Sachin Vijay Chorge
Other projects
30 Mar 2016
To Study the Population Dynamics of ‘Scarabaeid Beetles’ and to Promote Use of Agriculturally Beneficial Species in Kudal Region of Sindhudurg, Maharashtra
This study of Scarabaeid beetles of Sindhudurg district aims to reveal the status of these life forms in this gradually depleting mega-diverse region of Konkan. The awareness amongst people about role of dung beetles in agriculture as well as nature and importance of sustainable farming would help in getting involvement of local people in protecting environment.
Scarabaeid beetles (Dung Beetles) are the most diverse and widely distributed ecologically important insects. More than 1500 species of Scarabaeidae beetles have been recorded from India. These beetles have large economic importance due to their role in mixing of nutrients in soil to increase the fertility of soil, as pest of crops, and as biological pest controllers. Some species are identified as bio-indicators.
Field visit workshop.
The traditional farming in Konkan involves cattle dung manuring supporting local insect fauna specially the dung beetles and worms useful for agriculture. But this practice has become less popular due to use of chemical fertilizers, which have shown promising growth in agricultural yield at the cost of loss of natural decomposers and biological pest controlling agents. Correct strategies and guidance to farmers about biological pest control will surely make farming sustainable.
Activities of projects:
The study sites will be selected in Sindhudurg district of Konkan in different habitats such as forests, plateaus, scrublands and agricultural fields. The site visits will be scheduled for every season. The Scarabaeid beetles will be collected by field collection methods such as hand picking, light traps, flight interception and pit fall traps. The collected specimens will be sorted and few type specimens will be preserved for identification.
A public awareness programme will be designed wherein activities such as Public meetings, awareness programmes in schools and colleges including public talk and poster presentations on local environment will be planned. This will also include poster drawing competitions for students. Hands on training workshop for farmers will be organised with help of experts from various agricultural institutions and NGOs. The activities of the projects will be documented in videos and photos which can be useful in creating awareness in further phases of the project as well as for other such study projects all over India.
This study will help in understanding the diversity and life of many Scarabaeid beetle fauna of Konkan. The study of distribution of Scarabaeid beetles will facilitate to understand the relation between Scarabaeid beetles, different habitats and also the different farming practices in Konkan. This project on completion of its all phases will become a role model for more such studies in different parts on the Konkan and India where farmers will become conservators of biodiversity through sustainable agriculture.