Vegetation: All out search method was carried out in all landscape elements of the region enlisting grass, sedges, herbs, climbers, lianas, shrubs and trees. Species were identified on the spot. Table 2 lists 187 species observed during the survey. Table 3 lists 81 species of wetlands plants in the region. Figure 6 depicts a few flower plants of the region.

Butterflies and Odonates:  Different species of butterflies and dragon flies were recorded by all out search method in all landscape elements of the region. Table 4 lists 59 butterfly species from the region, of which two are endangered (Crimson Rose and Daniad Eggfly) and two are endemic (Malabar Raven and South Indian Blue Oak Leaf) to the Western Ghats. Eleven species of dragon and damselflies (odonates) were also recorded from the region (Table 5). Figure 7depicts a few odanates from the region.

Amphibians and Reptiles: Nocturnal searches were carried along streams and wetlands of the region for amphibians. Six species recorded are given in Table 6 and Figure 8. Among these, two are endemic to the Western ghats (Sylvirana aurantiaca and Philautus wynaadensis) and one endangered species (Philautus wynaadensis). Table 7 details three species of reptiles encountered during the study.

Birds and Mammals: Hour count method in the morning hours was followed for bird sampling. Samplings were carried out in wetlands, paddy fields, scrub jungles, sacred grooves and forests. 55 species observed during the study are listed in Table 8 and Figure 9 depicts a few bird species recorded from the region. Indian peafowl is a Schedule I bird species. Seven species of mammals listed in Table 9 is based on opportunistic survey and interaction with knowledgeable residents of the region. Among these mammals, Gaur is Schedule I animal. 

The region is rich in biodiversity evident from the occurrence of flora and fauna species. This study records 187 species of plants, 59 butterflies, 11 odonates, 6 amphibians, 3 reptiles, 55 birds and 7 species of mammals in a short duration of two days and in a few selected localities. Also many of these taxa are protected under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, amended 2006. Considering the ecological and biodiversity significance of the region we suggest the following

1. Carrying capacity of the district has to be assessed on priority before implementing any developmental projects in the erstwhile undivided Dakshina Kannada district as per the recommendations of the committee constituted by the Government of Karnataka in 1998 under the chairmanship of Prof. Madhav Gadgil. The planning authorities should adopt holistic approaches considering various components of the system than sectoral fragmented approaches.
2. The integrity of water quality is already impaired due to the effluent inflow from industries commissioned and functional in the region (such as MRPL). Polluter pays‘ principle as per “Water(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977 and the Water(Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess   (Amendment) Act, 2003” to be implemented on priority. Regulatory authorities need to shed complacency in addressing the activities polluting vital ecosystems.
3.  Considering the biological richness and ecological sensitiveness of the Western Ghats, large scale developmental projects should not be planned in any part of the Western Ghats as it is likely to impair functional capabilities of the ecosystem namely hydrology, biodiversity and ecology.
4. The current study area is in the close proximity (<30 km) to the Western Ghats and setting up megascale industrial projects including power projects in the region will lead to large scale land cover changes, which in turn lead to loss of biological diversity, natural resources and ultimately impact humans.
5. Rabi, Kharrif and summer agriculture crops apart from perennial horticultural crops clearly demonstrate the fertility of the soil, coupled with availability of the water.
6. The region needs to be conserved on priority as per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (amended 2006), due to the presence of many endangered, endemic, rare and threatened species listed (Tables 2-9) under Schedules I-IV of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. 
7. In the event of intense industrialization, pollutants will disperse and get transported to the regions with higher wind regimes, which will affect ecologically sensitive the Western Ghats. This will influence the climate regime and the district will face serious and severe water crisis resulting in prolonged drought in the region.
8. The EIA conducted for the region violates the September 14 2006 EIA notification of Government of India as applicable to Category A and B1 projects.
9. The EIA report lacks detailed field investigations covering all seasons, landscapes, waterscapes, cultural, socio-economic aspects. The report fails to highlight the ecological, biological and cultural  importance of the region;
1. Cultural, religious and traditional values of the region are very high with the presence of historical monuments and pilgrimage centres such as Kateel, Shibaruru, etc.
2. Cumulative impacts of existing projects on temporal scale and also the impacts of the proposed projects has not been accounted.
3. The pollution due to industrial activities on land, water and air will impair the ecosystem services of the Western Ghats.
4. The methods followed to quantify above aspects is inadequate and a quantified data is far from the actual in the EIA report. In contrary, a brief inventory undertaken by us in the study area brings out the biological and ecological importance of the region. More systematic sampling and documentation of environmental and ecological parameters will certainly prove the significance of the region and the need for conservation.

Proposed developmental activities in the vicinity of the Western Ghats - ecologically sensitive biodiversity hotspot violates the due recognition given to wildlife and forests, in the constitution of India.

I.  Section 10 of the Constitution (Forty–second Amendment) Act 1976, Article 48: 48 A Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife – The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.

II. Section 11 of the Constitution (Forty–second Amendment) Act 1976, Article 51 A,  Part V-A: 51 A Fundamental Duties – It shall be the duty of every citizen of India - (g) To protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures. Primary goals of conservation of the ecosystems are to:

III. Forest policy 1998 -

IV: Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
To check indiscriminate diversion of forestland. Under this legislation, approval of the Central Government is required before any forestland (noted as such in Government records) is diverted for non-forestry purposes.

V. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
This Act provides the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and for matters connected therewith or ancillary or incidental thereto with a view to ensuring the ecological and environmental security of the country. The Act has 11 Chapters and 121 Sections and has categorized animals, birds, and plants in six Schedules. Schedule I lists endangered species of mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, crustaceans and insects. For the possession, transportation, translocation, etc., of these species permission from the Government of India is needed. Penalties for contravention of the Act for Schedule I species are very stringent. The Act provides for the setting of protected areas such as national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves and community reserves. It also has provisions for control of trade and taxidermy in wildlife and for the setting of wildlife advisory boards to advise Central and State Governments.

VI. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
The Act has a reference to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity at Rio
de Janeiro in 1992, which reaffirmed the sovereign rights of the States over their biological resources. The Act provides for the conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources, knowledge and for connected matters. Specific clause applicable to this region is:

VI The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
This Act provides for the protection and improvement of environment and for matters
connected therewith. India participated at the United Nations Conference on the Human
Environment held at Stockholm in June 1972 and decided to take appropriate steps for
the protection and improvement of environment and the prevention of hazards to human
life and health, other living creatures, plants and property.

VII The  National Environmental Policy 2006
The principal Objectives of this policy are

District authorities and elected representatives should take cognizance of prevailing regulation as per the constitution of India and should strive for the conservation of ecologically fragile and sensitive global biodiversity hotspot – the Western Ghats. Taking sincere measures in this direction would be a befitting gift by our generation to the future generation.  The governance of the region should encompass the principle of transparency, rationality, accountability, participation, and regulatory independence.

Table 2. Plant species recorded from selected localities

 
Table 3. Wetland plants of the region

Figure 2. View of diverse landscape in Permude Grama Panchayat.

Figure 3. Valley near Tenka Yekkaru, with mixed vegetation.

Figure 4. Biologically productive wetlands