Nilambur:. A recent faunal survey conducted by the Society for Tropical Ecology and Research (STEAR) Nilambur and the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS) Trivandrum in collaboration with the Kerala Forest Department has revealed the presence of 63 new species in the Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary. Located in the Nilambur Forest Division with an area of 227.21 square kilometres this is the youngest Protected Area of the State declared in 2020 and is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The survey was conducted from March 21 to 23, using 8 basecamps spread across all the habitats of the sanctuary covering an altitudinal range of 2500 to 50 m above sea level.

A total of 63 species was added to the checklist of the region including 41 species of odonates, 6 species of butterflies, and 16 species of birds. A total of 187 species of birds were recorded in the survey, and the notable additions are the Eurasian Sparrow Hawk, White-Rumped Vulture, Blue-eared Kingfisher, Broad-tailed Grassbird, Savanna Nightjar, Jacobian Cuckoo and Long-Billed Pipit. Other interesting sightings were the state bird Great Indian Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant, Nilgiri Pipit, Crested Goshawk, Nilgiri Blackbird, Nilgiri Sholakili, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Common Rosefinch, Black and Orange Flycatcher, and Indian Nuthatch. With this data, the total number of birds reported in the region is now 239 species.

Including 6 new records, the scientific exercise documented 189 species of butterflies from the sanctuary. The additional species are Suffused Double Banded Judy, Painted Courtesan, Nilgiri Four-ring, Silver Streaked Acacia Blue, Sinhalese Five-ring, and Small Cupid. The presence of a good population of Sahyadri birdwing and Malabar Tree Nymph was noted. Other interesting sightings include Western Ghat endemic species like Red Eye Bushbrown, White Bar Bushbrown, Sahyadri Grass Yellow, and Travancore Evening Brown. The current number of butterflies at Karimpuzha is 263 species with the new additions.

The survey recorded 51 species of odonates, including 41 additions. The interesting additions are Gomphidia kodaguensis, Rhyothemis triangularis, Euphaea fraseri, and Protosticta gravelyi the current checklist of odonates of the sanctuary stands at 58 species with these additions.

The survey also recorded 141 species of moths, 4 species of cicadas, 38 species of ants, 5 species of bees, and 4 species of fish in the sanctuary. In addition to the above the survey teams encountered herds of Elephants, and Nilgiri Tahrs and noted the presence of Tigers, Leopards, Gaur, Sambhar, and Striped Necked mongoose.

"The information obtained from the survey is much more than we expected in this dry season, and we will conduct a follow-up survey after the monsoon season," said Dhanik Lal, Wildlife Warden of Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary. According to Dr Kalesh Sadasivan, Research Associate of TNHS and Member of Kerala State Biodiversity Board, "The survey has revealed the presence of several new species in the sanctuary, which highlights the importance of conservation efforts in the area." Dr Anoop Das, Associate Professor, at Mampad College and Executive Member of STEAR, said, "The survey has shown that Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot, with several rare species calling it home."

The survey team consisted of 65 members, including researchers, scientists from NGOs and Institutions from different parts of southern India like Wynter-Blyth Association Nilgiris, Green Caps, Bangalore Butterfly Club, Kerala Agricultural University, Annamalai University, Bharathiar University, NEST, SEEK, and forest officials. The exercise was coordinated by Range Officer Mr Mujeeb Rahman, Deputy Range Officers Biju AS, Amjith G, KP Abhilash, and STEAR members Subhash Pulikkal, Bernard M. Thampan, Sabari Janaki, and Brijesh Pookkottur. The data collected during the survey was compiled by Dr. Kalesh Sadasivan, Vinayan P. Nair, H Byju, and Anila V. M, at the valedictory function at Nedumkayam.