnamomum quilonensis, in some of the Kavus of Alapuzhadistrict in Kerala (Unikrishnan, 1995).The Kallabbekan sacred grove in Kumta taluk, Karnataka, over 50 ha. inextent, despite being in the midst of arecanut-spice gardens of a populated village, is rich in endemics like wildnutmegs (Myristica malabarica), Cinnamomum malabathrum Garcinia gummi-gutta and wild pepper. Petiveriaalliacea, an endangered medicinal plant has been reported from sacred grove of Kanyakumari (Sukumaran & Raj,2008). In Kodagu district of Western Ghats, sacred groves were found to protect some threatened tree species suchas Actinodaphne lawsonii, Hopea ponga, Madhuca neriifolia and Syzygium zeylanicum, which are not foundelsewhere.

Micro-climatic habitats: Several taxa exhibit remarkable microhabitat-specific nature which can be attributed tothe local environmental conditions and sacred groves provide excellent micro-climatic conditions for the luxuriantgrowth of those plant species which are not present in the surrounding areas at the same altitude. Changes in themicrohabitat often induce noticeable damping effect on the dominance of one taxon in that area which sometimesaccount for its disappearance on one hand and simultaneous emergence of another species, since many species arehighly sensitive even to the smallest changes in the environmental conditions. For example in Haat Kali sacred grove,Hedera nepalensis and Smilax aspera are found frequently on trees of Cedrus deodara and provide shelter to otherlife-forms. Microstylis acuminate, an orchid grows gregariously in moist and humus rich soil of the grove.

Conservation of water resources: Larger sacred groves also have their own micro-climate which increases nutrientrecycling, recharge of aquifers and act as a primary source of perennial streams. For example, in Nakuleshwar sacredgrove of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, the dense forest forms plenty of catchment for perennial water stream andprovide essential requirement of water to the villagers and other people of the area.

Providing livelihood: Most of the sacred groves besides maintaining biodiversity provide a livelihood to thecommunity they belong to. The local communities and the care takers of the groves have developed a rotation systemof getting forest products by which all the families receive benefits during different time. Tree cutting is prohibitedand only felled trees are taken away by the natives. Chamunda Devi and Haat Kali sacred groves in KumaonHimalaya are one of the examples of sustaining communities around the sacred groves.

Sacred plant speciesFrom pre-historic times, plants and animals are the part of our life. Some plant species are grown in sacred placesbecause people thought that ancestors and deities reside in these plant species and protect their life. Plants are oldestcreation of God on earth and the conscious about them is as the human civilization. Plant worshiping is one of theearliest religious trends since the time ancient. Numerous references are available in literature where plants aretreated as to the abode of the gods. In the scriptures, these plants are mention of the Kalpa vrisksha and Chaityavrisksha, indicating that worshiping of the trees is an Indian tradition. These plants are often grown along and withinthe temples and can be considered as “sacred plants”. Various religious ceremonies are based on these trees or plants.In India, there are many festivals, which are based on flora. Holy Basil (Ocimum species), Asoka (Saraca asoca),Banyan tree (Ficus bengalensis), Peepal (Ficus religiosa), Kela (Musa paradisica), Neem (Azadiaracta indica),Aam (Mangifera indica) and Beal (Aegle marmelos) etc., are sacred plant species in India. Many of them like thesacred basil and neem are multi-purpose medicinal plants. These culturally valued species are often ecologicallyimportant keystone species, which by their key role in ecosystem functioning contribute to support much biodiversityassociated with it. Several studies were carried out in Almora district (Uttarakhand) on the religious or sacred plants(Sharma and Joshi, 2010). For example, Cedrus deodara is frequently seen in Jageshwar and Dhaula Devi sacredgroves and is protected through religious beliefs, Quercus leucotricophora in Jhakarsham sacred grove, Pinusroxburghii in Gairar sacred grove, similarly, in Pithoragarh district, Rhododendron arboreum in Malay Nath andNarayan Swami Ashram sacred grove, Osmanthus frangrance in Thal Kedhar sacred grove, Cedrus deodara in HaatKali and Chamunda (Hanera) Gangolihat, etc. Many ethnic, religious and cultural traditions are associated with plantspecies (folk music, dance, literature and poetry). In spite of this, these plant species play a significant role in our


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daily life. These species are used as a good fodder, fuel wood and timber, apart from the fact that they play a keyrole in nutrient cycling and conservation, as well as in ensuring water balance within the soil.

Threats to sacred grovesThere are several key threats that have led to the degradation of groves in India, these are:

Developmental projects: Some of the sacred groves that fell under government-vested lands, were destroyed whentownships grew. Rails, roads and highways have also taken their toll of many sacred groves. Others disappearedunder mining and industrial operations. Still others were flooded by big dam projects. Such developmental projectshave contributed greatly to the diminishing of the flora and fauna of these sacred groves.

Collection of biomass and medicinal plants: Collection of biomass like fodder, fuel and other edible plants arefrequently done by local communities for their survival and daily needs and grazing of animals is major concern tothe biodiversity of sacred groves. Ruthless destruction and overexploitation of medicinal plants which are abundantlyfound in the sacred groves is another factor for degradation of biodiversity within the grove.

Shift in belief system: Shift of beliefs systems have also led to a weakening of the conservation of sacred groves.In some cases, Hinduism has subsumed the sacred groves that were established for older folk deities. Moreover, inmany countries local traditions are being challenged by westernized culture, which results in the loss of sacred grovesand their cultural importance for future generations of local people. Diminishing traditional beliefs due tomodernisation is another factor which effects their conservation.

Encroachment, Pilgrimage and Tourism: Encroachment in various sacred groves for agricultural practices suchas coffee production in Kodagu sacred grove of Karnataka and heavy influx of tourism and pilgrimage playsignificant role in destruction of biodiversity. The biodiversity of Patal Bhuvneshwar and Haat Kali sacred grove arenow degraded due to high tourism.

Conservation measures:Sacred groves are managed by local communities since ancient time and protection through religious norms andtaboo is excellent approach to protect these patches of virgin forests, however, in the absence of effectiveconservation management these sacred groves are facing challenges to hold the original plant diversity they have.Sacred groves serve as repositories of genetic diversity and are provided with comprehensive and rich ecologicalniche. Creating awareness among the inhabitants about the importance of invaluable genetic diversity and sustainableuse of resources can lead to a secure future of these conserved patches. Government and international conservationagencies should support traditional institutions of sacred grove management, whether at family, community or evenregional level. For effective conservation, it is important to respect community values behind such impressiveconservation.

CreditsPriyanka Agnihotri, Harsh Singh and Tariq Husain*

Taxonomy & Herbarium Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute,Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow -226001

Website:


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Introduction

Kariyattalagundi Naga Brahmasthana sacred grove is situated on the banks of River Shambaviin Ulipady village, near Kinnigoli, Mangalore Taluk. Ulipady village is having 220 houses with apopulation of about 2000. The surrounding villages of Ulipady are Balkunje, Elinje, Kolluru,Mundkuru, Aikala and Patte. The main Deity of this sacred grove is Naga Brahma and otherassociated Deities are Raktheshwari, Nandigona and Vyagra Chamundi. This sacred grove belongsto Ulipady village and managed by Mogerabettu Gutthu family. Devotees have built a temple to theDeity and it is surrounded by scanty vegetation. People offer Pooja on every Tuesday andSankramana. Annual Pooja being offered every 3rd of April and special Pooja on Nagara Panchami.

Kariyattalagundi Nagabrahmasthana spread over an area of two acres of land. Nearly 30% of thegrove (North & eastern side) is surrounded by Shambavi River and remaining 70% at South &Western side by paddy field.

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Kariyattalagundi Naga Brahmasthana-

Sacred Grove:Dakshina Kannada

View of the Kariyattalagundi Nagabrahmasthana

A view of the vegetation in Kariyattalagundi Nagabrahmasthana


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GPS ReadingsPoints Latitude Longitude Altitude

Entrance N 13° 06ʹ 67.3ʺ E 074° 52ʹ 67.3ʺ 11 m

Near the Deity N 13° 06ʹ 72.5ʺ E 074° 52ʹ 29.1ʺ 11 m

River side (Eastend)

N 13° 06ʹ 78.3ʺ E 074° 52ʹ 19.2ʺ 11 m

West end N 13° 06ʹ 64.2ʺ E 074° 52ʹ 23.1ʺ 11 m

Vegetation of Kariyattalagundi Nagabrahma Sthana Sacred grove

The vegetation of the sacred grove is of semi evergreen type. A total of 80 species of plants havebeen recorded (Annexure 1). The vegetation is dominated by tree species such asGarcinia xanthochymus Hook.f. ex T.Anderson, Holigarna ferruginea Marchand,Hopea ponga (Dennst.) Mabb., Aporosa cardiosperma (Gaertn.) Merr. and Vateria indica L.

The largest trees observed in the sacred grove are Aporosa cardiosperma (Height -20m & GBH-90cms), Garcinia xanthochymus (Height-25m & GBH-112cms), Ochreinauclea missionis (Height-25m & GBH -175cms), Mimusops elengi (Height -20m & GBH -175cms) andBarringtonia racemosa (Height -30m & GBH -200cms).

Google earth image showing Kariyattalagundi Nagabrahma Sthana


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The other tree species found in the sacred grove are Adenanthera pavonina L.,Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) R.Parker, Artocarpus gomezianus subsp. zeylanicus Wall. exTrécul, Artocarpus hirsutus Lam., Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr., Cinnamomum verum J.Presl,Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel., Ficus microcarpa L.f., Ficus benghalensis L.,Ficus callosa Willd., Flacourtia montana J.Graham, Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy,Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr., Macaranga peltata (Roxb.) Müll.Arg., Mangifera indica L.,Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Sapindus emarginatus Vahl, Strychnos nux-vomica L.,Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) Alston, and S. cumini (L.) Skeels,

The shrubs like Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet, Alangium salviifolium subsp. hexapetalum (L.f.)Wangerin, Antidesma montanum Blume, Capparis sp., Ficus hispida L.f.,Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC., Hibiscus rostellatus Guill. & Perr., Ixora coccinea L.,Mussaenda bellila L., Pandanus canaranus, Paramignya monophylla Wight, Salacia chinensis L.,Sida acuta Burm.f. , Sida rhombifolia L., Streblus asper Lour. and Ziziphus rugosa Lam., arecommonly found in the sacred grove.

The herbaceous species includes Achyranthes aspera L., Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC.,Blumea sp., Chasallia sp., Chromolaena odorata (L.), R.M.King & H.Rob.,Curcuma oligantha Trimen, Cyperus rotundus L., Euphorbia hirta L.,Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Heine, Justicia gendarussa Burm.f., Mimosa pudica L.Pseudoeranthemum sp. And Strobilanthes ciliata T.Anderson. The epiphytic orchidAcampe ochracea (Lindl.) Hochr. is also recorded.

Entada rheedii Spreng., a largest climber with GBH of 200 cms is found lying on the ground nearthe entry point of the sacred grove. According to local people this climber was found to be growingon a tree and covered the entire canopy of many trees. Because of its overweight and lack of sun

Project Team Dr. M. Sanjappa, measuring the GBH


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light, the trees were died and fell down. This resulted in the fall of this fully grown liana on theground.

The other climbers found are Acacia caesia (L.) Willd., Butea sp., Combretum latifolium Blume,Connarus wightii Hook.f., Dalbergia horrida (Dennst.) Mabb., Derris sp., Dregea volubilis (L.f.)Benth. ex Hook.f., Getonia floribunda Roxb., Ipomoea sp., Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M.Roem.,Passiflora foetida L., Uvaria narum A.DC., Pothos scandens L. and Lygodium sp.

The area also represented by endemic threatened plants like Artocarpus hirsutus Lam.,Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy, Ochreinauclea missionis and Vateria indica L.

Diversity of life forms in the sacred grove

Sl.No

Habit Numbers

1 Trees 33

2 Shrubs 16

3 Climbers 15

4 Herb 14

5 Epiphyte 1

6 Fern 1

Regeneration:

Presence and stabilization of seedlings shows high regeneration status of Aporosa cardiosperma,Garcinia xanthochymus, Holigarna ferruginea and Vateria indic. Whereas species likeBarringtonia racemosa, Borassus flabellifer , Caryota urens and Ochreinauclea missionis areshowing low rate of regeneration.

Threats to the vegetation:

Canopy of Hopea ponga overlapped

by Combretatum latifolium


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No major threats to the vegetation have been noticed in this sacred grove. But due to over coveringof the climbers like Combretum latifolium , Acacia caesia and Entada rheedii on the canopy of thetree species like Hopea ponga, Vateria indica and Garcinia xanthochymus which reduced its growthpotential.

Local villagers have planted some ornamental and other plant species such as Dieffenbachia sp.,Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Polyalthia longifolia (Sonn.) Thwaites, Psidium guajava L.,Tectona grandis L.f. and Terminalia catappa L. around the temple area.

Annexure I

List of plant species recorded in Kariyattalagundi NagabanaSl.No. Name of the speices Family Habit

1. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet Malvaceae Shrub2. Acacia caesia (L.) Willd. Leguminosae Climber3. Acampe ochracea (Lindl.) Hochr. Orchidaceae Herb4. Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Herb5. Adenanthera pavonina L. Leguminosae Tree6. Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin Cornaceae Shrub7. Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R.Br. ex DC. Amaranthaceae Herb8. Antidesma montanum Blume Phyllanthaceae Shrub

9.Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.)R.Parker Meliaceae Tree

10. Aporosa cardiosperma (Gaertn.) Merr. Phyllanthaceae Tree11. Artocarpus gomezianus Wall. ex Trécul Moraceae Tree12. Artocarpus hirsutus Lam. Moraceae Tree13. Atalantia racemosa Wight ex Hook. Rutaceae Tree14. Barringtonia racemosa (L.) Spreng. Lecythidaceae Tree15. Blumea sp. Asteraceae Herb16. Borassus flabellifer L. Arecaceae Tree17. Canthium sp. Rubiaceae Shrub18. Capparis sp. Capparaceae Shrub19. Carallia brachiata (Lour.) Merr. Rhizophoraceae Tree20. Caryota urens L. Arecaceae Tree21. Chasallia curviflora Rubiaceae Herb

22.Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King &H.Rob. Asteraceae Herb

23. Cinnamomum verum J.Presl Lauraceae Tree24. Combretum latifolium Blume Combretaceae Climber25. Connarus wightii Hook.f. Connaraceae Climber


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26. Curcuma oligantha Trimen Zingiberaceae Herb27. Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae Herb28. Dalbergia horrida (Dennst.) Mabb. Leguminosae Climber29. Derris sp. Leguminosae Climber30. Diospyros malabarica (Desr.) Kostel. Ebenaceae Tree31. Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f. Petha thajank Climber32. Entada rheedii Spreng. Leguminosae Climber33. Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Herb34. Ficus microcarpa L.f. Moraceae Tree35. Ficus benghalensis L. Moraceae Tree36. Ficus callosa Willd. Malvaceae Tree37. Ficus hispida L.f. Moraceae Shrub38. Flacourtia montana J.Graham Salicaeae Tree39. Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy Clusiaceae Tree

40.Garcinia xanthochymus Hook.f. exT.Anderson Clusiaceae Tree

41. Getonia floribunda Roxb. Combretaceae Climber42. Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) DC. Rutaceae Shrub43. Hibiscus rostellatus Guill. & Perr. Malvaceae Shrub44. Holigarna ferruginea Marchand Anacrdiaceae Tree45. Hopea ponga (Dennst.) Mabb. Dipterocarpaceae Tree46. Hygrophila auriculata (Schumach.) Heine Acanthaceae Herb47. Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. Convolvulaceae Stragglers48. Ipomoea sp. Convolvulaceae Climber49. Ixora coccinea L. Rubiaceae Shrub50. Justicia gendarussa Burm.f. Acanthaceae Herb51. Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. Anacrdiaceae Tree52. Lygodium flexuosum (L.) Sw. Lygodiaceae Fern53. Macaranga peltata (Roxb.) Müll.Arg. Euphorbiaceae Tree54. Mangifera indica L. Anacrdiaceae Tree55. Memecylon talbotianum Brandis Melastomataceae Tree56. Mimosa pudica L. Leguminosae Herb57. Mimusops elengi L. Sapotaceae Tree58. Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M.Roem. Cucurbitaceae Climber59. Mussaenda frondosa L. Rubiaceae Shrub

60.Ochreinauclea missionis (Wall. exG.Don) Ridsdale Rubiaceae Tree

61. Pandanus canaranus Warb. Pandanaceae Shrub62. Paramignya monophylla Wight Rutaceae Shrub63. Passiflora foetida L. Passifloraceae Climber


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64. Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Leguminosae Tree65. Pothos scandens L. Araceae Herb66. Pseudoeranthemum sp. Acanthaceae Herb67. Saccharum spontaneum L. Poaceae68. Salacia chinensis L. Celastraceae Shrub69.70. Sapindus emarginatus Vahl Sapindaceae Tree71. Sida acuta Burm.f. Malvaceae Shrub72. Sida rhombifolia L. Malvaceae Shrub73. Spatholobus parviflorus (DC.) Kuntze Leguminosae Climber74. Streblus asper Lour. Moraceae Shrub75. Strobilanthes ciliata T.Anderson Acanthaceae Herb76. Strychnos nux-vomica L. Loganiaceae Tree77. Syzygium caryophyllatum (L.) Alston Myrtaceae Tree78. Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Myrtaceae Tree79. Uvaria narum A.DC. Annonaceae Climber80. Vateria indica L. Dipterocarpaceae Tree81. Ziziphus rugosa Lam. Rhamnaceae Shrub

CreditsRamakrishna Marati, Udayakumar Shetty and H.S. Shenoy

Dr. Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Nisarga Dhama, Mangalore


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New species of frogs discovered in Karnataka for the year 2014

Species Details Publication detailsMicrixalus candidus A small species of torrential

perrenial stream frog discoveredfrom the Kemmannugundi forests ofBhadra Wildlife sanctuary. Found inleaf litters next to streams under theforest canopy. Distribution range isnarrow and restricted toKemmanugundi and Kottigehara.Active during day time.

Biju, S. D.; Sonali Garg, K. V. Gururaja,Yogesh Shouche and Sandeep A.Walujkar. 2014a. "DNA barcodingreveals unprecedented diversity inDancing Frogs of India (Micrixalidae,Micrixalus): a taxonomic revision withdescription of 14 new species". CeylonJournal of Science (Bio. Sci.) 43 (1): 1–87.

Micrixalus niluvasei Biju,Garg, Gururaja, Souche andWalujkar, 2014

A small species of torrentialperrenial stream frog discoveredfrom the Niluvase of Shimoga.Found in leaf litters next to streamsunder the forest canopy.Distribution range is narrow andknown from Niluvase. Active duringday time.


Micrixalus specca Biju, Garg,Gururaja, Souche andWalujkar , 2014

A small species of torrentialperrenial stream frog discoveredfrom the Charmadi Ghats. Found inboulders between the flowingstreams under the forest canopy.Distribution range is narrow andrestricted to Charmadi ghats. Thisspecies of frog is known for footflagging behaviour. Active duringday time.


Nyctibatrachus kumbaraGururaja, Dinesh, Preethiand Ravikanth 2014

A medium sized wrinkled frog,found in the slow flowing perrenialstreams of evergreen forests,discovered from the Kathlaekhanforests of Uttara Kannada.Distribution range is, known from thestreams and rivulets of the Tunga, Sharavathi,Aghanashini and Bedthi rivers in Shimoga and

Gururaja, K.V., K.P. Dinesh, G. Preetiand G. Ravikanth. 2014. Mud-packingFrog: A novel breeding behaviour andparental care in a stream dwelling newspecies of Nyctibatrachus (Amphibia,Anura, Nyctibatrachidae). Zootaxa.3796(1): 33-61.

Two new species of frogs discovered fromWestern Ghats


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Uttara Kannada. Night active frog known formale mud packing the eggs.

.Hylarana indica Biju, Garg,Mahony, Wijayathilaka,Senevirathne andMeegaskumbura, 2014

A large sized bronze frog, foundnext to perrenial streams ofevergreen forests, discovered fromthe Charmadi Ghats. Distributionrange is, known from the Aralam toDandeli. Night active frog.

Biju, S. D., S. Garg, S. Mahony, N.Wijayathilaka, G. Senevirathne, andM. Meegaskumbura. 2014b. DNAbarcoding, phylogeny and systematicsof Golden-backed frogs (Hylarana,Ranidae) of the Western Ghats-SriLanka biodiversity hotspot, with thedescription of seven new species.Contributions to Zoology. Amsterdam83: 269–335.

Credits. Dr. K. P. Dinesh

Raorchestes echinatus

Raorchestes indicus


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BMC TrainingDistrict

TaluksDate No. of

Participants

Bagalkot Badami1-09-2014

To8-09-2014

56Bagalkote 40Bilagi 65Hanagunda 50Mudol 43Jamakandi 45

Belagavi Athani 11-09-2014 124Belgaum 12-09-2014

Vijayapura Bijapur 14-10-2014 50Indi 15-10-2014 47

Dharwad Kalaghatagi 27-10-2014 41Dharwad 28-10-2014 50

Haveri Haveri 11-11-2014 41Savanur 12-11-2014 50

Gadag Shirahatti 18-11-2014 60Mundaragi 19-11-2014 65

Training programmes


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BMC Trainings

District Taluks Date No. of Participants

UttaraKannada

Siddapur 25-Nov-14 21

Yellapur 26-Nov-14 14Gulbarga Afzalpur 2-Dec-14 53

Aland 3-Dec-14 47Koppal Gangavathi 9-Dec-14 25

Kushtagi 10-Dec-14 50Raichur Devadurga 19-Dec-14 40

Lingsugur 20-Dec-14 27Yadgir

Yadgir 16-Dec-14 40

Shahpur 17-Dec-14 50

Bellary Sondur 22-Dec-14 46Kudligi 23-Dec-14 66

Bidar Bidar 29-Dec-14 43Humnabad 30-Dec-14 51

Mysooru H.D.Kote 25-Aug -14 68

K.R. Nagar 26-Aug -14 60

Mysore 27-Aug -14 70

BengaluruRural Devanahalli 09-Dec-14

48


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BMC TrainingsDistrict Taluks Date No. of Participants

BangaloreRural Doddaballapura 4-Sep-14

52

BangaloreUrban

Anekal 18-Sep-14 65

Bangalore North 19-Sep-14 69

Chikkaballapur Bagepalli 22-Sep-14 40

Chikkaballapur 23-Sep-14 20

Davanagere Channagiri 29-Sep-14 53

Davanagere 30-Sep-14 57

Kolar Bangarpet 29-Sep-14 53

Kolar 30-Sep-14 57

Ramanagara Channapatna 29-Oct-14 52

Kanakpura 10-Dec-14 60

Chamarajnagar Chamrajnagar11-Nov-14 63

Gudlupet13-Nov-14 54

Shivamogga Bhadravathi 14-Nov-14 45

Hosanagara 15-Nov-14 51


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District Taluks Date No. of Participants

Tumkur Chikkanayakanahalli 21-Nov-14 30

Gubbi 22-Nov-14 47

Chitradurga Hiryuru 12-Nov-14 53

Holalkere 13-Nov-14 58

Chikkamagalur Chikkamagalur 25-Nov-14 75

Kadur 26-Nov-14 81

DakshinaKannada

Bantwala 2-Dec-14 63

Belthangadi 3-Dec-14 87

MandyaK.R.Pet 5-Dec-14 68

Maddur 6-Dec-14 80

Hassan Alur 16-Dec-14 34

Arkalgud 17-Dec-14 56

Udupi Karkala 19-Dec-14 50

Kundapura 20-Dec-14 60

Madikeri 22-Dec-14 45

Somwarpet 23-Dec-14 64


17

Photographs:

1. BMC training at Bijapur taluk , Bijapur district.2. BMC training at Haveri taluk , Haveri district3. BMC training at Savanur taluk , Haveri district4. BMC training at Mundaragi taluk, Gadag district5. BMC training at Shirahatti taluk, Gadag district6. BMC training at Kudligi taluk, Bellary district

1 2

3 4

5 6


18

District Level Trainings

Sl. No Date Districtparticipated

Venue of themeeting

Participants

1 5-Sep-14 Bangalore Urban,Bangalore rural,Kolar, Ramnagar,Tumkur,Chikkaballapurdistricts.

Bangalore ZPmeeting hall

District Level LinedepartmentOfficials

2 8-Sep-14 Shimoga,Chikamagalore &Davanagere

Shimoga ZPmeeting hall

3 12-sep-14 Mysore, Mandya,Chamrajnagar,Hassan

Mysore ZP meetinghall

4 16-sep-14 Mangalore, Udupi,Kodagu

Mangalore ZPmeeting hall

5 19-Sep-14 Belgaum, Bagalkot,Bijapur

Belgaum ZPmeeting hall

6 23-Sep-14 Gulbarga, Raichur,Bidar, Yadgir

Gulbarga ZPmeeting hall

7 26-Sep-14 Bellary, Koppal,Chitradurga

Bellary ZP meetinghall

8 30-Sep-14 Dharwad, HaveriGadag, Karwar

Dharwad ZPmeeting hall


19

PBR Coordinators workshopsSl. No Date District

participatedVenue of themeeting

Participants

1 07-08-2014 Dharwad,Belgaum, Gadag,Koppal,Gulbarga,Bidar,Bijapur, Yadgir,Raichur,Bagalkot

BagalkotHorticultureCollege

Coordinators ofthe respective

districts

2 11-08-2014 Bellary, Haveri,Shimoga,Chitradurga,Davangere, UttarKannada

Shimoga ZPmeeting hall

3 Chickamagalore,Udupi, DakshinaKannada,Kodagu, Hassan

Hassan ZPmeeting hall

4 02-08-2014 Mandya, Mysore Mysore ZPmeeting hall

5 9-9-14 Koppal HorticultureCollege,Munirabad

6 10-9-14 Uttara Kannada Karwar


20

Taxonomy trainingDate: 3rd December, 2014

Venue: Department of BotanyKarnataka University (Dharwad)

Participants: Students from Botany and Zoology,

Training conducted in the Department of Botany, Karnataka University (Dharwad)

on 3rd December, 2014. Mr. Agnihothri, District Forest Officer, Dharwad and Prof. S. N.

Agadi, Karnataka University (Dharwad) coordinated the training programme. 50

Participants from Life Sciences attended the program. The seminar was delivered by Dr.

Ramakrishna and Dr. Jairaju on Biodiversity, its conservation and Taxonomy aspects

respectively. Mr. Niranjan R delivered the lecture on PBR, Biodiversity Acts and Rules.

Inauguration of the training

2.


21

Biodiversity Awareness creation moduledisplay at Science express- BiodiversitySpecial. Dharwad

9th to 12th December 2014

Science Express is a unique science exhibition mounted on a 16-coach AC train. It has been travelling acrossIndia successfully for the past six years. Flagged off on 30 October 2007 by the then Hon'ble Prime Minister ofIndia, Dr. Manmohan Singh and German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, the exhibition train has since coveredover 1,00,000 km across the country, receiving more than 1.09 crore visitors at its 335 halts, in 1205 exhibitiondays. Science Express has thus become the largest, the longest running and the most visited mobile scienceexhibition in India and has created six Limca Book of Records in its journey so far. From 2007 to 2011 the trainwas running as 'Science Express’ displaying the world of micro and macro cosmos, spreading the awarenessabout strengths of science in meeting global challenges, including latest discoveries and innovations in the fieldof modern science. In the year 2012, Science Express was redesigned on the theme ‘Biodiversity’ and since thenit has been running as ‘Science Express Biodiversity Special’.

Karnataka Biodiversity Board participation

Display modules were prepared to create awareness among the schoolchildren about the biodiversity ofKarnataka. Multicolor posters were prepared about biodiversity conservation, Biodiversity ManagementCommittees, Peoples Biodiversity Registers and were displayed inside and outside of the train. One of the majorprogram of Karnataka Biodiversity Board, The online “Biodiversity Atlas of Karnataka” was also introduced tothe schoolchildren and the general audience at the venue (See photograph below). The displays were largelyappreciated by the audience.


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Karnataka Biodiversity BoardGround Floor, Vana Vikasa 18th cross,

Malleshwaram. Bangalore 560003Telephone: 080-23448783 FAX: 080-23440535

E-mail: [email protected]: www.kbb.kar.nic.in

karnataka biodiversity board biodiversity … volume(4...biodiversity newsletter issue #...

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