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Home , Koynanagar, Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, Satara (city), Satara district

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Geographical and biophysical features of state provide an array of ecological niche suitable for habitation of great number of flora and fauna. On the basis of geographical features the State is divided into 3 natural regions namely : the coastal area; : Sahyadri hill ranges and : remaining area of Maharashtra state. Western Ghats running parallel to Konkan coast are recognized as a region of immense global importance for the conservation of biological diversity. The area of Western Ghats of Maharashtra commonly known as ‘Sahyadris’ lies between 72°61' to 74°40' E and 15°60' to 20°75' N (Singh & Karthikeyan, 2000).

The biological features of the Western Ghats also record an exceptional range of species diversity and high levels of endemism. About 4500 plant species are reported from these areas out of which 35 percent are endemic. Nearly 2000 species of higher plants, 84 species of fishes, 87 species of amphibians, 89 species of reptiles, 15 species of birds and 12 species of mammals are endemic to the Western Ghats (Daniel, 1997). This bioregion is highly species rich and under constant threat due to anthropogenic activities and has many hotspot within it (the region recognized to hold diverse life forms which requires conservation).

In current scenario, the pressures on natural resources are continuously growing high which ultimately results in alterations in land-use pattern, loss of green cover and loss of the biological diversity associated to it. Forest cover of Maharashtra is mostly limited to protected areas now. At present the state has 6 National Parks, 47 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 4 Conservation Reserves (Total 57 Protected Areas) spreading over a total of 10,057.013 sq. km area, amounting to 3.26% of the State’s geographical area (http://www.mahaforest.nic.in).

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Koyna valley is historically known for its wilderness and rich . During the times of the great Worrier Chatrapati Maharaj, hill forts in this area had immense importance due to the inaccessibility and thick forests in its surroundings. After ’s independence, Maharashtra State has become one of the

1 active centers of the upsurge in nation building activities. An ambitious hydroelectric project was undertaken by Maharashtra State for fulfilling the increasing needs of electricity of the newly formed nation. Under this project a dam was built across the river Koyna in 1962 and filled for first time in the year 1967. The and Hydroelectric Project has to its credit several technological firsts in India. The huge reservoir formed due to construction of dam is named as ‘Shivajisagar’ (also known as ‘Shivsagar’) reservoir that spreads over an area of 891.78 sq. km and the backwater stretches as long as 65 km in north extending to foothills of . The dam height is 103 meters and has a water capacity of 2.8 billion cubic meters. (Thatte, 2012).

During the construction of dam the project affected villages were rehabilitated in districts adjoining the project area as Sangali, , , Raigad, and . The construction of large stretch of reservoir and resettlement of human population has added up the wilderness in the Koyna valley. During the same period, a series of protected areas were formed across the country to protect the nation’s biological wealth. With the purpose of protecting the natural habitats suitable for wildlife the area around Koyna dam was declared as a leagally protected area – ‘Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary’.

Government of Maharashtra has notified an area of 423.55 sq. km by reasons of its ecological, faunal and floral significance as Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary vide notification No. WLP –CR -588/ (I) / F-S/ dated 16 September 1985 under Section 18 of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, for the purpose of protecting, propagating or developing wildlife and its environment therein. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary has been named after the river ‘Koyna’ and spreads across both the banks of river and dam backwaters. The Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats traversing through the of Maharashtra State. The sanctuary spreads over an area of 423.55 sq. km harboring a rich biodiversity. It is locaated between 17°23' to 17°44' N 73° 34' to 73° 51' E (Figure 1-1).

Situated in the Northern Western Ghats popularly called ‘Sahyadri’, the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is featured with unique geomorphic, biophysical and ecological patterns. An entire sanctuary area is mountainous with steep precipitous

2 slopes, deep valleys and long stretching lateritic plateaus. The altitude ranges between 600 -1100 m above the Mean Sea Level (MSL). (Plate 1-1). The Sanctuary is well protected by the large extent of Shivajisagar reservoir and steep slopes of Western Ghats on both sides. A dense vegetation corridor of Chandoli connects this protected area and is bounded by Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary in south. This protective cover has enabled the emergence of a diverse biodiversity in the area. (Plate 1-3).

Considering the geo-ecological features and availability of range of habitats suitable for wildlife, especially the Tigers, it was proposed to form a Tiger Reserve in Koyna Valley and surrounding area. Thus, Maharashtra State Government vide notification No. WLP – 1008/ pra. Kra. 232/ F-1, dated 5 January 2010 has notified an area of 741.22 sq. km of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary (423.55 sq. km) and (317.67 sq. km) together as ‘Sahyadri Tiger Reserve’ (STR). Core zone comprising 600.12 sq. km area and buffer zone comprising 565.45 sq. km area of STR were declared on 21 August 2012 as per the resolution of Government of Maharashtra, notification No. WLP-2012/C.R. No. 240/F-1. The total core area of Koyna constitutes 286.28 sq. km and buffer area of 137.27 sq. km. (Figure 1-2).

In the meeting held at Petusberg, Russia in July 2012, the STR and its surrounding area has been included as a part of World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The total area of STR spreads in four districts viz. Satara, Sangali, Kolhapur and Ratnagiri. This is a unique tiger reserve in India manifested by several bio- geographic features. STR is the first tiger reserve along Western Ghats of Maharashtra. Tiger, being the flagship species of the area it ultimately protects wide range of other fauna and flora.

1.1.1 Management of the Protected Area

Since declaration of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary in September 1985, till 1994 the protected area was under the jurisdiction of Satara Forest Division. In 1994, the sanctuary was taken over by the Wildlife Division and presently managed by Wildlife Division of Kolhapur Circle, Maharashtra Forest Department. After formation of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, entire protected area is being managed by the State Forest

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Department in accordance with the rules and guidelines by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). For management point of view, Koyna WLS is divided into two ranges, four rounds and nineteen beats. (Figure 1-3). Each range is governed by a Range Forest Offices situated at and Bamnoli. An Assistant Conservator of Forests and supportive team of two Range Forest Officers, Rangers, Foresters and Forest guards are responsible for the management of Koyna WLS.

In many of the beats, watch towers are built for observations of wild animals and camera traps are mounted at selected locations for capturing photographic evidences of presence and activities of wild animals. (Plate 1-2). As a part of routine management, regular patrolling in each of the forest beats is consucted by the forest staff.

1.1.2 Ecological Importance of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

Natural World Heritage Site Entire tract of the Western Ghats including Koyna WLS is designated as a natural World Heritage Site by the UNESCO (2012) for its outstanding universal value. The site is recognized under criterion ‘ix’ as the area is representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals; and criterion ‘x’ to contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of science or conservation. The areas are internationally recognized as a region of immense global importance for the conservation of biological diversity, besides containing areas of high geological, cultural and aesthetic values. The Outstanding Universal Value of the Western Ghats is manifested in the region’s unique and fascinating influence on large- scale biophysical and ecological processes over the entire Indian peninsula. The property is made up of 39 component parts grouped into 7 sub-clusters namely Agasthymalai, Periyar, Anamalai, Nilgiri, Talacauvery, and Sahyadri. Of these, Koyna WLS represents the 37th site element of Sahyadri sub- cluster. The serial approach is justified in principle from a biodiversity perspective

4 because all 39 components belong to the same biogeographic province, and remain as isolated remnants of previous contiguous forest. The 39 component parts grouped into 7 sub-clusters together that reflect the Outstanding Universal Value of the property and capture the range of biological diversity and species endemism in this vast landscape (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1342).

Important Bird Area Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is an internationally recognized ecologically sensitive area. It is designated as globally Important Bird Area (IBA No. IN160). The area is known to qualify global IBA criteria A1 and A2. The site is known regularly to hold a population of a species categorized by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable species, irrespective of population size and criterion which meets IBA criterion A1. As per the IBA criterion A2 the site is known to hold a significant component of a group of species whose breeding distributions define an Endemic Bird Area (EBA).

EBAs are defined as places where two or more species of restricted range, i.e. with world distributions of less than 50,000 km2, occur together. More than 70% of such species are also globally threatened. Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary forms a part of Western Ghats Endemic Bird Area (EBA No. 123) which extends along the Ghats from north of Bombay south to the tip of the peninsula, in the states of Maharashtra, Goa, , and . (http://www.birdlife.org)

According to the recent IBA monitoring assessment (2013), although the habitat state in the IBA is good i.e. greater than 90% is remaining in its natural condition, a few threats such as overuse of biological resources, energy production and mining undergoing in the area have been identified to cause moderate deterioration of the site.

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1.2 Reasons for undertaking the present work

In present times, protected areas in India are of immense importance in order to conserve nation’s biodiversity. Hence, any study dealing with the biota of protected areas would significantly contribute to nation’s development.

Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary is well known for its magnificent diversity, species richness and ecological features, yet the floristic profile of the area was not investigated in detailed so far. The area has remained ignored for long time mainly due to inaccessibility and remooteness of the Koyna valley. Although, sporadic attempts have been made by some of the earlier botanists, there is no comprehensive account of the floristic diversity of the protected area is available. Thus, to bring out comprehensive account of floristic composition of Koyna WLS, the present study was undertaken. An inventory on the floristic assessment and studies on status and distribution of endemic, rare and threatened plant species occurring in the sanctuary will notably contribute to the baseline data that could be useful for planning and management of the protected area.

Aims and objectives of the study 1. To prepare a detailed account of plant diversity of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. 2. Documentation of traditional practices of utilization of plant resources by local communities living in the study area. 3. Status survey, mapping and detailed study of endemic, rare, threatened and economically important plant species occurring in the protected area. 4. To study impacts of various ongoing developmental activities within the sanctuary with respect to structure and composition of ecosystem, changes in species composition of plant communities on the basis of direct observations and secondary data available in published literature.

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Figure 1-1: Map showing Location of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary

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Figure 1-2: Map of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

Source: Divisional Forest Office, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

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Figure 1-3: Map of Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary showing Forest Ranges and Beats

Source: Divisional Forest Office, Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

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