In an effort to spotlight the rich yet overlooked reptile diversity of the northern Western Ghats, the Mhadei Research Center, on Friday, April 17, has unveiled a new poster titled ‘Some Endemic Snakes of Northern Western Ghats of India’.
This initiative by the Mhadei Research Center aims to raise awareness about lesser-known snake species endemic to the Sahyadri ranges, a region globally recognised for its ecological significance. The northern Western Ghats, spanning parts of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, are considered a biodiversity hotspot, home to species found nowhere else in the world.
Awareness about 18 uncommon snake species
The newly released poster focuses on 18 such endemic and uncommon snake species found across the Sahyadris, covering key landscapes in Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.
These include protected areas such as Mollem National Park in Goa, Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka and Tillari Conservation Reserve in Maharashtra, along with other crucial habitats like Mhadei, Netravali, Bhimgad, Sharavti and Cotigao wildlife sanctuaries, and biodiversity-rich pockets such as Chorla, Amboli, Dodamarg and Karwar.
Nirmal Kulkarni, herpetologist and director of the Mhadei Research Center, while briefing about reptile awareness, said, “Endemism refers to species that are restricted to a particular geographical region and are not found elsewhere. These snakes are an important part of the ecosystem but often remain overlooked.”
He added, “This poster is a first step towards acknowledging the diversity that exists in these landscapes. We have included only 18 species that currently require urgent conservation attention.”
The poster forms part of a wider awareness campaign and will be distributed across educational institutions, forest department offices, local panchayats and among snake rescuer networks.
Supported by the Upadhaya Foundation, the project is the outcome of a year-long survey focusing on snake diversity and human-snake interactions in the region. Photographs featured in the poster have been contributed by Nirmal Kulkarni, Vikas Kumar, Daimler Pereira and Suchismita Sahu.