Wildlife Research and Conservation Society

BACKGROUND

The Western Ghats, also known as the Sahyadri, is one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world and harbours several rare and endangered species of plants and animals. Mālki forests (forests on private land) are extensively found in the Western Ghats. Private forests are very important for several ecosystem services such as soil conservation, regulation of water flow in rivers, prevention of global warming, conservation of biodiversity and landscape connectivity. They also provide forest produce and income to the owners. (Read the news on mālki forests).

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Koyna Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park together constitute the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. The Koyna Chandoli corridor lies between Koyna Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park. It is a critical wildlife corridor and also forms part of the buffer zone of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve. It sustains extensive private forests along with government forests. The area has distinct climatic and geographic conditions which give rise to rich biodiversity. Considering its importance as a critical wildlife corridor and the large extent of private forests in this region WRCS is implementing a project for conservation of private forests.

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Some benefits of conserving private forests are:

• Economic benefits to the local community

• Valuable ecosystem services such as soil conservation, regulation of watershed runoff

• Conservation of biodiversity

• Strengthening the connectivity of the wildlife corridor

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The project area consists of 18 villages with a total area of 9300 hectares, of which 5200 hectares (55%) is under private forests. The people in the project area belong to the economically underprivileged section of society. Their main occupation is subsistence agriculture.

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At present, the private forests are managed unsustainably because of which they are getting degraded. There is tremendous potential for conserving the forests and generating economic returns to their owners if the forests are managed sustainably by applying principles of scientific forestry.

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Through this project, WRCS is promoting sustainable forest management practices that will yield enhanced forest produce and also conserve the forests. The community is encouraged to protect their mālki forests from tree cutting and fire. Tree plantation is carried out since 2014 using native tree species in blank spaces and gaps in the forest. The bamboo plantation is being carried out to yield quick income. At a later stage, they will be trained in scientific forestry practices. Income-generating activities such as beekeeping and cottage industries are being promoted.

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​Beekeeping is being promoted as an activity compatible with private forestry. Several training sessions have been conducted through the project. We are exploring opportunities for other income-generating activities.

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Conservation of Mālki forest in this region will consolidate the corridor between Koyna Sanctuary and Chandoli National Park. It will serve as an excellent model for conservation of Mālki forests in the Western Ghats.

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