Forests of Karnataka Part-1
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Forest plays a vital role in the socio-cultural, historical, economical and industrial development of any country. It also maintains an ecological balance. They are the source for the sustainment of its population and also the storehouse of biodiversity. Agriculture and animal husbandry are dependent on the use of forest lands. Forest not only maintains moisture and provides clean air but it also produces humus to maintain soil fertility. Karnataka’s forests are highly valuable with magnificent trees and it is appreciated for its unique ecosystem in the world.
Different forest types are there in Karnataka - Scrub forests mainly occur in the eastern part of the state. In the plains of Vidar, Gulberga, Beejapur, Bagalcoat, Raichoor, Dharwad, Gadak, Haveri, Ballari, Dawangeri, ChitraDu-rga, Tumkur and Kolara. Dry Deciduous Forest is mainly found in Chikmagalur, Hassan, Mandya, Mysore and Bangalore. The moist Deciduous Forest in this region occurs in Veear Hills, Chamrajnagara, in the Malnad area of Samoga, Chikmanglore, Ananad Coastal district of Udupi, Dakshin Kannada and Uttar Kannada. Semi-Evergreen forests are spread in western ghats in Uttar Kannada, Paschim Kannada, Udupi, Chikmagalur, Hassan, Shimoga, and Chamrajnagara.
The Shola and Grasslands, also form a part of this belt and are visible in Bababurugiri, Brahmagiri, Kadchadri, Kudraimo and Gopal Swamy hills. Mangroves lie in the coastal belt of Dakshin Kannada, Udupi and Uttar Kannada districts. This type of forest depends on where it is in the Uttar Kannada district and where the rain falls in the state. The Shola and Grasslands of various parts in the western ghat are also part of this evergreen variety. The Sholas are thick evergreen trees that occur in the upper valleys of cloves, they are surrounded by grasslands.
The moist Deciduous Forest occurs at a higher altitude and the rainfall is about 2500 millimeters. These forests are rich in herb trees and are commercially viable climbers.
Dry Deciduous Forest occurs in less rainfall areas with about 1500mm of rainfall. These forests have an open canopy and dry leafless trees in dry months. In some trees, flowering happens before the fresh leaves stump. Plantation and commercial trees are common in these areas.
Scrub forests or thorny forests, have stranded trees out in the plain, these types of forests are mainly visible in low rainfall areas. Karnataka is also the best place for unique mangrove forests which protects and links the land and sea and has a rivers and sea ecosystem. Here, the mangroves are salt tolerant in forest ecosystems and such forests are found mainly in the interior region of the world. There are valuable species in the forest like teak, rosewood and sandalwood, numerous other hardwood species make it a unique biological hotspot. These forests are also an abode for much interesting flora and fauna.
The local species like- Nerele, Toopura, Gowje, Bettathavare, Kaachu, Urulu, Dindalu, Banni, Shivani, Bidaru, Matthi, Honne, Booruga, and Nandi are found in abundance in such parts. These rich forests also include very precious medicinal plants and have vital ingredients for traditional health care. Some of this precious wealth is available in Hunse, Nallikai, Doopa, Basavanapaada Madhunashini, Sagadheberu, Aadusoge, Malhannu, Andle, Kavalu, Chigare, Antwala, Bettadanalli and they are endemic to this region. It is very interesting to see the biodiversity map of Karnataka and its Rivers Basins.
Rivers of Karnataka are Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery, North Pennar, South Pennar, Polar Basin and the West Flowing rivers. West flowing rivers include Kali, Gangavalli, Aghanashini, Sharavathi, Kollur, Chakra, Sitanandi, Nethravathi, and Gurupur. East flowing Rivers are Krishna, Bhima, Tungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Kabini, and Cauvery. Worship of the tree Kunabis is the conservation practice followed by the local people for protecting several ecosystems and threatening species, this speaks volumes about the connections between cultural and biological diversity. Western life is one of the twelve mega biodiversity hotspots of the world. Even today, when the western ghat has sensitive biodiversity and is rich in Culture and ecology.
Wildlife population (2007) reports 395 tigers, 6185 elephants, 817 Panther, 2324 bears, 15760 wild bears, 25850 deer, 8484 Bison, 4998 Sambar, 957 Foxes and other wild animals in Karnataka.
Forest Network of Karnataka has five national parks- Anshi national park, Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Kudremukh, and Nagarahole. The state has 21 wildlife sanctuaries which include peacock sanctuaries, bird sanctuaries and other wildlife sanctuaries. Karnataka has two tiger reserves- Bandipur and Bhadra, and one Biosphere Reserve-Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.