Current Affairs - State - Discussion

Karnataka has officially declared the Malabar Tree Toad (Pedostibes tuberculosus), locally known as Malenadina Mara Gantikappe, as its state amphibian, becoming the first Indian state to designate an amphibian as an official state symbol. The declaration was signed by the Karnataka Forest, Ecology and Environment Department on 27th October 2026. The species is native to the Western Ghats and is commonly found in wet evergreen forests. It is an important indicator species that reflects the health of forest ecosystems. This recognition aims to promote biodiversity awareness and encourage conservation of the rare amphibian.