In the scenic town of Munnar, career opportunities mainly center around the tea industry and tourism. From an early age, Hadlee Renjith demonstrated a deep curiosity about the natural world, frequently asking questions about the expansive tea plantations and local wildlife. This relentless fascination with nature and a growing skill as a naturalist blossomed when he began volunteering with researchers investigating amphibians in the region.
What initially started as a part-time job for Hadlee evolved into a lifelong passion. Today, Hadlee is known as a naturalist, wildlife photographer, committed conservationist, and entrepreneur from Munnar. His tourism venture, “Resplendent Experiences,” provides visitors from around the world with unique and unforgettable adventures in the heart of Munnar. The name of the company is inspired by the critically endangered resplendent bush frog, a species that is native to this region, reflecting Hadlee’s commitment to local wildlife conservation.
In his conservation work, Hadlee and his team have made significant contributions, particularly in a project focused on the habitat restoration of the critically endangered Anamalai bush frog (Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus), supported by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). The choice to focus on R. pseudomalabaricus as the project’s target species was based on Hadlee’s extensive observations during his fieldwork and herping expeditions.
Munnar’s landscape, predominantly composed of shola forests interspersed with tea, cardamom, and coffee plantations, is home to several critically endangered frog species, such as Sushil’s bush frog (Raorchestes sushili), Griet bush frog (Raorchestes griet), Green-eyed bush frog (Raorchestes chlorosomma), Ponmudi bush frog (Raorchestes ponmudi), and the Anamalai flying frog (Rhacophorus pseudomalabaricus).
In recent years, there has been a noticeable decline in the population of R. pseudomalabaricus in the area. This particular species prefers habitats with cardamom plants near waterlogged areas with abundant undergrowth. The tadpole stage of this frog lasts for 2-3 months, and it requires at least a year to reach maturity. However, habitat-disturbing practices, such as clearing dry or dead cardamom leaves before the monsoon, pose significant threats to their breeding and survival. Furthermore, a local myth that frogs feed on cardamom pods has led to the use of pesticides to eliminate them from plantations, further endangering their populations.
To combat these challenges, Hadlee and his team decided to focus their conservation e forts on a well-known cardamom plantation—Windermere Estate Plantation in Munnar. The team approached the plantation owners with a proposal to construct water habitats (WHs) across the property to conserve the endemic frog species. The project began with the selection of a site near an existing water pond where the presence of R. pseudomalabaricus had been previously recorded. Despite facing challenges such as heavy rains and landslides that altered the shape of the pond, Hadlee and his team successfully completed the first WH. They meticulously selected plant species like wild turmeric and ferns to create suitable nesting habitats for the frogs, based on their observations of the existing pond’s vegetation.
The construction of the second WH followed a similar process, utilizing jute sacks for the pond base, lined with blue tarpaulin and a black plastic sheet, with small stones placed around the WH to keep the tarpaulin secure. To promote rapid growth and readiness for frog habitation, wild turmeric plants and creepers were planted around the pond, and a drip irrigation system was installed. Additionally, the first WH was upgraded with an improved water flow system and drip irrigation for the surrounding vegetation.
However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns made regular monitoring of the ponds challenging. Despite these difficulties, Hadlee and his team managed to conduct occasional night visits to the WHs. For many months, these monitoring e forts yielded disappointing results, with little activity or sightings of the target species, R. pseudomalabaricus. Then, nearly nine months into the project, during a routine visit, the team spotted the first tadpole of R. pseudomalabaricus in the initial WH. This discovery marked a significant milestone for the project and was a moment of immense joy for Hadlee and his team.
As a direct result of this initiative and the evidence of the frogs’ adaptability to the newly created WHs, educational signboards were installed at the plantation’s entrance to raise awareness about the diversity of frog species present. A local newspaper featured an article about the project, highlighting the importance of frog habitat conservation. This news also spread online, receiving positive feedback from the public and fostering a greater awareness of these tiny creatures among the locals. As word of the endemic frog species spread, many Munnar residents developed a keen interest in these amphibians. The team even received inquiries from plantation owners up to 40 kilometres away, asking whether these frog species could be introduced to their lands for natural pest control.
The project has not only heightened awareness about the presence of various endemic frog species in Munnar but also led to the establishment of an Amphibian Recovery Project in Munnar, supported by the Wildlife Trust of India. Hadlee and his team continue to play an integral role in this initiative by assisting with site selection, engaging in negotiations with plantation owners, and providing field support.
In addition to their conservation work, Hadlee and his team have pioneered herping tours around Munnar. These tours are designed to educate people about the importance of preserving microhabitats and advocating for the conservation of small creatures, granting them the same status as their larger counterparts, such as elephants and tigers. This innovative venture not only enriches the experiences of nature enthusiasts and photographers but also significantly contributes to the protection of delicate ecosystems.
Hadlee’s guiding philosophy has always been that “great significance resides within the tiniest of beings. The smaller a species, the more profound its impact on our environment. Whether large or small, it is imperative that we champion the cause of conserving these vital organisms to ensure our own survival.” This belief remains at the core of his endeavours as he continues to spread this vital message far and wide.
Throughout his journey, Hadlee has demonstrated that even small initiatives can have a substantial impact on conservation efforts. Every year he sets apart a part of the income received from his tourism venture for conservation activities under the Resplendent Conservation Trust. By raising awareness and educating the public about the importance of these often-overlooked species, he has fostered a sense of responsibility and care for the natural world among the local community and beyond. His dedication to the cause has inspired others to join the movement, further strengthening the e forts to protect and conserve the unique biodiversity of Munnar.
Today, the Amphibian Recovery Project in Munnar serves as a testament to the success of Hadlee’s initiatives, providing a space for ongoing research and education about the region’s amphibian species. Hadlee and his team remain actively involved in supporting the centre, offering their expertise and guidance to ensure that the conservation e forts continue to thrive. Through their commitment and perseverance, they have created a lasting legacy that will benefit Munnar’s rich biodiversity for generations to come.
