DANCING FROGS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the Wildlife Trust of India identified the dancing frogs in the Western Ghats as India's most threatened amphibian genus.

Dancing Frogs

• Endemic to the Western Ghats
• Habitat Preference: Thrives in dense canopy areas (70-80% coverage)
• Fifth Most Threatened Genus Globally, with 92% of species in the threatened category
• Behavior: Unique mating display near streams
• Males perform "foot flagging" to attract mates and deter competition due to stream noise
• Ecological Significance: Valuable in food chains and ecosystem services
• Threats: Endangered by invasive species, land use changes, temperature and humidity variations, extreme weather events, infectious diseases, water and light pollution, and infrastructure projects

Wildlife Trust of India

• About: WTI is a non-profit conservation organisation dedicated to safeguarding India’s natural heritage.

oWTI is a registered charity in India (under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961).

• Founded: In November 1998 in New Delhi, India, in response to the rapidly deteriorating state of wildlife in India.
• A team of 3 members set out on a mission to save the environment which has now increased to 150 full time professionals.