Using freshwater KBAs for informing conservation and development policy and action in Kerala and Tamil Nadu Results from the ‘Refining and validating freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) for Kerala and Tamil Nadu’ workshops IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) May 2014 (workshops: 3-14 March 2014, Keystone Foundation, Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu) Funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) www.cepf.net The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.
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Using freshwater KBAs for informing conservation and
development policy and action in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Results from the ‘Refining and validating freshwater Key Biodiversity
Areas (KBAs) for Kerala and Tamil Nadu’ workshops
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
May 2014 (workshops: 3-14 March 2014, Keystone Foundation, Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu)
Funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) www.cepf.net
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation
International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the MacArthur Foundation
and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.
Contents 1. Key terms in regional languages ......................................................................................................... 3
KBA Criteria Criterion 1: A site is known or thought to hold a significant number of one or more globally threatened species or other species of conservation concern.
KBA Criteria Criterion 2: A site is known or thought to hold non-trivial numbers of one or more species (or infraspecific taxa as appropriate) of restricted range.
KBA Criteria Criterion 3: A site is known or thought to hold a significant component of the group of species that are confined to an appropriate biogeographic unit or units.
Figure 1. The KBA project region, defined by catchments delineated by the HydroBASINS sub-catchment
layer (Lehner and Grill 2013)
3. Participants
KBA delineation & validation - Kerala Left – right: Emma Brooks (IUCN); Sanjay Molur [back] (Zoo Outreach Organisation & IUCN SSC South Asian Invertebrate SG); Rajeev Raghavan [front] (Conservation Research Group & IUCN SSC Freshwater Fish Specialist Group); Anvar Ali (Kerala State Fisheries Department & Conservation Research Group), K.A. Subbramanian (Zoological Survey of India); Latha Anatha (River Research Centre); K.H. Amitha Bachan (Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation); T.R. Vinod (Centre for Environment and Development); K.V. Jayachandran [front] (Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies); [back] P.O. Nameer (College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University); Neelesh Dahanukar (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research). Not in photograph: Kevin Smith (IUCN)
KBA delineation & validation - Tamil Nadu Left –
right: Emma Brooks (IUCN); Priyanka Iyer (Zoo Outreach Organisation); Emma Steigerwald (Zoo Outreach Organisation); Keerthi Krutha [front] (Zoo Outreach Organisation); Neelesh Dahanukar [back] (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research); Sanjay Molur [front] (Zoo Outreach Organisation & IUCN SSC South Asian Invertebrate SG); Rajeev Raghavan [back] (Conservation Research Group & IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group); Kevin Smith (IUCN); Unmesh Katwate (Bombay Natural History Society); K.V. Jayachandran (Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies); Varaprasadam Irudayaraj [front] (St. Xavier's College); K.G. Sivaramakrishnan [back] (Travancore Natural History Society) ; Sameer Kumar Pati (Zoological Survey of India); Not in photograph: Shiny Rehel (Key Stone Foundation); A. Pragatheesh (EIA Resource and Response Centre)
KBA end use & data application Left – right:
Antonia Cermak-Terzian [back] (CEPF); Emma Brooks [front] (IUCN); Priyanka Iyer (Zoo Outreach Organisation); Neelesh Dahanukar (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research); Sanjay Molur (Zoo Outreach Organisation & IUCN SSC South Asian Invertebrate SG); Rajeev Raghavan (Conservation Research Group & IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group); Jack Tordoff (CEPF); Rohit George (French Institute, Pondicherry); A. Pragatheesh (EIA Resource and Response Centre); Sumin George [front] (Keystone Foundation); P. Jeganathan (Nature Conservation Foundation); S. Bharatidasan (Arulagam); Unmesh Katwate (Bombay Natural History Society); K. Mohanraj (Save Coimbatore Wetlands); Kevin Smith (IUCN); R. Prabahkar (Strand Life Sciences) Not in photograph: Bhaskar Acharya (Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment)
4. What is a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA)? The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is widely recognized as the most comprehensive,
objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species. It uses
a quantitative threshold based approach to assessing extinction risk of species (IUCN 2012). KBAs
arose through the need to similarly identify sites of global significance for biodiversity. Initially for
birds (Important Bird Areas) and plants (Important Plant Areas) a set of standardised criteria and
thresholds were developed to identify sites in a justifiable and transparent way. The criteria used to
identify KBAs are based on Vulnerability of a site (which is the probability that the site will be lost in
the future), and irreplaceability of the site (that is the spatial option available – in other words if it is
lost from here where else could it be preserved), see below for a summary of the KBA criteria and
thresholds for freshwater taxa (for more detail on the criteria, thresholds and methods used to see
Holland et al. (2012)). So we see the most extreme example of these in sites such as those that
qualify as an Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) site, these are single sites which contain an
Endangered or Critically Endangered species that occur nowhere else on earth.
Criteria used to identify a freshwater KBA (Holland et al. 2012)
Criterion 1: A site is known or thought to hold a significant number of one or more globally threatened species or other species of conservation concern. Threshold: The presence of one or more CR, EN or VU species will trigger the site as a potential freshwater KBA. Criterion 2: A site is known or thought to hold non-trivial numbers of one or more species (or infraspecific taxa as appropriate) of restricted range. Threshold: A threshold value of 20,000 km2 should be applied for crabs, fish and molluscs and a threshold value of 50,000 km2 applied for odonates. Criterion 3: A site is known or thought to hold a significant component of the group of species that are confined to an appropriate biogeographic unit or units. Threshold: To trigger qualification at least 25% of the total species from a specific taxonomic group must be restricted to the freshwater ecoregion in which the catchment is located.
5. Results of KBA delineation and validation workshops Before the stakeholder workshops, potential freshwater KBAs were identified by applying the KBA
criteria with the IUCN Red List assessment data for freshwater fishes, crabs, shrimps, molluscs,
dragonflies and damselflies, and selected families of aquatic plants (Molur 2011, IUCN 2013) using
individual sub-catchments as the default ‘sites’ (sub-catchments defined by HydroBASINS, which is
the most accurate global sub-catchment layer currently available, see Lehner 2012, and Lehner and
Grill 2013). The results of this were used as the base data for the KBA Delineation and Validation
workshops.
During the KBA Delineation and Validation workshops the following was discussed for each KBA, and
recorded in a standardised data sheet.
• Site boundary delineation - to determine if the KBA should be delineated as the single sub-catchment or merged with adjacent catchments to from a more logical management unit
• Name the KBA site – based on major rivers or lakes in the KBA catchment • General site text description • Identify and delineate Focal Areas (if needed) – A Focal Area is an area (e.g. lakes,
headwater streams or springs) within a freshwater KBA that is of particular importance for one or more of the KBA trigger species. For example it may contain all or the majority of one or more trigger species populations, or the only known spawning area or migratory route. It may be an area more suited to site scale protection than the wider KBA where catchment management could be required.
• Confirm presence of KBA “trigger” species – A trigger species is a species that qualifies under the KBA criteria triggering the site/sub-catchment to qualify as a KBA
• Protected Area overlap with KBA - Confirm/complete list of KBA overlap with existing protected areas and their management focus (is freshwater biodiversity adequately protected within PAs)
• Identify threats - Identify main threats to freshwater biodiversity in the KBA • Identify habitats - Identify main freshwater habitats in the KBA • Identify conservation actions - Identify conservation actions in place, and propose new
actions • Food security provided - Identify level of food security provided by aquatic resources in the
KBA • Identify KBA stakeholders - Propose organisations to be “site champions” for each KBA (i.e.
those who can undertake conservation actions) or those who are have an interest or impacting the KBA
In total 34 KBAs were identified, delineated and validated for Kerala and Tamil Nadu during the two
workshops (see Table 2 and Figure 1), and an example of the KBA data sheet can be seen in Annex I.
The resulting KBA network incorporates the ranges for 235 KBA trigger species (110 of which are
threatened with extinction, 196 are restricted range, 10 are biome restricted) and can be seen in
Annex II. In addition, a total of 132 potential site champions and stakeholders were recommended
for the various KBAs (see Annex III).
All but one (Chennai Wetland Complex) of the freshwater KBAs overlap with the Western Ghats
hotspot, however many have little or no coverage from protected areas (Figure 2). A number of the
KBA focal areas particularly those in the upper reaches of catchments have some degree of coverage
with protected areas, but others including all focal areas on the coastal areas of Kerala have no
protected area coverage at all (Figure 2). The KBAs with the highest number of trigger species (>39)
are the Upper Cauvery River (52 trigger species), Kabini River (48), and the Bhavani River (47) all of
which are in the upper reaches of the Cauvery River catchment. However the Periyar KBA, contains
the highest number of AZE species (Alliance for Zero Extinction) meaning they are Endangered or
Critically Endangered under IUCN Red List criteria and are restricted to a single site (Figure 3). Figure
4 shows the overlap of with existing (terrestrial) KBAs, showing significant overlap with the
freshwater KBAs and focal areas in the upper reaches of the catchments.
Table 2. Key Biodiversity Areas for the catchments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, showing the number of KBA
trigger species, Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species and KBA Focal Areas for each KBA.
Key Biodiversity Area State* Trigger species
AZE species
Focal Areas
Arkavati River TN 1 Nelligudda Reservoir and upper catchment
Ashambu Hills KL 21
Bhavani River KL/TN 47
Chalakkudi River KL/TN 38
Chaliyar River KL/TN 38 New Amarambalam
Chandragiri & Payaswini Rivers
KL/KN 11
Chennai Wetland Complex TN 12
Ithikkara River KL 14
Kabini River TN 48 Kuruva Islands Pookoda Lake
Kadalundi Wetland KL 9 2 Kadalundi Wetlands
Kaladi KL/KN/TN 12 1
Kalladayar KL 28 Kulathapuzha River Sasthamkotta and Ashtamudi Lakes Shenduruney Wildife Sanctuary streams
Table 3. Activities agreed by workshop stakeholders
A) LOCAL ACTION
Result 1 - Empowered local communities participating in freshwater biodiversity conservation at select KBAs (focal areas/AZE sites)
LOCAL ACTION 1 - Strategy/actions Who are actors (incl. workshop stakeholders)
Audience Format
1. Awareness raising of local communities and stakeholders
Zoo Outreach Organisation (for AZE sites) along with local organisations; Keystone; River Research Centre; Hornbill Foundation
Panchayats Workshops (multi stakeholder) & breaking down technical KBA data into local language education materials (e.g. manuals, guides, posters)
Zoo Outreach Organisation (for AZE sites) along with local organisations; Keystone; River Research Centre; Hornbill Foundation
Local NGOs As above
Zoo Outreach Organisation (for AZE sites) along with local organisations; Keystone; River Research Centre; Hornbill Foundation
Civil society / community As above
Zoo Outreach Organisation (for AZE sites), Keystone; River Research Centre; Hornbill Foundation & ATREE/India Biodiversity Portal along with local organisations
Schools As above - additional of projects, field exercises related to freshwater biodiversity etc. KBA data would form a baseline for monitoring, and general education material
Zoo Outreach Organisation (for AZE sites) along with local organisations
Other private or state stakeholders (where relevant) e.g. forest departments
Depends upon stakeholder, includes multi stakeholder workshops - e.g. Forest Department KBA information would be presented in a more technical way
2. Capacity building of stakeholder groups (understanding what they have, monitoring) and setting up of Peoples biodiversity registers (as mandated by the Biological Diversity Act 2002).
Zoo Outreach Organisation (for AZE sites) along with local organisations
Identify select representatives from above stakeholders (e.g. youth clubs, women’s and self-help groups)
KBA data used to build training workshops in basic taxonomy, ecology & monitoring; also used to identify possible conservation actions
3. Setting up of the Biodiversity Monitoring Committees (every Panchayat needs to have a BMC as under the Biological Diversity Act 2002, but not many exist). They are the bodies responsible for identifying and taking action on the ground or giving permissions to others (e.g. local NGOs to act), and they are the bodies that channel state money (via Panchayats)
Zoo Outreach Organisation (for AZE sites) along with local organisations
Panchayats (primarily) plus other stakeholders as per guidelines
KBA data would be used to select Panchayats to set up BMC, also used to identify possible conservation actions
B) ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS (EIA)
Result 1 - Amendment to EIA Notification that states that any EIA needs to refer to freshwater KBA dataset (e.g. for the 'Form 1')
EIA 1 - Strategy/actions Who are actors Audience Format
1. If data available for whole WGs - produce report on freshwater KBA data set - taken to MoEF to ask if they will amend EIA notifications to include the need to refer to KBA freshwater dataset. This process would take years
EIA Resource and Response Centre (with Zoo Outreach Organisation)
MoEF Meetings and report based on KBA data (ERC would just need access to maps and datasheets online)
2. If this doesn't happen - take report to National Green Tribunal
EIA Resource and Response Centre (with Zoo Outreach Organisation)
National Green Tribunal File petition using KBA data (ERC would just need access to maps and datasheets online)
Result 2 - EIA companies using freshwater KBA data (as baseline) for EIAs when developments take place within freshwater KBAs
EIA 2 - Strategy/actions Who are actors Audience Format
1. Make data easily freely available on line India Biodiversity Portal EIA consultants Want primary data (shape files - species lists) - link species lists to IUCN Red List.
2. Make KBA data available through published sources - through ZOOs Print (e.g. one KBA per issues)
Zoo Outreach Organisation Scientists, plus other interested stakeholders
KBA maps and data sheet - with additional expert inputs to develop publications
3. Provide information to Quality Council of India (who licence EIA consultants) on KBA data, encouraging them to recommend its use.
EIA Resource and Response Centre (with India Biodiversity Portal & Zoo Outreach Organisation)
Quality Council of India Letter/summary of KBA data
4. Email to all Indian EIA consultants regarding KBA data and why they should use it.
EIA Resource and Response Centre (with India Biodiversity Portal & Zoo Outreach Organisation)
EIA consultants Email/summary of KBA data
Result 3 - Ensure that developments that occur within KBAs (especially AZE sites and focal areas) are legally challenged based on freshwater KBA data (where
appropriate)
EIA 3 - Strategy/actions Who are actors Audience Format
1. Challenge at the National Green Tribunal - project proponent based on inaccuracy of EIA (Form 1)
EIA Resource and Response Centre National Green Tribunal Access KBA basins and associated data sheets from India Biodiversity Portal/IBAT/SACON (ENVIS)
2. Challenge at the National Green Tribunal - Expert Appraisal Committee decision (where they have approved a development - even if EIA did include KBA data)
EIA Resource and Response Centre National Green Tribunal Access KBA basins and associated data sheets from India Biodiversity Portal/IBAT/SACON (ENVIS)
C) NATIONAL LEVEL POLICY CHANGE
Result 1 - National level policy change - Wetland conservation act implementation (focused on KBA data)
NATIONAL POLICY 1 - Strategy/actions Who are actors Audience Format
1. Output analysis- What is a KBA? Breakdown of coverage of KBA network within a) PAs, b) Forest Land (under management of Forestry Department), c) Revenue Land (under management of Revenue Department)
Zoo Outreach Organisation, Kalpa Vriksh, ATREE (Dr. Aravind), BNHS, WWF Rivers for Life, IUCN India, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Wetlands International
1. MoEF, 2. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture), Ministry of Tourism, other related government bodies
Policy Brief - restrict to 2 sides
Zoo Outreach Organisation, Kalpa Vriksh, ATREE (Dr. Aravind), BNHS, WWF Rivers for Life, IUCN India, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Wetlands International
1. MoEF, 2. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture), Ministry of Tourism, other related government bodies
Power point presentation - 5/6/7 slides including links
Zoo Outreach Organisation, Kalpa Vriksh, ATREE (Dr. Aravind), BNHS, WWF Rivers for Life, IUCN India, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Wetlands International
1. MoEF, 2. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture), Ministry of Tourism, other related government bodies
Article into internal IAS public policy governmental journal - write on behalf of someone within government who could publish it on your behalf
NATIONAL POLICY 1 - Strategy/actions Who are actors Audience Format
Zoo Outreach Organisation, Kalpa Vriksh, ATREE (Dr. Aravind), BNHS, WWF Rivers for Life, IUCN India, Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, Wetlands International
1. MoEF, 2. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture), Ministry of Tourism, other related government bodies
Posters
2. Incorporate information into existing websites: Output analysis- What is a KBA? Breakdown of coverage of KBA network within a) PAs, b) Forest Land (under management of Forestry Department), c) Revenue Land (under management of Revenue Department)
SACON (ENVIS), Zoo Outreach Organisation etc.
1. MoEF, 2. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (Ministry of Agriculture), Ministry of Tourism, other related government bodies. Also accessible to all stakeholders
Website - expand their website to act as a platform for information, with increased credibility
Result 2 - Extend Wetland Conservation & Management Act 2010 to incorporate flowing waters
NATIONAL POLICY 2 - Strategy/actions Who are actors Audience Format
1. Analysis - What proportion of KBAs are rivers/other wetlands type?
Zoo Outreach Organisation etc. Include a sentence within policy brief
Produce a slide or two that can be used in presentations
2. Analysis - network of PAs over KBAs, proportion incorporating Freshwater management
Zoo Outreach Organisation etc. Include a sentence within policy brief
Produce a slide or two that can be used in presentations
D) MAINSTREAMING KBA’S TO STATE AND LOCAL POLICY
Result 1 - Mainstreaming KBA to local land authorities
STATE/LOCAL POLICY 1 - Strategy/actions Who are actors Audience Format
1. Awareness of freshwater richness - Presentaions, posters etc
ZOO, Local NGOs, etc (stakeholders captured in 1st session), conservation research institutions
Forest Department, Individual Wildlife Wardens, Indigenous fishing communities, Local Panchayats
Map, with data sheet in editable format (e.g. Word, csv, html)
2. Training for monitoring ZOO, Local NGOs, etc (stakeholders captured in 1st session), conservation research institutions
Forest Department, Individual Wildlife Wardens, Indigenous fishing communities, Local Panchayats
Editable data to incorporate into materials, (e.g. can we ask Western Ghats portal to host it in an editable format? Remaining compatible with iBAT etc)
3. Incorporate information into management plan of KBAs
ZOO, Local NGOs, etc (stakeholders captured in 1st session), conservation research institutions
Forest Department, Individual Wildlife Wardens, Indigenous fishing communities, Local Panchayats
Editable data to support training materials, (e.g. can we ask Western Ghats portal to host it in an editable format? Remaining compatible with iBAT etc)
Result 2 - Management planning cell within the forestry department to incorporate KBA information within management and working plans
STATE/LOCAL POLICY 2 - Strategy/actions Who are actors Audience Format
1. Translating KBA results into appropriate formats for state and local policy. E.g. Conversation with Jayshree (Care Earth) to find what format is needed for TN.
IUCN, ZOO, Care Earth (TN), CED (Kerala), ATREE for Karnataka?, Sanjay Gubbi (NCF) (for Karnataka?)
Management planning cell within the forestry department
State specific report - same as high level analyses
Result 3 - Engage with research units, e.g. NTCA within each project tiger area
STATE/LOCAL POLICY 3 - Strategy/actions Who are actors Audience Format
1. Translating KBA results into appropriate format
NTCA, at regional level Similar to above
9. References: Holland, R.A., Darwall, W.R.T. and Smith, K.G. 2012. Conservation priorities for freshwater
biodiversity: The Key Biodiversity Area approach refined and tested for continental Africa. Biological
Conservation 148(1):167-179
IUCN. (2012). IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1. Second edition. Gland, Switzerland
and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iv + 32pp. http://jr.iucnredlist.org/documents/redlist_cats_crit_en.pdf
IUCN. 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2 www.iucnredlist.org
Lehner, B. 2012. HydroBASINS v1b. Global watershed boundaries and sub-basin delineation
derived from HydroSHEDS data at 15 second resolution. Technical documentation.
Lehner, B. and Grill, G. 2013. Global river hydrography and network routing: baseline data and new
approaches to study the world’s large river systems. Hydrological Processes 27:2171–2186.
Molur, S., Smith, K.G., Daniel, B.A. and Darwall, W.R.T. (Compilers). 2011. The Status and Distribution
of Freshwater Biodiversity in the Western Ghats, India. Cambridge, UK and Gland, Switzerland: IUCN,
and Coimbatore, India: Zoo Outreach Organisation. https://portals.iucn.org/library/efiles/edocs/RL-
Focal area delineation Periyar lake and inflowing stream system (PLSS) for fishes; Periyar River in Idukki District for the plant species.
Site description An AZE site that is composed of hill streams with associated reservoirs, surrounded mostly by primary forest and also secondary forest and spice plantations. The site is impacted by reduced flows from Periyar Dam and alien invasive fishes.
Management required at catchment scale
Yes
Management required at focal area within catchment
Yes
KBA TRIGGER SPECIES
Group Species Crit. 1 (Thr. spp)
Crit. 2 (Range km2)
Crit. 3 (Biome rest.)
Notes
Crabs Vela virupa NA 2521 Yes
Fishes Crossocheilus periyarensis
EN 4495 NA AZE species - Periyar lake and stream system
Fishes Garra hughi EN 12172 NA
Fishes Garra periyarensis VU 4495 NA
Fishes Garra surendranathanii EN 10294 NA
Fishes Hypselobarbus kurali NA 6105 NA
Fishes Hypselobarbus periyarensis
EN 2760 NA AZE species - Periyar lake and stream system
Fishes Lepidopygopsis typus EN 4495 NA AZE species - Periyar lake and stream system
Fishes Nemacheilus keralensis VU 13129 NA
Fishes Nemacheilus menoni VU 4495 NA
Fishes Nemacheilus periyarensis VU 4495 NA
Fishes Puntius ophicephalus EN 11935 NA
Fishes Travancoria elongata EN 6355 NA
Fishes Travancoria jonesi EN 11679 NA
Molluscs Iravadia funerea NA 9683 NA
Odonata Esme mudiensis NA 21199 NA
Odonata Euphaea cardinalis NA 22114 NA
Odonata Idionyx minima NA 17442 NA
Odonata Idionyx saffronata NA 24819 NA
Odonata Idionyx travancorensis NA 12146 NA
Odonata Macromia flavocolorata NA 21648 NA
Group Species Crit. 1 (Thr. spp)
Crit. 2 (Range km2)
Crit. 3 (Biome rest.)
Notes
Odonata Merogomphus longistigma
NA 26458 NA
Odonata Onychogomphus nilgiriensis
NA 27739 NA
Odonata Platysticta deccanensis VU 29167 NA
Odonata Protosticta antelopoides NA 17066 NA
Odonata Protosticta davenporti NA 17361 NA
Odonata Protosticta hearseyi NA 40533 NA
Plants Anaphalis beddomei VU NA NA
Plants Anaphalis leptophylla VU NA NA
Plants Anaphalis wightiana VU NA NA
Plants Cyathea crinita EN NA NA
Plants Dimeria hohenackeri EN NA NA
Plants Farmeria indica EN NA NA
Plants Fimbristylis dauciformis EN NA NA
Plants Podostemum munnarense
EN 5893 NA AZE species - Periyar river in Idukki District
Plants Rotala ritchiei EN 10243 NA
PROTECTED AREAS OVERLAP WITH KBA
Name Designation Desig. Type Status PA management focus
Periyar Sanctuary National Designated No freshwater biodiversity management
Idukki Sanctuary National Designated No freshwater biodiversity management
Western Ghats
World Heritage Site
International Inscribed No freshwater biodiversity management
Megamalai Sanctuary National Proposed No freshwater biodiversity management
Periyar National Park National Designated No freshwater biodiversity management
1.1 Site/area protection yes yes Site protection that exists is not focused on freshwater species. The AZE plant species also requires site protection
1.2 Resource & habitat protection
yes Stream flow restoration below Periyar dam and Idukki dam. The AZE plant species also requires site protection
2 LAND/WATER MANAGEMENT
2.1 Site/area management yes Periyar PA needs focus on freshwater
Conservation actions (IUCN Classification Scheme)
In place Needed Notes
species. Stream flow restoration below Periyar dam and Idukki dam
2.2 Invasive/problematic species control
yes for fishes
2.3 Habitat & natural process restoration
yes Stream flow restoration below Periyar dam and Idukki dam.
3 SPECIES MANAGEMENT
3.1 Species management yes For AZE species
3.2 Species recovery yes For AZE species
4 EDUCATION & AWARENESS
4.1 Formal education yes For all stakeholders
4.2 Training yes On species identification, harvest management and habitat restoration
4.3 Awareness & communications
yes yes
5 LAW & POLICY
5.1 Legislation yes
5.2 Policies and regulations yes
5.3 Private sector standards & codes
yes Implementation of Wetland (Conservation and Management) Act 2010 & Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974.
6 LIVELIHOOD, ECONOMIC & OTHER INCENTIVES
6.1 Linked enterprises & livelihood alternatives
yes
FOOD SECURITY
Used for food security Score 0 - None; 1-Low; 3 - High
Notes
1. Subsistence
Optional/alternative 1
Essential staple 2
Emergency 0 Unknown
2. Commercial
Local 3
Regional 1
National 0
3.Migrant fishers 0
Notes Fishes only harvested
OTHER
Other biodiversity 15 species of Western Ghats endemic birds (out of 16) are found here, incl. 12 threatened species of birds.
Protected areas overview
The Periyar PA is also an IBA
References 1. Arun, L.K. 1997. Pattern and processess of fish assemblages in Periyar Lake – valley system of Southern Western Ghats. Kerala Forest Research Institute Peechi.; 2. Arun, L.K. 2001. Fish assemblage structure in Periyar Lake stream system. KFRI report.; 3. Bahir, M.M. and Yeo, D.C.J. 2007. The Gecarcinucid freshwater crabs of southern India (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 16:309-354.; 4. Nair S.C. 1994. The high ranges. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), New Delhi.; 5. Radhakrishnan and Kurup, 2010. Ichthyodiversity of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Journal of Threatened Taxa.; 6. Rahmani, A.R. and Zafar-ul Islam, M. 2004. Important Bird Areas in India. Birdlife International and BNHS.; 7. River Research Centre. 2013. Report on Monitoring of Fish Diversity of Rivers in Kerala. Kerala State Biodiversity Board, Thiruvananthapuram. 98 pp.;
Acknowledgments Ali, A., Amitha Bachan, K.H., Anatha, L., Dahanukar, N., Jayachandran, K.V., Molur, S., Nameer, P.O., Raghavan, R., Subbramanian, K.A., Rehel, S.M. and Vinod, T.R.
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Kalladayar
Center for Environment and Development
Centre for Wildlife Studies, Kerala Agricultural University FERAL Foundation for Ecological Research Advocacy and
Learning
Kerala Forest Department
River Research Centre
Travancore Natural History Society
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Kallai coastal marshes
Calicut University, Botany Department
Center for Environment and Development
Devagiri College, Calicut
Guruvayoorapan College, Calicut
Kerala Natural History Society
Malabar Natural History Society
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Kavvayi Wetlands
Center for Environment and Development
Coorg Wildlife Society
Devcharan Jathanna
Habour Engineering Department, Government of Kerala
Malabar Natural History Society
Society for Environmental Education in Kerala
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Kodaiyar and Pazhayar rivers
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of
Kerala
Dileep Daniels
Kerala Forest Department
Robert Grubh SPKCES Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Science,
MS University, Alwarkurichi
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Station
Kole Wetlands
CWS, Kerala Agricultural University
Kerala Agriculture Department
Kerala Fisheries Department
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Kole Karshaga Sangham
Kole Land Development Corporation
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Kunthi River
Bharathapuzha Samrakshana Samithi
Kerala Forest Department
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Wildlife Research and Conservation Trust
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Kuttiyadi River
Malabar Natural History Society
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Madayi laterite plateau
Indian Naval Academy
Malabar Natural History Society
Society for Environmental Education in Kerala
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Moyar River
Accord
Arulagam
Care Earth Trust
Department of Wildlife, Government Arts College, Ooty
Forestry College of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Jungle Scapes
Karunya University
Keystone Foundation
Nature Conservation Foundation
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Tamil Nadu State Electricity Board
The Shola Trust
Wildlife Trust of India
WWF India
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Station
Nila River
Bharathapuzha Samrakshana Samithi
Conservation Research Group (CRG)
French Institure of Pondicherry
Indian AZE
Kerala Forest Department
Maithri
Nature Conservation Foundation
River Research Centre
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation
Wildlife Trust of India
WWF India
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Noyil River
Arulagam
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
Care Trust
EIA Resource and Response Centre
Environmentalist Foundation of India
Karunya University
Noyil River Conservation Committtee
Osai (NGO)
Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
Siruthuli (NGO)
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Tamil Nadu State Biodiversity Board
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Station
Pamba River
Center for Environment and Development
Conservation Research Group (CRG) Kerala Agricultural University Dept of Wildlife College of
Forestry
Kerala Forest Department
Manimalayar Samrakshana Samithi
Meera Anna Oommen
Pamba Parirakshana Samithi
Periyar Foundation
Travancore Natural History Society
Pambar River
ACT India Foundation
Anglad Institute of Natural History
Kestrel Adventures
Kodai International School
Palni Hills Conservation Council Periyakulam Forestry College, Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Toxic Link
Vattakanal Conservation Trust
Wildlife Information Liaison and Development Society
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Station
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Periyar
Center for Environment and Development
Conservation Research Group (CRG)
Indian AZE
Kerala Forest Department
Periyar Foundation
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Pooyamkutty
Kerala Forest Department
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Nature Conservation Foundation
Pooyamkutty Samrakshana Samithi
River Research Centre
Western Ghats Hornbill Foundation
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Santhampara
Conservation Research Group (CRG)
Highrange Wildlife and Environment Preservation Association
Indian AZE
Kannan Devan Hill Produce Company
Kerala Forest Department
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Thamirabarani River
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
Conservation Research Group (CRG) FERAL Foundation for Ecological Research Advocacy and
Learning
Indian AZE SPKCES Sri Paramakalyani Centre for Environmental Science,
MS University, Alwarkurichi
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Station
Upper Cauvery River
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
Coorg Wildlife Society
Forestry College, Ponnampet
Jungle Lodges & Resorts (Tamil Nadu Forest Department)
Karnataka Forest Department
Karnataka State Biodiveristy Board
National Centre for Biological Sciences
Nityata Foundation
Wildife Conservation Society
Wildlife Association of South India
Zoo Outreach Organisation
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Station
Upper Vaigai River
Periyakulam Horticulture College, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University
Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Wildlife Association of Rajapalayam
Wildlife Information Liaison and Development Society
Woodbriar Group
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Station
Upper Vaippur River
Anja College
Ayyanadar Janakiammal College
Covenant Centre for Development FERAL Foundation for Ecological Research Advocacy and
Learning
Kerala Forest Department
Periyar Foundation
Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Wildlife Association of Rajapalayam
Zoological Survey of India, Southern Regional Station
Valapattanam River
Center for Environment and Development
Center for Water Resources Development and Management
Coorg Wildlife Society
Karnataka Forest Department
Kerala Forest Department
Malabar Natural History Society
Society for Environmental Education in Kerala
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Vamanapuram River
Center for Environment and Development Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of
Kerala
Environmental Resources Research Center
Kerala Forest Department
River Research Centre
Travancore Natural History Society
Vamanapuram Samrakshana Samithi
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Vembanad Lake and catchment
Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment
Center for Environment and Development
Kerala Agricultural University
Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies
Kottayam Nature Society
Meenachal Samrakshana Samithi
MS Swaminathan Research Foundation
Muvattupuzha Samrakshana Samithi
Vembanad Nature Club
Zoological Survey of India, Western Ghats Regional Centre
Annex IV. Non KBA specific stakeholders a) Stakeholders (non KBA specific)
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Biodiversity and Rural Livelihoods Improvement Project
X X X Central Govt (MoEF) implemented project (World Bank funded). Models for PA management and community engagement in buffer zones - national project with some sites
Biodiversity Monitoring Committees X X X Set up and administered by National Biodiversity Authority, liaising with local Panchayats to monitor local biodiversity and maintaining people's biodiversity registers.
Botanical Survey of India X X Research into Botanical surveys across India (no conservation mandate, just work on inventories)
Centre for Environmental Education X X X Autonomous - Biodiversity conservation into school curriculum
Coffee Board X X X X Work with coffee plantations, and own some smaller plantations themselves
Conservation India X Social networking site
Enviro Legal Defence Firm X X Not-for-profit organisation providing legal support to local activists challenging EIAs
Environmental consultancies X X Conduct EIAs (need licenses from QCI)
Federation of Industries X X X Industrial lobby, influence policy and private sector (e.g. Federation of Indian Mineral Industries)
Freshwater Fish Specialist Group X X X
Geological Survey of India X X Research into geological/hydrology surveys across India (no conservation mandate, just work on inventories)
India Bird Conservation Network X X Network of people and organisations that monitor IBAs
Indian Council for Agriculture Research X X X Through government institutions carry out research on fisheries
Indian Organic Certification (Indocert) X X X X Provide audits and certification for many agricultural products (mainly tea/coffee etc.) for export markets
Indian Water Portal X X
Institute for Market Ecology X X X Certification of agriculture and ecological products
International Crane Foundation X Wetland related research, genetic plains
IUCN India X X X
Kalpa Vriksh X X X Advocacy - 1st set up National Biodiversity Strategy
Keystone - Nilgiri Water Portal X X
LIFE/ERC X X X Reviewing EIA and forestry processes, training of NGOs on environmental clearance processes
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Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Central Govt.
X X Set policies for State Fisheries Boards to follow - fish, molluscs, crustaceans
Ministry of Earth Sciences X X X X Set up to develop policies and fund research related to weather and climate change, hydrology etc.
Ministry of Environment and Forests X X X X State Ministry set up to control forest and wildlife services of state governments, and other programmes (e.g. NPCAE) and implement Acts (e.g. Wildlife Protection Act, Biodiversity Act etc.)
Ministry of Health X X X X Develop policy and implement actions of aquatic borne diseases
Ministry of Mining X X Set policy for mining investment
Ministry of Power X X X Hydroelectric projects
Ministry of Renewable Energy X X Including mini hydro powered projects
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways X X Roads built directly through wetlands, not around, with massive potential impacts
Ministry of Tourism X X Set up to develop policy related to tourism development
Ministry of Water Resources X X X Manage water disputes between States, and develop policy
Ministry of Commerce (MPEDA - Marine Products Export Development Authority)
X X Mandate to promote export of aquatic biodiversity. Work with ornamental fish trade of native species through wild collections only.
National Biodiversity Authority (Part of MoEF)
X X X Work toward achieving equitable sharing of forest produce, and conservation of species. The Biological Diversity Act 2002 set them up, and they work through the State Biodiversity Boards. Related to human resource use.
National Environmental Appraisal Committee (part of MoEF)
X X Regulatory role - Review EIAs
National Green Corps X X Outreach body set up by MoEF that reaches schools on environmental issues
National Green Tribunal X X X Court to hear environmental challenges on procedural grounds - provide a legal redress
National Programme for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCAE)
X X Part of MoEF, in formation. Two programmes - National Wetlands Conservation Programme & National Lake Conservation Plan.
National River Conservation Directorate (part of MoEF)
X X X Develop policy related to water pollution and users - currently focused on Ganges
National Tiger Conservation Authority X X X Actions and activities within Tiger Reserves
National Wildlife Board X X Develop policy on wildlife, conservation focus, not resource use.
Quality Council of India (QCI) X X Issues EIA licenses
a) Stakeholders (non KBA specific)
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Save the Western Ghats Movement X X Network of Western Ghats conservation biologists
Spice Board X X X X Work with spice plantations, and own some smaller plantations themselves
State Biodiversity Boards (Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka)
X X X Implementation of policies from The Biological Diversity Act 2002
State Fisheries Boards (Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka)
X X Stock non-natives aquatic biodiversity (no native species stocked by them)
State Forest Departments X X Manage protected and non-protected areas. Develop and implement management and working plans for forests
State Pollution Control Boards (Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka)
X X Licence pollution release, and monitor pollution.. Have a role in the environmental clearance process for developments. Mandated to restoration of water (based on Water Act).
State Public Works Departments (Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Karnataka)
X X X Building and maintenance of public infrastructure
State Wildlife Boards X X Translate policy into action - Act on National Wildlife Board at State level, including working at community level
Sustainable Agriculture Network India X X Certification - facilitate plantation companies to get certification and audits, and set local indicators
Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project
X X Capacity building (of Forest Department) and tree planting outside forest areas (Japan International Co-operation Agency Funded)
Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agricultural Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management Project (TN-IAMWARM)
X X X State Govt. implemented project (World Bank Funded). Working with farmers to improve productivity and irrigation etc.
UPASI (United Planters Association of Southern India)
X X Lobby Org. Actions associated with plantation management
UTZ - Coffee, cocoa and tea certification X X X X Provide audits and certification for many agricultural products (mainly tea/coffee etc.) for national markets
Water and Drainage Board X X X Monitor water quality and build infrastructure (incl. dams) related to water
Wetlands International X X X
Wildlife Institute of India X X X Build capacity in Forest Departments about environment including structured education
WWF India X X X
Zoological Survey of India X X Research into Zoology surveys across India (no conservation mandate, just work on inventories)
Annex V. a) Conservation projects; b) Development projects relevant for KBA data a) Conservation projects Project outline Stakeholder with contacts
to project? Specific KBA linked?
Notes
Biodiversity and Rural Livelihoods Improvement Project
Central Govt. (MoEF) implemented project (World Bank funded). Models for PA management and community engagement in buffer zones – a national project with some sites
Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Conservation and Greening Project
Capacity building (of Forest Daprtment) and tree planting outside forest areas (Japan International Co-orperation Agency Funded)
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) projects
CEPF are a multi partnership fund committed to enabling nongovernmental and private sector organizations to help protect vital ecosystems. Fund a number of projects in India (Western Ghats Hotspot).
ATREE - All CEPF projects will be made aware of these KBAs through the portal
Linking Scales Working with TN government to mainstream biodiversity across all sectors, and facilitate biodiversity action plans.
Care Earth Thamirabarani River (and also wider Tamil Nadu)
Ecosystem Alliance projects Projects run in Eastern and Western Ghats, and Central India, focused on impacts of development (especially mining) on biodiversity. Funded by IUCN
Keystone Foundation, Wetlands International and IUCN Netherlands
Indian Alliance for Zero Extinction The Alliance’s approach is to identify and conserve the places where extinctions are most likely to occur.
Members of Indian Alliance for Zero Extinction
River Research Centre Projects Runs projects to restore rivers, and influence policy. River Research Centre
Molecular phylogeny of freshwater fishes of Western Ghats and its implication for conservation
Neelesh Dahanukar (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research)