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World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
All Rights Reserved Euresian Publication © 2012 eISSN 2277-8047
Available Online at: www.environmentaljournals.org
Volume 1, Issue 2: 90-99
Open Access Research Article
90
Walmiki et al.
Herpetofauna of Maharashtra Nature Park, Mumbai, Maharashtra (India)
Walmiki Nitin 1-3
, Vijay Awsare1, Siddhesh Karangutkar
1-3, Vishal wagh
1-2, Bhaskar Yengal
1-3, Shailesh Salvi
2,
and Rishab Pillai3
1ECO-ECHO D/85 Meghwadi, Dr S.S Rao Road, Lalbaug, Mumbai -12
2SARRP, Gorai-2, Borivali (W), Mumbai-91
3CON (Care of Nature), District Raigad, Uran, Veshvi
Corresponding author: [email protected]
Abstract: Mumbai (lat 18
0 54’ to 19
0 09’N long 72
0 47’ to 72
0 56’E) one of the major cities in India is encircled with various
water bodies such as Ulhas estuary and Bassein creek in the north; Thane creek and Mumbai harbor in the south
east; and Arabian sea on the westAround 37 sq km of mangroves existed in Mumbai, in early nineties which
largely covered areas of Thane creek, Mahim, Versova, Gorai and Ghodbunder with sporadic patches at Bandra,
Malabar hill and Colaba. Mumbai has probably lost 40% of all its mangroves in past decade or so, largely due to
reclamation for housing slums, sewage treatments and garbage dumps though Mumbai sustains rich
biodiversity in few green fragmented natural or man- made habitats. Reptiles and amphibians face numerous
challenges for coexistence in the urbanized world and habitat degradation is the primary cause of population
decline for both these groups. Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP) is best example of one such habitat’s. MNP is
located in highly polluted and densely populated area around the largest slums in Asia knows as Dharavi. MNP
was once a dumping ground for nearly 27 years. In 1983 Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM)
restored it into semi natural forest. Presently, this nature park supports rich herpetofaunal diversity. The studies
were conducted from 25th
September, 2010 - 25th
December, 2011 and have reported 44 species belonging to 18
families from MNP.
Keyword: Herpetofauna, Mangroves, Nature Park, Reptiles, Amphibians
1.0 Introduction: Mumbai is one of the most populated cities in the
world, called to be the business capital of India,
fourth most populous city in the world situated at
the mouth of Ulhas River on the western coast of
India, in the coastal region known as the Konkan. It
sits on Salsette Island, partially shared with the
Thane district,bounded by the Arabian Sea to the
west, average annual temperature is 27.2 °C (81 °F)
comprising of three seasonal cycle viz. summer,
monsoon, and winter represents a tropical wet and
dry climate.Current population of Mumbai is
estimated to be around 20.5 million. It is expected
that the world population growth in the next thirty
years will be mostly concentrated in the urban areas
(United Nations, 2004) leading to even more rapid
degradation of pockets of remnant natural habitats.
Such huge population gives out a variety of pollution
in abundant quantities. Besides being a densely
populated and a polluted city, Mumbai holds rich
bio- diversity. There are many green patches in
Mumbai. Maharashtra Nature Park (MNP) is one of
them. MNP is considered to be a great wonder for all
the nature lovers, as it is build on 5 meters of deep
garbage dump in Mahim. The park is spanning over
0.14 sq km (37 acres) area, located on southern bank
of Mithi River near “H” block of Bandra- Sion link
road at Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia. The
MithiRiver in Mumbai city is a confluence of tail
water discharges of Powai and Vihar lakes.
Originating at Powai, Mithi River flows through Saki
Naka, Safed Pool, around Santacruz airstrip, passing
through thickly populated and industrial areas like
Jarimari, Bail Bazaar, old airport road, Kalina (CST
road), Vakola, BandraKurla complex, Dharavi and
meets the Arabian Sea at Mahim creek with a total
length of about 17.84km and a catchment area of
7,295 ha. It serves a dual purpose of a sewer for the
area carrying sewage as well as storm water to sea.
The river bed is narrow in the initial stretch but it
World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
91
Walmiki et al.
increases downstream. The present average depth
of the river at the centerline is only 5.5 m. Mithi river
empties into Mahim creek which drains into the bay.
Mahim bay is the second largest bay in Mumbai city.
The border between the city and its suburbs bisects
the bay (2008 J.G Koliyar). Mithiriver which
ultimately joins Mahim creek is surrounded by
residential areas of Police colony, Fisherman colony
and many slums surrounded the river. The span from
Mahim creek to Dharavi has a very thick mangroves
and area includes Maharashtra Nature Park and
Salim Ali Bird sanctuary.
Earlier a garbage dump, the area was convinced by
WWF- India in 1976, to make a nature park. The
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development
Authority (MMRDA) undertook the project to restore
and develop the place as sophisticated nature park
and completed work after 12 years. The park is
considered as one of the greatest achievements
towards preserving the biodiversity in India. MNP
has earned reputation for being a green lung of
Mumbai city. The vegetation mainly comprises of
perennial tress such as Azadirachta indica, Bauhinia
purpurea, Aegle marmelos, Alstonias cholaris, Albizia
lebbeck, Anacardium occidentale, Annona squamosa,
Anthocephalus cadamba, Achras sapota, Artocarpus
heterophyllus, Barringtonia racemosa, Morinda
tinctoria, Bombax ceiba, Cassia fistula, Delonix regia,
Casuarina equisetifolia, Citrus sps, Couroupita
guianensis, Cordia dichotoma, Butea monosperma
and mangroves such as Avicennia marina, Avicennia
officinalis and associated mangroves species viz.
Acanthus ilicifolius, Thespesia populnea, Salvadora
persica, Ipomoea sps.covering 40% of its total area.
Around 20 out of the 35 species of true mangroves
found in India have been identified along the
Maharashtra coast and 15 species of these are found
inMumbai. Mumbai city receives average
temperature in summer varies between 30- 360c,
while average winter temperature varies between
16- 220c. The average annual precipitation is 2500
mm seasonal rainfall for four months from June to
September, of which 70 per cent is during July and
August. All such conditions support good varieties of
Reptiles and Amphibians. There is no recent study
made on herpetofauna of Nature Park or urban
areas in Mumbai. The present study therefore stands
important through which the Reptilian and
Amphibian diversity of MNP from Mumbai has been
documented.
Figure 1: Map of Maharashtra Nature Park
2.0 Materials and Methods: Survey was carried out on foot in different seasons,
twice in each month from 25nd
September 2010 to
25th
December 2011. Total 32 visits were made in 16
months. The conducted survey was done with the
help of visual encounter method (Champbell and
Christman, 1982) employing randomized walk,
carried out along with active searches in day and
night. Known habitats of Reptilian and Amphibian
were thoroughly searched i.e. all micro- habitats
(rocks and boulders, dead and fallen logs, dense
bushes and grass patches, rock and tree crevices,
leaf litters and water bodies) were thoroughly
checked using snake hooks and tongs, snake bags,
measuring tape, fishing net, head torch, GPS, etc.
World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
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Walmiki et al.
Encountered specimens were observed
photographed and identified using literature and
field guide (Smith 1931, 1943, Ahmed, Das and Dutta
2009, NeelimkumarKhaire 2008, Whitaker 2009)
after confirming specimen was released back at
same place in MNP. The status of Species
encountered during the study is evaluated
considering the following sighting as shown in below
table;
Table 1: Sighting frequency at MNP
Status Number of Sighting
Common >15
Uncommon 6-15
Rare 1-5
3.0 Observations: According to our survey 44 species of 18 families
comprising 24 Serpents, 12 Sauria, 5 Anurans and 3
Terrapin has observed, of which Xenochrophis
piscator, Ptyas mucosa, Lycodon aulicus, Daboia
russelii, Hemidactylus frenatus, Hemidactylus
flavivivardis, Calotes versicolor, Mabuyacarinata,
Duttaphrynus melanostictus, Hoplobatrachu
stigerinus, Euphlytis cyanophlyctis, Lissemy
spunctata are some of the common species and
Argyrogena fasciolata, Macropisthodon plumbicolor,
Dendrelaphis trsitis, Cereberus rynchops,
Trimeresurus gramineus, Hemidactylus leschenaultia,
Calotes rouxii, Mabuyamacularia, Hydrophylax
malabarica, Melanochelystrijuga are occasionally
sighted, Whereas Eryx jonhii, Enhydrina schistosa,
Hemidactylus maculates, Varanus bengalensis,
Chamaeleo zeylanicus, Lygosoma punctata,
Geochelone elegans have been rarely sighted in
studied area.
Since the MNP and its surrounding mangroves are
concentrated in a small area, so the species were
easily encountered. Six deadly venomous species
were observed of which Bungarus caeruleus,
Enhydrina schistosa, Naja naja are Neurotoxic in
nature and Daboia russelii, Echis carinatus,
Trimeresurus gramineus are Hemotoxic in nature.
Python molurus molurus and Varanus bengalensisare
observed in all possible habitats. Cereberus
rynchops, Enhydrina schistosa, Acrochordus
granulatus are aquatic species sighted in mangroves
area adjacent to Mithi River near MNP fallowed by
Mahim creek. Introduced species such as Eryxjonhii,
Trimeresurus gramineus, Chamaeleo zeylanicus, and
Geochelone elegans have well-adjusted to MNP.
During Monsoon season Anuran species with
Amphiesma stolatum, Calotes versicolor,
Ramphotyphlops braminuswere easily sighted
whereas Daboia russelii is abundantly sighted in
month of June and September. Eryx jonhii was rarely
sighted i.e. thrice in studied area.
Figure A: Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii)
Figure B: Saw scaled viper (Echis carinatus)
World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
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Walmiki et al.
Figure C: Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans))
Fig D: Indian rock python (Python molurus) Fig E:Bamboo pit viper(Trimeresurus gramineus)
Fig F: Checkered keelback (Xenochrophis piscator)
World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
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Walmiki et al.
Fig G: Banded kukri (Oligodon arnensis) Fig H: Common Indian tree frog (Polypedates maculates)
Fig I: Fungoid frog (Hydrophyla xmalabarica) Fig J: Indian common toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus)
Fig K: Common wolf snake (Lycodon aulicus)
World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
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Walmiki et al.
Fig L: Common cat snake (Boiga trigonata) Fig M: Buff striped keelback (Amphiesma stolatum)
Fig N: Indian bark gecko ( (Hemidactylus leschenaultii)
Fig O: Brook's House Gecko( Hemidactylus brookii)
World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
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Walmiki et al.
Fig P: Mating of Hemidactylus flaviviridis
Table 2: Herpetofauna checklist of Maharashtra Nature Park
Sr no. Common name Scientific name Status Habitat
Family: Boidae
1 Indian rock python Python molurus Uc Ab, Tr, Rs, Aq
2 Common sand boa Gongylophis conicus C Rs
3 Red sand boa Eryx jonhii Uc Rs
Family: Colubridae
4 Indian rat snake Ptyas mucosa C Ab, Tr, Aq
5 Banded racer Argyrogena fasciolata Uc Tr
6 Banded kukri Oligodon arnensis C Tr
7 Common wolf snake Lycodon aulicus C Ab, Tr, Rs
8 Checkered keelback Xenochrophi spiscator C Aq, Rs
9 Buff striped keelback Amphiesma stolatum C Tr, Rs
10 Green keelback Macropisthodon plumbicolor Uc Tr, Rs
11 Common cat snake Boiga trigonata Uc Ab, Tr
12 Common trinket snake Coelognathus Helena helena Uc Ab, Tr
13 Bronze back tree snake Dendrelaphis trsitis Uc Ab
14 Green vine snake Ahaetulla nasuta R Ab
15 Dog Faced water snake Cereberus rynchops Uc Aq
Family: Elapidae
16 Common Indian krait Bungarus caeruleus Uc Tr, Rs
17 Spectacle cobra Naja naja C Tr, Rs
18 Hook nosed sea snake Enhydrina schistosa R Aq
Family: Viperidae
19 Russel’s viper Daboia russelii C Tr, Rs
20 Saw scaled viper Echis carinatus Uc Rs, Tr
21 Bamboo pit viper Trimeresurus gramineus Uc Ab
Family: Typhlopidae
22 Brahminy worm snake Ramphotyphlops braminus C Rs
23 Beaked worm snake Grypotyphlops acutus Uc Rs
Family: Acrochordidae
24
File or Wart snake Acrochordus granulatus
Uc Aq
World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
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Walmiki et al.
Family: Gekkonidae
25 Brook’s gecko Hemidactylus brookii C Tr, Rs
26 South asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus C Ab, Rs
27 Yellow green house gecko Hemidactylus flaviviridis C Ab, Rs
28 Spotted rock gecko Hemidactylus maculates R Ab, Tr, Rs
29 Bark gecko Hemidactylus leschenaultia Uc Ab
Family: Agamidae
30 Indian garden lizard Calotes versicolor C Ab, Tr
31 Forest lizard Calotes rouxii C Ab, Tr
Family: Varanidae
32 Bengal monitor lizard Varanus bengalensis R Ab, Tr, Aq
Family: Chamaeleonidae
33 Indian Chamaeleon Chamaeleo zeylanicus R Ab
Family: Scincidae
34 Keeled grass skink Mabuya carinata C Tr, Rs
35 Bronze grass skink Mabuya macularia C Tr, Rs
36 Snake skink Lygosoma punctata Uc Tr, Rs
Family: Bufonidae
37 Indian common toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus C Tr, Rs, Aq
Family: Dicroglossidae
38 Indian bull frog Hoplobatrachus tigerinus C Tr, Rs, Aq
39 Skittering frog Euphlytis cyanophlyctis C Aq
Family: Rhacophoridae
40 Common Indian tree frog Polypedates maculates Uc Ab, Aq
Family: Ranidae
41 Fungoid frog Hydrophylax malabarica Uc Ab, Tr, Rs, Aq
Family: Trionychidae
42 Mud or Flap shell Terrapin Lissemys punctata C Aq
Family: Emydidea
43 Indian pond terrapin Melanochelys trijuga Uc Aq
Family: Testudinidae
44 Star Tortoise Geochelone elegans R Tr
Abbreviations
HABITAT: - Arboreal-Ab, Teresstrial- Tr, Rocks and Stones-Rs, Aquatic-Aq
STATUS: - Common-C, Uncommon- Uc, Rare-R
Fig. 2: Percentage Status of Herpetofaunal diversity in MNP with Un (Uncommon), C (Common) and R(Rare)
41%
45%
14%
Un
C
R
World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
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Walmiki et al.
Fig.3: Habitat of herpetofaunal diversity in M.N.P
Fig.4: Bar diagram representing species richness according to specific habitat Viz Aq (Aquatic), Rc (Rock crevices),
Tr (Terrestrial), Ar (Arboreal) with R (Rare), Uc (Uncommon) and C (Common).
4.0 Conclusion: The study revealed 45% species are Common (n=20)
showing 33.3% Arboreal, 52% Terrestrial, 60.9% in
Rock-crevices and 42.9 % Aquatic Habitat. The
Uncommon species 41% (n=18) includes 44.4%
Arboreal, 36% Terrestrial, 34.8% Rock-crevices and
42.9% Aquatic Habitat. Whereas 14% species are
rarely (n=6) sighted showing species richness in
various habitat includes 22.2% Arboreal,
12%Terrestrial, 4.3% Rock-crevices and 14.3%
Aquatic habitat (Fig.2 - 4). Six species are deadly
venomous of which five are observed in park and
one Enhydrina schistosa in the adjacent low salinity
area of Mithi River. Hemidactylus flaviviridis mating
was also observed which was last for about 40
minutes (Figure P).
Daboia russelii is commonly and abundantly sighted
in MNP. So the encountered rate is gradually high for
the visitor. On an average 1,50,000 visitors visit MNP
annually, But there are no such incidence of snake
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Arboreal Terrestrial Rocks crevices Aquatic
Arboreal
Terrestrial
Rocks crevices
Aquatic
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
ar
tr
rc
aq
R C Uc
Ha
bit
at
World Journal of Environmental Biosciences
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Walmiki et al.
bite in MNP till date, due to its excellent
management. Majority of species belong to 31% of
Terrestrial habitat followed by 29% of Rock crevices,
23% of Arboreal and 18% of Aquatic habitat. The
study shows that previously called dumping ground,
now artificially man made park is outstanding for its
rich bio-diversity. Majority of conservation efforts
are focused on preservation of bio diversity in
pristine ecosystems however, many human
dominated and modified landscapes are biodiversity
rich and thus offers great opportunities to conserve
at least a portion of its diversity.
5.0 Acknowledgments: We appreciate all the cooperation we got from the
volunteers of SARRP, Eco-Echo and CON NGO’s (
Mr.Mayank Desai, Mr.Jigar Parmar, Mr.Pawan
Sharma, Mr.Ajit Sonawne, Mr.Santosh Shinde, Mr.
Benedict frenandes, Mr. Nisarg Kubal, Mr.Amar Patil,
Mr.Rupesh Sagvekar and Mr.Niraj Singh) for working
during field work. We are grateful to Dr. Vaishali
somani, Shri. Sanjoy Monga, Shri. Raju vyas, Shri.
Anil kubal and along with zoological staff of M.D
College for encouraging in research work. We
express our gratitude towards Shri. Avinash Kubal for
allowing permission in MNP.
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