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Maharashtra is wealthy with various biodiversity starting from forests, to wetland, to grassland to coast to evergreen forest and Western Ghats. A UNESCO World Heritage Web site, Western Ghats is a treasure trove of biodiversity and is acknowledged as one of many world’s eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of organic variety. It’s dwelling to greater than 30 per cent of all plant, fish, fowl, and mammal species present in India and plenty of of those species are endemic. In accordance with WWF India, 50 per cent of India’s amphibians and 67 per cent of fish species are endemic to this area. Endemism refers to any species which is completely confined to a selected geographical space and happens nowhere else on the planet.
To safeguard its biodiversity Maharashtra has 6 nationwide parks, 49 wildlife sanctuaries, and 6 conservation reserves as protected space networks (as per the India State of Forest Report, 2019). This Worldwide Day for Organic Variety 2021 (twenty second Could), we make a listing of some threatened species which might be present in North Western Ghats, Maharashtra:
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The soft-furred rat (Millardia kondana), generally known as the Sinhagad rat – These particular rats are solely present in a tiny locality within the northern Western Ghats, India. They’re nocturnal and dwell in burrows on the Sinhgad fort. They’re specialist rodents, are delicate to vary and want massive patches of grasslands, their safe habitat.
Puntius deccanensis, critically endangered and located in Katraj lake in Pune is a critically endangered species of ray-finned fish within the genus Puntius. It’s endemic to the Northern Western Ghats in India
Amboli toad (Xanthophryne tigerinus) present in Amboli – They’re brightly colored amphibians which make a seasonal look in the course of the monsoon and stay in hibernation for the remainder of the yr. It’s endemic to the Western Ghats of India and identified solely from the neighborhood of Amboli in Maharashtra
Indirana phrynoderma, a species of frog present in Tamhini, Pune – A small sized frog, the pores and skin of the again is roofed with warts of various sizes, in addition to brief glandular folds.
Pseudophilautus Amboli frog present in Amboli, Sawantwadi district, Amba forest, Kolhapur and Sindhudurg district – Medium-large sized frog (size 27–34 mm in males and 37.5-mm in females). It’s Snout pointed, snout size barely longer than eye diameter.
Abutilon Ranadei is likely one of the critically endangered plant species of the Western Ghats. It’s present in 4 districts of Maharashtra State. This endangered species was named after N. B. Ranade who was the keeper of the Herbarium on the Faculty of Science, Pune. It’s a shrub 3-5 ft tall characterised by 2 inch lengthy bell-like hanging golden yellow flowers. The 5 petals are 4 cm lengthy, orange yellow, veined with purple.
As confirmed by Dr. Mandar Datar, Researcher at Agharkar Analysis Institute, Pune, “In Maharashtra’s Sahyadri Ranges, we discover 181 endemic flowering vegetation.”
Euphorbia panchganiensis – Succulent herb, with irregular tuberous to cylindrical root inventory. It’s present in south western plateau, close to Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar, Satara District, Maharashtra State.
Dr. Raju Kasande (Ornithologist) Assistant Director, conservation schooling, Bombay Pure Historical past Society (BNHS) said- “Endemic species play an important function for ecological stability. Most biodiversity campaigns concentrate on well-known or lovely animals and vegetation. However the lesser engaging species want extra care as their ecological significance is usually neglected. Endemism is extraordinarily essential and is a nationwide heritage. It must be given utmost precedence. We must always work in direction of defending pure habitats which is the one refuge for endemic species. BNHS has labored in conservation of Flamingos in Thane creek by means of neighborhood participation. We’ve got additionally developed a butterfly backyard in 10,000 sq ft space with 125+ species of butterflies. We really feel conservation of endangered species must be everybody’s duty.”
Sharing related ideas, Dr. Aparna Watve, (Botanist) ICUN Western Ghats Plant Specialist, Pink checklist coordinator mentioned, “Presently our conservation work is targeted on mapping the habitats of endemic species and figuring out their environmental wants. We largely discover them in open plateaus and grasslands of Konkan, Vidarbha and many others. We aren’t confining our work to figuring out threats; we’re additionally working with the forest division and locals, and creating speedy options for his or her conservation by authorized in addition to neighborhood oriented means. Organizations in Maharashtra equivalent to Shashvat in Bhimashankar, Navrosji Godrej Institute and many others. are working collectively for conservation and development of endemic vegetation by means of ecological restoration. Conservation Tourism can also be an rising idea. Prefer it occurred in Kaas Plateau, we will establish extra locations for tourism and sensitize them about endemic species. We’re additionally attempting to make propagation by way of nurseries, in order that the species final lengthy within the battle of survival. Why go overseas to see what’s already right here within the State?”
The State authorities has earmarked an space at Amboli in Western ghats in Sindhudurg district, the Glory of Allapalli in Gadchiroli district, Landor Khori Park in Jalgaon, Ganesh Khind in Pune, and Myristica swamp vegetation in Sindhudurg district as biodiversity heritage websites.