KFD

KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT FORESTS FORESTS KARNATAKA FOREST DEPARTMENT

FORESTS Content & Images Vijay Mohan Raj Content Curation R. K. Srivastava Additional Content Sunburstt Image Credit Amoghavarsha, Ankith J.K., Dr. Arun S. K., Ganesh H. Shankar, Jugal Rohan Dsouza, Kalyan Varma, K.N.S. Iyer, Life Magazine, M.R. Desai, Rana Belur, Raju A.K., Sachin Patil, Samad Kottur, Sandeep Dave, Sandeep.M.V., Sanjana Raj, Sanjai Mohan, Selvino Fernandes, Shreyash Rathi, Sharath Madhuranath, Sudhir Shivaram, Sugandhi Gadadhar, Umeed Mistry, Vishnuchandran P.K., Yashpal Rathore Book Design Pallavi Nopany & Vijay Mohan Raj

The Karnataka Forest Department (kfd), keeper of over 42,000 sq. km of land, has an impeccable record of managing its states’ forests. Karnataka is the leading state in India in the field of conservation. More tigers and elephants exist here than anywhere else on the planet. With its steady contribution to increasing the tree cover in the state, the staff of kfd toil every day to make the earth a better place to live for the present and future generations. FORESTS 15

Watching over the country’s oldest rocks ← Rocks, Annegundi, Koppal INTRODUCTION FORESTS 19

to guarding the relic forests. ← Myristica Swamps. Kathalekan, Siddapur Range INTRODUCTION FORESTS 21

From mountains, ↓ High Mountain Grasslands, Kudremukh Range, Kudremukh National Park INTRODUCTION FORESTS 23

to coasts. ↓ Coastal Mangroves, Kali Estuary, Gopshitta Range, Karwar INTRODUCTION FORESTS 25

From FORESTS 27 conserving the biggest, → Elephant Camp, Sakrebylu, Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary INTRODUCTION

From FORESTS 31 canyons, → Sandstone canyons, Badami Range INTRODUCTION

to caves. → FORESTS 33 Sidlapadi, Badami Range INTRODUCTION

The earth has music for those who listen. George Santayana FORESTS 49

Land South India’s largest state Karnataka, is endowed with a variety of land- scapes - from the lush Western Ghats - Malnad, a lovely coastline, chris- tened - Karavalli, to the dry arid eastern plains called Bayaluseeme. Each of these landscapes host different rocks, soil types and diverse flora and fauna. Karnataka’s weather has four prominent seasons - winter, from January to February, summer, from March to May, monsoon from May to Septem- ber, and the post-monsoon season from October to December. The highest rainfall recorded is over 10,000 mm annually in Amgaon in the Belagavi district, whereas few areas in the Eastern districts receive less than 350mm. Nearly 30 rivers flow towards east and 12 rivers flow towards the west. Al- most all the rivers originate in the Western Ghats. The east flowing rivers are a major lifeline for the state population and the forests ensure a sus- tained water supply to these rivers. The western ghats with its high rainfall and forest cover ensures the perenniality of the rivers of the State. Karnataka’s mineral wealth comprises rich deposits of asbestos, bauxite, chromite, dolomite, gold, iron ore, kaolin, limestone, magnesite, manga- nese, ochre, quartz and silica sand. Karnataka has a total land area of 191,791 sq km and accounts for 5.83% of the total area of the country. Recorded forests amount to 42208 sq km, which is 22.64% of the geographical area. Forests are further categorised into reserved (30006 sq km), protected (2043 sq km), unclassified (10025 sq km), village (82 sq km) and private (52 sq km) forests. The forests of Karnataka are rich in biodiversity, with valuable tree species like Sandal, Teak, Rosewood etc., and harbour charismatic wildlife like ti- ger, elephants, leopards, bears and an array of birds and butterflies. ← Honnameti, Punajanur range, BRT Tiger Reserve GEOGRAPHY | LAND FORESTS 53

GEOGRAPHY | LAND FORESTS 55

Scripting → A short distance away from the famed Digging deeper into the history of this The strategic location of Palmyra trees is since history World Heritage Site Hampi, is Karnataka’s unique forest, reveals an ancient protection not planned by the forest department but Palm leaf manuscripts, best kept secret forest - the Chilakanhatti that it was accorded, owing to the unique nature itself has chosen these trees to grow A palm forest reserve Hampi Kannada University Palmyra Reserve forest.  product that this forest delivered – leaves, freely in this landscape. The fruits are edi- used as a medium of writing. It is com- ble by the people as well as the bears and ↓ If one steps into this time-warped Palm mon knowledge that during the ancient boars. Hundreds of bird species nest and forest wonderland, one wonders how this times, the only popular writing media roost on these trees. Palmyra Reserve Forest, relic type of forest of over a 1000 acres available was the leaves of Palmyra which Chilkanahatti Hosapete Range of Palm trees continues to this day. This is called ‘Tale Gari’ or ‘Tale Ole’. Almost The people in and around Chilakanahatti unique forest and its more distinct vege- all the ancient literature of India is written Palmyra Reserve harvest the fruits from tation of a fairly uniform crop of Palmyra and preserved on the Palmyra leaves.  the trees outside the reserve and sell during trees, Borassus flabellifer, is a treat to the summer. They cut open the tender 2-3 seed eyes as it hosts some of the most interesting Such a massive and gregarious growth of socket kernels from each fruit, which the landscapes.  Palmyra trees in a single location is found people relish the sweet water and the fruit. nowhere in Karnataka except Chilakana- hatti. GEOGRAPHY | SCRIPTING SINCE HISTORY 67

Fauna FORESTS 73 → Leopard pair, Hampi, Hosapete Range INHABITANTS | FAUNA

Time spent 95 among the trees is never time wasted. Katrina Mayer FORESTS

Karnataka’s tryst with tree cover 1991 0 sq. km 1993 1995 Total Area : 32199 sq. km. 1997 1999 +144 sq. km 2001 2003 Total Area : 32343 sq. km. 2005 2009 +39 sq. km 2011 2013 Total Area : 32382 sq. km. 2015 2017 +21 sq. km 2019 Total Area : 32403 sq. km. Source: State of the Forests Report, Forest +64 sq. km Survey of India Total Area : 32467 sq. km. FORESTS +4524 sq. km Total Area : 36991 sq. km. -542 sq. km Total Area : 36449 sq. km. -1198 sq. km Total Area : 35251 sq. km. +1030 sq. km Total Area : 36,281 sq. km. -87 sq. km Total Area : 36,194 sq. km. -62 sq. km Total Area : 36,132 sq. km. +289 sq. km Total Area : 36,421 sq. km. +1129 sq. km Total Area : 37,550 sq. km. +1025 sq. km Total Area : 38575 sq. km. 97

↑ → Rocky outcrops in eastern Impatiens flowers add color plains of Karnaharbor arid on rocks in the Western vegetation like Euphorbias : Ghats during the monsoon - Kudligi Range Tanigebylu Range INHABITANTS | FLORA FORESTS 101

← Bombax ceiba ← Lagerstroemia speciosa ← → Sterculia Sterculia guttata urens INHABITANTS | FLORA FORESTS 105

Community FORESTS 119 India has a very long history of conservation. This is primarily due to the culture of ‘Ahimsa’ and tolerance to all living forms. The inter- twining of this belief and our reverence for various gods connected with forests have played an important role in conservation, not only in Karnataka but across India and beyond. Communities which dwell in and around forests are central to this ethos of conservation. It is to this noble tradition of preserving forests among these communities, the forests of Karnataka owe their exis- tence. These communities, be it the Sholigas, Kadu Kurubas and many other forest-dwelling tribes have shown that being frugal is a virtue. The in- digenous knowledge of these communities of various forest resources has ensured not just the continuance of such great culture and tradi- tion of conservation but also tolerance and reverence towards wildlife. kfd works closely with these communities to conserve green lands and animals. Many of these indigenous sections are employed with the Forest Department. With special recruitment drives targeted exclu- sively at Forest Dwelling communities, kfd ensures that their legacy of indigenous knowledge is not only harnessed but also passed on to the future generations. kfd is also a great provider of employment with year-round opportu- nities. Incidentally, employment opportunities in the Forest Depart- ment peak with the agricultural lean season, which is a win-win for rural people. → Sholiga worship, Doddasampige, Yellandur Range, BRT Tiger Reserve COMMUNITY & CONSERVATION | COMMUNITY

↑ ↑ Spring, Rotti habba, Kyathadevaragudi Range, Yellandur Range, BRT Tiger Reserve BRT Tiger Reserve COMMUNITY & CONSERVATION | COMMUNITY FORESTS previous page Sholga Family, Kollegal Range, BRT Tiger Reserve 123

COMMUNITY & CONSERVATION | COMMUNITY FORESTS 125

→ Huli vesha in Kannada and Pili Yesa in Tulu, is a folk dance unique in coastal & and north interior Karnataka, Mangaluru Range FORESTS 129

↑ NR Pura Range, Koppa → Plantation, Gangavathi Range, Koppal next page Kolur Nursery, Mudhebihal Range, Vijayapur COMMUNITY & CONSERVATION | INTERFACE FORESTS 133

COMMUNITY & CONSERVATION | COMBATING CLIMATE CHANGE FORESTS ↑ A well established Rhizophora plantations being inspected from a magrove board walk. Kasaragod, Honnavar Range 145

Threats Karnataka forests with its valuable resources are under Dynamiting and illegal fishing, especially in the rivers, is constant threat from various elements. The primary a growing concern. Unregulated growth of eco-tourism threat to these forests is from Timber smugglers. With infrastructure and irresponsible tourists pose a major their modern tools and good connectivity, they turn to threat to these delicate ecosystems, because of littering rapid ‘cut and carry’ methods to smuggle valuable tim- and fire hazards. ber species like Sandal, Red Sanders, Rosewood, Teak, etc. Along with all these, the major threat to forests come from human development activities. From erecting Clearing of forests to expand agriculture and horticul- large dams, transmission lines, expressway roads, ex- ture, especially for coffee cultivation, is prevalent in panding railway lines, and other linear projects: these various areas. The forests across the state, mainly in the activities result in fragmentation of forests and isolation Western Ghats, are under the constant pressure of en- of wildlife from traditional wildlife corridors. The pe- croachment. ripheral development post these projects are more dam- aging than the projects themselves, which unfortunately Forests are also vulnerable to illegal felling of timber the project proponents do not factor in. These activities and fuelwood trees for local consumption. Thankfully, have collectively contributed to the global climate crisis it is on the decline because of the government’s efforts that is standing as a major threat to forests and liveli- to provide lpg at every doorstep, more importantly at hoods, especially in estuarine ecosystems and riverain forest fringe villages. forests. Poaching of animals like tigers, leopards, pangolins and Recent developments have pointed out that pan- bears for international trade, is an enormous strain on demics emerge from the destruction and frag- wildlife. Poaching for meat for domestic consumption is mentation of wildlife habitats. also a chronic problem. The tradition of Ritual Hunting of wild animals during certain festivals is a threat now on the wane. next page → Antharasanthe Range, Submersion of forests, Nagarahole Tiger Reserve Hosanagara Range THREATS & CONFLICTS | THREATS FORESTS 151

THREATS & CONFLICTS | THREATS FORESTS 153

THREATS & CONFLICTS | CONFLICTS FORESTS 161

Resources Since time immemorial, humans have depended on Spices, Lichens and Mosses, Amla, Mango fruits used in nature to provide resources for their existence. Forests various pickles and condiments. are central to these resources- as they provide not only Karnataka is also a very significant player in the Agar- tangible resources but also nurse intangible eco-systems batti (incense stick) industry. It is, in fact, the biggest that ensure human survival. exporter of incense sticks in the country. The forests of Karnataka supply raw materials like Bamboo and Agar- The forests of Karnataka are renowned for the variety wood for the industry. Bamboos and canes are also sup- of resources they provide. In fact, the golden period of plied for artisans who make furniture, agricultural tools growth under the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire is at- and baskets. tributed to the abundance of forest resources like Ivory and Sandalwood. The British exploited the high-value The state is also a treasure house of medicinal plants timber forests of Karnataka to supply to the British Em- like Gloriosa superba, Rauwolfia serpentina, Termina- pire, primarily set to expand Railways and Electricity. lia bellerica. Few species like Salacia oblonga, Garcinia Francis Buchanan who travelled in the forests of Karna- gummiguttata and Nothapodytes nimmoniana are in- taka after the fall of Tipu Sultan in the year 1801 vividly tensely studied in bio-prospecting and are in great de- describes the extensive growth of wild spices in the for- mand due to significant results in weight loss and can- ests of Karnataka, which was the mainstay of the Euro- cer-curing properties. pean trade at that time. Karnataka is one of the few states where People’s Bio- The Karnataka Forest Department through its Govern- diversity Register is prepared for most of the state. The ment Timber Depots caters to the domestic needs of the Biodiversity register not only documents the biodiver- Timber and Fuelwood for the growing housing sector in sity but also ensures rightful use and protection from the state. The forests of Karnataka also have a vast re- exploitation of forest resources from industrial houses. pository of pulpwood plantations to provide pulpwood for paper and textile industry. Karnataka forests continue to provide various products like Sandalwood, the Aale wood (Wrightia tinctoria used to make the famous Channapatna toys), Honey, → Non-timber forest produce FOREST RESOURCE FORESTS 179

↑ Handicrafts made out of wood by artisans → Carver, Yellapur FOREST RESOURCE FORESTS 181

Vidhana Vidhana Soudha, the magnificent seat of power in Karnataka with its Soudha’s best stately building, hides one of the nation’s best-kept secrets. kept secret The Sandalwood Door. → The hall where the Cabinet meetings are held is a heritage structure Doorway from a democratic and architectural standpoint. Adorning this grand to the Cabinet hall is an elaborate and ornately carved Sandalwood door flanked by Hall a massive rosewood panel making it for a grand entrance befitting the space where grand decisions are made. The origin of the Sandalwood for this door has an interesting story. The Sandalwood for this door was sourced from a forest from Shikaripura in Shimoga district. Interestingly, the forest is named Chandrakala State Forest after the royal family member of the Maharajahs of Mysore. This ornate door stands testimony to the richness of the forests of Karnataka. 183

Water Managing the forest water gods: How present-day forest management looks upon forests as an ecosystems services provider. With the global focus on climate change, the slew of measures. Be it directly, where water is management of forests has a renewed empha- treated on a watershed basis, or more acutely sis on how trees can be part of the solution. through a well-designed reforestation and plan- These ecosystems provide intangible benefits tation programme. The end result is to have a to human beings - offering natural pollination well-stocked watershed with sustained release of crops, clean air, extreme weather mitigation, of water for the population’s needs. What has mental and physical well-being, and perennial made a difference in this current endeavour sources of water. To reinforce this idea, the for- of the forest department is the involvement of est department highlights the role of forests as the people, be it the farmers or the urban civil providers of these ecosystem services. society. The inherent understanding of the link between forests and sustainability of resources What we witness today is a retribution of nature like water, has made the job and responsibility which we have brought upon ourselves with of the department more important. our rampant and unsustainable development methods. One way this is abundantly clear is The forest department in Karnataka and else- the continued spectre of drought we are experi- where have risen to the occasion and now are encing. The water crisis has hit everyone hard, implementing programmes which are focused and it is now globally realized that water as a on the conservation of forests as an ecosystem resource needs to be managed more systemat- for its ecosystem services. ically. The best-known method of water suste- nance is a forest ecosystem. With almost all the major rivers of the State and country having their origin in forests, the need of the hour is to ensure the catchments and their forests are managed sincerely. This is a radical change shift in how the forests are currently managed. The forest officers have to reorient themselves and manage these temples of forests with the water gods as the presiding deities. The Government too has extended its support to the cause of water conservation through a previous page → Mullayanagiri, Jog Falls, Chikmagalur Range Kargal Range, Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary FOREST RESOURCE | WATER FORESTS 187

When you sign up to serve in the Karnataka Forest ↓ No two days are the same. The assignments The experiences of your first chase with the provided the seedlings. You tick off your first Department, one does not realise that you sign up for from early in your career till you retire will timber smugglers, your first sighting of the 100 species of birds in a single day. Soon you a life of adventure with nature. Staff on patrol, surround you with experiences that not only big cat; the long hours of foot patrol and get addicted to waking up to the call of grey surprise you, but also overwhelm you. Na- many miles under your boots, the accompa- jungle fowl and going to sleep to the lullaby of Sringeri Range ture embraces you in every task you do and nying scars of ticks and leeches which have a sambar deer’s warning call. You feel bless- seasonality grows onto you. You flit from the given their unconditional love. Your hap- ed that you are a part of this great theatre of drenching monsoon to the crispiness of win- piness grows with the plantations you have nature. ter, the scorching fire season to the relief of raised with your team. You share exciting summer showers and petrichor. banter with the farmers to whom you have LIFE AT KFD FORESTS 191

Protection FORESTS ↑ LIFE AT KFD | PROTECTION Staff on patrol, Jodigere, Punajanur Range, BRT Tiger Reserve 199

→ FORESTS 203 Staff on patrol, Lakkavalli Range, Bhadra Tiger Reserve next page Santhaveri Anti-poaching camp, Tanigebylu Range, Bhadra Tiger Reserve LIFE AT KFD | PROTECTION

LIFE AT KFD | PROTECTION FORESTS 205

FORESTS 209

Technology FORESTS 211 Technology drives present-day forest management. From using ground- breaking tools to thwart poachers and timber smugglers, to remotely mon- itoring forest fires through satellites and drones - are all routine jobs for the frontline staff of the Karnataka Forest Department. tech for the tiger: Karnataka Forest Department is a pioneer in deploying high-tech tools in the conservation of tigers and other wildlife in the state. The daily pa- trol data of various tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries are logged on a mobile phone-based app to be uploaded to the cloud. This is where an enormous database of tiger and other predators along with elephants, prey species like deer are cumulatively found and tracked. The Karnataka Forest Department’s developed a path-breaking app called huli, a patrolling ap- plication that has won the National E-Governance award. remote monitoring of forests: Partnering with organisations like isro and Karnataka Remote Sensing Application Centre (ksrac), the Karnataka Forest Department has put in place a comprehensive ksfgis programme. Continuous monitoring of for- ests for fresh encroachments for cultivation, illegal mining etc. is carried out in real-time. Forest fire monitoring during fire season is intensive with round-the-clock tracking which not only gives alerts during fires but also predicts forest fire hazard-prone areas, assisting preventive measures. smart boundary system: The Karnataka Forest Department holds a vast expanse of valuable land in the state that are under continuous pressure for mining, encroachments for cultivation and extension of urban areas. kfd has pioneered and piloted a smart boundary system kadoo where the forest boundary pillars are em- bedded by a smart chip which provides alerts in real-time on their status and sounds an alarm when displaced. → Staff sending out daily patrol data from their phones, Tanigebylu Range, Bhadra Tiger Reserve LIFE AT KFD | TECHNOLOGY

The Road Ahead FORESTS 219 The Karnataka Forest Department is the keeper of vast undis- turbed forested landscapes in the state. These large contiguous tracts of forests are essential to provide water security and var- ious other ecosystem services to ensure the survival of the peo- ple. Conservation of nature and wildlife is a continuous ongoing process where interventions bear fruit only in the long term. In a GDP based economy, this is an anomaly. Handholding people and other stakeholders to ensure these ecosystem services are essential in the long run is a perpetual task. The conservation space is largely dominated by three models of conservation - ‘People-centric conservation’: relating to the role played by people in conservation, ‘Science-led conservation’: relating to the role of science in the conservation of species and ecosystems and ‘Conservation through Capitalism’: relating to the role of corporations and market-based approaches in con- servation. The management of forests by the Karnataka Forest Department is a delicate balancing act of all the three. The forest management practised by the kfd has developed over time to emphasise nature’s intrinsic value to people. This has garnered more support for conservation compared to arguments based solely on the rights of species to exist. Traditionally forests have been valued for the various consump- tive resources like timber, firewood and non-timber forest pro- duce. Today forest utilisation is non-consumptive with eco-tour- ism being a major driving force. Karnataka Forest Department has realigned its role with this new consumption pattern. → Frontline staff rest beneath the mighty Chikka Sampige tree in BRT Tiger Reserve. THE ROAD AHEAD

FORESTS A fundamental change is the management of forests for water security. The hydrological role of forests in harvesting rain- water and ensuring the perenniality of streams and rivers, is now fully realised. Another emerging area is managing forests as reservoirs of biodiversity useful in bio-prospecting of medi- cines for human ailments.  Going ahead, the focus of conservation will be to have the least footprint on protected areas and ecologically fragile areas, sus- tainable management in the production of forest resources, restoration of degraded forest lands with native species, in- crease tree cover in farmlands driven with incentives and great- er access to markets and learning-driven forest experiences in Ecotourism which will benefit local people. ← Cauvery river, Bheemeshwari Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary next page Moyar valley, Bandipur Tiger Reserve 221

If conservation of natural resources goes wrong, nothing else will go right. FORESTS M. S. Swaminathan 223