Description

Source: TH

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context :

In February 2025,survey was conducted at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve in Palakkad. from February 6 to 9, It added 15 new species to the reserve's biodiversity checklist.

The survey recorded 206 bird species, 5 butterfly species, & 39 odonate species. Now the total number of species in the reserve is around 600.

Key Findings:

The survey also showed large mammals like elephants & leopards. It makes the rich biodiversity of the reserve even during the dry season.

New Species Added:

Bird Species: 15 new bird species, total is 302
- - Notable new addition:
    - Painted Spurfowl
    - Rufous-bellied Hawk-Eagle
    - Indian Grey Hornbill
    - Anamalai Sholakili
    - Taiga Flycatcher
    - Plain Prinia
    - Green Leaf Warbler
Butterfly Species: 5 new species, total butterfly count is 273.
- - - Notable new addition:
      - Long brand Bushbrown
      - Shot Silverline
      - Scarce Shot Silverline
      - White disc Hedge Blue
      - Palni Dart
Odonate Species: 39 species was recorded, including 3 new species. Now total is 69.
- - - New species include:
      - Brown Darner (Gynacantha dravida)
      - Parakeet Darner (Gynacantha millardi)
      - Vestalis Submontana (Montane Forest-Glory)

Other Observation:

Notable bird: Great Indian Hornbill, Ceylon Frogmouth, Lesser Fish Eagle, Shaheen Falcon
Notable butterfly: Five bar Swordtail, Spot Swordtail, Southern Birdwing, Malabar Banded Swallowtail, Sahyadri Grass Yellow
Mammals & Other Species:
- - Group of elephants, gaurs, spotted deer, & sambhar deer
  - Leopards, lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs, smooth coated otters

About Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

Location	It is situated in Palakkad & Thrissur districts, Kerala
Established	It was Declared a Tiger Reserve in 2009 under Project Tiger
Rivers	It has Parambikulam, Sholayar, & Thekkady rivers
Tribes	It has Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar, & Mala Malasar in 6 colonies
Flora	Mixed deciduous, evergreen, & semi evergreen forests, montane & marshy grasslands (vayals), teak plantations, freshwater ecosystems from 3 dams
Fauna	49 mammal species, including Bengal tigers, Asian elephants, Indian leopards, gaur, lion tailed macaques, Nilgiri marten
Endemic Species	Parambikulam Frog (Tomopterna parambikulamana), Garro surendranathanii (sucker fish)

Source: TH

UPSC Mains Practice Question:

Q.Examine the role of biodiversity survey in wildlife conservation in the context of recent addition of new species in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve.(250 words)