Gluta travancorica

Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, part of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, is one of the richest areas of bio-diversity in Western Ghats. The biotic richness and distinct biographic features of this forest area makes it an ideal gene pool reserve. The etymological meaning of the name “Shendurney” has been derived from a tree locally called ‘Chenkurinji’ or ‘Chenkurunji’ (Gluta travancorica), which is an endemic tree confined to this tract. Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary has substantial natural vegetation ranging from southern secondary moist mixed deciduous forest to southern subtropical hill forest. Tropical evergreen and semi evergreen forest comprises three fourth of the total area of the sanctuary. The undulating terrains, rocky mountains, waterfalls, grasslands etc. form the habitat of a variety of tropical flora and fauna. The construction of the Parappar dam has resulted in the creation of an artificial lake of about 18.69 sq.km within the sanctuary. Before the formation of ‘Shendurney’ as a wildlife sanctuary, the area was under Thenmala Forest Division. The sanctuary is located in Kollam District and comes under the control of Agasthyavanam Biological Park Circle.

Highlights of Amphibian Survey conducted in sanctuary from 2008-2011
An analysis of earlier records and the present survey reveals the presence of at least 45 species of frogs in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary. But two additional species that could  potentially be found inside the sanctuary are the rare Melanobatrachus
indicus, which has been recorded in the neighbouring KMTR and Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis, which was reported recently from the immediately adjacent Ambanad Hills to the north. Of the total 47 species, 42 (89%) are endemic to the Western Ghats and among the endemics, 35% are regionally endemic to the Agasthyamalai Hills. New species described as late as 2011, such as Raorchestes crustai, R. agasthyaensis, R. johnceei and R. manohari were well distributed
in high elevation regions in the sanctuary. Species such as R. manohari and R. chalazodes are reed dwelling species. R. chalazodes was re-discovered
only three years ago, after more than 130 years. The frog diversity of Shendurney WLS is exceptional and the sanctuary and surrounding regions can qualify
to be among the richest protected areas in the entire Western Ghats for amphibians. Hence, the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary should merit the highest

form of protection to safeguard this incredible diversity, to help carry over its rich amphibian legacy into the future.

Enumeration of Chenkurinjy : A total Enumeration of Chenkurinji trees was conducted in the sanctuary during 2009-10 . During this 3600 trees and poles were numbered and thousands of regenerations were observed. more »

Wild animals were once in abundance in all the forests but are gradually vanishing and facing the threat of extinction due to destruction of their habitats.   Various developmental activities like construction of roads, dams, irrigation projects etc have resulted in reduction of the forest area. This dwindling of forest area helps the poachers and hunters in the reduction of wildlife population. The wild animals and birds enrich the beauty and bring in diversity in life. It helps to maintain the environmental balance of nature with high potential in recreational and aesthetic values.  All these call for the much needed conservation programmes.  Detailed census needs to be conducted immediately in this Sanctuary. more »