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CONSERVATION OF CRITICAL FRESHWATER FISH HABITATS IN THE SOUTHERN WESTERN GHATS
Background
With over 290 species, of which 189 are endemic and 97 under various threat categories, the freshwater fish fauna of Western Ghats Hotspot is one of the richest, unique and threatened in the tropical world. The endemism is also just not restricted to the species level, as there are at least 12 genera of freshwater fish that are unique to the region. The rivers flowing through the Kerala region of the Western Ghats not only harbour the most number of endemic and restricted range fish species but also the maximum number of threatened species. At least 39 species of freshwater fish are endemic to the state of Kerala, of which 25 (64%) are threatened including 9 species listed as Vulnerable; 14 species listed as Endangered and 2 species listed as Critically Endangered. These include 16 single river endemics and 19 single location endemics. Based on the data generated from the IUCN Freshwater Biodiversity Assessments, eleven irreplaceable sites (harbouring point endemics) have been identified for freshwater fishes in the Kerala region of Western Ghats. These include 4 Protected Areas, 1 Reserve Forest and 6 areas without any protection. In addition to the eleven irreplaceable sites, four potential Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) sites have also been identified.
The Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE), a joint initiative of biodiversity conservation organizations from around the world, aims to prevent extinctions by identifying and safeguarding key sites, each one of which is the last remaining refuge of one or more Endangered or Critically Endangered species. The concept of AZE was embraced at the recent CBD CoP 10 at Nagoya, Japan and listed as one of the priorities for conserving threatened biodiversity around the world. The Indian Alliance for Zero Extinction (Indian AZE) represented by Zoo Outreach Organization (ZOO) has currently identified 19 AZE sites http://www.zeroextinction.org/sitesspecies.htm and is currently evaluating, and including an additional 40 sites (including those for freshwater fishes). The four AZE sites identified for freshwater fish species within Kerala region of Western Ghats together hold the key to the recovery of eleven globally threatened species, currently subjugated to threats including habitat loss, over-harvest, pollution, alien invasive species and unmanaged tourism. One of these regions is a National Park and Project Tiger Reserve, the second site is a Reserve Forest and the remaining two sites are currently without any level of legal protection.
The Project
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), a global program that provides grants to non-governmental organizations to protect biodiversity hotspots with the participation and involvement of civil society, has recently funded an 18 months project for conserving critical freshwater fish habitats in the Southern Western Ghats to the Conservation Research Group (CRG) at St. Albert’s College, Kochi.
The main aim of the proposed project is to develop and implement conservation actions at two of the most critical AZE sites (1) Periyar National Park and (2) Santhampara Hills, within the Periyar Agasthyamalai corridor through an integrated approach of awareness, capacity building, monitoring and policy interventions. These two AZE sites together hold the only remaining populations of eight globally threatened species including three species listed as Vulnerable (Nemacheilus menoni, N. periyarensis, Garra periyarensis) four species listed as Endangered (Lepidopygopsis typus, Crossocheilus periyarensis, Homaloptera santhamparaiensis, Hypselobarbus periyarensis), one species listed as Critically Endangered (Horalabiosa arunachalami), as well as two recently described species which are yet to be assessed for their conservation status (Garra mlapparaensis and Homaloptera silasi). The project also envisages the creation of a community/conservation reserve for threatened freshwater fishes in the Santhampara Hills.
CONSULTATION WORKSHOP
09/03/2012
Hotel Mascot, Thiruvananthapuram
TENTATIVE PROGRAMME
1000-1005: INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Benno Pereira, Director, Conservation Research Group, St. Albert’s College, Kochi
1010-1040: FRESHWATER FISHES OF KERALA: CONSERVATION CHALLENGES & INTRODUCTION TO THE CEPF-AZE PROJECT
Rajeev Raghavan, Fellow & Associate Director, Conservation Research Group, St. Albert’s College, Kochi
1045-1115: ALLIANCE FOR ZERO EXTINCTION (AZE) AND ITS ROLE IN THE CONSERVATION OF THREATENED TAXA OF WESTERN GHATS
Sanjay Molur, Executive Director, Zoo Outreach Organization (ZOO), Coimbatore & Founder Coordinator of the Indian Alliance for Zero Extinction (InAZE)
Tea Break
1130-1200: CHALLENGES FOR CONSERVING FRESHWATER FISHES IN THE PROTECTED AREAS OF KERALA
B. S. Corrie IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests - Development and Planning, Department of Forests and Wildlife, Government of Kerala
1205-1235: CHALLENGES FOR CONSERVATION OF ENDEMIC FISHES OF THE PERIYAR TIGER RESERVE
B. Madhusoodana Kurup, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (KUFOS), Panangad, Kerala
1235-1325: Lunch
1330-1400: CHALLENGES FOR CONSERVATION OF ENDEMIC FISHES OF THE SANTHAMPARA HILLS
M. Arunachalam, Professor and Head, Sri Paramakalyani Center for Environmental Sciences, MS University, Alwarkurichi
1405-1435: tbc
Sanjayan Kumar, Deputy Director, Periyar Tiger Reserve
1440-1510: THE ROLE OF LAKE PROTECTION FORUMS AND FISH SANCTUARIES AS A CONSERVATION TOOL
K. Krishnakumar, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE), Bangalore
Tea Break
1520-1620: POTENTIAL FOR AND CHALLENGES IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMUNITY AND CONSERVATION RESERVES [KADALUNDI, IDUKKI, ANAMALAI EXPERIENCES]
1. Arun Kanagavel, Research Fellow, Wildllife Information and Liaison Development (WILD), Coimbatore
2. Mohammed Kunhi, Scientist, Malabar Botanical Gardens, Calicut
3. C.P. Shaji, Principal Scientific Officer, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Trivandrum
1630-1745: DISCUSSIONS
1745-1845: MEETING OF THE INDIAN ALLIANCE FOR ZERO EXTINCTION (INAZE)
1900: WORKSHOP DINNER