Guwahati: The Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary (IWLS), nestled within the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, has long been celebrated for its ecological significance. Spanning 140.3 square kilometres in Arunachal Pradesh, the sanctuary is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with amphibians playing a key role in maintaining the region’s delicate ecological balance.
However, a study by Kirty Prosad Nath, Ilona Jacinta Kharkongor, and H. T. Lalremsanga, from the Zoological Survey of India and Mizoram University, highlights the increasing threats to this vital refuge, primarily from encroachment and habitat degradation.
Despite its protected status since 1978, nearly 25% of the sanctuary’s area has been converted into built-up zones due to the rapid urban expansion of Itanagar. Once dense forest ecosystems are now fragmented by urban sprawl, significantly impacting forest-dependent amphibians that rely on intact habitats for survival.
The IWLS covers an area of 140.3 sq km and is bounded by the Pam River in the east and Neorochi in the northeast, while Pachin lies to its south. Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, is located within the sanctuary. The sanctuary is also designated as an Important Bird Area (IBA). Situated north of the Drupong Reserve Forest, IWLS comprises a heterogeneous mixture of evergreen and semi-evergreen forest types.
The sanctuary’s rich biodiversity is attributed to its location in the transition zones of the Indo-Chinese and Indo-Malayan regions, with additional influences from the Indo-Burmese region.
Although IWLS was declared a protected area in 1978, comprehensive data on its anuran (frog and toad) diversity remained lacking. The primary objective of the study was to survey and document the anuran diversity and distribution in the sanctuary.
The research, conducted between 2020 and 2022, documented 21 species of frogs and toads from six families within the sanctuary. These amphibians, including species from the genera Minervarya and Raorchestes, are vital environmental indicators. However, their habitats are shrinking as croplands, rangelands, and urban areas encroach upon previously pristine forested regions.
In total, researchers documented 152 individuals from 21 species across 14 genera under six families, representing 21.9% of the total amphibian fauna of Arunachal Pradesh. Forested regions of the sanctuary were found to be the most biodiverse, boasting the highest Shannon-Wiener diversity index values. In contrast, croplands and built-up areas had the lowest diversity indices, underscoring the detrimental effects of human encroachment on wildlife.
The threat is compounded by climate change. Rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns are expected to alter amphibian habitats, leading to range contractions, shifts in habitat suitability, and disruptions to reproductive cycles. Species unable to adapt rapidly may face local extinction.
Conservationists stress the urgency of robust protective measures for the sanctuary. Proposed strategies include strengthening anti-encroachment laws, restoring degraded habitats, and creating buffer zones around the sanctuary. Public awareness campaigns and community-led conservation initiatives could also play a crucial role in fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
Given the sanctuary’s crucial role in preserving the biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayas, its conservation is not just a local issue but a global imperative. Protecting the habitats of amphibians and other wildlife here will require collaborative efforts between government authorities, researchers, and local communities to ensure that this ecological haven continues to thrive for generations to come.
Researchers associated with the study emphasize that strengthening legal frameworks and developing comprehensive management plans will help combat illegal activities and unsustainable land use. Additionally, early detection and management of diseases like chytridiomycosis are crucial to safeguarding amphibian populations. They stress that a holistic approach combining ecological restoration, research, community engagement, and policy actions is essential to preserving the rich anuran diversity in this important biodiversity hotspot.
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