Vazra Sakla Falls - A symbol of Field Conservation
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Vazra Sakla Falls - A symbol of Field Conservation

Long term surveys have helped identify and protect habitat of the critically endangered Long Billed Vulture. This habitat is the area where the Vazra Sakla falls cascade down the valley. Water from these falls is crucial for the moisture to be created near the nesting site. Monitoring this Nesting site of this species is an ongoing process.

Ichthyophis Davidi - a newly described species from the region.
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Ichthyophis Davidi - a newly described species from the region.

The new species Ichthyophis davidi is one of the largest known yellow striped caecilian from Western Ghats and is named in honor of Dr. David Gower, Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, London in recognition of his contributions to Indian caecilian studies. The common name suggested for the species is Chorla Giant striped Ichthyophis.

Achievements

1. Has succeeded to bring attention of national as well as international agencies to acknowledge the area as a Mega Biodiversity Hotspot as it is a part of the Western Ghats Range and is home to an array of biodiversity, some of which has not been catalogued by science.

2. Fieldwork carried out by herpetologists connected to the Center has described two new species of Caecilians (legless amphibians) to the world of science. The description of Mhadei caecilian and the Goa caecilian have brought this region into focus amongst the international scientific community.

3. Baseline data provided by local community member and volunteers supported by the Center have helped establish the fact that the area is a Large Cat Corridor. This has helped strengthen protection measures, ensured Government and Media attention and raised consciousness amongst the state governments of the 3 states.

4. Continuous efforts along with local birdwatchers and the researchers have helped in declaring the Mhadei Wildlife sanctuary of Goa, a part of this region as an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International and the Indian Bird Conservation network and as a proposed Tiger Reserve.

5. Revival of people’s knowledge of agro biodiversity has been carried out in a sustained manner for the village of Chorla through community participation. This ongoing process is yielding results and generating interests amongst the locals about their own biodiversity. The community has established a seasonal organic farm in this regard.

6. Awareness work with 6 villages in its 1st phase- Chorla, Mann, Kankumbi, (Karnataka), Surla and Keri (Goa) and Virdi (Maharashtra) to carry out nature education activities is on- viz- wildlife films, nature games and slide presentations and field trips and other activities are undertaken from time to time.

7. Nature educational activity for local schools, youth clubs and at religious function is undertaken on topics ranging from conservation to the menace of plastic in forest areas and climate change.

8. Has helped identify and protect habitat of the critically endangered Long Billed Vulture in the region. Monitoring this Nesting site of this species is an ongoing process.

9. Data generated from the surveys done by researchers of the Mhadei Research Center has been used as information in environment movements against large dam projects in the region, for strengthening conservation initiatives by local NGO’s.

10. The Center has emerged as a repository of scientific knowledge on the Bioregion and a database source on the Northern Western Ghats. For this collaboration with various research institutions has been reached and includes the Center for Herpetology-Chennai, Indian Herpetological Society-Pune, Western Ghats Field Station-Zoological Survey of India, Agumbe Rainforest Research station, Agumbe amongst others.

11. Has successfully conducted training programs for youth and children, ecologists and amateur wildlife enthusiasts and teachers on topics ranging from biodiversity of the Western Ghats to climate change and water conservation.

12. Has systematically catalogued and reported range extensions, new findings in behavior and issues of biodiversity conservation amongst the academic community as well as the public of 3 states of Goa Karnataka and Maharashtra and has thus reached out to a wide audience with the help and support of local communities in the region.

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