Frogs and ponds are almost synonymous, right? Well, except for those little bush frogs that have decided that they can just make baby frogs right out of eggs, without first having tadpoles. But for most other frogs in the Western Ghats, ponds, streams, and swamps are a must for survival. In fact, creation of artificial waterbodies to facilitate breeding is one of the most effective and widely used conservation interventions for amphibians around the world.

Since 2021, the Amphibian Recovery Project in Munnar has created six new ponds in the Munnar landscape for species that are dependent on stagnant water for breeding. These include most frogs from the genera Dicroglossids, Microhylids, and Rhacophorids other than the aforementioned bush frogs (Raorchestes and Pseudophilautus). Like any artificially created habitats, these ponds do take time to attract the intended users, but the waiting game has been worth it.

Galaxy frog (Melanobatrachus indicus) in Munnar | Photograph by Albin Thomas

In April 2025, we recorded the first instance of Anamalai Gliding frogs (Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus), a Vulnerable species and a species of interest, creating foam nests in one of our artificial ponds. In May and June, we have seen these frogs in amplexus in two other artificial ponds that were created earlier in the year. In the first week of June, we had another major surprise: a stunning Galaxy frog (Melanobatrachus indicus), another Vulnerable species found only in the southern Western Ghats. This is a rare species that was rediscovered in the Western Ghats after nearly 85 years. Since then, it has been recorded in isolated locations in the southern Western Ghats, but is nowhere common. It is the only member of its genus and belongs to a unique subfamily Melanobatrachinae of Microhylidae. It was listed as an EDGE (Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered) species by Zoological Society of London.

Breeding pair of R. pseudomalabaricus in an artificial pond created in the Munnar landscape | Photograph by Dr. Harikrishnan S/WTI

Since the inception of the project, supported by the Synchronicity Earth, Wildlife Trust of India has engaged with private land holders in the Munnar region to improve habitats for amphibians, particularly breeding habitats. Since pond/stagnant water habitats are scarce in the mountainous landscape, our focus has been to create more breeding ponds. Regular monitoring of these ponds indicate that at least 7 species are using the ponds for breeding, including Anamalai gliding frog (Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus), Kadalar swamp tree frog (Beddomixalus bijuii), Mewing night frog (Nyctibatrachus poocha) and Kalakkad gliding frog (Rhacophorus calcadensis). We have recorded 16 species using the ponds in general, not including the several bush frog species that are often found in the vicinity of the ponds.

Globally, habitat destruction is the leading cause of amphibian declines. Therefore, protection, creation, and restoration of habitats, especially breeding sites of threatened species, has been recognized as one of the most important conservation intervention that can help many threatened amphibian species. We believe that the use of our artificial ponds by several species of frogs including rare and threatened species such as the Galaxy frog and Anamalai gliding frogs is indicative of our efforts in the Munnar landscape starting to bear fruit.

It is envisaged that the creation of such water bodies that are designed well enable their resilience to impending environmental changes and provide refuges for amphibian metapopulations in highly diverse and endemic amphibian landscapes like Munnar.

Dr. Harikrishnan S is the project head and manager of WTI’s Amphibian Recovery Project in Munnar.