Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati   

Blow to wildlife at Tirumala

A.D. Rangarajan

Human intrusion brings down gecko population by half

POSING A THREAT: A communication tower and a building close to a Byramkonda quartzite boulder inTirumala hills threatening the habitat of the golden gecko.

TIRUPATI: Wildlife at Tirumala has taken a beating in the recent past with the spate of construction work in the protected areas. The brazen intrusion of humans into the areas considered sacrosanct has resulted in a steep fall in the wildlife population.

The worst-hit is the golden gecko (Calodactylodes areus), a rare nocturnal reptile, which is endemic to Tirumala and parts of the Seshachalam ranges. As the name suggests, it is a golden yellow and yellowish brown creature. The reptiles, which tend to shy away from heat and sunlight, dwell in the moist crevices of Byramkonda Quartzite rocks and boulders, which are peculiarly brownish-pink in colour, found in the Arundhati Vanam and Silathoranam areas of Tirumala.

Disturbing trend

In a technical report submitted to the Government in the year 2000 as part of the World Bank-aided project "Ecology and conservation of golden gecko in Tirumala hills and in some habitats of SV National Park,'' a professor of zoology at SV University, NV Nandakumar and a researcher M. Rajasekhar, had mentioned that the number of geckos had fallen to touch a mere 65. "Now, the number will not be more than 25, thanks to the unbridled activity in the National Park area," says Prof.Kumar, who is presently a member of the Andhra Pradesh Wildlife Board.

Harsh glare

The `Sila Thoranam,' a 120-crore-year-old geological marvel, is one among the three naturally-formed rock arches in the world. Taking advantage of the tourist inflow, the TTD management developed gardens, parking lots in the area and even arranged flashlights to focus on the rocks during nights.

However, it is this very area that is home for nocturnal reptiles, which suddenly found their survival extremely difficult as the lights disturbed their natural rhythm vis-a-vis reproduction, physiology, movement and behaviour. The human activity was so much that the Chief Wildlife Warden had to instruct the TTD to restrict visitors to the region.

"What's more shocking now is the building of VIP guest houses and erection of communication towers in this area. Not just this, the quartzite rocks were chipped off and the geckos have been rendered homeless," Mr. Kumar noted. While pilgrims leave behind tonnes of garbage in the form of plastic carrybags and water bottles, TTD cleaners, out of ignorance, incinerate them, thus scaring away the heat-sensitive animals.

Throwing to the winds the ban clamped by itself on heavy construction at Tirumala, the TTD is planning to construct three massive choultries.

While the increasing demand for pilgrim accommodation has to be met at all costs, equally important is the need to protect the rich biodiversity on the serene seven hills.

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Blow to wildlife at Tirumala

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