PRIVATE FORESTS IN AND DYNAMICS OF...
Transcript of PRIVATE FORESTS IN AND DYNAMICS OF...
AND DYNAMICS OF
PRIVATE FORESTS IN
SAHYADRI-KOKAN
CORRIDOR IN
SOUTHERN
MAHARASHTRA
Principal Investigator: Jayant Kulkarni
Field Biologist: Chintamani Kamble
Wildlife Research and Conservation Society
Background
• W. Ghats a high biodiversity region
• The forest area is fragmented
• There is large area under private forest
• Conservation of private forest is important for
maintaining connectivity, preventing land
degradation and conservation of biodiversity
• Aim of the project is “Conservation of Private
Forests in Sahyadri-Kokan Corridor”
The Study Area
CEPF Strategic Directions and
Investment Priorities
Aligns with Strategic Direction 1: Enable action
by diverse communities to ensure conservation
of key biodiversity areas and enhance corridor
connectivity
Falls under Investment Priority 1.2: Promote
partnerships to identify, evaluate, and advocate
for suitable mechanisms that incorporate critical
links (biological corridors) into the protected
area network in the Sahyadri-Kokan Corridor
Objectives
Extent and distribution of private forest
Dynamics of land use on private forest
Mapping of private forest, identification of
critical links/corridors for conservation of
private forests
Develop mechanisms and technology for
conservation of private forests
Identify future partners for conservation of
private forests
What is Private Forest?
• Non-cultivable land
• Private forest was acquired under Maharashtra
Private Forest Acquisition Act in 1975
• Amended in 1978 - Area in excess of 12 ha
was retained with Forest Dept. and rest was
returned
• In Godavarman Case of 1996 Supreme Court
gave directions to Government to identify
private forest
• Private forests have been identified by the
Govt. but several discrepancies
1: Extent and Distribution
District-wise Area (sq.km.)
District Geog.
Area
Pvt.
Forest aNon-
cultivable
Land b
Govt.
Forest c
Satara 10480 58 1380 1320
Sangli 8572 20 607 428
Kolhapur 7685 15 736 1329
Ratnagiri 8208 NA 2302 62
Sindhudurg 5207 86 1277 555
Total 40152 179 6302 3694
Source:
a, c - Forest Department
b - 2001 Census of India
d - Forest Survey of India, 2003. Includes Govt. and Pvt. Forest
2: Dynamics of Land Use
Methodology
Questionnaire Survey of land owners and
Actual assessment of non-cultivable land
All talukas in Western Ghats in 5 districts
Talukas: 23
Villages: 89
Land owners: 239
Results: Social Information
Most shareholders reside in Mumbai with one
shareholder looking after the land
There is shortage of manpower due to
outmigration
In many areas people are eager to sell land to
businessmen
There is high pressure of tourism development
in some areas
Results: Use of Non-cultivable
Land
Earlier main land use was shifting cultivation
but discontinued 10 to 30 years ago because
of shortage of manpower
Mainly used for regular clear felling and sold
for firewood
Felling carried out by contractor
Felling cycle typically 7 to 12 years
Other uses: firewood, brushwood for raab,
pasture, shifting cultivation.
Results: Land use details
Results: Land Use Changes
Dandeli Paper Mill is leasing land on a large
scale for eucalyptus plantations in Kolhapur
Businessmen from Kerala are purchasing
large tracts of land for conversion to rubber
and pineapple plantations
People are opting for Cashew and Mango
cultivation promoted by Horticulture
Department
Social Forestry Dept is promoting Acacia
plantations
People are selling large areas of private land
for windmills in crest-line zone of Western
Results: Field Assessment
Non-cultivable land was mostly on hillside
Almost all the lands showed erosion and land
degradation
Few owners were aware of erosion and its
impact on soil quality
Clear-felling was common land use but no
post-felling care and management
Results: Type of vegetation
VEGETATION TYPES
LAND USE PRACTICES
LAND USE CHANGES
Results: Potential for
Conservation
Many land owners in Satara, Sangli and
Kolhapur expressed interest in plantation
projects
Monetary benefit was the prime concern
In Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg their decision
depended a lot on opinion of other
shareholders and villagers
Main inputs required were technical guidance,
training, low cost seedlings and financial
support
Problems for Conservation
Action
People have been fooled in the past by
promoters of agro-forestry schemes (Jatropha
etc.)
Land is being purchased by businessmen from
Mumbai on a large scale in Ratnagiri and
Satara Districts
Shortage of manpower in villages because of
outmigration
Multiple shareholders makes decision-making
difficult
3: Mapping of Private Forests
Methodology
Reserved forest boundaries have been
obtained from Forest Department and are
being digitised and mapped
A GIS consultant, Mr. Shashank Srinivasan,
has been engaged for mapping private forests
Mapping of private forests is being carried out
using Landsat imagery
Analysis will reveal extent of private forest and
area under different vegetation categories in
each District
Identification of Critical Link
The Koyna-Chandoli Corridor is identified as a
critical link
Located in buffer zone of Sahyadri Tiger
Reserve
22 Villages in corridor zone with some area
under good quality private forests
The area is being mapped & studied in detail
for formulation of a project for conservation of
private forests
Koyna-Chandoli Corridor Area
Koyna Sanctuary
Chandoli NP
Boundaries of Corridor
4: Development of Mechanism
for Conservation of Private
Forests
Proposed Mechanism
Reduction of pressures of Raab by education
on alternative farming practices
Development of production models that are
sustainable and profitable
REDD+ mechanism is being considered for
incentives under CDM (need more
information)
Proposed Components of
Sustainable Forestry Models
NTFP, Bee keeping, medicinal plants,
bamboo, Native fruit trees, timber, cane,
firewood
Assessment of plant resources was carried out
in Koyna-Chandoli Corridor
302 plant species (70 with economic value)
Data is being studied for possible sustainable
models
Selection forestry system rather than clear-
felling
Post felling operations (singling, tending,
thinning)
Further Work
Future Direction of Work
• Implementation of project in Koyna-Chandoli
Corridor
• Development of sustainable forestry models
• Liaison with Government for promoting
sustainable forestry and relaxing regulations
(Lok Vaniki Scheme of MP is a possible
model)
• Involve local NGOs and contractors
• Explore various types of financial incentives
Future Partners
• Land owners
• Local timber contractors
• Social Forestry Department
• Forest Department
• State Government
• Dapoli Agricultural University, Organic farmers
• NGOs working with local people in Chandoli-
Koyna Corridor
Acknowledgements
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
ATREE
Dr. Bhaskar Acharya
Ms. Amrita Tripathi