Recent biodiversity survey in Silent Valley National Park, Kerala, has led to the discovery of six new species of dragonflies and damselflies, further highlighting the park’s ecological richness. Conducted from 10 to 12 October, the survey recorded 83 odonate species in three days, raising the park’s total odonate count to 109 species.
Jointly organised by Silent Valley National Park and the Society for Odonate Studies, the survey covered 12 campsites with participation from 37 volunteers and forest staff. The newly recorded species include Long Legged Clubtail, Fraser’s Torrent Hawk, Dark Daggerhead, Blue-necked Reedtail, Wayanad Torrent Dart, and Black and Yellow Bambootail — each thriving in unique microhabitats across the park.
Experts note that many of these species are endemic to the Western Ghats and rely on specific freshwater ecosystems. The presence of species like Protosticta mortoni, Indosticta deccanensis, and Caconeura gomphoides underscores Silent Valley’s role as a refuge for rare and high-elevation odonates. Additionally, three species from the genus Euphaea, known indicators of freshwater purity, confirm the excellent water quality of the park’s streams.
Odonates are vital bioindicators of environmental health, and monitoring their diversity helps assess ecosystem stability and pollution levels. This was the fourth odonate survey since 2019, with another planned next year to deepen understanding of the park’s biodiversity.
The findings reinforce Silent Valley’s global importance as a biodiversity hotspot and the success of ongoing conservation efforts by forest officials and researchers.
