Article 3

Mini forest at Indian Institute of Science: The Success Model for Rejuvenating Ecology and Hydrology in Rapidly Urbanizing LandscapesCite

Ramachandra T V, Gouri Kulkarni, Bharath H. Aithal, Bharath Settur, Vinay S and Harish R Bhat
ENVIS[RP], Environmental Information System, Energy and Wetlands Research Group,
Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science - 560012
envis.ces@iisc.ac.in tvr@iisc.ac.in Phone: 080 22933099/22933503

Synopsis	Introduction	References

1.0 Synopsis

Characteristics: 49 tree species from central Western Ghats (Sirsi and Yellapur forests); Survival rate: 100%, Current number of tree species: 54
Prominent Species: Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth., Chukrasia tabularis A. Juss., Duabanga grandiflora (Roxb. ex DC.) Walp., Garcinia indica (Thouars) Choisy, Holigarna grahamii (Wight) Kurz, Lophopetalum wightianum Arn. and Syzygium laetum (Buch.-Ham.) Gandhi
Area	About 1.65 - 1.75 hectares
Landscape characteristics before planting	Scrub vegetation infested with invasive weeds
Number of saplings	480 (belonging to 49 species)
Initial investment	Land preparation: Rs 12000 Transport of saplings from Uttara Kannada: Rs. 2400 Daily maintenance (regular watering, de-weeding, etc.) for the initial 36-40 months: Rs. 1,00,000 per year: Total Rs. 4,00,000 Fencing of miniforest region (to minimize external pressure): Rs 24500
Benefits	Micro climate moderation (temperature at least 2 ^oC lower than the rest of the campus; Rain water infiltration and groundwater recharge; Improvement in groundwater table: The water table at this location was in the range of 60- 70 m depth before. The current level of water is at about 3 to 3.5 m below the ground. This indicates that land cover dynamics play a decisive role in recharging the groundwater sources. Other ecological benefits have resulted from creating the mini forest in the urban ecosystem are; Improved campus microclimate with the reduced SO₄ and Suspended Particulate Matter (emissions of vehicles). Carbon sequestration, fruit, fodder etc. to dependent biota; Reduced surface water runoff Temperature in the vicinity at least 2 ^oC and mitigation of urban heat islands Improved air quality Aesthetic value, reduction of storm water runoff, energy saving Infiltration of rainwater, groundwater recharge, flood control Wide array of micro habitats; Habitat for diverse fauna. Recreation and oxygen rich regions for urban population.
Individuals responsible for implementing Mini Forest Project at IISc	Dr. T.V. Ramachandra, CES, IISc Dr. Madhav Gadgil, CES, IISc Dr. C J Saldanha, CES, IISc
Staff involved in the development of mini forest	Regular watering (40 months), weed removal at initial stages - Mr.Venkatiah, Mrs. Venkatalakshmi Fencing, etc.: Raghavendra Rao, Manjunath B M, Venkatappa, Murugeshachar
Land Allocation and Support	Dr. C N R Rao, Director (1984-1994), IISc

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