Wildlife Research and Conservation Society

BACKGROUND

The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadris, are among the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, home to countless rare and endangered species. Within this landscape, mālki forests—privately owned forest lands—hold immense ecological and economic value. They support vital ecosystem services such as soil and water conservation, climate regulation, and biodiversity protection, while also providing forest produce and livelihood opportunities for local communities.

The Koyna-Chandoli corridor, situated between Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park (together forming the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve), is a key wildlife corridor with a mix of government and private forests. This region spans 18 villages, covering 9,300 hectares—55% of which is mālki forest. Local communities here largely depend on subsistence agriculture and belong to economically underprivileged sections.

Currently, these private forests are facing degradation due to unsustainable practices. To address this, WRCS is implementing a project to promote sustainable forest management using principles of scientific forestry. Efforts include planting native trees and bamboo in degraded patches, preventing tree felling and forest fires, and building awareness among communities. Livelihood activities such as beekeeping and small-scale industries are also being introduced to enhance income without harming the forests.

By restoring and managing mālki forests sustainably, the project strengthens the ecological connectivity of the Koyna-Chandoli corridor and creates a replicable model for private forest conservation across the Western Ghats.

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