In a significant development, a comprehensive Western Ghats’ faunal repository is set to emerge in Akurdi, situated on the campus of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), western regional centre. Housing an extensive collection of over 10,000 species, including iconic inhabitants like the Bengal monitor lizard and the lion-tailed macaque, this repository is designed to cater to students, scientists, and enthusiasts keen on exploring the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
Aparna Kalawate, a scientist from ZSI western region, expressed, “This repository, compiled after 65 years of field surveys, serves as a valuable resource for those interested in observing and learning about the diverse fauna of the Western Ghats.”
The initiative, backed by an approximate funding of Rs 10 crore and holding in-principle approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, marks the third repository for the centre. Covering the Western Ghats region spanning Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and Karnataka, ZSI has documented over 30,000 species of fauna. The repository will provide a platform to display rare and endangered animals, alongside butterflies, various frog and crab species, and other unique organisms.
“All endemic species discovered in the Western Ghats will find a place in the repository, open to the public with informative guides detailing each species,” stated Basudev Tripathi, scientist and officer in-charge at Zoological Survey of India, western regional centre. The repository, housed in a new building on the Akurdi campus, will feature a seminar hall capable of accommodating approximately 150 people.
Some of the showcased animals will be presented as stuffed specimens, while others will be preserved as wet specimens in alcohol. The repository aims to provide an immersive experience, fostering awareness and understanding of the remarkable biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
In addition to the faunal repository, ZSI has conducted an extensive study on the fauna of Pune over the years, with findings soon to be published. The organization has also collected 100 DNA barcode sequences of animals in the Western Ghats and Deccan region, aiding in identifying the animal family and ancestry of various species.
