Ecological Scenario of Kodachandri, Karnataka India Ganapathi, G.N.1., Sharanappa, P1., Sriram Bhat, K2., Syed Tabraz Basha1 and Krishnamurthy. S.R1. 1Department of Applied Botany 2 Department of Environmental Science Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta – 577 451. Karnataka, India. Abstract : The Kodachandri is one of the highest mountains peaks of Shimoga district. The Study covers 15 Km radius from the temple complex which is located almost at the top of the mountain. The area harbour different types of vegetation which is classified into wet evergreen forest, semi evergreen forest, shoal forest and the grass lands. The shola forests and the grasslands which are situated at the top of the mountain are least effected and the wet evergreen and the semi evergreen forest which are found at the foot hills of the mountain have been damaged by human interferences. The flora has been grouped into medicinal plants, timber yielding plants, gum and resin yielding plants and bee flora. The fauna includes lion tailed macaque which is (Macaca silenus), an endangered primate. The impact of construction of roads, buildings and temple complexes, introduction of exotic species, encroachment of vegetation and tourism have been discussed. The conservation methods to be taken as been briefed. Key words : Bee flora, conservation, endangered, gum and resins, medicinal plants, vegetation, tourism. Introduction : Rising above the general level of Western ghats and forming the source of few rivers and many tributaries, the Kodachadri hill is one of the several high altitude hills of the Sahyadrian riange. Clothed with a mantle of evergreen forest, the hill occupies the pride of a place among the hill ranges of the Western ghats in Karnataka. From its commanding height, Kodachadri overlooks the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga and the Arabean Sea which is barely about 20 Km. away. 1 The distinctive ecological characters of the place rests on such attributes as a significant height (1343 mts) a heavy rainfall, a thick forest cover and a red or reddish brown loamy soil. This place is a tourist paradise with its salubrious climate and scenic on its function as a treckers spot and pilgrimage center, and attracts tourists from Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, Kodachadri is situated at a distance of about 125 km. from Shimoga and about 140 km from mangalore. The area along with its surrounding region is named after a medicinal plant “Kutacha” (Holarrhena antidysenterica) for which the area is well known. The present study entitled “Ecological Scenario of Kodachadri” is taken to know the present status of Kodachandri and its surrounding areas, the different types of vegetation, their characteristic features and their importance, plant resources of Kodachandri, Fauna of Kodachandri and the impact of developmental activities on Kodachandri and its surroundings. Study Area and Methodology: Location : Kodachandri is in 14”8’ north latitude and 75”8’ east longitude, much of it lying over 3000 feet and covered by forests and surrounded by agricultural lands from almost all sides. The boundary between Shimoga and Dakshina Kannada district passes through Kodachandri. Description of the Area : Kodachadri is a hamlet of Kattinahole village (Taluk: Hosanagara) which is situated at a distance of about forty six km west of Hosanagara town and about hundred fifteen km west of Shimoga City. Kodachandri which is a conspicuous land mark, forms the boundary between the Kundapur Taluk of Dakshina Kannada district and Hosanagara taluk of Shimoga district. The height of the peak is 1343 m above the mean sea level, and more than six hundred ten meter above the level of the villagtes below. The mountain is clothed with splendid evergreen forests. The top of the peak commands a panoramic view of the Western Ghats and Dakshina Kannada district. The first portion of the hill is very steep and diffiult to ascent. Above this is a temple of Huli Deva whose image is made of stone and it has 32 arms. The top of the hill is a narrow ridge and is in some places only about 3.66 m with precipice on either side. 2 On the west, the hill descends almost perpendicularly for about 1,220 mtr. And Dakshina Kannada forests spread out below. The sea appears quite close, and on clear days the ships can be seen with the naked eye. The bays and the Kundap[ur town lie opposite. There is a thick forest in the foothill region called “Ambavana”. It is said that many rare medicinal herbs are available here. There are two shrines below the peak dedicated to Kala Bhairava and Parvatedeeshwara, in between there is a tank. The place has a Government Bungalow. At the summit of the Kodachandri mountain meet the two boundaries of Shimoga and Dakshina Kannada district. There are two peaks in Kodachandri (1) Venkatayyanagiri and (2) Sarvajna Peetha. Sarvajna Peeta. At the top of the hill, near to Vigneshwara and Parvatadeeshwara temple, there is one small pond. Ecology, developmental activities floral and faunal diversity and impact assessment were made personnel visits and observations. The detail methodology is given by Srirama Bhat (1994-95). The Honey bee verities which are found in around Kodachandri and the plants which provide nectar and pollen grains were studied by Syed Tabraz Basha, (1996). The plants which provide timbers and the distribution were studied by Sharanappa (1996). The Gum and Resin Yielding Plants of Kodachandri were studied by Ganapathi (1996) Observations: Observation are described below : Vegetation: Variation in the Vegetation types can be clearly observed in the Kodachadri region. The four main types of vegetation that can be observed in this region are: semi evergreen forests, wet evergreen forests, Shola forests and Grass lands. 3 Semi evergreen forests: These are observed in the foot hills of Kodachadri hills. Generally these types of forests observed in those areas, where rainfall is above 200 cm per year. Here the deciduous species are intermixed with evergreen species. Hence the name semi evergreen. Some common trees are Albizzia, Acacia, Vateria, Shorea, Terminalia, Machilus etc., Wet evergreen forests: These are observed in the foot hills and in the proper hill region. These forests are generally observed in those regions where rainfall exceeds 250 cm per year. Tropical wet evergreen forests are climatic climax forests with dense growth of trees which are more than forty five mtr. high, vegetation is very rich and diversified. The shrubs, lianas, climbers and epiphytes are abundant. The grasses and herbs are very rare because the dense leaf canopy does not allow enough light penetration to the ground level. Dipterocarpus is common in these areas. In Kodachadri region stratification is not so clear. Climbers and woody lianas are present and are conspicuous. Bamboos are present. Plams, canes and other climbers are forming tangled masses in the undergrowth. Cane breaks replace high forests along streams. The trees have smooth bark and plank buttresses. Leaves are fleshy, glossy, thick, stout with thick leaf sheath and wrinkles to overcome, the mechanical force of rain. Leaves are showing characteristic pink and white colour when they are young. Trees are closely arranged to check the collision. Epiphytes are abundant. Some of the important flora of the region include Vateria, Hopea, Shorea, Cinnamomum, Mimosops, Machilus, Calophyllum, phoenix, and Orchids. In some portions of the forest, extensive growth of palms are observed. Shola forests: These are observed in Kodachadri hill and its adjoining hill ranges, where the unique ecological conditions for the growth of shoals prevails. There shoals and grasslands are in a state of dynamic equilibrium. This is a case of two climax vegetation type that co-exist in a delicate equilibrium. The term shoal is derived from similar sounding Tamil name for these forests. Classically they are defined as stunted montane forests. Stuntedness is characteristic of shoal. The height of the canopy tree rarely exceeds 15-20 metres. The shoals occur at folds of the converging slopes, in sheltered sites such as ridges, hallows and depressions, where moisture is higher. Their occurrence is shaped by the presence of adequate moisture and protection from winds. Sholas are basically rainforest. The shoals 4 have 2-3 layers of woody strata rich in epiphytes, mosses, orchids and ferns. Though not well defined, there is a second starum with trees of 7-12 m height and a shrubby stratum with the dense and profusely branched plants. Leaves are generally small and coriaceous. Ecologists are of the opinion that shoals are slow growing and it may take tens of thousands of years for a shoal to assume its best complete shape. The timber value of shoal trees are poor (Frontline, 1994). Sholas are ecologically rich and in fact are one whole complex ecosystem. Damage to one part effects the other portions. The canopy is dense, with direct sunlight never penetration inside. The sum total of biomass inside a shoal is one of the best organised, from the point of optimal utilization of energy, soil nutrients, moisture, symbiosis and even microclimatic manipulations and gaseous exchanges. One other strange feature is that forests never occurs inside the shoals, though these are in some of the most frost prone areas like ridges and ravines. This is because of their specialised microlimatic and hygromorphic features. The miracle of shoals for which man has to be grateful is their water conservation properties and their natural function of giving rise to springs which are the basis for streams and rivers. It is from the hydrological point of view that shoals came to assume a unique place. In fact all the rhetoric on the need to protect shoals can be cut down to one “Sholas means Water”. When precise definitions of shoals become difficult they say shoals as a rule must be surrounded by naturally occurring grasslands.