img
Travancore Nature History Society

About Us

img

Our Expertise and Services

Biodiversity Assessment and Faunal Expeditions
blog

Since its inception in 2010, the Travancore Nature History Society(TNHS), has been working in close collaboration with various Research Institutions, Governmental departments like State Forest Departments,and NGOs. We have been instrumental in preparing the inventories of fauna including Mammals, Birds, Butterflies, Reptiles, Amphibians,Ants and Odonata of major Protected Areas of Kerala through scientifically structured biodiversity surveys.The Management plans of Kerala Forest Department of Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Munnar Wildlife Division(Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi Shola National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pampadum Shola National Park, Kurinjimala Sanctuary), Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary,Thattaekkad Bird Sanctuary have benefitted from our meticulous field-work and scientific reports.We have also given research reports that were useful for the management of Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pong Dam region inWe have also given research reports that were useful for the management of Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary, Pong Dam region in Western Himalayas, Cauvery, Nilgiris, Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Meghamalais and Aaralam, Silent Valley and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries in southern India as well. We have to date discovered and published more than a dozen new species to science from the Western Ghats.Western Himalayas, Cauvery, Nilgiris, Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Meghamalais and Aaralam, Silent Valley and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries in southern India as well. We have to date discovered and published more than a dozen new species to science from the Western Ghats.In addition, we have been conducting Marine biodiversity assessments and surveys for Marine Turtle conservation along the SouthIndian coasts.

Scientific documentation and taxonomy
blog

Scientific publication of Biodiversity data is a primary mandate of the organisation. We have been constantly publishing our research findings, which include Biodiversity inventories and numerous scientific papers on Natural History in various peer-reviewed journals of international repute. We have so far described 27 hitherto unknown species to science from Southern Western Ghats like Dolichogenidea kunhii-a wasp species from Achankovil. TNHS odonate research group (TORG) is involved in discovery and description of maNy new dragonflies and damselflies like Protosticta ponmudiensis, Cyclogomphus flavoannulatus, Euphaea thosegharensis Sadasivan & Bhakare, 2021, Euphaea pseudodispar Sadasivan & Bhakare, 2021, Protosticta francyi Sadasivan, Vibhu, Nair & Palot, 2022, and Protosticta anamalaica Sadasivan, Nair & Samuel, 2022.Pomponia pseudolinearis Sadasivan, 2021, Sahyaterpnosia laevospina Sadasivan & Sarkar 2023, and Purana cheveeda Sadasivan & Sarkar 2023, are the new species of cicadas we described. Nacaduba sinhala ramaswamii Sadasivan, 2021 and Caltoris bromus sadasiva Sadasivan & Kunte 2023, are the new butterflies that we discovered. The TNHS ant research group (TARG) has described 4 new species of ants from the Western Ghats Tyrannomyrmex alii Sadasivan & Kripakaran, 2017, Zasphinctus sahyadriensis Sadasivan & Kripakaran, 2022, Vollenhovia keralensis Sadasivan & Kripakaran, 2022, and Proceratium gibbosum Sadasivan & Kripakaran, 2022. With respect to heretofauna Sitana attenbroughii- a new species of fan-throated lizard from coastal Kerala, and nine new species of Bushfrogs from Raorchestes genus; all endemic to The Western Ghats were described from the region. Our research reports have been used by various departments like the forest and wildlife department, Biodiversity boards and Research institutions that work in biodiversity and sustainable development.

Nature education, outreach and capacity building
blog

We have been conducting Nature education programs like photo exhibitions, quiz programmes and nature awareness classes in schools and colleges. We have contributed lots of photographs and data to the Kerala forest department for various activities like the preparation of brochures, calendars, signboards and educational materials and are continuing to do so as exemplified in Munnar Wildlife Division, Thattaekkad and Shendurney WLS. We conduct training sessions for the public as well as students on topics like bird watching, butterfly watching, wildlife photography, butterfly gardening, soft skills and language for ecotourism, taxonomy of butterflies, odonates, ants and other ecologically important invertebrates Hands-on training for ant taxonomy was conducted for the forest and wildlife department and research students. Wildlife photo exhibitions are regularly conducted for schools on the biodiversity of Western Ghats. Our members are active in science communication to the community via various articles and publications in periodicals. We have published numerous articles in various nature magazines and have authored books for the public.

img

Organisational Structure