Pambar shola: a biodiversity treasure trove under threat

Several plant species were described as new to science from here. But the developmental activities of recent decades have depleted its species richness; a few are already extinct; at least four are now known from a single clump each for the entire Palni hills. (See Red Data List below). The Tamilnadu Forest Department's effort to fence the Shola during 1999 has been a recognition of its vital importance.

Contiguous to this sanctuary is a slope, now declared as a "Kurinji Preservation Plot" by the Tamilnadu Forest Department (Ref. No. J2/10888/99 of 26-11-1999 of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Chennai), as this slope is the best preserved one for the entire Palni hills for the folklore plant Kurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) that flowers only once in 12 years.

The secluded, and contiguous, location of these two treasures saved them to some extent till now, but for the future the only way is on site (in situ) conservation. Any external interference will prove lethal in this last ditch struggle of the threatened species.

Pambar Shola and Environments - Red Data List of plants

1. Sonerila pulneyensis : a delicate succulent herb endemic from Pambar Shola in all of the Palni hills

2. Hoya wightii ssp. pulneyensis : a succulent vine with waxy flowers endemic to Pambar Shola'

3. Plectranthus bourneate : a succulent herb endemic to Pambar Shola.

4. Trichoglottis tenera : an epiphytic orchid. Pambar Shola is its major habitat.

5. Phyllanthus chandrabosei : a shrub endemic to Pambar Shola

6. Hupezria sp. : a fern ally endemic to Pambar Shola

7. Selaginella sp. : a delicate creeping fern endemic to Pambar Shola

8. Psydrax ficiformis : a tree, until recently throught extinct

9. Utleria salicifolia : only one clump known on the Palni hills

10. Elaeocarpus blascoi : a tree believed extinct until this year

11. Cyathea crinita : tree fern, highly endangered (Botanical Survey of India)

12. Aeschynanthus perrottetii : known only from one other shola in the Palni hills

13. Eulophia sp. : a new species for the Palni hills first collected in April 2000

14. Actinodapohne bourneae : Laurel tree believed extinct (Botanical Survey of India). Two trees found in Pambar Shola

15. Ceropegia thwaitesii : vine, vulnerable, endemic to Pambar shola

16. Pimpinella pulneyensis : scarce

17. Exacum anamallayannum : gentian, only one other known location in Palni hills

References
Matthew, K. M. 1994; A Handbook of the Anglade Institute of Natural History,
Shembaganur (ed.2). Tiruchirapalli: The Rapinat Herbarium
Matthew, K. M. 1999; A report on the conserrvation status of south Indian plants
Biodiversity and Conservation 8: 779-796.

DAE Study