<p>Reptiles and amphibians are critical for ecosystem function and yet they are declining globally. Despite substantial investigation in the broader South Asia region, knowledge of reptiles and amphibians has been largely overlooked in Bhutan. Therefore, my thesis aims to address this gap in our knowledge by addressing the conservation needs and ecological requirements of these taxa, providing valuable insights to inform effective conservation strategies in the unique context of Bhutan. </p><p>To determine research gaps and opportunities for scientific advances, I completed a literature review on amphibians and reptiles of Bhutan in Chapter 2 of my thesis. Of the 63 accessible studies on the herpetofauna of Bhutan conducted between 1972 and 2022, the majority (52 studies) emerged after 2009. Predominantly focusing on reptiles (45%) and amphibians (32%), with a lesser proportion (23%) involving both taxa, the research landscape exhibited biases in research type, and study locations. While ecological aspects were more widely explored in publications (35 studies), there was a notable dearth in research related to conservation (22 studies), taxonomy, systematics, diseases, genetics, anatomy, and physiology. Therefore, prioritising intensified conservation-oriented investigations, emphasizing aspects such as diversity, distribution, diseases, genetics, physiology, anatomy and threats to amphibians and reptiles would be of value in future, to provide key information for effective conservation strategies in Bhutan. </p><p>In Chapter 3, the value of a <i>citizen science</i> using, the “Amphibians and Reptiles of Bhutan: Citizen Research Initiative” was quantified and I gathered 929 species records from 235 individuals with different professions, revealing the significant role of non-experts in expanding knowledge, with 70% of records extending species ranges and over 48 species representing new records for Bhutan (Annexure I). Thus, encouraging and supporting <i>citizen science</i> initiatives proved instrumental in overcoming knowledge gaps and enhancing the understanding of poorly documented fauna in Bhutan. </p><p>Using data from the second and third chapter, in Chapter 4, I used a MaxEnt model to examine the distribution and climatic suitability of the King Cobra (<i>Ophiophagus hannah</i>) in Bhutan. My findings indicated the suitable area is currently 11857 km² in the Kingdom. With elevation (43.6%) and land use, and land cover (30.2%) substantially contributing to the performance of the model, the habitat suitability is expected to increase in the future due to climate change, potentially leading to an increase in human-snake conflicts. Therefore, effective conservation and protection strategies for <i>O. hannah</i> require public awareness and educational campaigns to highlight the species’ conservation and ecological importance. Further research on climate related affects to the species conservation and implementation of area and species-specific protection based on the results of this study is highly recommended.</p><p>The importance of human-wildlife interactions in shaping conservation became a clear trend in my thesis so in order to better understand how the community views reptiles and amphibians in Bhutan, in Chapter 5, I investigated the <i>public attitudes</i> towards frogs and snakes in Bhutan. I explored how attitudes differed with a person’s geographical location, whether they lived within or outside a protected area, age, gender, income level, and education level. Women showed agreater tendency to dislike both snakes and frogs and age group differences in men influenced aversion to towards snakes, with younger people disliking snakes more. The religious and cultural significance of snakes influenced the beliefs towards snakes while appearance and abundance influenced the beliefs towards frogs. While the results of my study challenge assumptions about the impact of residency in protected areas on attitudes, I found most of the respondents willing to support the conservation of snakes and frogs. Therefore, I recommend harnessing the conservation will of the Bhutanese community to improve protection for herpeofauna in Bhutan. </p><p>Collectively, my findings pave the way for a more informed and inclusive future in Bhutan’s biodiversity conservation efforts. By addressing research gaps, engaging citizens, and understanding habitat dynamics, this research sets the stage for targeted and effective conservation strategies. The exploration of public sentiments adds a crucial socio-cultural dimension, enabling the development of people-inclusive conservation initiatives. Integrating these insights, the future holds the promise of a holistic and sustainable approach to preserving Bhutan’s diverse herpetofauna, ensuring their continued existence for generations to come.</p>