Diversity and ecology of herpetofauna of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh : Final Report

Abstract

This study was conducted to know the status of herpetofauna even in the most protected areas such as Tiger Reserves and National Parks in India to protect the species from any local extinction. Hence, inventory and documentation of herpetofauna in protected areas becomes critical. In order to fill this lacuna, we executed systematic surveys using standard and integrated protocols to document the herpetofauna assemblage in Panna Tiger Reserve. The project was sanctioned for two years starting from 2017 to 2019 with two major seasons of monsoon, post monsoon, summers and winters) to collect data from the field. The objectives of the project are follows as:- To determine the species richness and diversity of herpetofauna in Panna Tiger Reserve. 2. To map and identify the distribution pattern of herpetofauna species with respect to their habitats and breeding sites. 3. To classify the herpetofauna community assemblage across various major habitats and to identify the species diversity, richness and evenness within the various major habitats in Panna Tiger Reserve landscape. 4. To discover and describe any potentially novel species in the region. 5. To obtain the information on species ecology and natural history. Describing ecological and behavioral interaction within species and describe novel characters which be used in species monitoring programmes. 6. To build capacity and create awareness and education amongst the various major stakeholders including forest department, officials, local villagers and students to promote conservation of herpetofauna.