Influence of Habitat Type and Anthropogenic Impact on Saurian Diversity in Fort Ecosystems of Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra-India

Abstract

Saurian are the important predators in Indian ecosystem, which help to control insect and pest population indoor as well as in outdoor. They also help to reduce the use of chemical pesticides by serving as a voracious insectivorous as they feed on garden pests, insects and rodents. Group Sauria is also an important bioindicator of environmental health. As compared to regular habitats, forts offer more unique microhabitat structure like stone structures, crevices, vegetation, sunny spots as well as shaded areas which are beneficial for the survival of various saurian species. Many a times, forts are isolated from the human settlements. That protects the biodiversity from urbanization, pollution and agricultural expansion. The study presented here was aimed to evaluate the diversity, relative abundance, distribution of saurian and their relationship with their habitat in the selected coastal and inland fort ecosystems of Sindhudurg district (Maharashtra) in relation to varying levels of anthropogenic activities and their impact. The study was conducted from December 2024 to December 2025 at selected forts in Sindhudurg named as Yashwantgad Fort (Redi), Ramgad Fort and Sarjekot Fort using visual encounter method suggested by Doan (2003) and time constrained search method across three major seasons to assess the species composition and the role of microhabitat structures in relation to saurian diversity and abundance. This study showed considerable variation in the diversity on three selected forts. The Shannon diversity index was 0.943 for Yashwantgad Fort (Redi), 1.731 for Ramgad Fort and 1.63 for Sarjekot Fort. This showed that anthropogenic activities and habitat type influences total diversity of the fort area. It also highlighted the importance of responsible tourism and habitat-friendly management practices in Sindhudurg district.