Bhimashankar home to 529 animal species

PUNE: The Bhimashankar wildlife sanctuary in Pune district harbours 529 species of animals, a study conducted by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) revealed. Out of the 79 endemic species of birds in the Indian region, 19 are found here.
Out of the 330 species of butterflies recorded from Western Ghats (Gujarat, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala), 213 are in Maharashtra and, of which, 65 are found in this sanctuary.The presence of Atlas moth is noteworthy, as it the largest moth in the country, states the study.
The Bhimashankar grove and the Ahupe grove are among the best sacred groves in the northern Western Ghats.
The 130-sq km Bhimashankar sanctuary has been identified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the Bird Life International. The birds found here includes red spurfowl, grey junglefowl, Nilgiri wood-pigeon, grey-fronted green pigeon, Malabar parakeet, mottled wood owl, Malabar grey horbnbill, white-cheeked barbet, Malabar crested lark, White-bellied blue flycatcher, Indian rufous babbler, Indian yellow tit and Nilgiri flowerpecker.
R M Sharma, deputy director, ZSI Pune, told TOI that there many more species that can be brought to light. These are hidden treasures to academicians, students and, researchers. The survey provides a base line data for further studies.
The Atlas moth, also known as non-mulberry moth, measures up to 33 cm, when it spreads its wings. The mouth parts of the adult moth are not developed for feeding and it never eats anything. The caterpillar grows and eats voraciously. This energy stored during feeding period is enough for adulthood.
Sharma, who has extensively studied butterflies, said that the unique butterflies found in the sanctuary included red helen, large size blue mormon, common jezebel, great orange tip, white orange tip, common bush brown, common fourring, baronet, some pansies, different tigers and plum judy.
Bhimashankar sanctuary houses 14 sacred groves. The sacred grooves are ecologically important, as they contain traces of the original species of the specific region and gene pool of rare and endemic species. This sanctuary is also home to endangered Indian Giant Squirrel (the state animal), facing threats from habitat loss and pilgrimage tourism, Sharma said.
There is a need for minimising human interference inside the sanctuary, Sharma said, and added that, there are anthropogenic pressure in the area, like illegal encroachment, felling of trees, tourism, among others.
Sharma suggested that the hospitality industry should be restricted to outside the sanctuary. The damage done to the environment and the fragile eco-system can be reduced by taking regulatory measures, he added.
Findings of ZSI study
Mammals: 66 species
Birds: 236 species
Reptiles: 54 species
Amphibians: 9 species
Fish: 21 species
Molluscs: 19 species
Scorpions: 6 species
Centipede: 9 species
Micro-organisms in water: 15 species
Odonata: 24 species
Praying mantis: 5 species
Butterflies: 65 species
* Bhimashankar is also home to leopard, jungle cat, jackal, Indian fox, hyena, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, common languar, bonnet macaque and small Indian mongoose
* Fish specie like parapsilorhynchus elongatus is endemic to this sanctuary
* The largest moth in the country is found here