By Mayabhushan Nagvenkar

Panaji, May 15 (IANS): Frog meat, locally known as 'jumping chicken', is ordered in soft whispers at numerous eateries in Goa around the beginning of monsoon when the amphibians surface in thousands, croaking for mates. But green activists and forest officials are now trying their best to keep them off the menu.

Cooked and dressed on a plate, frog meat satiates the taste buds of many in Goa in spite of being banned.

"In Goa, the two largest known species are the Indian Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus) and the Jerdon's Bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus crassus). Unfortunately, they are both selectively poached for their large fleshy legs," Clinton Vaz, who is spearheading the Save Frogs campaign, along with NGOs and the forest department, told IANS.

"The Indian pond frog, grass frog and the common Indian toad are also occasionally poached. An insatiable demand at restaurants for illegal frog meat has ensured a lucrative return to the poacher for a pair of frog legs," Vaz said.

Until 1985, frogs were openly caught and their legs cooked in grease and spices were served in restaurants. The frog's lean, clean meat and chicken-like taste had many takers.

In 1985, however, the government of India banned the catching and killing of frogs under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, but 'jumping chicken' continued to be sold, albeit clandestinely.

The Indian Bullfrog and the Jerdon's Bullfrog, are now listed on the Schedule-I List of threatened species recognised by the central government, as well as the IUCN Red List recognised internationally.

And now activists and forest department officials are making a concerted effort to keep the frogs in the ponds and marshes where they belong.

With the monsoon fast approaching, the Save Frog campaigners have started training their weapons on the frog hunters, who set out on rain-soaked nights with a powerful torch and a gunny sack.

The torch beam helps to spot and temporarily immobilise the amphibian caught under the glare.

The immobilised frog is then picked up firmly in the cavity between the thumb and the forefinger and then secured in a gunny sack, where it stays until a deal is struck with a hotelier for its meaty legs.

Into its fifth year, the Save Frog campaign is coordinated by WildGoa, a Goa-related network of wildlife enthusiasts and NGOs, which has the full support of the Goa forest department and a number of international organisations, including Amphibian Ark, GOACAN (Goa Consumer Action Network) and WWF-Goa.

"While last year it (campaign) focussed mainly on printed literature, posters in restaurants, this year we are coming up with an awareness video on why one should not hunt frogs. We will involve local FM stations and TV channels," Vaz said.

"We are also sharing information with international agencies to help coordinate efforts worldwide," Vaz adds.

When asked if poaching alone is a major threat to frogs, Vaz admits effects of pesticides and chemical fertiliser on frogs are also a factor.

"Chemicals definitely are a major factor but we do not know to what extent. We have requested the forest department to grant permission to conduct a study, which has been granted in principle," he said, adding that for now the campaign is focussed mainly on preventing poaching.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Debendra Dalai, who is a part of the Save Frogs campaign, said the forest department is trying its best to save frogs from poaching.

"Every year we step up protection to monitor activity outside notified forest areas, especially agricultural fields where frogs are abundant. Within forest areas, checks are regularly done," Dalai said.

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, any individual or restaurant found catching, killing, selling, serving or even eating frog meat attracts stringent punishment with a fine of Rs.25,000 and/or imprisonment up to three years.

In 2008, 10 people were detained and fined under the Act. However, last year just one case was registered.

Dalai attributes this to an increase in awareness among the local population. "This is a good sign, it shows that people have realised the importance of frogs," he said.

Goa is home to around 40 species of amphibians, many of which are endemic to the region of the Western Ghats.