The purple frog for ‘President’! Improving the profile of amphibians among local communities of the Western Ghats, India

Arun Kanagavel

Our social surveys including the current CLP project revealed that frogs were less appreciated by local communities since they feared them or found them disgusting. They were also not keen in protecting frogs. Numerous Endangered frogs (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis, Rhacophorus pseduomalabaricus) were found to be utilised by indigenous communities as medicine, fishing, meat and amulets to reduce fear among children. In order to achieve holistic behaviour change towards amphibian conservation among stakeholders through our CLP project, this proposed project will help improve appreciation towards frogs among local communities.