A status on the re-validation of species in Tamil Nadu
Process of Data Collection Weekly walks were held by the members usually on weekends covering as many habitats as possible from the following districts in the beginning : Nilgiris , Coimbatore , Erode and Thiruppur . No of species and approximate numbers in each species are recorded on a checklist . With the addition of on-line forum for this activity , representation of data from all districts has started pouring in . In fact , data from as many as 26 districts were represented out of 32 districts . The regular species sightings were accepted on face value with pictorial proof , sighting of new species ( new addition to the checklist ) was thoroughly validated and in some cases by visiting the place again for secondary confirmation . The on-line forum alone , if taken as exclusively , boasts all these species details along with pictures of the species . This is a tremendous achievement and was possible only with the advantage of modern communication technologies . Species look alike in certain cases and is difficult to separate with ease and in such cases expert opinion is sought from pan- India forums and experts in the field of Lepidoptera . Some species occur only on certain specific period and some throughout the year . So , a species may well be present but may not be recorded for want of the right period of visit and identification . There are certain Butterfly hotspots which are visited more frequently for the survey purposes . For example , Kallar in Coimbatore District has provided 150 + species till date and so does certain other areas from Virudhunagar ( Rajapalayam ), Madurai , Chennai areas . On the plains area , wetlands and community preserved areas such as Sacred Groves were visited more often . City counts too were kept .
Systematic Survey with FD Certain specific species are believed to be well-hidden in the protected core area of Western Ghats and some of the species are endemic to the Ghats too . The society was handicapped in those accounts to record such species and specific help is sought from Tamil Nadu Forest Department . A few such surveys were undertaken , including Srivilliputtur GWLS , Pachamalai ( Trichy Dt ), Manjolai ( KMTR ) and one in Coimbatore District with due permission and support . These surveys resulted in adding a handful to the checklists and some first timer to the state too in the recent times . Some of these results are published too .
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