DIVERSITY, THREATS AND CONSERVATION OF HERPETOFAUNA IN AND AROUND BARKATULLAH UNIVERSITY, BHOPAL (MP), INDIA

A study of Herpetofauna in and around Barkatullah University Campus was conducted from June 2013 to December 2014 which revealed the presence of 20 species of Herpetofauna (4 amphibians and 16 reptiles). Out of which amphibians belongs to 2 families of order anuran while reptiles belongs to 6 families of 2 sub orders. Family Colubridae has represented 6 species while family Gekkonidae and Dicroglossidae represented by 4 and 3 species respectively followed by family Scincidae which contributed 2 species and all other families Agamidae, Bufonidae, Boidae, Elapidae and Typhlopidae were represented by single species each. The university campus is under various degrees of threats due to human disturbances including habitat destruction by cutting vegetation and vehicular movements. Out of the above all 20 species Ptyas mucosus, Checkered keelback, Olive keelback and Naja naja oxiana is protected under Wild Life Protection Act, 1972 in Schedule-II.