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Western Ghats Forest

Most forest vegetation of Indian subcontinent is classified as sub-tropical rainforests and second richest wild life diversity in the world. Over 70% of Indian population dependents on agriculture and agriculture depend on monsoon. Western Ghats along the West coast of the subcontinent serves as the windshield, which uplift the moisture-laden wind in the atmosphere and gradually transforming into clouds of rainfall. These Ghats runs along the Arabian Sea (822°N, 7377°E) from Tapti in Gujarat to Mahendra Gir in Tamil Nadu. Interestingly, these mountain ranges receive 100-400 inch per year. The pristine forest of Western Ghats is considered as one of the biodiversity hot spots in the world (Myers et al. 2000; http://www.biodiversityhotspots.org/xp/Hotspots/ghats/). These forests are the major watershed source for many rivers of south Indian. Unfortunately, over 50% of biodiversity in this region was lost due to deforestation and other man made activities. Extensive deforestation (over 80%) and land fragmentation of Western Ghat may influence erratic monsoon pattern in recent years. The consequences of forest vegetation loss on upland and uplands of these mountains are directly influencing on cloud density, rainfall frequency and rainfall distribution as observed in other mountains in the world (Bruijnzeel 2000; Lawton et al. 2001). The vanishing natural forest in Western Ghats is the major concern for conservation this ecosystem for future generation. Vegetation rejuvenation through afforestation methods are not only control global warming through carbon sequestration but also enhances cloud formation and oxygen production to protect ozone layer. Trees in tropical and sub-tropical forests can assimilate more CO2 and release more oxygen in comparison to temperate forests due to photoperiod and temperature. If steps are taken in right direction, still it is possible to rejuvenate the landscape with forest cover. Due to lack of communication between stakeholders at the grass-roots level and policy makers at the administrative level, most of top-down based approaches may not be appropriate to protect forests (Maathai 2003).

Bruijnzeel LA (2000) Hydrology of tropical montane cloud forests: a reassessment. Land Use and Water Resources Research, 1: 1.1-1.18.

Lawton RO, Nair US, Pielke Sr RA, Welch RM (2001) Climatic impact of tropical lowland deforestation on nearby montane cloud forests. Science, 294: 584-587.

Maathai W (2003) The green belt movement sharing the approach and the experience - new and expanded edition. Lantern Press, New York, pp117.

Village Based Organization (BCRT)– Key Role in Conservation Success

Anuganalu villagers celebrates Independence day at green BCRT campus

The bottom-up conservation approaches taken up by a grass-roots level organization called, Biodiversity Conservation and Research Trust, abbreviated as ‘BCRT’. BCRT campus is located at Anuganalu village near Hassan district, on the eastern edge of Western Ghats (13° N latitude, 76º E longitudes and altitude of 943.05 meters). This region consists of sub-tropical climate with summer temperature 25-35^oC and winter temperature of 14-28^oC and annual rainfall of above 100 cm. Interestingly, Hassan district has been reported to have rich tress species diversity (>4000 species), with several endemic species as compared to other parts of Western Ghats of Karnataka (Saldanha and Nikcolson 1976).

BCRT campus was previously surrounded by thick forest with a balanced ecosystem. This thick forest was cleared indiscriminately since 1980 due to intensive agriculture, over exploitation of water and other human activities. The results of intensive deforestation resulted in uneven rainfall, depletion of water table and ecological imbalance. This area has thousands of cubic meters of granite, which supports hundreds of organisms. BCRT team at Anuganalu conducted a meeting by inviting Anuganalu farmers to discuss the problems and solutions for deforestation, land degradation, erratic rainfall, loss of wild life and other issues related to environment and agriculture. In this meeting, every farmer realized that we must stop extensive damage to environment and make it sustainable for the future generations. With the co-operation and involvement of local farmers, BCRT initiated conservation work by converting uncultivable rocky soil into forestland within five years.

Even through severe dry spells from 2000 to 2004, over 100 different local plant species, including sandalwood (Santalum album), bilvara (Albizzia spp.,), fire-of-the-forest (Butea monosperma) were thrived on barren soil without any introduction. We surprise to witness the national bird ‘Peacock’ and colonies of rock bees within five years of our afforestation work at Anuganalu. In Indian mythology, the occurrence of peacock and bees in a particular area is indicator of abundant rainfall and vegetation. BCRT’s efforts has helped in transforming the granite region into green land with in five years and is now a unique model to demonstrate the eco-restoration process to the village communities around this place. The forest recovery on barren soil was made a strong long lasting impact in local people mind on eco-existence of agriculture and forest ecosystem. Farmers and their families of Anuganalu village were gathered at BCRT on the eve of August 15^th Independence Day of 2005 for their motivation and success in converting barren rocky land into forest habitat. This event was telecast in Pradesh Samachar News Bulletins from All India Radio, Dharwad on August 15^th, 2005

Saldanha CJ and Nicholson D (1976) Flora of Hassan District, Karnataka, India. Amarind Publishers, New Delhi, pp915.

BCRT on public domain

When barren rocky land converted into green land.

In November 2004, Biodiversity Conservation and Research Trust (BCRT) submitted a report of its work on habitat conservation to Karnataka Biodiversity Board. Surprisingly, the Board acknowledged this as the first documentation of its kind in Karnataka state and recognized BCRT as a grass-root level organization. In June 2005, the first Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) in the state was formed at BCRT campus according Constitution of Biodiversity Management Committees to protect (Section 41; http://www.bcrt.org/News-1.htm). A renowned water conservationist, Shree Padre has visited BCRT and the reported BCRT activities in a popular Kannada weekly magazine, SUDHA, which distributed in entire state (Padre 2005; http://www.bcrt.org/SUDHA.htm). In November 2005, National Dooradharshan, TV channel (DD1) has prepared a documentary on BCRT activities. In November 2005, Hassan District Commission, Hemavathi Horticultural Society and Horticulture Department have awarded a certificate of Excellence to BCRT as ‘Farmer and Eco Friendly Organization’ on the eve of Suvarna Karnataka Celebration. In December 2005, an historic marriage ceremony was held at the BCRT afforested campus. In this ceremony married couple has planted native trees species to mark their new life. Surprisingly, over thousands of people from hundreds of villages were participated in tree planting process on the day of marriage ceremony at BCRT campus. All these activities are spreading BCRT work from Anuganalu village to many villages in the state. BCRT activities are outstanding examples to motivate local people and policy makers towards forest conservation through local tree planting campaign both in public as well as private lands. The successful eco-restoration methods established by BCRT organization are even being replicated in other places. BCRT work clearly demonstrated that conservation organizations must involve local farmers in forest conservation activities by motivating them towards tree based farming methods.

(BCRT awarded as 'Farmer and Eco Friendly Organization' by Horticultural Society and Hassan District Commission on the eve of Suvarna Karnataka)

Shree Padre: Maleguddakke Hasiru Seere or Wrapping the Rain-hill with Green Cover, SUDHA Kannada Magazine, August 18, 2005, page 47-49.

Visitors planting a tree on Barren rocky Land BCRT Campus.

© 2001-2005 Biodiversity Conservation & Research