Dragonflies in Distress: Scientists Raise Alarm in One of India’s Richest Ecosystems 

Scientists are warning of a sharp decline in dragonfly populations in one of India’s most biodiverse regions, signaling worsening environmental conditions. The insects, key indicators of freshwater ecosystem health, are being affected by habitat loss, pollution, pesticide use, and climate change. Experts say their disappearance could disrupt ecosystems and even impact mosquito control, urging immediate conservation efforts to protect fragile water habitats and biodiversity. 

A sweeping new study of dragonflies and damselflies in Western Ghats one of the world’s most critical biodiversity hotspots has uncovered both remarkable diversity and signs of alarming decline.

Conducted between 2021 and 2023 across five Indian states, the research documented 143 species of dragonflies and damselflies, including at least 40 that are found nowhere else on Earth. But scientists say the findings come with a stark warning: nearly 79 species previously recorded in the region were not found, suggesting a possible decline of about 35%.

“This could mean some species are extremely rare or seasonal,” said Pankaj Koparde, the evolutionary ecologist who led the study. “But it could also indicate that some species may have been lost entirely.” Because dragonflies are highly sensitive to environmental changes, their disappearance can point to deeper ecological damage.

Stretching roughly 1,600 kilometers along India’s western coast, the Western Ghats is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and supports an extraordinary range of life, including more than 30% of India’s plant and animal species. Many of these are endemic, meaning they evolved in isolation and play specialized roles in maintaining ecological balance.

Yet the region faces mounting pressure. A 2025 assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature classified the area as being of “significant concern,” citing threats from urban expansion, agriculture, mining, invasive species, and infrastructure development.

Recent studies have reinforced those concerns. Researchers have documented the disappearance of rare frog populations due to habitat disturbance, declines in amphibians linked to farming practices, and steep drops in bird species unique to the region.

Against this backdrop, the dragonfly study offers both discovery and warning. Researchers identified seven previously unknown species, including one named Protosticta armageddonia a reference to the term “ecological armageddon,” used to describe global insect declines.

To carry out the research, Koparde and his team trekked through remote and often difficult terrain, from dense forests to mangrove swamps, documenting species in early morning field sessions that sometimes lasted for hours.

The team is now building a genetic library of the species they recorded, aiming to better understand their evolutionary origins. The region’s geological history adds another layer of intrigue: the Gondwana breakup roughly 150 million years ago helped form the Western Ghats, potentially linking its species to ancient lineages that predate the Himalayas.

For scientists, the message is urgent. Tracking these species is critical not just for preserving biodiversity, but for understanding the health of an ecosystem that millions of people ultimately depend on.

“When dragonflies decline,” Koparde said, “it’s a signal we can’t afford to ignore.”

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Source: BBC