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Context: Nearly 450 species of birds, odonates, butterflies, arachnids and mammals were documented during the annual faunal survey held recently in Shendurney wildlife sanctuary.

Details:

• Many species were recorded for the first time in the protected area to enhance its faunal diversity.

Butterfly:

• As many as 165 butterfly species including Western Ghat endemics like the Malabar Raven, Malabar banded swallowtail, Red-disc Bushbrown, Sahyadri Grass Yellow, Golden Tree-flitter, and Travancore evening Brown, were documented.
• Rare species such as Small palm bob, Purple spotted flitter, Ramaswami’s Six Lineblue, and Shiva Sunbeam, were also spotted. The latest count of butterfly species in the sanctuary now stands at 266.

Birds:

• The survey also recorded 155 species of birds. These included the Great Indian Hornbill, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Wayanad Laughing Thrush, River Tern, Small Pratincole, Brown Headed Barbet, Great Eared Nightjar, Ashambu Laughing thrush, Bourdillon’s Blackbird, Ashambu Sholakili, and Square Tailed Bulbul.
• The nesting of Legge’s Hawk Eagle and the Lesser Fishing Eagle was recorded. With this survey, the number of bird species in the sanctuary rose to 281.

Odonates:

• Thirty-one species of odonates including Lestes concinus, Rhyothemis triangularis, Aciagrion approximans krishna and Orthetrum triangularewere sighted by the participants of the survey as the total number of dragonfly and damselfly species have increased to 115.

Reptiles:

• Reptiles such as Travancore Pit viper, Hump-nosed pit viper, Travancore tortoise, and bush-frogs like Raorchestes chalazodes and Raorchestes beddomii were also recorded. In addition, the participants also recorded 25 species of spiders, 35 species of ants, five species of cicadas and mammals like tigers, gaurs, elephants, sambar deers, and sloth bears.

About:

• Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollam is a beautiful natural haven located in Southern Kerala.
• It was established in 1984 and covers a total area of 171 sq. km.
• It is the only wildlife sanctuary in the district and is renowned for its biodiversity and beauty.
• Irrigation in Kollam and Pathanamthitta districts is taken care of by the Parappar Dam that was built across the Shendurney River.
• One comes across a rare tree species called Chenkurunji (Glutatravancorica) while travelling the forest.

PYQ:

Q.Which of the following are in Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve?

(a) Neyyar, Peppara and Shendurney Wildlife sanctuaries; and Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve

(b) Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Silent Valley  National Park

(c) Kaundinya, Gundla Brahmeswaram and Papikonda Wildlife Sanctuaries; and Mukurthi National Park

(d) Kawal and Sri Venkateswara Wildlife Sanctuaries; and NagarjunasagarSrisailam Tiger Reserve

Correct Answer: a

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/shendurneys-faunal-diversity-on-the-rise/article66471254.ece