FIELD FORESTER Voices from the field volume 1 ● issue 1 NOVEMBER 2015 FIELD FORESTER
Contents
PERIYAR / KERALA Innovative Eco-development Initiatives to Conserve Forest Biodiversity and Alleviate Rural Poverty...... 4 Abhijeet Arun Mane
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION Peoples’ Participation in Forest Conservation and Livelihood Generation...... 9 Aman Thapa
JODHPUR / Rajasthan Raising a Plantation on Stone-bed...... 12 Md Raheman
USE OF TECHNOLOGY Preventing Forest Fires ...... 14 Manoj Ashok Dhanvijay
Maharashtra / Kerala / Gujarat Comparative study of coastal ecology ...... 18 G.P. Gangode
WILDLIFE / NAGALAND Foes turn friends for migratory Amur Falcons...... 22 Florence T. Sangtam
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION / TAMIL NADU Venom for anti-venom: A source of livelihood to Irulas...... 25 Anu Thakur
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION / MAHARASHTRA The Jungle Man...... 29 Ashish Narayanrao Hivre
WILDLIFE / MAHARASHTRA A Success Story...... 33 Kalpana Homkar Chinchkhede
2 November 2015
WILDLIFE / MAHARASHTRA Adapting to kill...... 38 Sonal Dattatraya Valvi
Ladakh / Jammu & Kashmir A glimpse into the cold desert ...... 42 Raza Ali Abidi
Tilora (Pushkar) / Setrawa (Jodhpur), Rajasthan Sand Dunes Stabilization and Plantation ...... 47 Vrushali B. Tambe
Mussoorie / Uttarakhand Mine Reclamation: A Success Story ...... 54 Sarika Khot
SundarbanS / west bengal The Roar of Sundarban Tiger...... 57 Shweta. T. Rathod
Satara Tukum Village / Maharashtra Joint Forest Management with Difference ...... 63 Sudhir Vinayak Sonawale
3 FIELD FORESTER
PERIYAR / KERALA Innovative Eco-development Initiatives to Conserve Forest Biodiversity and Alleviate Rural Poverty
Management interventions can be effectively and equitably prioritized towards those most dependent on forest resources in order to maximize biodiversity conservation
Abhijeet Arun Mane ways that do not reduce the biodiversity capital maintained within Protected he term eco-development is Areas (PAs). used to describe an integrated, Tsustainable approach to envi- Legal and Policy Framework ronment and development. It has been The National Forest Policy, 1988 defined as: provides the basis for involving local “. . . development at regional and local people in forest conservation and de- levels, consistent with the potentials of velopment. The Odisha Government, the area involved, with attention given through its Joint Forest Management to the adequate and rational use of (JFM) Resolution (2008), has adopted natural resources, technological styles eco-development as a strategy for se- and organizational forms that respect curing support from local communi- the natural ecosystems and local social ties in PA management. Eco-devel- and cultural patterns.” opment activities provide a strong In an Indian context, eco- linkage between conservation and development as a strategy recognizes development; they may include eco- traditional dependencies of people tourism and off-farm activities, as on forests for domestic use as well well as providing specific alternatives as supplementing livelihoods. It to local biomass dependence. This seeks to rationalize the demands of policy provides for the institution of communities by promoting efficient use Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) of resources and alternative livelihoods. in villages located within and adjacent In essence, eco-development aims to to PAs along the lines of Van Samrak- strengthen nature conservation through shyana Samitis (VSSs or Forest Protec- participatory processes that empower tion Committees) for forest areas. How- local people to take responsibility for ever, there is a fundamental difference their socio-economic well-being in between VSSs and EDCs. VSS members
Trainee RFO, Kundal Academy of Development, Administration and Management (Forest), Kundal, Tal: Palus, Dist: Sangli.
4 November 2015 may benefit from usufructs (the right to use and derive profit or benefit from Micro planning Steps property that belongs to another par- 1. Develop a common vision among ty – in this case the state – as long as PA staff the property is not damaged), includ- 2. Identify a conceptual model and ing fuel wood, fodder, bamboo and a strategy for eco-development share in the timber produced from 3. Build a facilitation team forests ‘assigned’ to the community 4. Facilitate village micro-planning in return for forest protection and 5. Prioritize activities in micro-plan management duties. Such opportu- and allocate resources nities do not exist for EDC members 6. Coordinate and monitor micro- since usufructs, except regulated graz- plan implementation at village ing, are prohibited under the Wildlife cluster level (Protection) Act, 1972. Eco-develop- ment initiatives must be consistent with this policy. This will help in keeping the forest a plastic free zone and provide pure Eco-Development Initiatives drinking water to eco-tourists and Bamboo handicrafts employment opportunities to the Bamboo handicrafts is an eco- resident people. development initiative to empower the tribal and local communities. Eco-Tourism The members can be trained to make Community based eco-tourism pro- innovative and marketable products grammes can provide a major share of from bamboo that can be sold through employment to the tribals living in the ecoshops. This will help in improving Reserve. Some of the most sort after eco- the status of living of the tribes and tourism programmes are tents, tree-top local communities. hut, bamboo rafting, full moon census, machan world, island nest, etc. These Bee wax balm eco-tourism programmes provide an Bee Wax Balm can be made from bees excellent opportunity to the visitors to wax collected from the fallen honey enjoy the beauty of the forest and at the combs from the buffer and fringe areas. same time contribute to the livelihood Bee Wax Balm is used for curing head of the local tribals. The guides are from ache, body pains and for massaging. the local villages itself and are trained by the department, thus adding to their Plastic free mineral water bottle income opportunities. This is an innovative measure to The hospitality given to the tourists make the forest free of plastic mineral should be good as it affects prospects of water bottles. As the tourists tend to eco-tourism. The behaviour of the staff throw away the mineral water bottles should be such that tourists should be inside protected area after drinking. satisfied with the service.
5 FIELD FORESTER
Eco-shops Paper bag unit Honey, bee wax balm and medicinal This is an initiative to empower tribal spices prepared in a scientific manner women in the sanctuary. The products can be sold through Eco-shops. Other can be made by the trained tribal items like t-shirts, jackets, hats, caps, women. The paper bags can be sold pens, key-chains, etc., can also be sold. at the entrance. This will also help in The revenue generated from the Eco- making the area a plastic free zone. shops will help in the empowerment of local tribes. Souveniers from Recycled Plastic As a step to make the reserve plastic Honey collection free, a plastic reduction unit can be been A majority of the tribal population of the launched. Plastic waste from the waste reserve traditionally depends on honey bins placed at different locations of the collection. The honey collected by the Sanctuary acts as primary collection tribes is sold to local traders through points. Then the plastics are segregated barter system. This leaves the poor tribal into bottle plastics, bag plastics, etc. people always in a debt trap. So an eco- These are washed, cleaned and dried. development initiative can be taken up Then it is shredded to small pieces in to collect honey scientifically and to shredder machine and are transported do value addition in terms of filtering, to a factory where they are made into bottling, labeling and sealing. Now pugmark keychain souvenirs, which the tribal will get almost 30-40% more can be sold through the Eco-shop. income directly from the Eco-shop. This will improve the economic status Mechanisms to Sustain of the poor tribals in the sanctuary. Eco-Development Honey collection activities will In return for support received from the be confined to the buffer and fringe Project, EDC members must reciprocate areas of the reserve. by way of various commitments to
Case Study 1 Free of plastic mineral water bottles are already being prepared at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. As the tourists arriving in Parambikulam tend to throw away the mineral water bottles inside the sanctuary after drinking water, the department has introduced an innovative eco-development initiative - “Parambikulam Dhara”. The department started a eco-development unit which is now run by Kuriarkutty EDC volunteers and gives them some income. The bottles are placed at the entrance of the sanctuary. The bottles have to be returned while exiting and a fine of Rs 100 is charged if the visitor does not return the bottle back. Thus, Parambikulam Dhara helps in keeping the sanctuary a plastic free zone and provides pure drinking water to tourists and employment opportunities to the resident people.
6 November 2015
Case Study 2 The exclusivity of Protected Areas (PA), as envisaged in the developed countries is not possible in the Indian context, due to the human dominated landscape. The population that draws on the resources of the PA for subsistence is largely rural. A participatory management strategy of protected areas and eco-development aims at conserving biodiversity by addressing both the impact of local people on the protected areas and the impact of the protected areas on local people. In accordance with the tripartite agreement signed between the external donor agencies (World Bank and IDA), Government of India (GOI) and Government of Kerala (GOK), Eco-development Committees (EDCs) were constituted. In response to the changed paradigm of partnership, EDCs have emerged around many PAs. Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerala is one among the seven PAs in India selected for the implementation of IEP. This also ensures a reciprocity in forest conservation which will ideally act as a social fence around the PA. In Periyar, there are currently 72 EDCs. The target population is about 58,000. Different categories of EDCs include village EDCs like tribal settlements, hamlets, etc. Some are user groups like grazers, fuelwood and thatching grass collectors and pilgrimage based EDCs. There is a third category of professional group EDCs like ex-cinnamon bark collectors, tribal trackers cum guides, watchers welfare. etc. In the neighbourhood EDCs, the stress is on socio-economic upliftment; in user group, the stress is on reduction of negative impact on PA resources; and, in professional group EDC, the aim is promotion of long-term positive interaction of the group with the PA.
ensure that biodiversity is protected • Provision of intelligence, informa- and conserved. These commitments tion and other assistance in the pre- extend to buffer zones and core areas of vention and investigation of offences PAs that may be assigned to the EDC and offenders. for protection duties to complement • 100 per cent immunisation of village the enforcement work of Forest livestock (implemented in year 1) Department staff. They should include with project funds and subsequently the following, for which the Executive sustained by registration of all fire- Committee has responsibility: arms in the village. • No fire, poaching, illegal felling of timber or encroachment in village Eligible benefits forests or any other forests assigned In return for successfully protecting to the EDC for use (e.g. grazing) or forests, EDC members may be granted protection. the following benefits on a quid pro quo • No grazing by goats in plantations basis: within village forests or any other • Rotational grazing by cattle in assigned forests. ‘assigned’ forest areas within
7 FIELD FORESTER
Case Study 3 Piloting Eco-development in Satkosia Tiger Reserve Previous micro-planning exercises carried out in Odisha’s PAs had no community participation. Micro-plans were prepared and implemented by PA managers but the community at large was neither aware of nor consulted on the various activities initiated in and around their villages. Gradually, during the last decade, managers have become increasingly aware of the need to engage local communities in PA planning and management. However, micro-plans continued to reflect the PA man- agers’ mindsets and failed to capture the community’s perspectives. Hence, there was a need to develop a truly participatory eco-development process and stand- ardise the use of relevant Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, thereby captur- ing the needs of communities and targeting forest dependency at household levels in order to conserve biodiversity.
sanctuaries (grazing in a sanctuary ment of a shared vision at the outset of may be permitted by the Chief the process. This provides the founda- Wildlife Warden in accordance with tion for developing a plan of action to provisions under Sections 29 and 33 conserve biodiversity through the al- (d) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, leviation of poverty by specifically tar- 1972). The rotation cycle may be geting those most dependent on forest defined by the EDC, in agreement resources. with the authorities. • Strengthening the capacity of • Effective monitoring procedures community members to participate should ensure that grazing is sus- actively in planning and tainable and not jeopardising forest implementation of eco-development. regeneration. • Trusting in the process and the abil- • Rotational collection of fuelwood ity of communities to find their own from village forests. solutions, such as the simple method • Regulated collection of NWFPs of classifying forest dependency and from village forests, for personal wellness developed by villagers. consumption purposes only. • Training, supervision and long- • Regulated collection of bamboo term mentoring of those facilitating raised in plantations in village participatory processes. forests. • Well-facilitated, participatory micro- Eco-development towards a more planning generates understanding sustainable future for people and their and trust that cements good relations environment requires engagement of between PA authorities and local all key stakeholders in the develop- communities.
8 November 2015
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION Peoples’ Participation in Forest Conservation and Livelihood Generation
One of the most significant impacts of the JFM programme has been the change in the attitude of local communities and forest officials towards the forest
Aman Thapa are serious problems of encroachment, grazing, forest fire, shifting cultivation ndia is a developing nation and ma- and illegal felling and most of the spe- jority of its population lives in rural cies of flora and fauna are endangered. Iareas. Forests play a vital role in the After all, forestry is about people. It rural economy and provide different is about trees, that can serve the needs kinds of benefits, like jobs, incomes and of the people. Forestry and Forest Policy environmental benefits. The forestry should concern itself in every conceiva- sector is the second largest land use af- ble way in which, forests, woodlots and ter agriculture and about 70 per cent of trees can contribute to the livelihood of India’s rural population depends upon people in particular and human welfare forests to meet its domestic energy in general. In fact, the future of human need, livelihood and cash income from society is intrinsically linked to the fu- fuelwood and non-timber forest prod- ture of the forest. Traditionally, forest ucts (NTFP). More than half of India’s management practices aimed at devel- 70 million tribal people, the most dis- oping and understanding the protective advantaged section of society, subsist and productive aspects of natural for- from forests. ests. People’s livelihood issues and peo- India has 2.5 per cent of the world’s ple’s role in safeguarding the resources geographical area with a total of 328.7 and their active participation were million hectares. According to the State relegated to secondary place. Only re- of Forest Report (FSI 2013), India has cently the social role of forests and for- 69.78 million ha. forest cover, which estry together with their protection and accounts for 21.23 per cent of the coun- production roles have received atten- try’s total geographic area. India sup- tion. The depletion of forest resources ports 16 per cent of the planet’s human has aroused the passion of the forest population and 18 per cent of cattle department and general public for con- population, due to which the forest servation and protection of forestland cover has been reducing both in quality and has become a top priority on the and extent in most of the states. There country’s development agenda.
FRO Trainee (2014-15) Batch, Casfos, Coimbatore
9 FIELD FORESTER
The National Forest Policy 1988 of a contract with an ad hoc Forest India envisaged people’s involvement Protection Committee. The initial in conservation, protection and programme involved 612 families management of forest. It emphasized that managing 12.7 sq. km of forests classified forest produce must go first to the people as "degraded". Twenty-five per cent of living in and around forests. Further, profits from the forests were shared in June 1990 a Government resolution with the villagers. The experiment was supported the creation of village successful and was expanded to other level institutions and involvement of parts of the state in 1987. non-governmental organizations in There are evidences that JFM has forest management. With the active rehabilitated the country’s degraded support of local organizations, people’s forests and the overall forest cover of participation in forest management, the country has increased. Incidents of was initiated and is generally illicit felling and illegal encroachment known as Joint Forest Management have sharply declined with recovery (JFM). Now, it is recognized that of fodder resources, prolific growth participatory management of forests of understorey vegetation and it has is key to sustainable development. The also led to increased biodiversity and village committee known as the JFM wild herbivore population. One of Committee and the Forest Department the most significant impacts of the enter into a JFM agreement for JFM programme has been the change safeguarding the forest resources from in the attitude of local communities fire, grazing and illegal harvesting, in and forest officials towards forests. exchange for which they receive non- Sustainable forest management is key timber forest products and a share of to the sustainable rural livelihood. the revenue from the sale of timber, There has to be a harmonious balance through community funds. between conservation of forests and Joint Forest Management originated development of communities through in West Bengal accidentally at the Arabari livelihood security. Over-exploitation Forest Range in West Midnapore, in can lead to destruction of the resources, 1971. Ajit Kumar Banerjee, working for like medicinal plants, grazing pastures, the Forest Department as the Divisional game animals, fish stocks, forests, Forest Officer, was conducting trials and water aquifers. This can result in which were constantly being disturbed extinction at the population level and by grazing and illegal harvesting by even extinction of whole species. the local population. At the time there Trends of forestry are changing, were no initiatives for sharing of forest whether it is conservation or admin- resources between the government and istration. During our study tours ,we the locals. The forest official, against went through so many exposures like: the suggestions of his co-workers, Baralikadu JFM model, Periyar foun- sought out representatives of 11 local dation, Gondwana herbs (Gadchiroli), villages and negotiated the terms of Sukhomajri, Mussorie (mine reclama-
10 November 2015 tion area), Mudhumalai tiger reserve, servation of forests. Allapally and so many other forest, A sustainable alliance has to be fringe and rural areas. People living forged among government, non-gov- in forests are facilitated with various ernment and local level organizations. livelihood opportunities like manufac- Village dynamics, sociological insight, turing plant operators, eco-shop man- perception and knowledge of people agers, NTFP collectors, coracle drivers, have to be understood properly, for food suppliers to tourists with their formulation, designing and implemen- traditional foodstuffs, drivers, guides, tation of any effective approach to JFM workers, forest watchers, etc. They are which, in turn, can lead to integrated getting exposure to the outer world by development of the rural poor. Self- tourism activities. Many young people reliance and Gandhiji’s ‘Gram Swaraj’ are preparing for the civil services exam may indeed become a reality. Even in and other higher studies after interact- the age of liberalization and globaliza- ing with visiting officers, ministers and tion, it has to be understood that there urban people. People are also willingly can be no financial assets if there are no participating in management and con- ecological assets.
11 FIELD FORESTER
JODHPUR / Rajasthan Raising a Plantation on Stone-bed
The vision of the Machia Biological Park is to create one of the best examples of ex-situ conservation and at the same time a beautiful tourist spot
Md Raheman dated 01-07-1990 under the Rajasthan Forest Act 1953. he vision of the Machia Biologi- The area is mainly rocky composed cal Park is to create an opportu- of Rhyolite having undulating ground, Tnity for the citizens of Jodhpur to numerous manmade water bodies have a biodiversity park very close to like Kaylana Lake, Takhatsagar Lake, the city. The effort is to create one of the Akheraj Lake, and so on. This area has best examples of ex-situ conservation low soil quantity and if soil is present, and, at the same time, the best tourist it has low soil depth. spot in the area. Jodhpur already has a The natural vegetation here is dry tradition of very good in-situ conserva- scrub forest consisting of scanty tree tion. The Machia Biological Park, sited cover of species like Acacia senegal, Pros- in Machia forest block of 604 ha. near opiscineraria, Prosopisjuliflora, Capparis Kaylana Lake, will also create aware- decidua, Zizyphusnimmularia, Commi- ness on the importance of conserva- phorawightii, etc. The scarce vegetation tion of flora and fauna for the benefit is a result of of the low rainfall received of the future generations in addition to by this zone. conservation of the gene pool of endan- Previously, the plantation was start- gered wild species of the region. ed by making a loose stone container Machia Biological Park was of 20cm width. The depth/height of conceptualized in the year 1982-83. this structure was around 100 cm and It is located 8 km away from Jodhpur diameter was 60 cm to fill the mixture railway station on the western side of sand and manure in the ratio of 4:1, of Jodhpur. This park is basically the respectively. Species selected were Gu- satellite zoo of thec city’s old heritage lar, Neem, Peepal, and Bargad of ap- zoo. Machia Biological Park has an area proximately 3-4 feet height for planting. of 41 ha. out of 604 ha. area of Machia Now, five years later, the height of these forest block. The legal status of Machia plants is approximately 10-12 feet. forest block is protected forest, notified Since the topography is undulating vide notification no. II9(6) forest/90 and the terrain is rocky, there was low
Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx
12 November 2015 success of survival as well as slow The seedling of the desired plant was growth so a new technique was adopt- planted in the pit to grow like it would ed. Blasting was done by applying the in regular soil. Irrigation facility was blasting material, which is detonators provided inside the park for trees, and and rock blasting accessories, through included methods like spot irrigation registered blasting authority. In this by conveyance pipe and taps and drip method, single and double blasting irrigation. was adopted according to the suit- The double blasting technique ability of the area. Single blasting left was found to give good results in behind pits around 2-3 feet deep. Dou- Rudrakshakunj and Kamalkunj. Trees ble blasting left pits of around 3-4 feet. like Ficus religeousa, Ficus bengalensis, Material generated by double blasting Ficus zyziphus, Cardia mixa, Aengel was left such to provide enough space marmalose, sygamum cumini were planted for the soil and roots of plants to pen- along the roads. Clearly, the efficacy of etrate into the rock crevices. The open the double blasting technique provides pit was then filled with soil mixture in an opportunity to raise plantations on proportions of 1:1:4 (FYM:Clay:Sand). such rocky terrain elsewhere as well.
13 FIELD FORESTER
USE OF TECHNOLOGY Preventing Forest Fires
Infra-red detection and surveillance system has been found to be highly effective
Manoj Ashok Dhanvijay Thus, many recommend the usage of fire early warning systems based on onserving unique natural infra-red cameras. High performance areas should be a priority infra-red cameras like PYROVIEW Cfor advanced societies in 380L and 640L combined with power- our time. One of the biggest threats ful software like PYROSOFT FDS, for faced by these natural areas is analyzing thermo-graphic images al- wildfire devastation. The unfortunate lows for early warning and prevention reality is that most of these areas are of fires. The infra-red cameras mounted unprotected, or at most only monitored on a pan-tilt head automatically moni- during certain months of the year tors the user defined area to be observed and then, only during certain times of and continuously quantifies the surface day, leaving the night periods temperature distribution. The FDS soft- more vulnerable without proper ware checks the temperatures inside monitoring. The entire system suffers the regions of interest (ROI). An alarm from teams of workers woefully ill- will be raised in case the pre-defined equipped in terms of manpower temperature limits are exceeded and and technology. With changing the current infra-red image is saved. time, various solutions have been Alarms and the system status are dis- derived from the specialized satellite played on the monitor and the control infrastructure coupling with infra-red panel. External equipment for alerting technology and ICT. and firefighting can be controlled via Infra-red fire detection system is a the flexible I/Osystem. reliable system for surveillance and recognition of spontaneous fires inside Fire Detection System (Fds) the forests, free air dumps of waste or Components combustible materials like paper, waste The forest fire detection system or charcoal among many others. Since consists of the components listed in forest fires usually break out during the the table below, along with proper summer as materials are mostly inflam- specifications. mable, the probability of spontaneous The proposed scheme based on in- combustions is high with disastrous ef- fra-red image processing performs ear- fects for man and environment. ly detection of any fire threat. With the
RFO (Tr.), Kundal Academy of Development, Administration and Management, Kundal, Ta.Palus, Distt. Sangli (MS)
14 November 2015 aim of determining the presence or ab- the source of fire immediately and can sence of fire, the proposed algorithms start fire-fighting actions. The infrared performs the fusion of different detec- image on the left side shows an initial tors which exploit different expected fire in a paper stock. Because of the ear- characteristics of a real fire, like persis- ly recognition and warning, fire fight- tence and increase. Theoretical results ing is started instantly with a high ef- and practical simulations are presented ficiency, thereby preventing ecological to corroborate the control of the system and material damages. related with probability of false alarm (PFA). Probability of detection (PD) and Applications of Infra-red dependence on Signal to Noise Ration surveillance system (SNR) is also evaluated. The infra-red surveillance system The infra-red image is displayed in a is very effective in monitoring various pseudo colour image mode gray-scale; aspects related to forests: the brighter the colour, the higher the 1. Automatic surveillance and moni- temperature. In case of fire areas ex- toring of forest fire. ceeding the temperature limits become 2. Keeping effective watch over the red coloured. The operator recognizes plantations.
• Infra-red camera detects infra- – temperature range from –20 °C to 300 °C (optional: 500°C) red radiation with infra-red – spectral range 8 µm to 14 µm – 384 × 288 pixels or 640 × 480 image sensor and transfer RS pixels depending upon camera image information as digital – maximum frame rate 50 Hz data via Ethernet. – integrated air purge to prevent/delay disposal of soiling • Weather-proof housing – with heating and hard-coated GE window – move towards to programmable positioning – free manual • Pan-tilt head positioning – 359° horizontal, 180° vertical, 0.2° resolution – control of camera function, lens soiling • Reference radiator 2 – little deviations are corrected, malfunction information when heavily soiled 2 isolated feeds (1x buffered, 1x unbuffered) – switch for feeds • Power supply/USV – optional: separated USV for 4 h operation – control of pan-tilt heads, control panel, video system, • I/O system programmable reference radiator bus controller – control system status – transmission to PC –altering via relay, 24 V • Touch-PC – operation and surveillance station – with 21"/19" touch display • FDS Software – server-/client software
15 FIELD FORESTER
Block diagram of infra-red fire surveillance system
Infra-red camera IR-surveillance in forest area
3. Detecting forest crime by keeping a geographical area of 3,07,713 sq. watch over poachers. km has 61,939 sq. km as forest area. 4. Illicit felling can be detected. The state’s forest cover is estimated to 5. The movement of wild animals can be approximately 20 per cent. The be studied. state has 6 national parks, 47 wildlife 6. Various works undertaken in sanctuaries and 4 conservation forestry. reserves. This is a total of 57 PAs with 7. Measure growth of the forest cover if 10,057,013 sq.km area, amounting connected with satellite. to 3.26 per cent of the state’s 8. Wildlife census if GPS-enabled and geographical area. These areas include geo-augmented. the difficult terrains of Western Ghats, Melghat, and others. Thus it Applicability in Forests is an obvious fact that in order to protect of Maharashtra these forests from dangers of fire, The state of Maharashtra with infra-red fire detection and surveillance
16 November 2015
E-eye to keep a tab on tigers in Corbett With poachers posing a massive threat to tigers in India, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has launched a pilot project in Uttarakhand’s Corbett National Park for round-the-clock surveillance of the park using high definition cameras. The project E-eye (electronic eye) is a software-based system where 10 high resolution thermal and infra-red cameras mounted on a tower are spread across the 350 sq. km area of the park that falls in a highly sensitive zone bordering Uttar Pradesh. The cameras capture image of objects weighing more than 20 kg and generate alerts if they are crossing the boundary. The alerts are sent to the control room in the park and the NTCA office in Delhi. The cost of the project is around `3.5 crore. The cameras monitor the area 24X7 and send images even during the night. It has helped in checking infiltration, poaching and illegal mining in the area. The NTCA was helped in this project by a Pune-based company, Binomial Solutions Private Limited, set up by a group of young engineers and management graduates. The cameras can capture thermal and normal images of the body mass irrespective of forest density and inclement weather conditions. The company is also working with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to develop a parallel system for counting of tigers. Besides this, the tender for installing a similar kind of detection system and work of installation is already in the pipeline at Assam's Kaziranga National Park.
system can be a good tool. The following effective in dealing with forest fire as are strategic and potential sites/ well as surveillance needs given their places where such installation can be limited accessibility and other threats. useful: The installation of infra-red fire 1. Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in Sangli, detection and surveillance system is Ratnagiri, and Kolhapur districts. thus an effective module for forest 2. Melghat Tiger Reserve and conservation and surveillance. Its Gugamaal National Park in unique combination with ICT can Amaravati district. give comprehensive results in terms of 3. Pench National Park in Nagpur forest project monitoring and keeping district. watch over plantation works. Beyond 4. Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve in this, it can turn into an innovative Chandrapur district. methodology when paired with GPS, 5. Natural forests in Gadchiroli district. remote sensing satellites, etc., for real- In these areas and in many others time updates about the forest on a infra-red systems can prove very single click!
17 FIELD FORESTER
Maharashtra / Kerala / Gujarat Comparative study of coastal ecology
There is urgent need for better conservation and restoration works along the north coast of Mahashtra
G.P. Gangode mainly from aquaculture and urban settlements. ndia’s coastal zone is endowed Coral reefs are found in the Palk Bay, with abundant coastal and marine Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kutch, central Ibiodiversity that include a wide west-coast of India, Lakshadweep and range of mangroves, coral reefs, sea Andaman and Nicobar islands. A few grasses, salt marshes, mud flats, species of corals have recently been estuaries, lagoons, and unique marine reported from the Maharashtra coast. A and coastal flora and fauna. India total of 50 genera and 13 sub-genera of also has major stocks of corals, fish, reef-building corals are known to occur marine mammals, reptiles and turtles, in Indian reefs representing more than sea grass meadows, and abundant half of those recorded from all over the sea weeds. Mangrove cover in India world. Over 630 species of marine algae has been estimated at approximately have been reported. A sea grass called 3,15,000 ha. spread over west and along Enhalus acroides is now a threatened the east (Orissa and West Bengal) coast species. Dugong dugong, a mammal and Andaman and Nicobar islands. dependent on the sea grass for its food The Sunderbans in West Bengal has is also threatened. one of the largest mangrove forests A comparative study of coastal in the world. The mangrove flora of ecology of three states – Maharashtra, India comprises 50 exclusive species Kerala and Gujarat – was conducted belonging to 20 genera. during 2014-15. Parameters such According to the latest evaluation, as geomorphology, biodiversity, 67 per cent of the mangroves and mangrove plantation and its status, associated plant species are endangered, conservation and restoration works while 97 per cent of the plant species (CRW), and environmental impact on are threatened. Indiscriminate cutting, costal ecology were studied. Various reclamation for agriculture and data was collected by observation and urbanization, fuel and overgrazing by inputs from government agencies and domestic cattle have severely degraded web source are used for comparative mangroves in India. The threat to analysis. mangroves in recent years comes Observations and data collection
FRO Trainee, Batch 2014-15
18 November 2015
Comparative coastal ecology of Maharashtra, Kerala and Gujarat S.No. Particular Maharashtra Kerala Gujarat 1 Coastal length(km) 720 560 1600
2 CoastalGeomorphology Undulated Wetland plane
3 Coastal climate Tropical Tropical Tropical monsoon monsoon monsoon 4 Salinity ofcoastal sea water(ppt) 2 to 8 2 to 8 2 to 8 5 Sediment quality (mg/lit.) 27 to 70 15 to 34 19 to 45 Floral Biodiversity 4 Mangrove Species (no.) 20 4 16 5 Mangrove area( sq.km) 186 17 1046 Faunal Biodiversity( No. spp.) 350 --- 539 6 Marine Fish species 160 52 487 7 Coral species 9 00 37 8 Conservation & Restoration work __ __ Very good work Mangrove plantation growth from 1987 to 2007 ( sq.km.) 46 5 619 9 Environmental impact Sever adverse Less adverse Moderate effect on north effect adverse effect coast
Costal length(km) 1800 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 Costal length(km) 600 400 200 0 Maharashtra Kerala Gujarat during the study tour at Herne beach of and 30-50 km wide. The shoreline is in- Dapoli (Maharashtra), Kovalam beach dented by numerous west flowing river of Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala), mouths, creeks, bays, headlands, prom- Marine National Park, Jamnagar, Gulf ontories and cliffs. There are about 18 of Kutch (Gujarat) and personal visits prominent creeks/estuaries along the to the Maharashtra coast are the basis coast many of which harbour mangrove for comparison of the coastal ecology of habitats. Like elsewhere in the world, Maharashtra, Kerala and Gujarat. the coastal region of the state is thus a The Maharashtra coast that stretches place of hectic human activity, intense between Bordi in the north and Terek- urbanization in pockets and enhanced hol in the South is about 720 km long industrialization, resulting in degrada-
19 FIELD FORESTER
Visit to Marine National Park, Gujarat tion, directly or indirectly, of marine of these 36 per cent are degraded or in environment through indiscriminate degrading condition. release of domestic and industrial ef- Gujarat is the north-western state of fluents, reclamation, offshore construc- India and the total length of the coast tions, movement of ships and a variety line, facing the Arabian Sea is about of cargo at ports, etc. 1,600 km, based on the geographical Kerala has a 590-km long coastline situation geomorphological position endowed with beautiful beaches, es- and variable natural land, the Gujarat tuaries and lagoons. The coastal belt, coastal zones may be divided into five a narrow strip of lowland, is the most regions: the Rann of Kachchh, Gulf of beautiful region of Kerala, flanked by Kachchh, Gulf of Khambhat, Saurashtra the presence of paddy fields and coco- coast and the South Gujarat coast. Out nut trees dominating the landscape. In of these five regions, the Gulfs consti- Kerala, mangroves are distributed in tute the major mangrove zones of the Keeryad Island, northern part of Kochi Gujarat coast. We visited the Marine Port and Research Farm at Puthuvypin, National Park and mangrove plantation Mahe to Dharmadam coastal belt, Mal- area at Jamnagar , and found 100 per likkad, Ashram, Pathiramanal, Manga- cent survival and good management. lavanam and in several other small bits. Coastal and marine environments It is reported that 17 true mangrove are threatened by the lack of integrat- species and 23 semi-mangrove species ed development planning, especially occur in the state. There are also some given the large concentration of towns, dominant mangrove species recorded petrochemical complexes and indus- in the state. The mangrove area in Ker- tries along the coasts. Only 9 per cent of ala is estimated to be about 17 sq. km, wastewater from coastal towns is treat-
20 November 2015
Visit to Mangrove plantation, Jamnagar ed before entering the waters, adding industries, seashore activities and there to their already heavy chemical burden is urgent need of better CRW. from the huge volumes of agricultural However, in spite of the coast- run-off that routinely flow into them. al ecological richness and contri- In addition, large numbers of coastal bution to the national economy, people remain dependent on natural coastal and marine areas have not resources for their livelihoods, in the received adequate protection and are absence of alternative livelihood oppor- under stress. About 34 per cent of In- tunities. However, the returns from tra- dia’s mangroves were destroyed dur- ditional fishing are diminishing due to ing 1950-2000 (although substantial environmental degradation and over- restoration and conservation has taken exploitation. Risks from climate change place over the past 10 years); almost all will only accentuate these challenges. coral areas are threatened; marine fish As comparison of coastal ecology stocks are declining; and several species among three states, Gujarat was found of ornamental fish and sea cucumbers to have maximum coastal biodiversity, are fast disappearing. Such rapid deple- better CRW and mangrove plantation. tion and degradation, unless arrested, Maharashtra has a huge potential for will impact the livelihood, health and coastal ecological development but the well being of the coastal population, northern coast of Maharashtra faces an affecting in turn prospects for India’s overburdening of human population, sustained economic growth.
21 FIELD FORESTER
WILDLIFE / NAGALAND Foes turn friends for migratory Amur Falcons
The Nagaland Forest Department has played a key role in the conservation of Amur Falcons and creating awareness among the local community
Florence T. Sangtam
n their incredible journey, the Amur falcons (Falcoamurensis) travel up Ito 22,000 km a year – known to be one of the longest distance migration of birds – from Mongolia, roost in Naga- land for some months before carrying onwards to the African sub-continent. A protected species under the Conven- tion of Migratory Species (CMS), tens of thousands of these raptors congregate near the Doyang reservoir in Nagaland every year and this is believed to be the single largest congregation of Amur fal- cons recorded anywhere in India Till 2012, the local communities in Wokha used to hunt the falcons for their meat and capture them for commercial sale when they stopped by to roost in Nagaland. Doyang reservoir, the falcon’s pit-stop, before their lengthy onward journey across the Arabian Sea to Africa had turned into a death trap markets prompting a Rapid Action for the birds. The birds were trapped Project (RAP) to protect the birds by by the hunters in the mist nets lined up Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and the near the reservoir and collected early Nagaland Forest Department. Down in the morning. Besides killing them the line, the situation at Doyang has for meat, the raptors were also kept seen a remarkable change of events for alive and later sold in the local district the better. The reservoir is now one of
RFO Trainee, 2014-15 Batch, ASFOS Burnihat, Assam
22 November 2015 the safest places in the North-East for to ensure safe passage of these migra- the visiting raptors. And the hunters tory birds. Churches also played a key of migratory Amur Falcons have now role in spreading the message of com- turned into protectors. Nagaland has passion for the Amur Falcon, and thus become the ‘Falcon Capital’ of the motivating the people to come forward world. The birds which used to be to protect the falcons during their roost- earmarked for the cooking pot are now ing period in Nagaland. Amur Falcon the pride of Nagaland. Roosting Areas Union (AFRAU) is also Alternative livelihood support in the supporting the conservation efforts of form of poultry farms was provided the Wildlife Trust of India at Pangti. to the villages, who were part of the AFRAU members are jointly working hunter groups and landowners where with the Amur Falcon Protection Squad the Amur Falcons roost. An MoU was formed by WTI for the conservation of signed and a subsequent resolution the migratory birds with the support of passed by the village councils of Pangti, Nagaland Forest Department. Ashaa and Sungro, making hunting the Signages were installed in strate- Amur Falcon illegal and punishable, gically important areas and posters which helped in reaching a zero mor- and leaflets were handed out among tality rate in Doyang , by the end of the the community. Wildlife films were bird’s roosting period. An awareness screened and workshops were held dur- campaign was initiated to gain the lo- ing wildlife week in October. The Amur cal community’s support and also sen- Falcon campaign was also conducted sitize them on the need to conserve the in local schools across Wokha targeting visiting guests, emphasising the eco- school children to sensitize them on the logical and ethical importance of the need to conserve the falcons. Nagaland Amur Falcon and urging the villagers Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation
Amur Falcons in the Wokha sky
23 FIELD FORESTER
Trust (NWBCT) started conducting riod, Pangti, a female, took the route of nature camps under its ‘Friends of the Wokha, Assam, Bangladesh, West Ben- Amur Falcon’ programme for building gal, the Bay of Bengal, Andhra Pradesh awareness on conservation of biodiver- and Maharashtra before beginning the sity among the children and villagers journey over the Arabian Sea. Wokha, in areas where the Amur Falcons were also female, followed Pangti’s path visiting for the third consecutive year. and was tracked flying over the Bay of On November 6, 2013, three Amur Bengal way behind the other two. The Falcons – Naga, Pangti and Wokha, movements of all three birds are being named after Nagaland, Pangti village monitored by scientists in Hungary, fil- and Wokha district, respectively, were tering satellite data through a dedicated satellite tagged with an antenna and website. This is the first time the Amur solar panel, weighing 5 grams, fitted on Falcons in Nagaland were satellite their back in collaboration with scien- tagged and their movements to South tists from the Wildlife Institute of India, Africa are being monitored. Ministry of Environment and Forest, Gaining support from the commu- the UNEP, The Environment Agency- nity in Nagaland to protest against Abu Dhabi and the Nagaland Forest harming these endangered raptors was Department and released in Doyang essential for the future of the species. forest. It was now possible to track their Continued efforts are needed to keep movements. From November 7, Naga, a the locals motivated and provide a saf- male, had taken the route of Wokha in er migratory passage for the Amur Fal- Nagaland, Assam, Bangladesh, the Bay cons in the years to come. This model of Bengal,Andhra Pradesh and Karna- of community conservation by people taka before entering the air space over can be replicated in other parts of the the Arabian sea. During the same pe- world as well.
24 November 2015
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION / TAMIL NADU Venom for anti-venom: A source of livelihood to Irulas
A co-operative society has been able to harness the traditional skills of Irula tribals and provide them with ways and means of social and economic upliftment
Anu Thakur expertise in catching snakes. They were one of the leading suppliers of snake ndia is a land of rich ethnic and lizard skins to the global skin diversity. There are still some social industry. The reckless exploitation that Igroups which would defy the very ensued threatened the local extinction principles of human material progress of several species and subsequently and adhere to the traditional ways of hunting was banned in 1972 with the living and earning their livelihood. implementation of Wildlife Protection India counts significantly amongst the Act. This deprived the Irulas of their nations which house a large population main source of livelihood. of tribals inhabiting widely varying They do not have a fixed means of ecological and geo-climatic terrains. livelihood. They are unskilled in doing As per the 2011 Census Report, tribal any alternative kinds of job. They earn population in India is 104.5 million. their living by doing `coolie' work in From ages they have survived the rice mills and agricultural fields of the ordeals inflicted upon them by the landlords. Fishing is also an occupation nature and by other social groups. in some of the Irulas' villages. Many of The Irulas are Dravidian inhabitants them do not possess even a Scheduled and one among the 36 sub-tribal Tribe or land certificate for the place communities in Tamil Nadu with a they stay in. population of about 1.17 lakh. Irulas are the second largest population of Irula Snake-Catchers tribals in Tamil Nadu. The origin of the Industrial Cooperative Society word 'Irula' is not clear. It could have (ISCICS) been derived from the Tamil word, We had an opportunity to visit ‘Irul’ which either refers to the dark the Irula Snake-Catchers Industrial complexion of the Irulas or their being Cooperative Society (ISCICS). It is capable of finding one's path in the located in the premises of the Madras dark forests. Crocodile Bank at Vadanemmeli, These small groups of indigenous Kanchipuram district of Tamil Nadu. forest-dwelling people have remarkable In the early 1980s, Romulus Whitaker
Forest Range Officer Trainee of 2014-15 batch, CASFOS, Coimbatore
25 FIELD FORESTER
Unique code being clipped into ventral scales
Venom extraction and Revathy Mukherji started a self- at the Crocodile Bank. employment scheme to help the Irulas We need to pay an entry fee of come out of their abject poverty. Their `10 for the Snake Pit centre where continuous efforts resulted in the official the Irulas introduce us to a variety registration of ISCICS on December 19, of poisonous snakes which are kept 1978. inside systematically arranged mud The main objectives of this co- pots covered with white cloth. “The operative were to harness the snake is very poisonous,” says Muthu traditional skills of the Irulas, to accord while pulling out a slithering Russell’s dignity and respect to their indigenous Viper from the mud pot. He narrates knowledge and to provide them with non-stop details of the life history and ways and means of social and economic characteristics of snake. He makes all upliftment. In due course, a specialist of us pretty excited while extracting snake handling facility was established the venom. He firmly holds the snake’s
26 November 2015
Irula handling Indian Cobra
Snakes kept inside systematically arranged mud pots neck over a glass receptacle and the The licensed members then go out venom percolates down into it. and catch the snakes which are sold The ISCICS focuses on four to the society at a fixed rate. Once poisonous species: Indian Cobra, purchased, the snakes are kept in Common Krait, Russell’s Viper and individual earthen pots. The length, Saw-scaled Viper that account for the weight, sex and site of capture are majority of snake bite-related deaths recorded at the time of purchase. Each in India. Irulas always move in groups snake is marked with a unique code of four or five to ensure that there clipped into its ventral scales. Venom are people around to aid each other is extracted from each snake once a in the event of a snake bite. They week for four weeks. The snakes are consume a herb before setting out to then released at predetermined sites catch snakes, details of which they are in Reserve Forests in the presence of a reluctant to share. Forest Range Officer.
27 FIELD FORESTER
Venom, once collected, is frozen, “The formation of the society and dried and stored at 10º C in the freeze subsequent permission to collect snakes chamber. This turns it into minute was an uphill task for Irulas,” says S crystals. The crystallized venom is Dravida Mani, Secretary and founder gathered in airtight bottles and stored member of the ISCICS. “We established in a refrigerator. The society sells the ourselves without any financial support venom to a number of laboratories from government. Now, the society for conducting medical research and has the ambition to become a global preparation of anti-venom. pharmaceutical company. It wants to At present, the annual turnover of expand nationally and manufacture the 350-member strong cooperative is serum which meets WHO standards.” `1.5 crore. An Irula is paid `2,000 for “We are going to train tribals in other catching one Cobra or Russell’s Viper, part of the country and invest `10 `700 for Common Krait and `250 crore to become a competent global for Saw-scaled Viper. The society is exporter,” says Mani. involved in extracting venom, which Given the high standard of goals, is in great demand for making anti- as regards the economic and social venom serum. For every one gram of upliftment of Irulas by employing venom from Indian Cobra, Russell’s agencies such as ISCICS, much more is Viper, Common Krait and Saw-scaled yet to be done. Though this exposure Viper, 10, 10, 40 and 100 numbers of has somewhat exposed the tribe to the individuals are required, respectively. success parameters of human social A gram of Cobra venom costs ` 25,000, and economic growth but the numbers that of Krait `40,000, Russell’s Viper achieved are none to boast of as of now. `30,000 and Saw-scaled Viper `45,000. It is heartening to see that this The cooperative also earns `6-7 lakh community has also ventured into annually from the entry fee to its Snake manufacturing of numerous medicinal Pit Centre. products, herbal teas, shampoos and Apart from this the members are other organic products derived from paid for catching rats and snake feeds various trees and shrubs. The words besides other bonus and incentives of Robert Frost, ‘miles to go before I like medical allowance, an interest-free sleep’, manifest the essence of goals and housing loan, an educational loan for standards to be achieved by this ethnic children and an insurance cover of `10 group. The Irulas need comprehensive lakh if a member dies of snakebite. If a engagement and a lot more attention member is bitten by a snake, treatment from the government and the society costs are also covered. at large.
28 November 2015
COMMUNITY INTEGRATION / MAHARASHTRA The Jungle Man
Co-opting local forest residents can be an asset to the forest department in terms of understanding wildlife and traditional knowledge
Ashish Narayanrao Hivre Maharashtra. The sanctuary is well protected by the large extent of the rom May 3-10, 2015, I got an Shivasagar reservoir and the steep opportunity to go for wildlife slopes of the Western Ghats on both the Festimation in Koyna wildlife sides. This protected area is connected sanctuary along with all the RFO by a vegetal cover corridor of Chandoli trainees of our academy. It was and Radhanagari wildlife sanctuaries our maiden experience-gathering in the south. The average altitude is opportunity of a wildlife census. Koyna 897 metres above sea level. The mean wildlife sanctuary is located in Satara annual rainfall is 5,500 mm. District of Maharashtra and has a total The forest types here are southern notified area of 423.55 sq. km. tropical evergreen forests and southern Koyna wildlife sanctuary includes moist mixed deciduous forest. the eastern and western catchments of Dominant species are Anjani, Jambul, Koyna dam, which is a major hydro- Hirda, Awala, Pisa, Ain, Kinjal, Amba, electric project centre in western Kumbha, Bhoma, Chandala, Katak,
Shamrao Kokre’s hut in the forest
Range Forest Officer (Tr.), Kundal Academy of Development, Aadministrationand Management, Kundal, Ta.Palus, Distt. Sangli, (MS)
29 FIELD FORESTER
Nana, Umbar, Jambha, Gela, Bibba etc. Karvi is found almost all over the area. Climbers such as Shikekai, Garambi are quite frequent. Shrubs species and medicinal plants such as Karvand, Vagati, Ranmiri, Tamalpati, Toran, Dhayati, Kadipatta, Narkya, Murudsheng, etc. with small quantity of Bamboo are also seen. Quite a large number of ephemerals, bulbs of seasonal plants are found. The sanctuary shelters tigers (2), panthers (14), gaurs (220-250), sloth bears (70-80), sambars (160-175), barking deer (180-200), mouse deer, dholes, giant squirrels, otters, common langoors, pythons and cobras. A unique species of toad, Bufo koyanansis, is endemic to this protected area. ACF Puranik had told us about the method of census and the steps to be Shamrao Kokre and his family with the author followed for the census. He gave us the necessary equipment like GPS, range The Kokre household was the only one finder, camera, booklet, sleeping bag, which is yet to be rehabilitated. Kokre ration required for eight days. I had was living with his wife and son. After been allotted the ‘Maldev beat’. I was dinner, we went for water hole census accompanied by beat guard Ram Shelke at night. and forest watcher Vaibhav Jadhav. In the morning, we visited Kokre’s Shelke told me that Maldev is the last home. At that time, only his wife was beat of the Koyna wildlife sanctuary. present. I asked some questions about On May 3, we began our journey at their livelihood. She told me that their 9.00 am from Koynanagar to Maldev entire dependence is on the forest. beat. we reached at 06.00 pm by launch. They use fruits, tubers and bulbs as That was my first longest journey by vegetable. She also told us that some launch in wildlife area. I enjoyed it years ago, they used some forest land thoroughly and was once in lifetime for agriculture purposes but now the experience for me. My whole journey forest department had prohibited was through core area of Koyna. At the same. The forest department had dinner, Shelke told me about Shamrao already offered to shift them from the Kokre who lived in Maldev beat. The forest area but they were not ready to rehabilitation of the whole Maldev do so. village was done way back in 1960. Korkre’s house is an open hut.
30 November 2015
There were no doors and windows. informed that very few tigers are left in His house was built up with timber the sanctuary. One day I requested him and straw extracted from the forest. to come with us for trekking. We started Around his house we saw signs of trekking at 6.00 am. After the comple- wildlife like leopard, sloth bear, wild tion of transect-line survey, we moved pig, and so on but he loved to sleep in on to reach the Kusumlata Plateau at the open. His wife told me that initially 12.00 noon. they had 250 cattle. Their main earning During the trek, he told me many was from the dairy produce but due details about the flora of the region. He to attacks by tiger and leopards, they told me about the multivitamin and were left with only nine animals. The anti-oxidant properties of theleaves of nearest village was almost 10 km the Pisa plant (Actinodaphne hookeri). He away at Tiwre. She showed me several is also familiar with the medicinal value paper cuttings which spoke about of the entire flora present in that area. Shamrao Kokre. He told me that, he knew all the natural In the afternoon, Shamrao came to trails right from Belgaon to Thane that our tent to visit us. Shelke introduced is whole of western Maharashtra. He me to him. I was amazed to see that has walked throughout Maharashtra. Shamrao, despite being 82 years old, Standing atop the Kusumlata Plateau he was very fit and in good health. We had showed me the boundaries of the Satara, very little conversation at that time. He Ratnagiri, and Kolhapur districts. He thought that I had come to convince also showed me old Vasota and New them to leave the forest area. He left us Vasota fort and their distinguishing after half an hour. Shelke told me that characters. He again showed me the the forest department and Kokre were “W” point located there. at loggerheads about the rehabilitation. One of his best abilities is that he Kokre is not ready to leave the place, can locate the animal by odour. He though all his sons and daughter have can smell different animals and locate shifted to the city area. Shamrao’s their position. To share just one of my refrain is: “I am born in the forest and I experiences with him: One evening, shall die in the forest.” we were sitting outside our tent when After frequent visits, he opened up. he suddenly got up and said, “I will He told me about the flora and fauna show you sloth bear.” So we followed of the Koyna wildlife sanctuary. This him towards the water hole and sure 82- year-old man has lot of knowledge enough we had a sighting of sloth about the forest and we can describe bear at the water hole. He informed us him as “walking flora”. He also told that the most dangerous animal in the me about changes in habitat over the sanctuary is the sloth bear. There had years and the condition of the sanctu- been many incidents of man and sloth ary before the Koyna dam and status bear conflict. He gave us tips on how up to the date. He also told me about to save ourselves from the sloth bear changes in animal behaviour. He also and also showed us the den of a sloth
31 FIELD FORESTER bear. He also said that the leopards of every three years so we cannot have Koynanagar were not maneaters and the same familiarity with the area. His they had never attacked a human being. son also has good knowledge about the Clearly, Shamrao Kokre is a knowl- forest. Interestingly, Shamrao has never edgeable resource person having a been attacked by animals. His affinity good understanding of wildlife behav- with all things wild can be utilized in iour. The forest department can take the course of man-animal interface. benefit of his knowledge for the man- As discussed, he possesses good agement of the forest. Though he is 82 knowledge about the flora and their years old,, but taking into consideration uses. This can help us for the conserva- his extraordinary knowledge about the tion and the preservation of some rare forest,we can treat him as a special case and endangered flora. We can also ap- and offer him a job of forest labour so point Shamrao as a trainer for the forest that we can utilise his knowledge. guard and foresters, or as a guide for The forester gets transferred after the beat boundaries.
32 November 2015
WILDLIFE / MAHARASHTRA A Success Story
An initative to help conserve the vulture population brings forth results with the help of community participation
Kalpana Homkar Chinchkhede lation numbers only several thousand. These birds of prey are one of the most o you know the decline of efficient scavengers, constituting In- which species has cost India dia’s optimal natural animal disposal DUS$34 billion? The decline system. They live in communities and of this species has been recorded as mostly near human habitation. For the the most rapid decline in history of a deceased Parsi to reach heaven, these large population. In the 1980s, one of species serve as intermediaries between the sub-species was considered as the earth and sky. The dead body is placed most numerous species of raptor in the on a Tower of Silence where these world, with around 80 million indi- birds by consuming the body, liberate viduals, but today, however, its popu- the soul. The dwindling population of
Vulture group in Damrancha village
RFO Trainee (2014-15), Burnihat, Assam
33 FIELD FORESTER
A carcass being put on one of the machans or vulture restaurants
Parsi Indians, deprived of their celestial viral causes of the decline, the culprit emissaries, has been obliged to drop was discovered by Dr. Lindsay Oaks these ancient customs for reasons of and his team in 2003: diclofenac. It is hygiene, since now bodies take six a common anti-inflammatory drug ad- months to disappear. I am talking about ministered to livestock and was widely Vultures. used in India in the 1990s. The drug is One can imagine the quantum of ac- fatal to vultures. A vulture is exposed celeration in decline given that the pop- to a mortal dose of diclofenac if it eats ulation of White-rumped Vulture (Gyps from the carcass of a recently treated bengalensis) fell 99.7 per cent between animal. A simulation model demon- 1993 and 2002. The population of the strates that if only 1 per cent of carcasses Indian Vulture or Long-billed Vulture were contaminated by diclofenac, Indi- (Gyps indicus) and the Slender-billed an vultures would be decimated and a Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) fell 97.4 per study of carcasses showed that 10 per cent. Out of nine species found in India, cent were contaminated. these three species are in danger of ex- Following research on veterinarian tinction. Research shows that in India, diclofenac, the drug was taken off the feral dog populations have increased market in India on March 11, 2006 and by 30 per cent due to the disappearance a replacement drug, meloxicam, was of vultures, which consequently has quickly developed and proposed after increased the risk of human rabies and tests on vultures in captivity. Meloxi- anthrax. After much work on possible cam affects the cattle the same way as
34 November 2015 diclofenac, but is harmless for vultures. sum of money is needed to control the The disappearance of vultures has al- population of stray dogs. I was talking lowed other species, such as rats and about all these expenditures when I stray dogs, to take their place. These mentioned US$34 billion at the begin- newly abundant scavengers, however, ning of the story. are not as efficient as vultures. A vul- Every cloud has a silver lining. I am ture’s metabolism is a true “dead-end” going to tell you a story of one such sil- for pathogens, but dogs and rats be- ver lining. This story started on Octo- come carriers of pathogens. Stray dogs ber 8, 2013 as a joint effort of the people also attract leopards to the human in- and the forest department. The place habited areas which can result into was Kamlapur range, Sironcha Forest man-animal conflict. Dogs carry dis- Division in Aheri Taluka of Gadchiroli eases like rabies, anthrax, plague, etc. district of Maharashtra, where a group from rotting carcasses. Statistics show of 12 to 15 individuals was sighted. The that in India, 30,000 people die from first sighting was done by Atul Ramb- rabies each year – more than half the hau Deokar, who got his first posting world’s total. A person is bitten every as a Range Forest Officer in this range. two seconds and one dies from rabies This was the beginning of a long and every 30 minutes. Seventy per cent of exciting story. He along with his team the victims are children under the age of three Forest Guards, Kadari, Pophali of 15. The Indian government treats half and Lade, started monitoring the birds. a million victims each year at a cost of One nest of White-Backed Vulture on a `1,500 per person. Poor citizens do not teak tree in the same village gave a ray have access to this care. Moreover, huge of hope. It was kept under regular mon- itoring with the help of local villagers. They conducted surveys in the villages in the vicinity and discussed the sight- ings with the locals. The next monitor- ing targets were the ‘Dhorphodi’ sites, a common place where dead cattle were put outside the village. The results of this monitoring by the dedicated Kamlapur staff revealed that the vultures were being badly disturbed by stray dogs while feeding on the carcasses. Little was left by the dogs for the vultures to feed on and the vultures had to wait for their turn to feed. So, the team decided to set up ‘Vulture Restaurants’. This restaurant is a 30mx33m structure which is fenced by Nesting site of Long billed Vulture In Lakkameda a chain link on wooden poles. A wooden
35 FIELD FORESTER
Vulture restaurant in Kamlapur platform called machan of 10ftx10ftx3 This made the survey more robust. feet is erected inside this fence. Around Participation of the local people was `90,000 was spent to raise one such the most important part of the story as structure. These restaurants were set up they were the ones who provided the in other ranges as well. Now, they have food for vultures. In return, the vul- raised 11 vulture restaurants. Posters tures provided them with hygienic en- were distributed by the department vironment. The villagers were getting with an appeal to bring the dead animal financial benefits too. Moreover, the to these restaurants with an assurance limelight was on this area as the place or `250 per dead body. A format was of this success story, making the locals developed for data collection from proud and happy! each restaurant that would be helpful The department started the concept in any future endeavor to conserve of ‘International Vulture Awareness vultures. The staff kept a meticulous Day’ to make people aware about the record of the account of the villagers significance of vultures. This day is bringing the dead animals. They also celebrated annually on first Saturday maintained a proper data along with of September. Meetings of the staff and lat/long of the vulture sightings at the villagers were organized where they these restaurants. These records were were sensitized through discussion, regularly maintained by the respective documentaries and the suggestions Forest Guard and checked by Round for the cause were invited. In one such Officers. This gave them a fair idea meeting, the idea of “Gidhad Mitra’ about the population of vultures in the (Friend of Vulture) was put forth. These area. Vultures are territorial and they individuals support the department migrate locally. The whole area was in survey, monitoring and creating divided into grids for counting of nests. awareness. The first Gidhad Mitra,
36 November 2015
Shrihari Gurjalwal was selected from ducted for the frontline staff regard- the Kamlapur range. ing vulture diversity, physiology and Now, as the awareness is spreading, ecology by Deokar. The department is people bring injured vultures to the planning more awareness programmes. Range Office where they are treated The research regarding the necessity of by the Livestock Development Officer vulture restaurants is going on. The (LDO). Here, the people do not department wants to see whether the use diclofenac and the LDO do not vultures would still come without the prescribe it. But, still the medical stores fencing and the machan. The depart- are kept under regular observation. ment is thinking of conducting studies Besides, awareness regarding the regarding the population, group dy- negative impact of diclofenac on namics and sex ratio of the vultures. A vulture existence is being spread. rescue centre for vultures is in the pipe- Diclofenac is not a problem in this area. line. Dhorphodi sites are conserved and Here, the drug is not used as the tribals villagers coming forward for vulture do not go in for such costly treatments conservation are encouraged through for their unproductive cattle. But, the financial incentives and by honoring major problem was the unavailability them. Also, the Gidhad Mitras are paid of sufficient food because of stray dogs. an honorarium of `2,000 monthly for This obstacle was overcome with the monitoring the vultures and provid- introduction of vulture restaurants. ing information to the department. At At the beginning the vulture present, three Gidhad Mitras work for population was just a group of 12-15 the department. They provide regular birds. Aforementioned conservation updates of sightings of the birds. efforts resulted in the sighting ofa This unique success story shows the group of 80-90 individuals on August importance of people’s participation in 18, 2014 at Kamlapur. At the beginning conservation of endangered species and the team found only one nest. Later, how much the support and contribution a new nest was sighted on a teak tree of the staff matters. Deokar and his team near a vulture restaurant. The positive have proved that ‘Actions speak louder development is that the villagers from than words’. Here the dedication of other areas themselves have asked for a handful of ‘greens in uniform’ has vulture restaurants near their villages actually made it possible. The vulture where they have reported the sighting was very near local extinction in of this valuable species. This shows that this area. The increase in the number they are aware about vultures and the of individuals of this species is a matter important role they play in maintaining of pride not only for the Kamlapur staff, the health of the ecosystem. In Deokar’s but for the entire local community. And own words, “People’s participation now it will be possible for the coming is vital for the long term survival of generations to get a chance to see this the vulture.” amazing raptor in flesh and blood and Training programmes were con- not only read about it in books.
37 FIELD FORESTER
WILDLIFE / MAHARASHTRA Adapting to kill
An account of the newly observed predatory behaviour of the Greater Coucal (Centroupus sinensis), a member of the cuckoo family
Sonal Dattatraya Valvi Therefore the addition of data describing the unusual predatory he Greater Coucal is one among behaviour of the Greater Coucal the family of non-parasitic by killing individually and feeding Tcuckoos and is largely terrestrial. on a Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis) It is known to live in open forest, scrub, is reported here. The Indian Hare grassland, shrubbery and groves about killed by the Greater Coucal was human habitations. This birds stalks approximately 30 cm length and 15- along the ground or clambers and 20 cm height. By observation, the hare hops with agility amongst branches in can be considered as a sub-adult and its search of food. Greater Coucal have weight must be approximately around been known for feeding on caterpillars, 1 kg. large insects, snails, lizard, young mice Behavioural observation was found and bird eggs. In addition, there is a coincidently on the campus of the report by B. Laxmi Naraya et. al. from Kundal Academy of Development Hyderabad of Greater Coucal feeding Administration and Management on the Common Myna.
Plate 1: Greater Coucal capturing the upper neck portion of Indian Hare
Range Forest Officer (Trainee), Kundal Academy of Development Administration and Management, Kundal, Taluka Palus, District Sangli, Maharashtra
38 November 2015
Plate 2: Greater Coucal jerking the Hare and lifting above the ground to give larger jerks
(Forests), (K.A.D.A.M) Kundal, Taluka photographs are also taken for Palus, Sangli district of Maharashtra. documentary evidence. The site is at latitude N 17°07'37.5'' and longitude 74°25'20.0''. Observations The Greater Coucal was tracked for 1. On 28/01/2015 at 7:15 a.m., I saw a around 15 minutes before it attacked Greater Coucal in the campus of and killed the Indian Hare. academy. Till 7:25 a.m., I patiently The K.A.D.AM campus has come watched it for some photographs. into existence from a year or so and It was just wandering / stalking construction and developmental work on the ground and it was inspecting is still under progress. The site was ear- the area. In a short span of 10 minutes lier an undulating region with degrad- it went twice to a small Acacia ed grassland, which is 1 km outside the tree and was watching the whole Kundal Village. Thus the site where area from above. At around 7:25 the incident was observed still has the a.m., it came down from the tree and characteristics of degraded grassland landed near the grass. After walking and small shrubs, with an approxi- for 10-12 metres in the grass, it mately area of 4 hectares. The common caught hold of a small Indian Hare in avifauna found here are Sunbird, Indi- its beak. an Robin, Magpie Robin, Pond heron, 2. For the first instance, it caught hold Egrets, Wagtail, Ashy prinia, Brahminy on the upper neck region of the Starling, Black Drongo, Common King- hare. A struggle ensued for around fisher, Babbler, Laughing Dove and 10 minutes. During this period, the Greater Coucal, etc. hare managed to escape once and The attacking, killing and feeding started to run. But the Greater Cou- on the Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis) cal caught hold of it again by its ears has been captured on video and and same above region of neck by its
39 FIELD FORESTER
Plate 3: Greater Coucal feeding on the Indian Hare killed by it.
Plate 4: A Jungle Crow working as scavenger by taking the remaining beheaded part of Indian Hare.
beak. The hare was struggling con- Greater Coucal managed to lay the tinuously by moving its legs but was Hare on its back and swiftly got hold unable to escape. The Greater Cou- of the neck region from underneath. cal almost lifted the Hare above the In this position, it managed to ground and was continuously jerk- penetrate its beak into the hare’s ing the neck. In order to lift the hare neck and finally succeeded in killing by its beak, the Greater Coucal was the hare. jumping on its both legs for chang- 4. The Greater Coucal immediately ing the position and giving a larger started feeding on the kill and con- wrench. tinued for the next five minutes. It 3. By the end of the tenth minute, the started eating from the neck.
40 November 2015
5. Suddenly a Shikra (Accipiter trivirga- site again, I saw a Jungle Crow was tus) landed at the sight. The Greater picking at the head of the hare killed Coucal ran into a nearby open bush by Greater Coucal. This shows the (1-2 metres distance from kill) leav- common scavenging behaviour of ing the kill there itself. I was watch- the crow. ing this scene from around 15 metres. From the above observations, it can I believe that both the birds were be said that the Greater Coucal killing able to sense my presence. The Shi- a sub-adult hare was reflective of op- kra stayed there for approximately portunistic prey capture. Since the site one minute and left the site without comprises degraded grassland, so the any remarkable move. common food availability for Greater 6. The Greater Coucal came back to the Coucal must be scarce. Thus it was kill and started feeding again. After seen adapting itself to kill and feed on approximately 2-3 minutes, it had Indian Hare. The Greater Coucal used considerably reduced the volume its beak to the fullest to capture and kill of the kill. Then, it picked up the the hare. In this incidence, no use of its remaining carcass of the hare in its legs or claws was seen for capturing or beak and took a flight to move out of killing the hare. It can, thus, be stated the campus area (around 15 metres). that given the opportunity, the Greater 7. The story did not end here. The Coucal feeds on the hare and is able to next morning when I visited the capture and kill it individually.
41 FIELD FORESTER
Ladakh / Jammu & Kashmir A glimpse into the cold desert
Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro Intro xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
“The land is so harsh and the passes so place between May and July 1999 in numerous, that only the best of friends the region. or the worst of enemies would visit you” (Ladakhi folklore) Climate and Topography The terrain in Ladakh is dominated by Raza Ali Abidi a maze of enormously high snowcapped peaks where valley heights range from adakh comprises of Leh and 2500-4500m while passes of up to Kargil districts in Jammu and 6000m and peaks reaching above 7000 LKashmir in the northern most m can be seen all around. The world’s part of the country. Ladakh literally second largest glacier outside the polar means ‘land of passes’ and is famous for region -Siachen- is located here and is mountain ranges and passes. Ladakh the world’s highest battlefield. It’s no has four major mountain ranges - the wonder that such daunting heights Great Himalayan Range, Zanskar, play an important role in determine Ladakh and the Karakoram ranges. the land’s temperature. In winter Leh Ladakh is one of the least accessible and Kargil experience temperatures as parts of the Himalayas with most of its low as - 30°C and Drassat -50°C is the area located above 4,000 metres above second most coldest inhabited place in mean sea level. The region remains the world. During summers the weather cut off from the rest of the world for is pleasant, the average temperature approximately six months during goes over 25°C, but with low humidity winters due to heavy snow fall. the sun can still be scorching hot. The Ladakh has always been an important Himalayas create a rain shadow effect region owing to its location. In the past in the region, thus rainfall is a mere it was a crossroad to important trade 2 inches but there is heavy snowfall routes, like the famous Silk route and in winters and it is the melting snow nowadays it is strategically important in summer which sustains life in this as it shares an international border with region. The major waterway of Ladakh both Pakistan and China.The famous is the Indus River, as it flows down it is Kargil War was an armed conflict joined by its other tributaries. The Suru between India and Pakistan that took valley, drained by the SuruRiver, one of
FRO Trainee, Batch (2014-15), Thang Dumbur Sankoo, Kargil, Ladakh
42 November 2015
Landscape view the tributaries of the Indus forms one pashmina (a fine type of kashmere wool of the most significant valleys’ of the used for making shawls)bearing goats region. in the eastern plains.Baltis and Purigpa are mainly found in western Ladakh in People the Kargil region, and in some parts of Ladakh can be broadly classified the Nubra valley and Leh region. into four regions Kargil, Zanskar, Leh Animal husbandry, agriculture and and Nubra and is inhabited by people agroforestry form the basis of livelihood of different ethnic groups,namely the and food security in the permanent Mons, Dards, Tibetans and Baltis. settlements of Ladakh. Agriculture Mons belong to the Aryan race, while depends entirely on melting water the Dards are confined mainly to Drass from glaciers and people cultivate only and the Indus valleys. The Tibetans are staple crops like barley and wheat. the dominant racial strain in eastern Peas, mustard, potatoes, carrots, turnip, and central Ladakh, two ethnically and radish, green leafy vegetables and alfalfa culturally distinctive groups are the are also regularly cultivated on terraced Tibetans living at Choglamsar and the fields sometimes in combination with nomadic Changpas with their herds of apple and apricot trees.
Do you know? On October 29, 2012 a Guiness world record was created in Ladakh in which 9,814 volunteers planted 99,103 saplings of Ladakhi willow in one hour.
43 FIELD FORESTER
Local house on the way to Zanskar
Flora (0.06% in Leh and 0.05 % in Kargil). The The vegetation of the area is sparse major trees growing in the area which owing to the harsh climatic conditions. are usually manmade plantations are The physiographic conditions of poplar (Populusspp.) and willows (Salix the region ensures a short growing spp) and shrubs like Hippophae spp.and season (2-5 months) with exposure Myricaria spp. can also be seen along to harmful infra-red and ultraviolet river banks. Horticulture crops include radiations. High transpiration rates apple trees and apricots which are due to excessive heat often causeplant grown up to 3500 m. The main trees mortality, inadequate hours of sunlight are willow and poplar and they meet especially during the winter season the requirement for fuel and timber. results in frost injury to plants. All They provide a good yield of fodder these lead to poor seed germination, for the animals and twigs for baskets. poor plant growth, poor root formation, Fragrant juniper (Shukpa) grows natu- deformed canopy, reduced radial rally and is used for ceremonial and re- growth and other physical signs/ ligious purposes. Firewood is scarce for phenotypic manifestations which affect both domestic and occupational use in the productive biomass production in cold deserts. totality of the region. The herbaceous element is Natural vegetation is overwhelm- comprised of Thymus, Medicago, ingly herbaceous - comprising of a few Trifolium, Anemone, Potentila, Epilobium, tree species and a few shrub species. Verbena, Allium, Aconitum, Delphenium, The forest cover in the region is very low Aquilegia, Primula, Geranium, Polygonum
Do you know? Chewang Norphel a retired civil engineer from Ladakh, came up with the idea of artificial glaciers to overcome water scarcity in the region and was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution.
44 November 2015
Himalayan Marmot and Cannabis. This abundance of the pika (Ochotona ladacensis), herbaceous element, has been the Ladakh’s mammalian herbivores, mainstay of the traditional medicinal belonging to six families, include eight system (sowarigpa) prevalent in this wild ungulates: Tibetan gazelle (Pro- region. caprapicticaudata), Tibetan antelope (Pantholopshodgsoni), Blue sheep (Pseu- Fauna doisnayaur), Ladakhurial (Ovisvigneivi- The fauna of Ladakh has much in gnei), Asiatic ibex (Capra ibex siberica), common with that of Central Asia gen- Tibetan argali (Ovisammonhodgsoni), erally, and especially those of the Ti- Tibetan wild ass (Equus kiang) and the betan Plateau. Ladakh has a rich wild- wild yak (Bosgrunniens). life, cats found in the region include the The avian fauna includes the black Snow leopard (Unciauncia), Lynx (Lynx necked crane – the state bird of Jammu lynx) Pallas’s cat (Otocolobusmanul). and Kashmir, bar-headed geese, ducks The dog family is represented by Wolf and several other water birds which (Canis lupus), Red fox (Vulpesvulpes), breed near the lakes in thousands. The Tibetan sand fox (Vulpesferrilata) and other birds in the region are Bactrian Dhole (Cuonalpinus). Other animals in- magpies, grey tits, chough, raven, clude Brown bear (Ursusarctos), Stoat sparrow, kite, kestrel, Turkoman rock (Mustelaerminea), Mountain weasel pigeon, and many other species of (Mustelaaltaica), Stone marten (Martes- birds. Tsomoriri – a Ramsar site - and foina), Eurasian otter (Lutralutra), Hima- PangongTso are important grounds for layan marmot (Marmota bobak), Wooly the migratory birds. Hemis National hare (Lepus oiostolus) and the Ladakh- Park, the largest national park of India
Do you know? The Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) is a double humped camel found in Ladakh, and nowhere else in the country
45 FIELD FORESTER
Landscape view is known as one of the places for highest and fire wood to escape the harsh cold density of snow leopards. winters. Though the cold desert covers The cold deserts have a unique more than fifty per cent area of Jammu biodiversity and have been occupied and Kashmir statelittle attention has by human beings since the dawn of been paid to its holistic development civilization despite the harsh climatic area owing to the challenging conditions. The people of the region climatic conditions and topographical rely heavily on the trees for fuelwood, limitations, there is immense potential fodder, timber, agricultural implements for development in this area.
46 November 2015
Tilora (Pushkar) / Setrawa (Jodhpur), Rajasthan Sand Dunes Stabilization and Plantation
Stabilizing dunes involves multiple actions including the planting of vegetation. Small shrubs and grasses are better sand binders than trees.
Vrushali B. Tambe are three essential prerequisites for the formation of sand dunes, these include; and dunes are common features of an abundant supply of loose sand in a shoreline and desert environments. region generally devoid of vegetation; SIn physical geography, a dune is a wind energy source sufficient to hill of sand built by either wind or water move the sand grains and topography flow. These occur in different shapes whereby the sand particles lose their and sizes. Sand dunes occur throughout momentum and settle out. the world, from coastal and lakeshore Sand dunes can have a negative plains to arid desert regions. There are impact on humans when they encroach numerous types of sand dunes, these on human habitats. Movement of include longitudinal, crescentric, linear, sand dunes can happen through a few star, dome and parabolic shaped dunes. different means, all of them helped In Rajasthan, parabolic dunes are found along by wind. One way that dunes in Shergarh area, linear or longitudinal can move is by saltation, where sand dunes in Drishadavati in the north east particles skip along the ground like a Thar), transverse dunes on the Indo- bouncing ball. When these particles Pak border and star shaped dunes in land, they may strike other particles Mahangarh and Suratgarh area. There and cause them to move as well, this
RFO Trainee, Kundal Academy of Development, Management and Administration (Forests), Kundal (MS)
47 FIELD FORESTER process is known as creep. With slightly Surface Cover stronger winds, particles collide in This method involves spreading mid-air, causing sheet flows. In a major wood chips, agricultural straw and dust storm, dunes may move tens of other materials on the surface. It is metres through such sheet flows. Sand widely used in the control of wind avalanches, which is sand falling down erosion from agricultural areas. The the slipface of the dunes–the face of the use of straw from agriculture can be dune opposite to the prevailing wind however a problem in areas of high direction–also move the dunes forward. winds and sand flux rates, unless it is anchored or crimped to the surface. Sand Dunes Stabilization Wooden material is stable in wind Stabilizing of sand dunes involves speeds up to 18 m/sec (40 mph) while multiple actions. Planting vegetation wheat straw is stable only below wind reduces the impact of wind, wooden speeds of 6.5 m/s (14.5 mph). sand fences can help retain sand and other material needed for a healthy Vegetation sand dune ecosystem. The stabilization This method involves direct seeding of dunes is done by the following or transplantation of indigenous and methods; exotic species. Plantation of grass slips or direct sowing of grass seeds is done Straw Checker Boards on the leeward side of micro-wind This method has been used exten- breaks. sively in China since 1950’s. In this method, wheat or rice straw or reeds (50 Status in Rajasthan – 60 cm in length) are placed vertically In Rajasthan, cultivation of dune to form the sides of the checkerboard, slopes is a major form of land use. Dunes which are typically 10 –20 cm high. Op- are largely owned by private farmers. timum grid size ranges from 1 x 1 m to 2 Initiallythe plantation of exotic trees x 2 m,depending on local wind and sand and shrubs was carried out however transport conditions. Smaller grids are today locally adapted species which made in areas of stronger winds. can provide some economic return to the local population are being planted. Sand Fences Small shrubs and grasses are better Sand fencing is widely used in coastal sand binders than the trees. There are areas. The most effective configuration a total of 72 sites under the sand dune is a single linear fence perpendicular stabilization projects. to the predominant sand transport Projects under sand dune direction. Fences 1.2m (4’) high with stabilization include the Desert a vertical arrangement of 3.8 cm (1.5’) Development Program, the Biodiversity wide wooden slats with a gap of 2.5 cm Project, Climate Change Adaptation (1’), giving a porosity of 50% are the in Rural Areas of India (CCA RAI), most effective. Combating Desertification Project
48 November 2015
Sand Dunes Formation Various materials used for Checkerboards Barriers. (a) Straw; (b) Shrub branches; (c) Stones and Shrubs; (d) Plastic.
Ditch fence
Loose Stone Fencing
(CDP, and the RFDP Phase-II. The out. After site selection the micro plan funding agencies for these projects for the site is prepared, this takes into are the National Agricultural Band for account the population of the village, Rural Development (NABARD) and the status, requirements etc. In the next Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund step fencing of the selected area is done, (OECF) of Japan. three types fencing can be done; ditch The activities under these projects type fencing; loose stone wall fencing include; surveying – the area is first and barbed wire angle iron fencing. surveyed to assess the present vegetation Once fencing is completed mulching cover and identify gaps where bare and cross mulching is carried out. sand patches and sand dunes occur. Local vegetation is used and planted Following which site selection is carried in the direction of the prevailing
49 FIELD FORESTER
Mulching
Khip grass wind (from west to east). Mulching ratio of 1:1:2:2 are prepared. The along micro-windbreaks on the dune grass species used include, Calligonum slopes is carried out by burying local polygonoides (Phog), C.polygonoides with shrubs upside-down in the sand in Cassia angustifolia, Cenchrussetigerus parallel strips, these include khipgrass (Dhaman), Lasiurusscindicus (Sewan) and (Leptadeniapyrotechnica) and saniyagrass Aervatomentosa (Bui). (Crotalariaburhia). After mulching, Plantation with trees and shrubs is the seeds of creepers, grass, shrubs carried out in the following fashion. Pits and smaller trees are sowed along are dug in April, these are dug in the the windbreaks. Grass seed pallets spacing of 3m×3m / 4m × 4m /5m×3m. with seed: manure: sand: clay in the Transplanting of nursery seedlings is
50 November 2015
Original site with Prosopis
Successful Plantation carried atthe onset of monsoon and ecological conditions.Species selected 500 plants are planted on each hectare. for planting should meet a number of The species used include Acacia tortilis, criteria. These include capacity to grow A. senegal, Prosopis cineraria, Anogeissus in nutrient poor environment, existence pendula, Zizipusjujuba, Acacia nilotica, of tap root system, resistance to strong, Maytenusemarginata. Two ‘kharif’ crops hot, dry winds and their abrasive action, Pennisetumglaucum and Vignaaconitifolia rapid growth and ability to regenerate and two ‘rabi’ crops Cicer arietinum and easily and the capacity to improve Brassica juncea are also used. dune soil. Choice of woody and grassy species: After all these activities are The choice of woody and grass completed, there is a schedule of species depends on climatic and operations to be followed. During the
51 FIELD FORESTER
Sand Dune plantation in Shairgarh first year weeding (once), watering temperature, drought, high wind (three times) and hoeing (three times) is velocity, evaporation, scanty rainfall, done and the replacement of casualties termites, rats, porcupines and Nilgai; (usually 20%). Operations during the social threats (apathy and indifference second year include weeding (once), towards the development programme); watering (two times) and hoeing (once). financial threats (huge expenditure, and The operations during the third year are requirement of financial resources); watering which can be carried out once operational threats (actual working, or two times. lack of data, lack of detailed survey, carrying water from a long distance and Role of People non- availability of material on time). For the management of the plantations Forest Management Economic and Environmental Committees are constituted. The forest benefits guard is the Secretary of this committee. There are a number of benefits both The committee helps in the protection economic and environmental which of the plantation. This scheme is kept in accrue from the stabilization of sand place for three years. After 5 years the dunes. These include among others, plantation is handed over to the Gram improved nitrogen and organic matter Panchayat and grazing is permitted. status in the arid zone dune, effective The monitoring of the site is carried out control ofthe drifting of sand, fodder by NABARD. for livestock. At the age of 50 months, A. tortilis produced 5.2 tons ha-1 fuel Threats wood as compared to 7.00 tons ha-1 The plantations face a number of from P. julifloraand 7.15 tons ha-1 from threats these include the following: Calligonumpolygonoides.C. polygonoides natural threats (hostile climate produced the highest biomass in the characterised by extremes of form of fuel wood utilizing minimum
52 November 2015
Plant species suitable for sand dune stabilization in Thar Desert. (Venkateswarlu) Annual rainfall Trees Shrubs Grasses zone (mm) 150-300 Prosopisjuliflora, Acacia Calligonumpolygonoi Lasiurussindicus tortilis, A. senegal des,Ziziphusnummular ia, Citrulluscolosynthis 300-400 Tecomellaundulata, Ziziphusmauritiana, Cenchrusciliaris, C. Parkinsoniaaculeata, Z. nummularia, C. setigerus, Acacia nubica, polygonoides, L. sindicus, Dichrostachysglomerata, Citrulluscolosynthis Saccharummunja Colophospermum mopane, Cordia rothii 400-550 A.tortilis, P. cineraria, Z. mauritiana, Cassia C. ciliaris, C. P. juliflora,A.senegal, auriculata setigerus, S. munja, Dalbargiasisoo, Ailanthus Panicumantidotale excelsa, Albizzialebbek, P. aculeata,T.undulata,D. glomerata, C. mopane amount of soil water. The environmental stabilization projects in Rajasthan benefits include microclimate have had a success rate of 90 percent. amelioration, soil improvement and It has also revealed that a minimum of sheltering of habitations. The projects 40 percent survival of the plantation also provided experimental verification is necessary to get some benefits of the concept of planting Cassia both economic and environmental. angustifolia and Cenchrusciliaris under The projects have also provided an canopy vegetation,this provided the opportunity for reexamination and best combination for production of reformulation of strategies to nurture fodder and fuelwood. The sand dune dune vegetation.
53 FIELD FORESTER
Mussoorie / Uttarakhand Mine Reclamation: A Success Story
Timely intervention and well-thought strategies saw reclamation activities conducted by the Forest Department bear fruit
Sarika Khot aided the supply of limestone from this region. The activities continued post ussoorie is a beautiful Independence and by the early 1980s, hill station just above there were 101 mining leases. MDehradun city, the capital The mining activities led to serious of Uttarakhand state. The place is an ecological imbalance, not only affecting important tourist site and gets visitors the mining sites but also the areas from all parts of the country. The surrounding Dehradun city. All these present day lush green hill station was resulted in a severe impact on the local once severely degraded area due to populace and environment. heavy mining activities. The hills of The Forest Department and the local the Mussoorie are reservoirs of high non-government organizations lodged quality limestone and lime mining was several protests at different forums in vogue in the area till three decades including the judiciary and as a result, back. Mining in the region started in several mines were closed in 1983 and the British period, initially around the almost all were closed down in 1985 river beds later moving toward the on the order of the Supreme Court. mountain slopes, and by the year 1888 The apex court also formed a special about 36 lime kilns were in operation committee to assess the activities in the in and around Doon valley. At that region. The Forest Department took up time about 16,000 tonnes of limestone the initiative and started reclamation were being exported annually from activities of closed mines and they the Mussoorie hills. The opening of the successfully did reclamation of 64 railway in 1900 by the Britishers further closed mines. To aid in the plantation
Lime rich area of Lower Himalayas
RFO Trainee, 2014-15
54 November 2015
Species Used for Treatment • Timber species: Pinus roxburghii, Grevillea robusta, Shorea robusta, Cupressus torulosa, Jacaranda mimosaefolia, Acacia spp. etc. • Fodder species: Bauhinia variegata, Albizia spp., Coriaria nephalensis. • Grass species: Vetiveria zizanoides, Chrysopogon fulvus, Pennisetum purpureum,Desmonthus viviantus, etc. • Soil binders: Equatorium and Combretum decandrum, Bauhinia vahilli,Rumex hastatuts.
activities, an eco-task force was set up experimental basis and an area of about in 1985. The eco-task force constituted 20 ha was treated in 1989. Satisfied with of 127 Infantry Battalion, (Garhwal the result, another 60 ha area was taken rifles) ex-servicemen. It consisted of up in Mine No. 40(1). A full-fledged retired army personnel who undertook project for the treatment of 95 closed everything from reforestation to local mines started from 1990-91. Of these, educational programmes on such 69 were situated in Dehradun, and 24 things as wildlife diversity, erosion outside. The total area of the project was control and water management. 3,760 ha of which 1,624 ha was mined The ecological task force was area and the rest 2,136 ha was outside entrusted with rehabilitation work in the mined area but heavily damaged by 25 closed mines, in Gram Samaj land mining activity. in Kyarkulli micro watershed of Doon valley under the technical guidance of Treatment of the Area the Forest Department. The forest department identified In the initial phase, an experimental four major regions for reclamation and plot was taken up by the department. rehabilitation: Mine No. 44 was selected on 1. Mined face: The steep, exposed,
Mine area after reclamation
55 FIELD FORESTER
Pre-Reclamatation Post Reclamation • Loss of vegetative cover and disap- • Screes are stabilized pearance of fauna • Well flourishing vegetation • Soil erosion • No soil erosion along the slopes • Depletion and drying up of natural • Soil is rich in organic matter with water springs improved moisture regime • Choking up of streams, river and ca- • Good diversity of flora and fauna nals by rolling debris and mine spoils • Healthy ecosystem • Loss of grazing area • Loss of agricultural land and drastic reduction in crop production • Increased pollution • Insecurity due to blasting and noise pollution
rocky area devoid of soil and for carrying out planting activities. vegetation • Scree areas: Soil conservation and 2. Scree areas: These had been formed vegetative measures were taken up. as a result of rolling scree from the • Treatment of stream/ nalas/ drains: mined areas completely destroying Check dams on debris, basins at the vegetation below. suitable places were constructed. 3. Nalas, channels and streams: These • Treatment of degraded and were small or big streams/nalas in denuded area: About 1,250 plants and around the mined area which per hectare were planted. either were over burdened with scree damaged by mining operations Impact were extremely sensitive to erosion. The region has been successfully 4. Denuded and degraded forest areas: restored and rehabilitated and is a major These areas were near mined areas tourist hub in the country. The main and affected by mining operation. reasons for the success of the project Soil varied in depths and some is timely intervention of the Forest vegetation was present. Department, involvement of other stakeholders, direct intervention of the Treatment Activities Supreme Court of India, use of native • Mine face: Only suitable sites were species and effective planning and selected for planting. Initially, only execution by the Forest Department. grasses and bushes were planted to For reclamation of mines in other parts bind the soil and for improvement of the country, the techniques can be of the site. At some places, the face replicated from this success story. was so steep that they used ladders
56 November 2015
SundarbanS / west bengal The Roar of Sundarban Tiger
Sundarban in the Bengali language literally means ‘beautiful forest’. This mangrove forest spread over 10,000 sq. km. is largest of its kind in the world.
Shweta. T. Rathod provides a habitat suitable for animals inhabiting the vast tidal swamp area, undarbans in the Indian state because of their intimate association of West Bengal is the estuarine with the estuarine environment. A Sphase of the Ganga as well as of sizeable portion of aquatic and semi the Brahmaputra river systems. This aquatic communities are inter-related littoral forest is a unique ecological with the animals inhabiting the habitat of the tiger and is not found terrestrial areas. The uniqueness of elsewhere in the world. The mangrove the habitat is said to have contributed forest of the Sundarbans is home to a to certain behavioural trends of the number of tree species which have Sundarbans tigers and these are not adapted to the peculiar estuarine found elsewhere. Though spotted deer, condition of high salinity, lack of soil wild boar and the Rhesus macaque are erosion and daily inundation by high the main prey species of tiger, aquatic tides. The Sundarban tiger reserve animals like the crabs and fishes are
Nylon net fencing in STR
Xxxxxxx xxxxx xxxx
57 FIELD FORESTER
Nylon net fencing in STR
Nylon net fencing in STR also eaten by Sundarbans tiger. The to several species of Trans-Himalayan Sundarban tiger thus occupies the migratory birds. apex of both, terrestrial as well as the aquatic food web. The mangrove forest Sundarban Tiger – A maneater is home to a number of endangered and Sundarban tigers have always been globally threatened species. During ill-famed as man eaters. The earliest the monsoon season and then in the known reference to the man eating winter season a number of heronries nature of the Sundarban tiger is found form here. The reserve is also home in the letters of Portuguese Jesuit
58 November 2015 missionaries, Francis Fernandez and crab collectors, tiger prawn seed Melchoir Fronseca, who travelled to collectors. Some of the reasons that have Bengal in 1598 and 1599. They were been put forward for this behaviour are the first to report on the fondness salinity, vegetation, prey density and for human flesh of the tigers of the biotic interference and straying of tigers Gangetic delta. This behaviour of tigers into areas inhabited by humans. does not have any intra-specific or Research on the Sundarban tigers intra-generic similarity with any of the has indicated that there is an increased Pantheraspecies from anywhere in the percentage of human kills by tigersin world. The various groups of human high salinity zones. Killing of humans beings falling victim to tiger include in high salinity zones is significantly honey collectors, fishermen including higher than those in medium and
Members of TSCF
Trap cage in STR
59 FIELD FORESTER
low salinity zones. Other researchers have also concluded that increased have put forward the theory that the utilization of forest by human beings physiology of Sundarban tigers is resulted in higher casualties. Other affected by high salinity which causes researchers have put forwards the irritation resulting in killing of humans theory that a fall in the prey density by tigers this however is not backed might also trigger the phenomenon of by scientific proof. Histological studies tigers preying on humans when the of inner organs like liver, kidney can biotic interference is the most. However, perhaps be used to substantiate this tiger density, prey density, kind and theory and this is carried out in the in frequency of human activities and case of any tiger deaths. human casualties cannot be co-related Research has also indicated that as long as sufficient data are not habitats comprising of pure Ceriops available. & Phoenix vegetation account for the One of the major issues in managing highest human kills by tiger. It can man animal conflict in the Sundarban perhaps be attributed to the fact, that Tiger Reserve (STR) is the straying of dense vegetation of Ceriops & Phoneix tiger into fringe villages and the rescue may influence the tiger to explore a of the same without causing any harm different preying strategy which may on either side. It is worth noting that be successful for killing of human being STR’s north - western boundary has after following them and assessing the an interface with 25 fringe villages chance of stalking by getting closest to which are densely populated with them. human and cattle. Usually the staff and The frequency of human beings local villagers to drive the tiger back being killed by tigers is highest in to the forest by using drums, crackers areas during periods of heaviest and lighting fires. Sometimes the tiger concentration of people. Researchers too goes back to the forest on its own.
60 November 2015
These straying incidents are termed as and research are other thrust areas. temporary and in case of any repeated Mud flats on the periphery of the phenomenon, trap cage with live Reserve are artificially regenerated bait is used to trap the tiger and then with mangrove plants to meet local relocate the same. However in cases fuel wood demand and reduce the of permanent straying, when the tiger pressure on the buffer. Non-mangrove takes refuge in a cattle shed or inside a plantations are also raised along the hut, tranquilization is used to rescue the roads and embankments of the fringe animal. Female tigers sometimes litter area to cater the needs of the people in paddy fields as they want to avoid residing on the fringe. Soil conservation the danger of cubs being killed by the is taken up to stabilize vulnerable sites. male tigers. Old and diseased tigers like To facilitate the availability of sweet the ones with broken canines also stray water for animals, ponds have been because it is difficult for them to hunt the dug at several places in the forest. The prey in forest. other main activity is mitigation of man tiger conflicts. The number of casualties Managing the Tigers has been reduced from more than 40 The Sundarban Tiger Reserve has per year to less than 10 per year. received protection under Project Tiger This has been made possible by since its creation. Protection against maintaining a strict control over poaching and theft of forest produce is the movement of people inside the ensured through intensive patrolling Reserve, providing for alternative by staff in motorboats and launches. income generation and awareness The offices and camps are located at building among people. These include strategic points to keep a watch over eco-development and livelihood the area. There also exists an effective opportunities like pisciculture,crab communication network for protection. and ornamental fish culture, honey Eco-development, education, training collection, raising mangrove forests
61 FIELD FORESTER on the periphery,smokeless chullahs, Other precautions like erection of development of water harvesting branches of Ceriops, nylon net fencing structures and formation of self-help at forest side and solar illumination at groups and joint forest management village side at night have helped reduce committees. Villagers and school the incidents of tiger straying. For children are taken on study tours rescuing a strayed tiger, tranquilization and a number of events like Aranya using a dart gun is carried out when Saptah, Sundarban Divas, wildlife week driving the tiger back to the nearby celebration are undertaken to create forest is not possible. The youth in awareness among rural people. Use the villages have also been imparted of human-masks and electric human training to enable them to play an dummies are believed to have also appropriate role in controlling the contributed in controlling attacks by straying of the tigers into the habitation. tigers.
“Human Kind have not woven the web of life We are but one thread within it.”
62 November 2015
Satara Tukum Village / Maharashtra Joint Forest Management with Difference
Involving villagers in the management of forests in association with the forest department can be the solution to protect our forests while ensure livelihoods.
Sudhir Vinayak Sonawale double standards of the government is, however, more than made up for ometimes I wonder whether we by the excited enthusiasm with which are part of the same system. We the villagers show us their protected Sare protecting forests on one forest. Parts of it are just regenerating, hand, jointly with the government, but others are dense with a diversity and on the other side the government of trees and bushes, some so thick that itself is felling forests.” These agitated walking through is difficult. At any words by Pravin Chichdhare, a village time, we expect to come across a wild youth from Satara Tukum village in animal or two,the birdsong of a number Vidarbha, Maharashtra, conveyed the of birds can be heard and it is obvious collective sense of despair of his whole that the area has rich biodiversity. As community. We were on our central we walk along a stream, the forest’s India tour as part of Range Forest water harvesting value also becomes Officer Training to see the forests being obvious. Residents point us to a protected by the village under the Joint number of fruiting trees, and plants Forest Management scheme. To our with medicinal properties. Clearly, the left was lush green vegetation that had forest is a lifeline for the local people regenerated and flourished under this and many plant and animal species. arrangement; to our right,the Forest Satara Tukum is a small tribal Development Corporation (FDC) was hamlet in Pombhurna Tahsil, about busy cutting down the existing natural 25kms from Chandrapur District forest. Villagers accompanying us Headquarters in eastern Maharashtra. were obviously upset about this felling The forests around the village stretch carried out on a rotational basis for to the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. revenue generation. These forests were rich in wild animals “You can’t protect forests and till the 1970s. Subsequently, extensive wildlife in small patches when areas disturbance from various sources around are fast degrading” was Pravin’s caused habitat degradation and loss explanation. “Destruction of forests in of wildlife. In 1997, Satara Tukum the surrounding areas adds pressure was brought under the World Bank on our forests from both human and sponsored forestry programme. Mr. wildlife populations dependent on Chapekar, the then Divisional Forest that forest”. Disillusionment with the Officer persuaded the villagers to join
63 FIELD FORESTER the Joint Forest Management (JFM) conservation programmes. The scheme. A portion of the reserved committee started an account in the forests -285ha - were allotted to the local bank, which is used to give loans village community for regeneration, to farmers during the lean period. A plantation and protection. The villagers Nagpur based NGO, Vidharbha Nature saw the benefit in the scheme as it would Conservation Society, helped form a mean greater availability of resources Nature Club with the village youth. as also a share from harvesting of planted trees. For the Department, Impacts of Community this was an interesting departure from Initiative the usual practice of allotting only Effective patrolling and protection degraded lands to villages for JFM, resulted in quick natural regeneration to place standing Reserve Forests into and villagers began to notice return the hands of a community is a rare of wild animals such as herbivores phenomenon in most parts of India. As and subsequently tigers and leopards. the Range Forest Officer accompanying Formation of the nature club, regular told us “we were failing in protecting patrolling, and involvement of the the forests from outside forces, and youth in patrolling has reduced the saw in this arrangement a potential to incidents of hunting to a negligible strengthen our own hands”. At village number. Encroachment of forest land, meeting, a committee was formed which was one of the major problems, to carry out protection activities. has completely stopped. Animals The committee currently includes 96 like wild dogs, leopards, sloth bears, members, one representative each from spotted deer, and barking deer are the village’s households, including sighted regularly. About four to five 84 men and 12 women. The executive incidents of wild animal attacks on committee consists of 12 members, 3 human beings are reported every year, of which are women. The committee an increase from the past. Regulated has undertaken several steps for forest grazing has resulted in availability of protection, including daily patrolling abundant grass since 1998. The grass in rotational groups of seven people extracted from the forests has even each. The patrolling teams used been supplied to the flood hit areas persuasion rather than force, to check of Orissa, and other institutions, after those involved in hunting, felling of meeting the village requirements. trees for sale as timber or firewood, and Prior to JFM, farmers were exploited other illegal activities. They appointed by money-lenders from whom they a forest guard, and prohibited were compelled to borrow money indiscriminate grazing, allowing it during the lean periods. The Forest only in certain zones. A number of Protection Committee now has its own income generating activities were also revolving fund which is used to help carried out, including plantations of farmers out in the times of need. The useful trees, and soil and moisture interest thus generated is ploughed
64 November 2015 back into the fund. Availability of daily get the benefits from harvesting the for- wage labour, even though irregular, is ests. Till June 2014, there was no writ- also seen as a benefit by the villagers. ten Memorandum of Understanding The forest department is trying a signed between the villagers and the unique experiment under which funds department. Another area of concern available for controlling fires come are policy changes in the JFM resolu- to the village fund. The Range Forest tion that the state government makes. Officer explained that “since villagers Yet another major issue is that of insti- are protecting the forests against fire, tution building. In 1997, when the JFM this money therefore rightfully belongs committee was formed, only one mem- to the village”. The greatest impact ber per household was included in the of JFM has been that the villagers committee. This immediately excluded have a greater stake in conserving women from the decision-making pro- the forest, and there is a sea change cess. Over the years the constitution of in the relationship between the forest the committee has remained the same. department and the villagers. The However, since 2004, some young peo- fear and antagonism that the villagers ple have become quite active, and want once felt of the department, is not felt to be members of the Forest Protection anymore. Committee. But older members are re- luctant to admit them, concerned that The Flip Side this may reduce the per capita share of Unfortunately, Satara Tukum’s suc- benefits from harvested forest produce. cess story is now marred by a number There are also concerns about the lack of problems. The village received much of transparency in the functioning of attention from national and interna- the Forest Protection Committee. Clear- tional community till the programme ly, not enough attention has been paid was running under World Bank funds. towards building institutional capacity Once the funding ended, various em- and systems of conflict resolution. Ex- ployment generating schemes could periences with community initiatives not be supported anymore. The forest elsewhere have shown that transparent department’s involvement with the functioning, availability of impartial village and its protection activities has information, and regular open discus- also gone down substantially. The local sions within the community, as also Range Forest Officer confesses: “This social movements against vices such as is the best village in my range, but I alcoholism, constitute the backbone of don’t have funds to encourage them.” a strong decision-making process. For a village, where landholdings are very small and the people depend on Solution daily wages for subsistence, it has be- Given the current status of the come difficult for villagers to forego a forest conservation initiative at Satara day’s wage to go for forest patrolling. Tukum, villagers and forest officials Villagers also fear that they may not feel that some major steps will be
65 FIELD FORESTER needed to sustain the effort. Clearly, returned to the forest department. since dependence on outside sources Through this tax the state government of funding such as the World Bank earns about Rs. 50 crores every year. is unsustainable, community-based The RFO felt if this money could be forest conservation needs to become returned to the Department, it would an integral part of the government’s be possible to sustain programmes own programmes. One possibility is like JFM in villages like Satara Tukum. to bring the village under the Forest Finally, as our own study tour visit Development Authority, in which demonstrated, regular dialogues are case Central Government funds for critical. During our discussions with development activities are pooled many of the men and women, we together at the District level and can realised that they had no information be allocated directly to the village about recent laws and policies. The institutions for implementation. An villagers themselves stated that additional boost in putting together information on government schemes developmental funds could be obtained relating to employment often reaches from a circular, recently issued by the them very late. A forum of discussion Chief Secretary of Maharashtra, asking in which outside government and non- all line agencies to give priority to JFM government persons could participate, villages. The village also has its own would help strengthen the village fisheries tank, benefits from which initiative. The residents of Satara could be enhanced with some help in Tukum provide a critical service for the marketing. Our talks with the local benefit of society at large, by conserving RFO brought up another interesting precious forests, water resources, and issue. In Maharashtra,7 per cent of wildlife. The forests that they tend to sales from forest produce is deposited are even an important corridor for the by the forest department with the state wildlife of the nearby Tadoba-Andhari government. The state government then Tiger Reserve. Yet, this yeoman service distributes this money to Zilla Prishads. provided by the villagers is largely The Zilla Parishads are expected to use ignored by most agencies. With some this money for development of forests imaginative development related under their jurisdiction. This however, interventions, and the continued often doesn’t happen. The Maharashtra commitment of the villagers, this could Range Forest Officer’s Association be a success story in the long term that has made an intervention in the High would be worth replicating across the Court, arguing for this money to be country.
66