Bubesh Guptha

A Glance of Biodiversity from Seshachalam Hills, Andhra Pradesh, India Bubesh Guptha

The Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve designated in 2011, these hill ranges are part of the Eastern Ghats lie between 13°38? E and 13°55?N and 79°07? and 79°24?E spread over Chittoor and Kadapah districts of Andhra Pradesh. The vegetation is a unique mix of the tropical southern dry mixed deciduous types. The elevation ranges from 150 to 1,130 m, the terrain is undulating, with deep forest-covered valleys. The mean maximum temperature ranges from 16o C to 46o C and minimum from 9.7 o C to 25 o C. Average rainfall in this region is between 800 to 900mm. The objective of the survey is to determine the presence and status of biodiversity taxa to the region. A detailed survey of was conducted from three successful season from August 2011 to January 2014. During inventory study, systematic and standard methodology were followed and analysed. So far 52 mammals species followed by 96 butterflies, 33 snakes, 13 liza, 12 amphibians and 214 birds were recorded. Status of species, abundance, and diversity has been analysed. Colour photographs, checklist of all species were updated. So far three new records, two rediscovered, two new locality records and one new record in India were reported.