FLAGSHIP OF THE HIGHLANDS

The Nilgiri tahr inhabits the cliffs and slopes of the shola-grassland ecosystems of the higher reaches
of the Western Ghats. Once abundant throughout its range, the tahr fell victim to hunting and
habitat loss, mainly the conversion of vast tracts of montane grasslands into tea estates and other
plantations. Like forests, grasslands are unique ecoSystems with many such endemic and endangered
species. A few tahr populations have recovered due to the effective protection of some large tracts of
grassland.
The Nilgiri tahr is closely related to a species found in the temperate Himalaya (the Himalayan tahr).
Many other plants and animals in the Western Ghats have close relatives in the Himalayas due to
connectivity between the regions during cooler glacial periods.

ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS

Hornbills are large, charismatic birds of the rainforest with a distinctive hard bony 'casque' above
their bill. Their role as ecosystem engineers is critical. Largely frugivorous  hornbills feed on a variety
of fruiting species, especially figs. They disperse ripe fruit away from the parent trees and help in the
regeneration of rainforest trees. Hornbills are considered as keystone species, indispensable to the
functioning of ecoystems.

WESTERN GHATS , A HIDDEN TREASURE OF LIFEFORMS .......... A BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT

The Western Ghats or Sahyadri, a chain of mountains running along the western coast of southern
India, is one of the world’s eight ‘hottest’ hotspots of diversity. A large number of its species are
endemic i.e. found nowhere else in the world. These ecosystems are irreplaceable as reservoirs of a
large number of endangered species and for the many critical services they provide. For example, all
major rivers in southern India originate in the Western Ghats, making it invaluable as a source of
water. Since it is one of the most densely populated biodiversity hotspots in the world, conservation
strategies must strike a balance between people’s needs and protection of natural resources.

IS THE SUN GETTING CLOSER TO OUR EARTH ?????????????????

                     Our planet is getting hotter and hotter, i think. This make me think whether distance between earth and sun is getting shorter day by day, This won't benefit our earth but rather will harm our earths dynamics. This can cause destruction to our fauna, mostly to the the group of organisms which depend on temperature for their physiological needs.It's scientifically proved that most of the reptiles including our crocodiles may get harmed because of this reason as the egg hatching and the gender determination depends mainly on temperature. Surprisingly  flowering schedule of most of the trees with a classic example, our
Cassia fistula started flowering early. what's actually happening to our earth. Were will this end........................................

I AM INTERESTED IN SNAKES

 Trimeresurus macrolepis  

            by: Malik chettan

 

BECAME A TEACHER FOR ONE HOUR.....

Being a scientist at the same time a professor is an aim which i wish to achieve in my life. Fortunately i got an opportunity to take a class in front of my junior friends and that too in an interesting subject. On 27th February, 2010 i took a presentation on the 'Figs(ficus species) in my campus'. I think i did it my best. It gave me great satisfaction and also confidence that i can do more better next time......................

ME AND DENDROLOGY

During my course DENDROLOGY  in the first semester , i was learning things which i feared to learn before.
Scientific names of trees, its family, its characters and all. But by the time the course end , something miracle was happening. I was studying the names with the ease of studying a new language. Our course teacher Gopakumarsir  took it beautifully. The course gave me some basic ideas on common trees seen in forests and around us.

KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY MAIN CAMPUS, SUPER PLACE FOR BIRD WATCHING.

     It was during the 'Birdrace' on 2008 , i for the first time in my life looked a bird close using a binocular and that too in my campus. It was a new experience which i feel till today. It give an interest in me to know more birds in and out of my campus. After that i have been to many places , came across many interesting birds, but first experience was the best. More than 150 species is reported from our campus. There are migratory species of birds, who come to our campus for fun and food, for breeding and all. Sad full thing is that many species which were said to be reported very before are no seen now including unconfirmed reporting of frogmoth.

NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR HERPETOFAUNA

After coming to 'College Of Forestry' i start thinking of being a taxonomist, and too studying about our hepetofauna.Actually being with two outstanding personalities gave this interest to me.One was Dr.E Kunjikrishnan sir, who is the professor and head of the zoology department in the Kerala university main college, Thiruvananthapuram. A person whom i wish to be with me when i go to a forest.A person whom i wish to be my roll-model in the field of studying the life forms around us and conserving it. The other was a friend from Mysore, Vivek Philip, who is doing his BSc degree in zoology. Actually he is the person who introduced me to the field of herpetofauna. The first person who told me about the book 'Fauna Of British India, reptiles and amphibians . This all happened during a butterfly census at Wayanad forest. Now i concentrate on reptiles. There is lot to discover, more new data to collect. I know that taxonomy is a very difficult area which should be done seriously. I dream that lot new will be revealed in the coming days...........

' GOOD SCIENCE = BAD CONSERVATION' Is this equation true?

Whenever i tried to think of this, it end in a truly confused stage.
its truly contradictory.
I think, as far as the branch of science 'TAXONOMY' is concerned, specimen collection is a must and so its against conservation. But the question then arises is, ' Instead of specimen collection, why dont we go for techniques like photography and all?
yes, its also right.

WHAT WILL BE THE ANSWER