Meppadi: It’s not just the numerous human lives, the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides have destroyed the forests which are a storehouse of biodiversity in the Western Ghats. 

The primary conclusion of the Forest Department is that five hectares of forest adjacent to Vellolippara, the epicentre of the landslide, was washed away in the tragedy. A total of 309 forest areas adjacent to Chooralmala are also gone. The area where the disaster took place was a treasure trove of rare flora and fauna in the Western Ghats.

In the past 10 years, as many as 7 new species of plants have been discovered from this mountain range.

In the bird survey conducted in 2021, a number of 166 species of birds were found here. Vellarmala is one of the remaining habitats of the endangered Banasura Laughingthrush (Chilapan). It is a sanctuary for rare species of birds like Silver-eyed Hawk, Harp Hawk, Crow Woodpecker, Nilgiri Pipit (Paranirangan) and endangered Nilgiri Forest Dog. Wayanad daffodils orchids, bamboo orchids and other plant species found only in the Western Ghats are also found here. 

Plant researcher Salim Pichan said that along with significant damage to biodiversity, there is also a possibility of invasive plants entering the forest.

After the tragedy, carcasses of two deer could only be found, said South Wayanad DFO Ajit K Raman. He added that animals, including elephants, move towards the forest when such disasters happen.