Photo Credit : Ramesh Kidangoor
The Western Ghats is one of the richest treasure troves of biodiversity on this planet, haven for moths, butterflies and other insects. Among the diverse species is the Atlas Moth, with the largest wing surface area in the world having a span reaching over 25 cm (10 in). Continue reading
The Lemon Pansy Butterfly is among the many species commonly seen in and around the open forest and grass lands of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
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Periyar Tiger Reserve is a unique habitat where nearly 2000 different species of flowering plants exist, including 515 found nowhere else. Butterflies and other uncounted insects live and maintain this wilderness as a natural wonderland. Continue reading
Cassia is a moderate sized evergreen tree widely growing in the evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of Western Ghats. One of the popular spices commonly used in the Indian diet, Cassia is generally considered inferior to Cinnamon, but is often used as its substitute. Continue reading
The impressive diversity of more than 150 butterfly species in Periyar underscores the crucial relationship between plants and animals. The Grey Pansy butterfly are one of the larger varieties found commonly in the reserve, usually near riversides and open grasslands. Continue reading
The Periyar Tiger Reserve is famous for butterflies, in fact 144 species of butterflies have been identified in this region. The Common Castor (Ariadne merrione) is a frequently sighted example.
Sandalwood (santalum album) is a small evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 metres high. This hemiparasitic tree (feeding off the roots of other plants) is found widely in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, although is considered threatened in many parts of the world. Continue reading
Mangroves are an essential element of healthy coastal environment. They provide excellent habitat for migratory birds, serve as breeding ground for many species of fishes, control pollution through natural filtration and protect the shoreline from heavy waves. The important Mangroves plants are Acanthus cillicifolious, Acrostichum aurem and Avicennia officinalis, several of which are found in Kerala. Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Continue reading
A judge is due to decide whether to authorise a fresh round of forced police evictions in Notre-Dame-des-Landes. Photograph: Jean-Sébastien Evrard/AFP/Getty Images
Alain, meet Miranda; Miranda, Alain. You both have done your part to reverse a long history of human unfriendliness to trees. Those efforts strengthen the likelihood of additional collective action:
The protesters, including farmers, locals and green politicians, argue that building a brand new airport for France’s sixth largest city, which already has an award-winning airport, is both an environmental disaster and a waste of public money during an economic crisis. Support groups have sprung up across France. Continue reading
Southern Rustic Butterflies are commonly found in Periyar’s forest areas, flying up and down and resting in shadowy places. Their wings are dark brown and yellow. Continue reading
The Red Silk Cotton is a fast growing tree growing widely in the Western Ghats forest areas. These trees can reach a height of 35-40 meters, and bear large red-orange flowers from December to March. The timber of the tree is very soft and used for making plywood and match boxes. Continue reading
The Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of India’s most famous wildlife sanctuaries. Periyar was declared a Forest Reserve in the late 19th centuary, a Wildlife Sanctuary in the 1930s and a Tiger Reserve in 1977. This land of emerald vistas, productive grasslands, orchid-studded rain forests, moss-laden trees and dripping ferns provide food and shelter to mammals, including Elephants, Tigers, Dholes, Leopards, and Wild gaur, as well as birds, amphibians and insects.
Periyar Tiger Reserve is one of the richest biodiversity pockets in the Western Ghats. Of nearly 4500 known flowering plants in the region, as many as 2000 species have been reported from Periyar itself. One fourth of these species are endemic to Southern Western Ghats.
Photo Credits: Khullood Daryanani
Giant Wood Spiders are commonly seen in the Periyar Tiger Reserve. These spiders are the largest orb weavers of India with a web diameter ranging between 3 to 4 meters. Females are larger than males and these spiders are the biggest spiders in the world.
We have been watching this website for some time now, looking for the right opportunity to link to a story of relevance to the work we do. Huge, unspoiled wilderness area? Tigers? Development threats? This article by science writer Charles Schmidt hit the spot, relevant portions excerpted below:
As Myanmar Opens to World, Fate of Its Forests Is on the Line
Years of sanctions against Myanmar’s military regime helped protect its extensive wild lands. But as the country’s rulers relax their grip and welcome foreign investment, can the nation protect its forests and biodiversity while embracing development?
…The country’s Northern Forest Complex, a 12,000-square-mile tract that runs along the border from India to China in Myanmar’s Kachin State, is home to tigers, bears, elephants, and hundreds of bird species. The heart of that forest, at nearly 8,500 square miles, is Myanmar’s Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest tiger preserve in the world. Continue reading
Although the Periyar dam reservoir had cut off the traditional migratory paths of elephants way back in 1899, four years after construction of the dam had started the world’s largest land animals had learned how to overcome the watery impediment. Entire herds, calves in tow, now routinely swim across the reservoir, presenting lucky visitors with one of Periyar’s more unforgettable and thrilling spectacles.
These trees are very common in the moist deciduous forest of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, widely growing up to 850 meters in South Indian forests. These trees bloom from August to December with flowers that are white in colour and turn to red as they fruit.
Restricted Demon Butterflies are common in forests as well as countrysides, frequently seen during the rainy season. The upper side of the wings have three small white dots and just below that a long white patch. These butterflies are drawn to flowers especially lantana. Other favorite plants are Costus specoisa, Zingiber montana and Curcuma decipiens.
Mr. Richard George from England stayed at Cardamom County and shared some of his wild life experiences from his visit to the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Click above for the video made by Australian environmental activist Miranda Gibson, who has been living on a platform in a Eucalyptus tree in Tasmania’s southern forest. She has vowed to stay there until the forests receive more protection from logging. She writes about it at Observertree:
Observer Tree needs your help!
I’ve been at the top of this tree for over 300 days now. I think it’s time for the world to know I’m here. The more people who find out and add their voice to the call for forest proteciton… the sooner we can save Tasmania’s forests and I can get down! Continue reading
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