Participate in 'Monsoon Croaks', a citizen science programme by KFRI

Thrissur: Critically Endangered Resplendent Shrub Frog, Vulnerable Anaimalai Flying Frog, Wayanad Bush Frog, Endangered Malabar Torrent Toad, Small Tree Frog, Asian Common Toad, the Near Threatened Purple Frog... These endangered frogs were not found by any herpetologists but by children and adults living in various parts of Kerala. 

All these people were the participants of ‘Monsoon Croaks’, a citizen science programme aimed at documenting the frogs of Kerala during the last monsoon season, organised by the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI).

200 people participated in the survey, and 1223 observations were uploaded as part of it. Around 80 amphibian species were identified through this programme, out of which 10 were included in the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Meanwhile, the Centre for Citizen Science and Biodiversity Informatics under KFRI is planning to organise “Monsoon Croaks Bioblitz 2024” from Saturday, June 1 to September 30. 

“Identifying habitats is the first step in conserving them. The survey is conducted with public participation for the purpose of conservation of the species,” said Dr. Peroth Balakrishnan, head of the Department of Wildlife Biology at KFRI.

People of all ages can participate in this project by uploading photos of frogs and toads through the ‘Naturalist’ app and adding details of its activities. All available scientific observations will become part of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), an open-source biodiversity database.

For more information, visit the Centre for Citizen Science and Biodiversity Informatics website, www.ccsbi.kfri.res.in.