Work on the Cnemaspis Kolhapurensis began in 2005 and the discovery has been published in the July edition of the prestigious journal, Zootaxa, Giri said.

The research findings by Giri and Kshamata were submitted to Dr. Aaron M. Bauer of Villanova University for verification.

Prior to this, two other species - Hemidactylus Sataraensis and Hemidactylus Aaronbaueri - were also discovered by Giri and Bauer as part of a BNHS project in the thick forests of Maharashtra.

The three discoveries point to a unique diversity of amphibians and reptiles in the Sahyadri range forests. The discovery of a caecilian, Indotyphlus Maharashtraensis, confirms this, a BHS statement said.

The BHS has urged the need for serious attention to explore and study the region thoroughly, and apprehends that if not done immediately, the country could lose many species, much before they are even known to science.

The latest project received funding support from Rufford Small Grants for nature conservation and the Ministry of Environment and Forests, and field support from the local forest department and non-gonverment organizations like Greenguards of Kolhapur and Malabar Nature Conservation Club.