Western Ghats host an astonishing variety of amphibians, many of which thrive in coffee and tea plantations of Coorg. Conservation ecologist Dr. Vishnupriya Sankararaman documented around 36 frog species across diverse habitats – from treetops and rocks to bamboo hollows – highlighting the ecological significance of non‑protected landscapes.

Key Developments

Release of the short film “An Unlikely Home” (Sept 2025) showcasing frog species such as the Coorg yellow bush frog (Raorchestes luteolus) and the Elegant Dancing Frog (Micrixalus elegans).
Identification of paternal care in several species, where males protect eggs while females depart.
Integration of bioacoustics recordings to capture frog calls, enriching the film’s narrative without visual footage.
Recognition that only protected areas cover ~9% of the Western Ghats, while ~30% of the landscape is plantation cover.
Calls for converting coffee plantations into agroforestry models that sustain both agriculture and wildlife.

Important Facts

The film, directed by Dhritiman Mukherjee (Biont Films) and produced by RoundGlass Sustain, was shot primarily in 2022‑2023. It emphasizes that plantation habitats, though managed for crops, can support high biodiversity when tree cover mimics natural forest structure. Expert interviews suggest that minor adjustments—such as retaining native trees along stream banks—can create corridors for amphibians without compromising coffee yields.

UPSC Relevance

Understanding the role of non‑protected landscapes aligns with GS‑3 topics on environmental governance and the challenges of balancing economic development with conservation. The case illustrates:

Implementation gaps in the Wildlife Protection Act and the need for policy extensions to include agro‑ecosystems.
Community‑based conservation, a recurring theme in GS‑4 (ethics and governance) concerning stakeholder participation.
Scientific tools like bioacoustics that aid in biodiversity monitoring, relevant for questions on modern conservation techniques.

Way Forward

Policymakers should:

Formulate incentives for plantation owners to adopt agroforestry practices that retain native vegetation.
Expand the protected‑area network by recognizing high‑biodiversity plantation zones as Conservation Reserves under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Promote citizen‑science initiatives, leveraging bioacoustic monitoring to involve local communities in amphibian surveys.
Integrate findings into the National Biodiversity Action Plan, ensuring that amphibian conservation receives adequate funding and research attention.

By treating coffee plantations as shared landscapes rather than exclusive agricultural zones, India can enhance its biodiversity outcomes while supporting rural livelihoods.