Darjeeling, Sept. 18 -- Darjeeling Hills is all set to become home to India's first Salamander sanctuary. Very soon these 'living fossils' will be provided with a safe habitat in different wetland areas of Kurseong.
The Himalayan Salamander (Tylototriton himalayanus) is an ancient amphibian often described as a 'living fossil.' This rare warty-skinned creature thrives in high-altitude wetlands, shaded streams and tea garden pools. The species now faces severe threats from rapid urbanisation, tourism infrastructure and habitat degradation.
"The Kurseong Forest Division in Darjeeling is working towards declaring the potential habitats of the Himalayan salamander at Namthing Pokhari, Pachpokhari under Mana beat and Pokhritar under M4 beat of Bagora Range wetlands as India's first salamander sanctuary. We have already sent a detailed proposal through the Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) to the West Bengal Forest Department," stated Devesh Pandey, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Kurseong Division, talking to the
Millennium Post. Namthing Pokhari in the Sittong area is already recognised as a Biodiversity Heritage Site, along with the other wetlands, is being assessed for its suitability as a dedicated salamander habitat.
"The assessment is being undertaken in collaboration with the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) and covers parameters including pH balance, toxicity, dissolved oxygen levels, surrounding vegetation and other ecological characteristics," stated the DFO. Namthing Pokhari, which is revenue land, will be taken over by the Forest department, added Pandey.
The Forest Division has also created a few artificial wetlands in the area. Native plant species are being introduced around these wetlands to improve habitat suitability and encourage the conservation of the amphibians.
Plants including Percicaria lathifolia (for egg laying;) Acorus calamus (for hiding;) Water cess as egg laying substrata; Selaginella and Duckweed are being planted to create the habitats.
"The presence of the Salamanders is an indication of the health of a wetland ecosystem. The survival of these tiny amphibians depends on clean, oxygen-rich and ecologically balanced habitats, making their conservation closely linked to the protection of the wetlands themselves" stated Pandey.
The salamanders also play an ecological role beyond wetlands. On land, their burrowing activity through damp soil, leaf litter and mud helps make the soil porous.
This facilitates the infiltration of rainwater into the ground and contributes to groundwater recharge-an important ecological function in the water-stressed, hilly terrain of Darjeeling.
"The proposed sanctuary could therefore serve not only as a conservation initiative for the Himalayan salamander but also as a broader effort to protect the fragile wetland ecosystems of the Darjeeling Hills," added the DFO.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.