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Herpetological Research and
Conservation Initiative
The Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot has been poorly explored
scientifically to evaluate its herpetofauna (Amphibians and Reptiles).
Though herpetofauna has been a subject of interest since the British
colonial period by few British officials and scientists, it never received
the desired attention. The northeast Indian hills and the Eastern Himalayas
are considered to have tremendous diversity of herpetofauna. This is
understandable through recent works on herpetofauna on the other side of
the Indian border, i.e. Myanmar and south China. Being biogeographically
similar, the region has many species to report, which are known from
Myanmar and south China. Recent studies by few individual scientists have
shown that the knowledge on diversity of this group is too low, as several
new species have been described or being described. Further, a number of
species of herpetofauna have been reported as 'new record' for the country.
The following map represents the current
herpetofauna research sites in North East India-
Objectives
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To determine the diversity of the herpetofauna of the region and mapping
their distribution using GIS tools.
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To conduct research on natural history of selected species of
conservation concern.
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To solve the taxonomic problems associated with the group using
morphological taxonomy as well as advanced tools like molecular taxonomy.
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Evaluate the conservation status of the herpetofauna and propose their
conservation and management action plan to managers and policymakers.
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To educate the common people about the role of herpetofauna in the
environment and need for their conservation.
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To build the capacity of a new generation of herpetologists to meet the
future challenges in herpetology.
  
Projects completed
- Inventory and Natural History of
Amphibians of Orang National Park, Assam.
- Diversity, Distribution and Conservation
Status of Herpetofauna of the Kaziranga National Park, Assam. (more...)
- Evaluation of Conservation Status and
Distribution of Poorly Known Endemic Amphibians of Northeast India.
- A Preliminary Investigation on the
Diversity of Herpetofauna of the Sacred Groves in Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.
<link to page>
Salient results of the Research Conducted in
North East India on Herpetofauna-
Barail
Herpetofauna Project:
(To download this poster, please
click here)
 
In the first year of study, field surveys covered the lower
elevations of the hill range mainly in and around the newly declared Barail
Wildlife sanctuary of Assam. A total of 64 species of Herpetofauna
comprising of 43 Species of Reptiles and 23 species of Amphibians were
recorded. Among Reptiles, 24 species are Snakes, 17 species are Lizards;
and 3 species are Turtles. Barail hill range (24º 58´- 25° 50' N & 92° 50'
- 92° 52' N) of Northeast India is an important landscape of Indo-Burma
biodiversity hotspot owing to its
bridging
position between the Jaintia/Khasi and Manipur Hills of Northeast India.
This year we are planning to initiate fresh field work in hitherto un
explored mid to higher elevations (1000- 2000 m) of Barail range and
continue outreach and awareness activities for long term conservation of
Reptiles and Amphibians of Barail hill range.
Turtles and Tortoise Project, Northeast India:
Under this
project we conducted Turtle status survey at Orang National Park, Manas
National Park, Barail Wildlife Sanctuary, Mizoram state and Nongkhellym
wildlife Sanctuary of Meghalaya.
To continue
the Turtle survey work in Arunachal Pradesh we generated an additional
financial assistance from CEPF small grant program.
 
Asian Brown Tortoise
Turtles basking in Kaziranga NP
The project at
the end is expected to evaluate present status of turtles and tortoises of
Northeast India, identify viable population and habitat and propose their
conservation and management strategies.
More...
Community
Temples:
One priority of the Turtle project is to make an inventory
of the turtle fauna available at the temple ponds of Assam State. A series
of Community Temple pond were visited to gather information about turtles.
The Nagasankar Pond of Bishwanath Chariali. The temple pond is found to
contain Asperedates nigricans, Asperedetes gangeticus, Chitra indica,
and Pangsura tentoria. Other ponds visited are Madhav Dev
Namghar pond of Koliabor and Aatkheliya Namghar of Golaghat District,
sorbhog temple pond at Barpeta. Recently we evaluated the habitat
suitability of the largest temple pond of Assam-The Hajo Turtle pond.
Significant Findings:
 
Mictopholis austeniana - Rediscovery
after 100 years
Rhabdophis nuchalis
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Rhabdophis nuchalis,
a rare keelback Snake is reported from higher altitudes of Nagaland state
for the first time from India,
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Mictopholis austeniana
a monotypic endemic agamid lizard is rediscovered after a gap of 100
years from Dafla hills of Arunacha Pradesh.
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Tropidophorus assamensis,
Assamese Water Skink, a northeast endemic water Skink is reported for the
first time from Assam state.
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Key life
history informations were gathered for rare and regional endemic Skinks (Eutropis
quadricarinata) and Meghalaya endemic Dwarf agamid (Oriocalotes
palus).
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Natural
history information of many poorly known snake species like
Rhabdops bicolour, Boiga gokool, Boiga siamensis, Blythia
reticulata, Bungurus bungaroides, Oligodon dorsalis, Rhabdophis nuchalis.
Rescue and Rehabilitation of Reptiles:
Aaranyake is
working closely with the Assam forest department in Rescue and
rehabilitation of Reptiles particularly snakes from various parts of Assam.
Among the commonly rescued native Snakes are a Python molurus,
Ptyas mucosa, Coelognathus radiatus, Lycodon aulicus, Naja kaouthia and
Trimersurus albolabris. From the year 2005 a collaborative Python
rehabilitation programme is initiated at the Assam state zoo. Besides, the
herpetology division is working with zoo authorities in captive care and
husbandry of the confiscated as well as native snakes kept at newly
constructed snake house.
Awareness
and Outreach:
Python
Protobothrops jerdoni, a montane pit viper
The
herpetology division enhanced its conservation network involving D.R.
Colllege, Kokrajhar Govt.College, Birjhora Mahavidalaya, Cachar College,
B. H. College, Majuli Science Society, Kokrajhar Science College, Mizoram
University, North eastern Hill University, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust.
Gharial (Gavialis
gangeticus) Conservation Project:
The herpetology division of Aaranyak is collaborating with
Madras crocodile bank trust in initiating research project at Katerniaghat
Wildlife Sanctuary located at the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh. Through
scientific research (population dynamics, behavioural study, nesting site
viability analysis etc) and awareness programmes this project aims to
provide a basis for long term conservation of this critically endangered
Fish eating Crocodilian. This project will also produce a training film on
gharials and research/survey methods to facilitate replication of similar
gharial research and conservation programs across gharial range areas.
 
Adult
Gharial
Juvenile Gharial in Katerniaghat
Field
Guide:
They are here now, ready
for you. click for more...
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