Karnataka will soon officially declare the honeybee species Tudave Jenu (Apis cerana) as the state insect and the Malabar tree toad (Pedostibes tuberculosus) as the state frog, Forest and Ecology Minister Eshwar Khandre announced on Friday.
The move comes nearly six years after experts first recommended recognising the two species as symbols of biodiversity conservation in the state.
Formal notification expected soon
Speaking during International Biodiversity Day celebrations at Vidhana Soudha, Khandre said the official notification would be issued within days.
He said Karnataka is following a global trend where governments identify and protect ecologically significant species through official recognition.
Karnataka had earlier declared sandalwood as the state tree, elephant as the state animal, Indian roller (Neelakantha) as the state bird, and Southern Birdwing as the state butterfly.
Experts recommended species in 2020-21
The recommendations were made by the Karnataka Biodiversity Board during 2020-21 after consultations with scientists and researchers from institutions including the Indian Institute of Science and the University of Agricultural Sciences.
Environmental experts have expressed concern over declining populations of Apis cerana due to habitat loss, climate change, and diseases such as Thai sacbrood virus.
The Malabar tree toad, first documented in the 19th century, had disappeared from scientific records for decades before being rediscovered in Kerala in 1980 and later identified in parts of Karnataka’s Western Ghats.
Govt focuses on forest and wildlife conservation
Khandre also raised concerns over shrinking forest cover and increasing human-wildlife conflict in Karnataka.
Referring to recent incidents involving elephants and forest encroachments, the minister said the government is intensifying efforts to reclaim forest land allegedly occupied by various agencies and private entities.
According to the minister, around 12,204 acres of forest land have been reclaimed over the past three years, while nearly 110 million saplings have been planted across the state.
The government said recognising the two species is aimed at promoting ecological awareness and strengthening biodiversity conservation efforts in Karnataka.