Despite being an important aspect of many ecosystems, frogs are often neglected in conservation. Alarmingly, in the last few years, their numbers have also declined rapidly. Taking these factors into account, some researchers have started a 'Save Frogs' initiative to tackle the decrease.

To create awareness, camps, lectures and slide shows will be organised in rural and urban areas, informing people about dos and don'ts to adopt at their own level.

Amit Sayyed, a researcher from the Wildlife Protection and Research Society, told Mirror, "Frogs are indicators of environmental situations. They have survived 250 million years, over countless ice ages, asteroid crashes, and more — yet, now, a third of amphibian species are on the verge of extinction. This is an alarm call that something is drastically wrong."

He added, "If the air, water or food source in a frog's environment are polluted, frogs display symptoms, including being prone to diseases and abnormalities in offspring, which are indicators of the problem."

Several man-made factors have caused the decline — mainly, exposure to chemicals in the water-bodies they dwell in. Mirror had also reported in October 2013 about a deadly disease, Chytrid Fungus, being found in the Western Ghats, affecting the endemic species, Nyctibatrachushumayuni, which is already endangered. The disease makes amphibian skin rigid, effectively choking the respiratory system and killing the creature. Researchers said human activity and changing environmental conditions, like pollution and deforestation, have played havoc with fauna.

Sayyed explained that populationreducing infections have been found in other frog species as well, like Indiranaleithii and Raorchestesbombayensis, in the northern Western Ghats.

Unbeknownst to many, frogs play a central role in many ecosystems, controlling insect populations and providing food to larger animals, like dragonflies, fish, snakes, birds and some mammals. Tadpoles keep waterways clean by feeding on algae and larvae, controlling the mosquito population. Adult frogs eat large quantities of insects that can transmit fatal illnesses to humans. The disappearance of frog populations disturbs an intricate food web, resulting in a negative impact that cascades through the ecosystem.

City-based conservation biologist SushilChikane echoed, "So many domestic and industrial sewage outlets flow into water sources where frogs reside. Human activity pollutes stagnant water where tadpoles are found. Climate change is also playing amajor role in the decline — durations between rains have increased. For example, June saw good rain and frogs laid their eggs. Subsequently, the large dry spell has witnessed the eggs dry away."

SarjanBhagat, principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) of the state, hailed the new move, saying, "Often, the forest department is unable to do much work to raise awareness. We need individuals for this. At present, much habitat destruction and overexploitation of resources has taken place, causing the decline. Besides, various local causes have also wreaked havoc on frog populations."