STUDY ON ENCROACHMENT OF FORESTS

STUDY AREA: LOCATION & SIZE: VEGETATION: WILDLIFE:

Abbalagere Konagavalli Kondajji Hill range 14 01 25N 75 3220 E & 100-120 km2 Tropical deciduous Forests (70%) & Scrub forests (30% along fringes) Four Horned Antelope Indian gazelle Barking deer (Muntjac) Black naped hare Wild Boar Sloth bear & Flying cat

JURISDICTION:

Ayanur Range Forest Office DCF Shimoga: 08182 272210 dcfshimoga@rediffmail.com ACF Ayanur: RFO Ayanur: 08182 225836 08182 235626

Encroachment: The most classical threat to the extant forests in India is Encroachment for farming purposes. Normally during the month of May this activity will be high since pre mansoon rains starts from June. In older days the rate of encroachment was much lesser, but nowadays the rate has increased drastically, since the usage of agricultural vehicles like tractors to clear the bushes and vegetation.

Study area: The study area is located at 10 Kms from Shivamogga. This hill range starts from Abbalagere runs through konagavalli till Kondajji forming a range of over 15kms in length. The total area consists of three to four hill ranges, running parallel to each other forming an approximate of 120 km2 of forested area. This area receives annually 1000 to 1500mm of precipitation during June, July, August and September months. The range is covered with tropical deciduous forests and scrub forests which support a rich herbivore family including rare Chousingha, Indian gazelle, Muntjac deer, Black naped hare and omnivores like Sloth bear and wild boars.
STUDY AREA

Encroachment: Each year an average of 10 hectares of forest lands will be encroached in the study area. In the year of 2013 around 25 hectares of forests have been encroached. Due to heavy downpour, this year encroachment is an ongoing activity as evidenced on 15.08.13. The forest lands are encroached by mainly from the people of three villages. 1. Hunasodu A SC/ST tribal camp (Lambani thanda) below the hills. 2. Abbalagere A village on Shimoga- Harihar main road. 3. Kalluganguru- The village adjacent to Hunasodu.

Below are some of the snaps which explain the above scenario.

Newly encroached area

Figure 1: Forests cleared on top of hills

Vegetation and Wildlife:

Figure 2: Hill Range

Figure 3: Forest during summer

Figure 4: Forests during monsoon

Figure 5: Scrub forest

The hills comprises mostly of deciduous forests. The canopy height reaches a maximum of 12 meters. These deciduous forests are surrounded by scrub forests along the fringes. Farmers around the border of the hills often sight Indian gazelle herd, four horned antelope (which they call kandu kuri) and wild boars during dry season. Indian wolves and Flying cats have been occasionally sighted by the poachers in this area. Poaching is also a prevalent activity in these forests.

Figure 6: Defecates of FHA

More encroachment snaps:

Figure 7: Forest encroached by Hunasodu Grama panchayat member

Figure 8: Stone mining site proposed by Miners