Researchers Discover Of A New Damselfly Species In Southwestern Ghats Of Kerala

Dr Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) researchers have discovered the 'Armageddon Reedtail -Protosticta Armageddonia' a damselfly species. This new species, with its ominous moniker, serves as a stark reminder of the ecological crisis our world faces due to rampant habitat loss and climate change. Experts are using this discovery as a powerful call to action for world leaders, urging them to address the urgent issues of global warming and their catastrophic impact on biodiversity.

The revelation of this newfound species has been officially documented in International Journal of Odonatology, a publication affiliated with the Worldwide Dragonfly Association based in the United States. The discovery has been meticulously recorded and registered with the Zoological Survey of India, Pune office, underscoring its significance in the scientific community. 

The team, comprising the expertise of Dr Pankaj Koparde, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Studies, MIT-WPU, the research prowess of Arajush Payra, PhD Scholar at MIT-WPU, Ameya Deshpande, MSc Environmental Science Student at MIT-WPU and Reji Chandran, Wildlife Photographer hailing from Kerala, played a pivotal role in this achievement.

“The naming of this new species is not merely an academic exercise; it's a desperate plea for attention. Just as this species faces the threat of extinction due to habitat loss and changing environmental conditions, countless other endemic and endangered insects are on the brink of vanishing forever. We are standing on the precipice of an ecological catastrophe and urgent action is needed to reverse this course. We need a collaborative effort involving scientists, conservationists, policymakers and the public to combat climate change and protect our planet's biodiversity,” Dr Pankaj Koparde.

Reji Chandran, who first spotted the species, echoed Dr Koparde's sentiments, stating, "I have seen the forests of the Western Ghats change rapidly due to rampant development and habitat loss. The discovery of Armageddon Reedtail serves as a symbolic representation of the broader crisis we are facing and we need to do something about it before it’s too late.”