The latest survey of odonate habitats along the Meenachil River revealed alarming levels of pollution, except at the source of the river at Meladukkam.
A survey conducted on Sunday by the Social Forestry Division of the Kerala Forest Department in collaboration with the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences found that the population and diversity of odonates in the region remained largely unchanged. This year, scientists have identified 44 species of odonates, including 24 dragonflies and 20 butterflies. The findings highlight climate change and pollution as major factors contributing to the decline in odonate diversity.
Survey results over the past ten years have shown that the diversity of commonly observed dragonflies is significantly lower compared to damselflies. While dragonflies were abundant at most places along the river, they were less common near Meladukkam, the source of the river.
Species such as rice fox, blue grass and trumpeter were observed along the entire stretch of Meenachil river banks. Relatively rare species, including the Black and Yellow Bambootail and the Little Blue Marsh Hawk, have been recorded at sites such as Kidangoor and Illickal. Freshwater indicator species such as Black Torrent Dart and Stream Ruby have also been found in the upper reaches of the river.
“The increasing degradation of aquatic ecosystems poses a serious threat not only to odonates but also to human health and the welfare of other animal populations,” said Assistant Conservator KB Subash of the Department of Social Forestry, who led the survey.
Published – 25 Jan 2026 19:10 IST
