COCHIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY: August 2011

Regd. Office: Revathi Bhavan, Edathala P O, ALUVA-683561. Reg.No.: ER 18/10 of 2010 Telephone No.: 0484-2837414 Email:cochinnaturalhistorysociety@gmail.com

WELCOME TO THE COCHIN NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

The Cochin Natural History Society is a non-profit making, non-political charitable institution registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955. This is a society of amateur naturalists who live in harmony with nature and seek to protect and to preserve the biodiversity and healthy natural environment. The mandate of the society is to undertake studies and documentation of biodiversity around us and to draw attention to the aesthetic, economic, scientific and conservation aspects.The society also intends to provide a platform to those who are concerned to come together and share, enlarge and correct our knowledge about Nature and its magnificence. Any person, who has a love, interest and commitment towards conservation of our biodiversity and natural history may become a member of the society*.

"You can know the names of a bird in all languages of the world,but when you are finished ,
You will know absolutely nothing whatever about the bird.....
So let`s look at the bird and see what it`s doing --that`s what counts.
I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something."

-Nobel Laureate Richard P Feynman(1918-1988)

Indian Purple Frog

Paathaala thavala (Malayalam) Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis (7cm)

Indian Purple Frog is a relatively large burrowing frog with a distinct, bloated appearance. Endemic to the Western Ghat Mountains (Sahyadri Mountains) - which conservationists consider a biodiversity hotspot. In Sanskrit, nasika means "nose" and batrachus means "frog," while Sahyadri refers to the location where this species is found.

The blackish-purple ‘living fossil’ looks like a bloated doughnut with stubby legs and a pointy snout. Its closest relatives hang out in the Seychelles, a group of islands 1,900 miles (3,000 kilometers) away. The species Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis is estimated to have originated in the Jurassic, 130-180 million years ago.

Little has been published about the life history of Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis; it is rarely seen. N. sahyadrensis is fossorial (adapted to digging) and comes to the surface only for a few weeks a year to breed.

Human pressure, primarily from agriculture, has reduced forest coverage and dam projects in the Western Ghats threaten large portions of this frog's habitat.

Courtesty: Biju and Bossuyt (2003), Aggarwal (2004), Dutta et al. (2004), Radhakrishnan et al. (2007) and Sandeep Das

This photograph was taken at Ernakulam on 24^th May 2012.

FORTHCOMING PROGRAMMES

> World Wildlife Week Celebration (Concluded. For more details, pls. see BLOG ARCHIVE, Oct 3-10, 2010)

> Bird Race 2010 (concluded. For more details, pls. see BLOG ARCHIVE,Nov 14-28 and see Right panel)

> Birding Tour for new comers to be organised by CNHS.(Edamalayar-Bhoothathankettu birding trip conducted.For more details, pls. see BLOG ARCHIVE, Dec 5-12 and also right panel).

> Pelagic Bird Survey in Ernakulam!

(Conducted in February,2012)

> Asian Waterfowl Census - CNHS to participate on 6th Feb 2011, at Devasowm paadam, Varapuzha, Kochi (Concluded. See report below)

> Edamalayar Bird Survey (By Kerala Birder and CNHS, from Feb 11-14, 2011. Conducted. See report below))

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Monday, August 15, 2011

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Monday, August 8, 2011

Friday, August 5, 2011

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

CNHS Membership Application Form

SAVE Asia`s Vulture from Extinction(SAVE)

An Introduction to Birds and Birdwatching

Checklist Of Indian Birds

Madhav Gdgil Report on Western Ghats

Fifty Ways To Make Your Home Eco-friendly

State of the World`s Birds-2013

Threatened Birds of Kerala

Munnar Bird Survey Report

Conservation Across Landscapes-India`s Approach to Biodiversity Governance

Citizen Sparrow Project

Green Guide for Teachers

List Of Endemic Birds Of India

Spatial Map of Western Ghats(Courtsey MoEF website)

Wetland Atlas of Kerala

Endangered Animals Of India List

Wetlands Rules 2010

The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972

Green Passport Application Form

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LINKS:- Some Useful Web Links