Preliminary survey on herpetofauna of Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary, Gujarat

Abstract

The Narayan Sarovar Sanctuary (NSS) (23027'–23042'N and 68030'68057'E) is one of the important protected areas and is located in the western most part of the country. Administratively, the NSS is located within the Lakhpat taluka of Kachchh District. The NSS represents the ecological peculiarities of Biotic Province 3A Kachchh, of Biogeographic Zone the Indian Desert (Champion & Seth, 1968). The Sanctuary originally covered an area of 767.79km2, when it was notified in 1981 but later in July 1995 an area of 321km2 was de-notified from the Sanctuary for lime stone and lignite-based industrial development of the state. At present the sanctuary is only 444.23km2. The Kori Creek borders the Sanctuary on the north-west and mangrove forest to the west. However, no prominent land features are present on the eastern, northern and southern sides. The entire area of the Sanctuary has been rapidly surveyed and assessed for herpetofauna in the following manner, with the objectives being: 1. to determine present distribution and status of amphibians and reptiles, and, 2. to gather baseline information on the habitat and identify threats, if any.