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A new scientific study has revealed both exciting and concerning news about dragonflies and damselflies in the Western Ghats, a mountain range in India known for its rich biodiversity. The research, which took place over two years and covered five Indian states, found 143 different species of these insects living in the Western Ghats. At least 40 of these species are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world. This makes the Western Ghats a very important place for nature and science.

However, the study also found that 79 species of dragonflies and damselflies that were previously reported in the region could not be found this time. This is a decline of about 35 percent. The lead scientist, Pankaj Koparde, explained that some of these insects might be very rare or only appear during certain seasons, so the researchers might have missed them. But there is also a chance that some of these species have disappeared completely, which would mean they have gone extinct. Dragonflies and damselflies are important because they are indicators of how healthy an ecosystem is. If their numbers go down, it could mean that the environment is being damaged.

The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to more than 30 percent of India's plant and animal species. Many of these species are unique to the region. These insects and animals play important roles in their habitats, such as helping with pollination and keeping the climate balanced. Unfortunately, the Western Ghats is facing many threats. Urbanization, farming, livestock grazing, building projects like windmills and dams, invasive species, and mining are all putting pressure on the region. Reports have shown that rare frogs and birds are also disappearing from the area because their habitats are being destroyed.

To carry out their research, the scientists had to travel to remote and difficult places, such as mossy riverbanks and mangrove swamps. They spent hours each day searching for and collecting insects. During their study, they discovered seven new species of dragonflies and damselflies. One of these was named 'protosticta armageddonia' to highlight the serious decline of insect populations around the world. The team is now creating a genetic library of all the species they found, which will help scientists learn more about where these insects came from and how they evolved.

The Western Ghats is a very old mountain range, formed about 150 million years ago when the land of India separated from Africa. This long history means that the plants and animals there have unique evolutionary backgrounds. Some dragonflies in the region are now listed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, which means they are at risk of disappearing. The scientists hope that their research will help people understand the importance of protecting the Western Ghats and all the special species that live there.