VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam forest officials discovered the elusive Barkudia Limbless Skink (Barkudia Melanosticta) within the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time.
According to district forest officer Anant Shankar, it is a significant milestone in the study of herpetology and underscores the sanctuary's relevance as a biodiversity hotspot.
This great news comes on the International Day of Biodiversity, which adds to its significance, he says. This astonishing discovery, thought to be peculiar to this location, gives crucial information into the species' behaviour, habitat preferences, and overall ecological importance.
The DFO stated that the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, with its diverse flora and wildlife, has long piqued the interest of researchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
The sanctuary, which covers an area of 71 square kilometres, is home to various endangered and rare species. This latest discovery strengthens its position as a critical conservation area and emphasises the significance of protecting such delicate ecosystems.
Yagnapathy Adari, a project scientist with the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, discovered the existence of Barkudia limbless skink in 2020 after first documenting Dutta's Mahendragiri Gecko (Hemidactylussushilduttai) from Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary.
According to the DFO, the forest department is constructing Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary as an ecotourism and nature sensitisation centre that will become a key tourist attraction in the city.
