A four-day annual faunal survey has begun in the Munnar wildlife division in Idukki. According to officials, Faunal survey 2026 will estimate the population of birds, butterflies, and odonates (dragonflies) within the wildlife division.

The survey, which runs from May 21 to 24, will assess faunal numbers across Eravikulam National Park (ENP), Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Pampadum Shola National Park. Officials stated that the initiative is being jointly conducted by the Munnar Wildlife Division and the Travancore Nature History Society (TNHS).

Nearly 100 members are participating in the survey, which was officially inaugurated in Munnar on Thursday by Munnar Wildlife Warden K.V. Harikrishnan. Following the inauguration, TNHS director Kalesh conducted an orientation class related to the survey. Eravikulam National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary Assistant wildlife Warden Ajikumar, alongside Shola National Park Assistant Wildlife Warden Anandapadmanabhan K.K., were among those who attended the session.

According to the officials, the survey aims to document the biodiversity of the forests within the Munnar Wildlife Division. “The survey also aims to discover new species of birds, butterflies, and odonates in the division. In addition, it will help determine if any extinction of these species has occurred in these forests,” an official said.