ReptileIndia and AmphibianIndia

KMTR, Tamilnadu in April 2012

Where : Kalakkad Mudanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamilnadu

Why it is important : Kalakkad Mudanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) lies about 45 kms from Tirnulveli town in Southern Tamil Nadu, bordering Kerala. It’s the southern end of the Western Ghats, a bidoversity hotspot, in the Ashambu hills of Agasthyarmali Range. This range is a part of a larger Agasthyarmalai Biosphere Reserve and characterized by numerous river systems.

KMTR has at least 150 endemic plants, 33 fish, 37 amphibian, 81 reptiles, 273 bird and 77 mammal species. It is home to some endemic species of Snakes like Hump nosed pit viper (Hypnale hypnale), Large scaled pit viper (Trimeresurus macrolepis), Gunther’s vine snake (Ahaetulla dispar), etc, lizards and agamids like Calotes andamanensis, Flying lizard (Draco), Large scaled forest lizard (Calotes grandisquamis) and many amphibians like Kalakkad tree frog (Rhacophorus calacadensis), chalazode’s bubble-nest frog (Raorchestes chalazodes), Stream frogs (Micrixalus fuscus) etc.

Who is organizing : DiversityIndia in association with ATREE.

ButterflyIndia

Mishmi Hills, Arunachal Pradesh, 2012

Where : Mishmi Hills, Arunachal Pradesh

Why it is important : Much of the Mishmi Hills falls under the Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh. The Dibang Valley district is named after the Dibang River - one of the key tributaries of the Brahmaputra River. The Dibang originates in China and flows through the length of the valley in a north-south direction. Other river systems that flow through the area include the Ithun, Ason, Chipu, Aba, Iphi, Sisiri, Datung, and the Deopani River.

The Dibang Valley district is divided into Lower and Upper Dibang Valley. The headquarters of the two districts are Roing and Anini respectively. Roing is in the plains close to the Lohit River. Anini is at an elevation in the mountains and is close to the China border. The Valley is bounded on the north by China, on the East by the Lohit district and McMohan Line, on the west by the Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh and on the south by the Tinsukia district of Assam. The district rises from the Himalayan foothills to the middle ranges with the highest point of Mayodia Pass at a height of 2655 meters. Snow-capped peaks, turbulent rivers, deep valleys, and abundance of rich flora & fauna are the main features of the district. The district is well known for its large cover of thick green forest, which clothes about 82% of the area.

Who is organizing : DiversityIndia in association with NatureMates.