Dragonflies in distress: Scientists sound alarm in India's ecological hotspot
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- Western Ghats hosts 143 dragonfly and damselfly species, 40 endemic, but the survey missed 79 previously reported species, indicating a 35% decline.
- Department of Science and Technology funded the two‑year (2021‑2023) study across five Indian states, enabling the first systematic assessment of these insects.
- IUCN rated the Western Ghats as significant concern in its 2025 report, citing urbanisation, agriculture, and infrastructure as ongoing threats.
Why it matters: India's Ministry of Environment faces a 35% drop in dragonfly species, eroding ecosystem health and threatening water quality for downstream farmers, while biodiversity NGOs lose critical data for conservation planning.
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