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The study, titled ‘Spatial assessment of artificial light at night in and around protected areas of the Kerala Western Ghats’, assessed 21 protected areas, including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. It found that Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) West division recorded the highest level of light pollution at night, with an Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) screen index of 6.66, followed by Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki (4.31), Peechi Wildlife Sanctuary (2.75), Eravikulam National Park (2.18) and Anamudi Shola National Park (0.543). In forest areas, it can alter the behavioural, psychological, physiological and reproductive systems of animals, birds, plants, insects and other organisms as they do not get adequate rest due to the presence of high-intensity lights.
Kochi: State’s five protected areas in the Western Ghats are facing high levels of artificial light pollution and this could adversely affect animals, plants and other organisms, according to a study conducted by Kerala Agricultural University’s department of forest resource management. Haripriya S, lead author of the study, said the research found that places of worship were strongly associated with light pollution, followed by road networks and places where people gather. In the Keralam region of the Western Ghats mountain system, the protected areas are located close to human-dominated landscapes, exposing wildlife increasingly to artificial light at night, an emerging ecological stressor affecting nocturnal environments, the study said. We have to study the impact of light pollution on these organisms in the affected forest areas in the state,” said Haripriya. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has also said that light pollution severely disrupts nocturnal ecosystems, interferes with the natural rhythms of plants and animals, mars the wilderness experience and landscape beauty, poses risks to human health and safety, and wastes energy.
“We assume that the presence of artificial lights at Sabarimala , which is under the PTR West division, and in adjacent areas where various infrastructure exists may contribute to the highest level of light pollution at night. Street lights on roads also cause light pollution. The researchers used remote sensing data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite to assess the extent of light pollution. They evaluated the density of roads, buildings, places of worship and tourism spots where lights are used at night. “Artificial light pollution, which is a less-studied area, will have an adverse impact on ecosystems comprising all living organisms.