A preliminary checklist of herpetofauna occurring in Rowa Wildlife Sanctuary, Tripura, India

Abstract

Rowa wildlife sanctuary is the smallest of the four wildlife sanctuaries of Tripura comprising of an area of 0.860 km2. In this study we recorded 20 species of amphibians representing 6 families and 33 species of reptiles representing 9 families. One of the amphibian species namely Hoplobatrachus litoralis is a first record from India. During the survey we encountered open turtle trade being conducted in the markets of Agartala. The prime species involved in the flesh trade are Nilssonia hurum and Lissemys punctata andersoni. Both the species are under Schedule I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.