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75ECO-CHRONICLE
ECO-CHRONICLE, Vol.7., No. 2.
June 2012, pp: 75 - 80
ISSN: 0973-4155
A PRELIMINARY STUDY ON THE ZOO DIVERSITY OF BANGARAM ATOLL, U.T OF
LAKSHADWEEP
Hidayathulla, R.M., Dinu kuriakose1., Sajith, U. and Harilal, C.C.
Division of Environmental science, Department of Botany, University of Calicut,
Kerala - 673 635
1Environmental Sciences Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, S.B college,
Changanasserry
ABSTRACT
Attempt has been carried out in the present study to have an assessment on the zoo
diversity associated with Bangaram atoll falling in Lakshadweep group of Islands. The
study revealed the presence of Mammals, Amphibians, Insects, Reptiles and wide range
of Aves in the study area. The study also highlighted the need for conservation of the
uninhabited islands for the conservation of zoo diversity.
Key words: Bangaram atoll, zoo diversity
INTRODUCTION
The great variety of life on earth has provided
for man’s needs over thousands of years.
This diversity of living creatures forms a
support system which has been used by
each civilization for its growth and
development. Diversity patterns are
essential to understand the organization
and functioning of organisms present in an
ecosystem and their interaction with the
environment (Duarte, 2000). Of late mankind
realized the ecological, economic and
aesthetic values of biodiversity. This is also
true with island ecosystems like the present
one, which provide vast stretches of
ecotonal areas, maintaining links between
organisms and their habitat and also
among different habitats like coral reefs, sea
grass beds and mangroves.
Lakshadweep, the tiniest member in the
fraternity of 28 States and 7 Union
Territories that constitute India, is a land
full of promise for growth and development.
These group of Islands lie scattered in the
Arabian Sea about 225 to 450 km from the
Kerala Coast. They comprise 36 islands
(11 inhabited 25 uninhabited), 12 atolls, 3
reefs, 5 submerged banks with a total land
area of 32 km2, and useable land area of
26 km2.
ECO-CHRONICLE76
Lying well within the tropics and extending
to the equatorial belt, these islands have a
tropical humid, warm and generally
pleasant climate. From the point of view of
temperature, the climate is equable and
without any distinct or well marked seasons.
The islands experience a tropical monsoon
climate, with an average rainfall of about
1600 mm, from May to October. In all islands,
the only ‘natural’ water source is
groundwater. The humid tropical monsoon
climate with mean monthly temperature
ranging from 25-300C is very ideal for
harvesting of sunshine, utilization of
moisture and biomass growth throughout
the year. The landmass, coastline, lagoons
and the reefs of Lakshadweep, along with
the surrounding ocean, form a continuum
of biodiversity that defy being treated in
isolation.
The precious heritage of ecology and
culture is supported by the extremely
fragile ecosystems. The major
components are the coral reefs, lagoons,
sea grasses, seaweeds, algae and
mangroves. These delicate ecosystems
are inhabited by a wide variety of fishes,
tunas, live-bait, octopus, crabs, molluscs,
sponges, echinoderms, other
invertebrates, reptiles, dolphins and
whales. The terrestrial side also
contributes much to biodiversity.
The present paper attempts to highlight the
diversity of terrestrial animal communities
in the Bangaram atoll (Bangaram,
Tinnakara, Parali1 and Parali 2 islands) of
Lakshadweep, so as to have an idea about
their status, distribution and relationship
between other organisms and varying
ecological factors. Attempts were also
carried out to assess the diversity among
avifauna associate with the island group.
Information on the above aspects will help
in elucidating management measures for
the conservation and sustained use of
biodiversity associated with the island
groups.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
Bangaram (10056’N and 72017’E) is an
uninhabited island with an area of 46.5
hectares lying about 8 km north of Agatti.
It has an extensive lagoon (10.6 km in
size), two islands (Bangaram and
Tinnakara) and two islets northeast of
Tinnakara (Parali I and Parali II). Only
Parali islets touches the reef in the
Eastern side. All the three islands are
surrounded by sand banks. The lagoon
is mostly sandy with rich patches of coral
beds. All these islands are completely
encircled by a reef with a prominent
surge channel in the west. Parali being
quite rocky is devoid of rich vegetation.
Its eastern shore is directly exposed to
the sea, resulting in considerable
erosion of its beaches and the separation
of the island in to three bits. A wide stretch
of sand bank gets exposed at low tide
between Parali and Tinnakara.
Bangaram and Tinnakara are fertile,
support rich growth of shrubs and
coconut trees. The most conspicuous
feature of Bangaram atoll is the presence
of a number of coral knolls in the lagoonal
regions (Deshmukh, et al, 2005).
77ECO-CHRONICLE
Islands in Bangaram atoll
Bangaram Thinnakkara
Parli 1
Parli 1
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In the present study, purely terrestrial and
amphibious organisms were subjected to
thorough observation at the field level for
a period of one year. The specimens,
which were collected from the field in
special containers containing adequate
levels of formalin concentrates were
subjected to laboratory level studies for
identification. Inferences from field and
laboratory level observations were
attested with the help of subject experts.
Previous compilations, especially on
arthropods and birds by various
researchers were also included in the
process of diversity assessment.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The zoo diversity of the 4 islands of
Bangaram atoll has been assessed based
on the field and laboratory level
investigations for a period of one year. The
list of organisms noticed in the atoll over a
period of one year is depicted in Table 1.
The overall assessment resulted in a list of
organisms that come under 5 major
classes like Mammals, Amphibians,
Insects, Reptiles and Birds. 29 species
representing the above 5 classes were
noticed and among various classes,
diversity among birds were noted to be
higher. Also no species is found to be
restricted to one island within the atoll.
In an exhaustive study carried out by Chris
Gent (2007), the diversity of birds in the
Bangaram atoll has been listed. The list
included 141 species of birds recorded
from Bangaram and surrounding waters up
to the end of 2006. An indication about how
likely you are to meet them based on visits
all of which occurred during that particular
period of time has also been mentioned.
Based on the visits they made, the birds
were grouped as regular (23 species),
ECO-CHRONICLE78
Class Sl.
No
Scientific Name Common Name
Mammals
1 Felis domestica Gmelin Domestic cat
2 Rattus rattus rufescens Linnaeus House mouse
3 Gallus domesticus Linnaeus
Chicken
Amphibians 4 Bufo melanostictus Schneider Asian common Toad
5 Rana tigerina Daudin Asian bull frog
Insects
6 Acrotylus humbertianus Saussure (female)
Grass Hopper
7 Danaus chrysippus Linnaeus Butterfly (Plain Tiger)
8 Geometrid Hermithea sp. Measuring worm moth
9 Arctiid creatonotus sp. Carpet moth
10 Amerila rhodopa Walker Moth
11 Musca domestica Linnaeus House Fly
12 Myrmica rubra Linnaeus Common red ant
13 Aedes albopictus Aedes Mosquito
Reptiles
14 Hemidactylus frenatus Schlegel House Gecko
15 Dermochelys coriacea Linnaeus Leather back
16 Eretmochelys imbricate Linnaeus Hawksbill turtle
17 Lepidochelys olivacea Eschscholtz
Olive Ridley
Aves
18 Actitis hypoleucus Linnaeus Common Sandpiper
19 Onychoprion fuscatus Linnaeus Sooty Tern
20 Calidris alba Pallas Sanderling
21 Arenaria interpres Linnaeus Turnstones
22 Numenius phaeopus Linnaeus Whimbrel
23 Sternula saundersi Hume Saunder’s Tern
24 Alcedo athis Bonaparte Kingfisher
25 Ardea cinerea Linnaeus Grey heron
26 Tringa nebularia Gunnerus Greenshank
27 Casmerodius albus Linnaeus Great white egret
28 Egretta garzetta Linnaeus Little egret
29 Ardeola grayi Horsfield Paddy bird
Table 1. List of organisms noticed in Bangaram atoll
79ECO-CHRONICLE
frequent (19 species), infrequent (31
species), rare (23 species) and single
record (45 species). The present study could
ensure the presence of only 12 species of
birds.
It is being noticed that Bangaram enjoys a
unique ornithological status within the
Lakshadweep. It contains the only natural
body of fresh water to be found anywhere
within the islands. This brackish lake brings
in a number of birds that would otherwise
pass quickly through or not visit at all. Its
edges provide the dense cover and
abundant insect life that encourages rarer
migrants to prolong their stay, and it provides
secure roosting for the various water birds
that like to feed on the surrounding beaches
and reefs. Indeed it is the presence of the
lake that transforms Bangaram from an
interesting tropical island in to an
unexpected ornithological treasure.
Conservation implications
Bangaram atoll is a profound tourist place
among the beautiful islands of
Lakshadweep. The natural lake, white sand
tropical beaches, inland vegetation and
offshore reefs and sand bars along with the
uninhabited nature make the island
attractive among tourists across the world.
This may add sufficient outcome towards
the economic status of the people as well
as the government. Also the present tourism
management strategies implemented by
the government protects the islands in a
better way. But being an uninhabited island,
encroachment of people of other islands,
exploitation of its natural resources and
violation of the rules and regulations are
easily possible. Such anthropogenic
activities may adversely affect the balanced
ecological stature of these islands.
Ecological monitoring of the various natural
assets, on shore as well as in the sea, is
yet another necessity for these islands. The
fact that the entire islands are based on
corals which are highly susceptible to
ecological disturbances and environmental
pollution makes it necessary to monitor the
ecological parameters of the region
regularly. A suitable administrative
arrangement, for this purpose, which
involves subject matter specialists, local
officers as well as people’s representatives,
needs to be created.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are thankful to the Head,
Department of Botany, University of Calicut
for providing necessary facilities. The first
author is thankful to UGC for Moulana Azad
National Research Fellowship
REFERENCES
Chris Gent. (2007). Birds of Bangaram. pp
60-63.
Deshmukh, B., Bahuguna, A., Nayak, S.,
Dhargalkar, V.K. and Jagtap, T.G. (2005).
Eco-geomorphological zonation of the
Bangaram reef, Lakshadweep. J Ind Soc
Remote Sens, 33(1):99–106.
Duarte, C.M. (2000) Marine biodiversity and
ecosystem services: an elusive link. Journal
ECO-CHRONICLE80
of Experimental Marine Biology and
Ecology, 250:117–131.
Report of the National Task Force for a
Special Study of Lakshadweep Islands to
Assess Vulnerability to various Hazards and
Suggest Mitigation/Prevention Measures to
Disaster Management Division, Ministry of
Home Affairs, Govt. of India (2005).
