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Press Note: Book Release Programme:                               04 October 2008

Amphibians and Reptiles of Northeast India- A Photographic Field Guide

Herpetofauna, which includes snakes, lizards, turtles and amphibians are indispensable component of rich and healthy ecosystems. Unfortunately, they are relatively poorly studied and the fascination of the common people is often biased towards major animals such as tiger, rhino and elephant. Realization is slowly coming about the significance of herpetofauna but it may be late for some species to recover from the onslaught of habitat destruction and poaching.

Northeast India is part of a globally important ecoregions, which is also called Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. Surprisingly more than 263 species of herpetofauna live in this region. However, a bulk of this diversity is poorly known and natural history information about many species are still lacking. Still, a significant part of reptilian and amphibian diversity of this region remain to be discovered. This gap in knowledge always hinder in conservation and prioritization for conservation of the herpetofauna in this region.

This guide illustrate 92 species of herpetofauna that include 25 species of amphibians, 20 species of lizards, 25 species of snakes, 21 species (all known to occur in NE India) of freshwater turtles and tortoises and the single crocodile species-Gharial with one or more colour photographs.

This book is a pioneering one on the herpetofauna of NE India and is aimed at common people, forest department staffs and student. It is worth mentioning that conservation of any species or group of animals is impossible unless common people become aware. The book explains general introduction to reptiles and amphibians, key identification characters of each species with their distribution, natural history and conservation status in simple language along with local name of each species and presented by attractive colour photographs. This guide also deals about the amphibians and reptiles found in the region giving a general idea about them and clarifying a number of facts and fallacies. The ‘snakebite and its management’ section would be beneficial for common people and may help save lives as every year a good number of people die due to snake bite in the region. This book is definitely going to generate interest among the readers and users. Initially the book is produced in two languages- Assamese (which is being released today) and English (more comprehensive volume and in the process of printing). If needed be, this field guide will be produced in other local languages of the region.

The three authors have made a commendable job by producing such a useful guide. Mohammad Firoz Ahmed, a young herpetologist and the first author of the guide has already made his presence felt through a number of new descriptions. He has already established himself as a leading scientist on the subject and is a role model for many young people. In Abhijit Das he found a promising herpetologist to move forward the research on this poorly studied group. Both these young scientists are guided by Dr Sushil Kumar Dutta of North Orissa University, who is undoubtedly an authority on the subject.  

At a time when the herps of this region are facing severe threat due to human interferences in the ecosystems, from destruction of habitat to use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and illegal trade and killing, this book would be able to awaken the common people about their importance. Being a pictorial guide, perhaps first for the region that too in a regional language, it is going to be of high value. The book is also going to be available at moderate price as its production cost has been subsidized by the World Bank and the Conservation Leadership Programme and Aaranyak.

The Book was released on 4^th October 2008 by Mr. B. B. Hagjer, Commissioner of Forests, Govt. of Assam in presence of Mr. S. Doley, PCCF (Forests) and Mr. M. C. Malakar PCCF (Wildlife) and other dignitaries present in the state level function of the 53d Wildlife Week at the Rabindra Bhavan, Guwahati.

Copy of this photographic field guide is available at Aaranyak and can be collected from-

50, Samanwoy Path, Survey, Beltola, Guwahati- 781028, Assam, India, email: info@aaranyak.org

M Firoz Ahmed speaking on the occasion of release of the field guide

© Aaranyak 2001-2008, Email:info@aaranyak.org