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BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT
Gangolli
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Name of the Hotspot: Gangolli Estuary Complex.

2 Focal   species: Mangrove Vegetation and Migratory birds.

 

3. Coordinating Team: Dr. N A Madhyastha, Malacology Centre, Poornaprajna College, Udupi and
Dr. K.P. Achar, CES field station, Karkala.

 Experience/expertise:

           a. Dr. N A Madhyastha: Involved in Biodiversity studies since 1994  and coordinating the malacolgy research of Western Ghats since 2000 under MoEF project on capacity building in taxonomy.

            b. Dr. K P Achar: Involved in Biodiversity Monitoring and inventorying of Mala village of Karkala, and Pioneer in PBR.

 

4. Investigating Team: same as ABOVE

 

5. Dates of data collection: From  20th August to 25th September

 

6. Process of data collection: Field visits, interviews, official documents and published materials including district manuals.

 

7. Sources of information:

                                     Official records of forest and fisheries departments.

                                    Dr. T Ananda Rao and Dr. P V Satish, Coastal Ecosystems of the

                                    Karnataka State, India: 1. Mangroves. 2001.

                                    Dr. K. G. Bhat, Poornaprajna College Udupi.

                                    District Manual, Sturrock, 1885

                                    Vice Chairman  Village Panchayath, Hemmadi

                                    Local People

8. Number of man-days consumed in data collection: 10 x 2

 

SETTING

 

1.      Location: Tallur, Hemmadi, and Gangolli Villges, Kundapur Taluk

 

2.      Area (in ha or sq.km.): 30,700sq metres.

 

3.      Latitude/Longitude/Altitude: 13°37’N, 74°40’E

 

4.      Village/Town/Taluk/District: Gangolli, Hemmadi and Tallur, Kundapur Taluk, Udupi District.

 

5.      Maps (kind of map and the scale): Enclosed

 

6.      Mode of access (Distance from Railway/Bus station): Tallur is 6 kms and Gangolli is about 26 kms., from Kundapur, which are well connected by Konkan Railway and National Highway-17.

 

7.      Facilities to stay closest to the hotspot: Kundapur Town has good hotels and a forest guest house.

 

8.      Tariff (if any) to be paid to visit the hotspots: nil.

 

9.      Controlling authorities: Forest, Fisheries and Revenue departments, Village Panchayats.

 

10.  Classes of Landscape: Paddy fields, Islands in the river mouth, Coconut orchards and mangroves.

 

11.  Water bodies: Estuary, Rivers and Back waters

 

12.  Human populations: 1630

 

13.  Presence of Scheduled tribes or Nomadic tribes population: 9%

 

14.  Livestock:NA

 

15.  Irrigation status & Major crops. Natural source such as rainfall and rivers. Paddy and Coconut are major crops in the buffer zones.

 

16.  Significant forest produce: Firewood and timber from mangroves.

.

17.  Quantities recorded at the Range or Divisional Forest offices: NA

 

18.  Cooperative societies and their transactions. Raitha Seva Sangh, Hemmadi

 

19.  Significant fresh water fish productions:

.

20.  Disposal of fishing rights (Leasing/Auctioning/License):

 

21.  Significant estuarine & marine fish/shell fish production:

Year wise fish catch from Gangolli Centre.

 

Year

Fish Catch in Tonnes

Value in Lakhs of Rs.

1991-92

1992-93

1993-94

1994-95

1995-96

1996-97

25,821

20,301

26,257

13,684

13,406

11,677

777.49

854.92

1269.94

1086.30

1517.33

1710.40

 

 

22.  Number and type of fishing crafts. about 200 in  Gangalli

 

23.  Nearest Fishing landing centres: Gangolli is a minor centre for marine fish catch

 

24.  Availability of fish processing facilities: Fish storage facility (Cold storage)

 

25.  Mining and quarrying activities: Nill

 

26.  Sources & extent of air and water pollution: Intensive prawn culture leads to water pollution  and artificial lights day and night lead to visual pollution.

 

27.  Prevalence of Human diseases: NA

 

28.  Prevalence of Livestock diseases:NA

 

29.  Educational institutions: Higher Primary schools in Tallur, Gangolli and Hemmadi and High School in Hemmadi.

 

30.  Cooperative societies:

 

31.  Youth clubs: Adarsh Yuvaka Mandala, Hemmadi.

 

32.  Ladies clubs: Navodaya Mahila Mandala, Hemmadi.

 

33.  Active NGOs: Flora and Fauna Club of Kundapur

 

 

THREATS AND SUPPORTIVE RESTORATION ACTIVITIES

 

 

Inventory of two kinds of activities affecting the core area as well as zone of influence

 

Table – 1

 

 

Name of individual/institutions/agency

Activity with a positive influence on core area

Activity with a negative influence on core area

Activity with a positive influence on zone of influence

Activity with a negative influence on the zone of influence

1

2

3

4

5

6

Local individuals

Ananda T H and Prabhu

 

Chemicals from Prawn Culture

 

Loss of Paddy fields

Local institutions

 

 

 

 

 

Outside individuals

Private individuals

 

Intensive prawn culture

 

Pollution of water and change in landscape pattern.

Outside institutions

Flora and Fauna Club

Kundapura

Awareness programme and Studies

 

 

 

Government agencies

Dept of Fisheries

 

 

 

 

Forest Dept.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Afforestation

Increases habitat for birds and forest produce.

Prawn cultures has detrimental effect on Mangroves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Degradation of Zone of influence through habitat alterations.

Industrial, mining companies etc.

 

 

 

 

 

Any other agencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIST OF KNOWLEDGE INDIVIDUALS

 

Sr.No.

Name

Age group

Sex

Community 

Address of Expertise

1

Dr. Subodh Malli, Kundapura

50 years

M

Hindu

Yedthare Nursing Home

2

Sri R M Shiri, Udupi

 

Dr. K G Bhat, Udupi

 

56 years

 

55 years

M

 

M

Christian

 

Hindu

Deepak Dresses Udupi

PPC Udupi

3

Shri. N A Aravind, Udupi

28 years

M

Hindu

 

4

Dr. M A Rao, Bangalore

 

65 years

M

Hindu

.AAS, Bangalore

 

HABITATS

 

(a)   Preparation of sketch map of the landscape

1.      For Core Zone: Enclosed

 

2.      For zone of influence:  --do-

 

(b)   Description of Habitat types

1.  Habitat type: Islands, Mudflats, Rivers, Back Waters.

 

2.  Local name (if any):

                                     a. Islands: Hattikudru,  Uppinakudru, Kannadakudru, Hirekudru.

                                     b. Rivers – Haladi, Kollur, and Chakra.

                                     c. Backwater – Kodi, Alive.

 

3.  Approximate total area (ha): 340 hectares

 

4.  Special significance of the habitat type (if any): Source of shell fish as food.

.

5.      Management regimes: Under the controle of DCF Kundapura.

                                              Prawn culture is being encouraged by the Dept of Fisheries.

                                                Village Panchayat, Thallur, Gangolli and Hemmadi.

 

 

6.      Goods and Services provided by the habitat:

                         Forest produce from Mangroves – timber and firewood.

                         Shell fish collection for food and lime.

                        Cradle for the young of many marine fish and crustacean.

                        Water way to reach the sea.

                        Recreation and nature studies

 

 

7.      Bads and Disservices provided by the habitat: Nil

 

 

8.      Significant ecological processes influenced by the habitat type:

             Prevention of soil erosion;

            Stabilization of river bank;

            Habitat for larvae of marine crustaceans.

            Source of shellfish as food and for lime.

 

9.      Significant man- induced processes influenced by the habitat. Intensive prawn culture alters the physicochemical nature of water.

            Threat to Mangroves due to over exploitation of the vegetation.

 

10.  Interacting individuals and institutions (Local): Flora and Fauna Club, Kundapura

 

 

11.  Activities: Studies and awareness programme.

 

12.  Interacting individuals and institutions (External): Indian Naturalist ®, Udupi

 

13.  Activities: Research and publication.

 

(c)    History of important habitat patches over 10-15/40-50 years

                The Kundapur estuary is a place of considerable significance since a long time. The Haladi-Chaka-Kollur river complex was navigable by boats and small vessels for centuries.  This estuary is really a most picturesque and extensive salt water with one outlet into sea.    Haladi river was influenced by tide and navigable up to 17miles (27 kms.) up to Haladi, the village, even at direst season, by boats containing one corji (1.5 tonnes) of rice. Similarly, the Kollur and  the Chakra rivers were navigable up to 12 miles (19kms)  (Sturrock, 1894). 

 

            “The fish Chanos salmoneus were found in the brackish water pond (back water?) of Kundapur measuring up to 3’ (almost one metre). Two to three times a year at the discretion of the Head Assistant Collector residing at Kundapur, a number of boats are brought to the pond and arranged in a line with drag nets falling to the bottom and stretching right across the pond, while another of set of nets are held in the air by men standing in the boats.  The whole line is then moved gradually forward with much shouting and beating of boats, and as the fish get closed in towards the other end of the pond, a most exciting scene arises, the air being literally alive with large silvery fish, many of which succeed in leaping right over the nets, though the majority strike them and fall into the boats where were secured.  Large oysters were also met with in Kundapura”. (Sturrock 1894)

 

            Kundapur estuary was used by General Mathews with a force from Bombay landed in Kundapur and achieved remarkable and unexpected success.  The Kundapur was most flourishing taluk  as reported by Captain Munro while submitting the proposal for reduction of certain item so revenue .(Munro,1800).

 

            There were trade links with Persia, Arabia and Zanzibar from Kundapura Port between 4th and 5th centuries. Kerosene, salt are being imported and iron ore, timber, coconut, coconut oil gums and tiles were exported.  It was an important port till recently.  In 1971, 2,830 vessels used this port.

 

1.      Type and name of the habitat patch: Backwaters and Estuary

 

2.      Change in

(i)                 Area

(ii)                Vegetation strata: Decreasing because of exploitation as timber and fire wood.

 

3.      Aquatic habitat change in

(i)                 Catchment area:

(ii)                 Aquatic fauna: Migratory birds have become very rare in the area because of change in the influencing zone.

(iii)             Aquatic flora:

 

4.      Significant ecological processes influencing the habitat patch: Flooding during monsoon and tidal variations during summer months affect the flora and fauna of the habitat.

 

5.      Significant man induced processes influencing the habitat patch; Conversion of agriculture land in the prawn ponds in the vicinity of the habitats has affected the faunal diversity of the estuary and the backwaters.

 

6.      Productivity of Goods and Services: Tiger prawns have export market and sold at Rs.280/kg, produced at the rate of 200 to 600kgs/acre.

 

7.  Extent of Bads and Disservices.

            Chemicals used in prawn culture, artificial light all the 24 hours, intensive human activities,  conversion of fertile paddy fields into prawn ponds are some of the drastic changes that cause permanent changes in the landscape.  Agriculture lands become permanently saline. Traditional fishing and snail harvesting becomes severely affected.  The estuary being cradle for many marine prawn and fish young ones, pollution from prawn culture would adversely affect fish catch in shore line.

 

8.  Reasons for ongoing changes: Encouragement to prawn culture which has international market.

            Agriculture is becoming less and less economical.

 

9.  Gainers: Exporters and traders (outsiders).

 

10.  Losers; Local people, particularly the agriculturists and fishermen.

 

11.  Desired changes/Desired future: Total protection to the habitat and restriction on the prawn culture, in the vicinity of the estuary.

 

12.  Desired management system. A coordinated approach by the forest, revenue, and fisheries departments along with local self Government should manage the estuary.

 

13.  Suggested component for a feasible management plan for that habitat patch:

A comprehensive plan to study, to evaluate, to manage and to use the resources shall the management strategy for the habitat.  More and more local people and NGOs shall take active part  in the whole process.

 

LIFE SCAPE

 

(a)   Naturally occurring species of significance

1.      Flowering plants:

Mangrove Species

Trees – Avicennia alba

A.     marina

A.     officinalis

Bruguiera gymnorrhiza

Exocoecaria agallocha

Kandelia candel

Lumnilzera recemosa

Rhizophora apiculata

R. mucornaia

Sonneratia laba

S. caseolarisl

 

Shrubs

            Acanthus ilicifolius

            Aegiceras corniculatum

 

 (Source; Rao and Suresh, 2001)

 

2.      Birds

 

Transient Migrants     Numenius pheopus (Whimbrel)

                                    N. arqutta (Curlew)

 

Migrants                     Pluvialis fulva (Golden plovers)

                                    P. mongolus (Lesser Sand Plover)

                                    Tringa tetanus  (Red shank)

                                    T. nebularia (Green Shank)

                                    T.stagnatillis (Marsh sandpiper)

                                    T. ochropus   (Green sandpiper)

                                    T. glareola (Wood Sandpiper)

                                    Recurvirostra avosetta (Acovet -rare, only once recorded))

                                    Himantropus himantropus  (Black winged stilt)

                                    Actitis hypoleucos  (Common sand piper)

                                    Gareola lacteal  (Little Pratincole)

                                    Pluvialis squatarola (Grey Plover)

                                    Limosa limosa (Black tailed Godwit)

                                    Arenaris interpres (Turnstone)

                                   

                       

Resident Birds:

Egretta garzetta (Little egrets)

Egretta intermedia (Median egrets,)

Ardeola grayii (Pond Heron)

A. striatus (Green Bittern)

Egretta gularis  (Reef Heron)

Bubulcus ibis (Cattle Egret)

Phalacrocorax niger (Little Cormorant)

Milvus migrans (Pariah Kite)

Haliastur indus (Brahmini Kite)

Amauorornis phoenicurus (White breasted Water hen)

Vanellus indicus (Red Wattled Lapwing)

Larus brunnicephalus (Brown headed Gull)

Dicrurus adsimilis (Drongo)

Acridotheres trisits (Indian Myna)

Alcedo etthis (Small blue kingfisher)

Halcyon smyrnensis (White breasted kingfisher)

Ceryle rudis (Pied kingfisher)

Sterna albifrons (Little terns)

Merops orientalis (Small green bee eater)

 

 

3.      Mammals;

 

(b)   Additional information on species of significance: Rhizophora and Ceriops are endemic species.

            Rhizophora is rare and its bark is used for tanning fish nets.

           

            The Gangolli estuary is one the important places for migratory birds in Udupi district. Change in the zone of influence has adversely affected their visit to our district. 

 

1.  Most common local name of the species (Language Scientific name of the species)

 

2.  Habitat favoured:

 

3.  Value to local community Major uses/ill effects:

 

4.  Value of global relevance (as rare, threatened or endangered) Mangrove vegetation, by and large are threatened.

 

c .  Inventory of significant varieties of domestic plants/animals.

 

1.      Local name of Species:

 

2.      Scientific name of species:

 

3.      Local name of variety:

 

4.      Language employed:

 

Distinctive features of the species/varieties

 

5.      Value to local community

 

6.      Major uses:

 

7.      Value of global relevance (as rare, threatened or endemic etc.):

 

(c)    History of significant species/varieties

 

1.      Most common name of the species

 

2.      Scientific name:

 

3.      Most common local name of variety:

 

4.      Existing management authority:

 

5.      Fish breeding season:

 

6.      Fishing methods (Types of nets used)

 

7.      Existing management authority:

 

8.      Current level of abundance:

 

9.      Trend in abundance in last 10-15/40-50 years:

 

Significant ecological processes influencing the species/varieties

 

10.  Significance man induced processes influencing the species/variety

 

11.  Reasons for the ongoing change:

 

12.  Gainers: internal/external:

 

13.  Losers: internal/external

 

14.  Desired changes/Desired future

 

15.  Desired management system:

 

Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the species/variety

 

MANAGEMENT

 

(a)   Perspectives of others

 

1.      Desired response options of different members of local or outside communities/institutions/government agencies/industrial or mining undertaking etc. to be recorded):

            Access resource is the desire of the local people, unmindful of consequences.

            Outsiders interested in Prawn culture are after export of their resource generated.

            Department of fisheries is interested in the development of aquaculture.

           

2.  Significance of management issues and response options:

 

3.      Management issues pertaining to

(a)   Habitat and/or: Not much has been done to conserve the rich diversity of the estuary. In many places the growth of mangroves is poor.

(b)   Species/variety:

(c)    Customary/Administrative

(d)   Since how long the arrangements have been in practice:

Changes if any in management pattern over last 10-15/40-50 years: The habitat changes are drastic for the last ten years, both in terms of loss of mangrove forests and degradation of zone of influence.

 

4.      Desired changes/Desired future: There is an urgent need to declare the entire area as protected area. Regeneration of mangroves, wherever possible, shall be encouraged.  Alternate arrangement for fuel wood and timber to local people may be provided to reduce the pressure on the mangroves.

 

5.      Desired management system: An integrated approach is the need of the day. As it stands there seems to be no co ordination among different departments and the local administration. A local committee, under the supervision of experts may constituted to manage the habitat.

 

(b) Perspectives of Investigators:

            The Gangolli estuary is one of the 17 estuaries of the country identified under MAB programme of UNESCO. A study of the floral diversity is already carried out (Rao and Suresh, 2001) for the estuaries of Karnataka, including that of Gangolli.  Surprisingly no comprehensive study is available for faunal diversity. As a follow up of this project, there is an urgent need to study estuarine fauna. With out such studies documentation of hotspots remains incomplete and many significant animal groups remain in the dark.

            The investigators feel that Gangolli, being one of the hotspots, shall be taken as test case for comprehensive faunal studies.  There are already experts available for some of the groups, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, mollusks, and crustaceans.

 

    

 

(c) Desired and feasible pattern of management that should be promoted in the opinion of the investigators:

            There shall be two tier management systems: a) a policy making body and b) implementation machinery.  The policy making body shall consists of technical experts in various fields and state level administrators.  They shall look in the policy and financial aspects of the management.  The local body shall implement the decisions of the policy making body.  The local body shall also have a say in the policy making, keeping the aspirations of local people and resource available.  The local body includes village panchayats and the NGOs.  The policy making body shall monitor the progress of the implementation of the project.

 

(d) Suggested strategy for promoting this desired patterns of management and the communication needs for the        purpose:

            Simultaneous with development, conservation and exploitation of resources at the local level, it is also necessary to educate the common man and stake holders.  The modern communication facilities can be very effective in bringing the desired change towards the protection of habitat. Village level meetings, video clipping in TV channels, new paper release and AIR programmes will have enough impact in creating awareness. A orientation programme for the elected members will also help to promote better management of the habitat.

 

7. Cultural, religious, recreational, scenic, tourist significance of the hotspot.

            No doubt, the back waters at Gangolli are of great scenic beauty. If developed, the whole area can be an important tourist  spot.

 

8. Ecological evaluation of the hotspot: Not evaluated in detail.

 

9. Suggested follow up investigations:

            a. Study of ecological factors influencing the habitat. This shall include all physical parameters of water quality and soil status.

            b. Study of biodiversity of the habitat in detail.

            c. Evaluation of sustainability of the resources.

            d. Monitoring of biodiversity in relation to seasons.

            e. Estimation of Biomass and productivity.

 

10. Any other suggested follow up:

 

            A detailed study shall be carried out to evaluate the impact of prawn culture on the biodiversity of Gangolli Estuary.  The estuary comes under CRZ I and hence legal status of prawn ponds can also be evaluated.  Restoration of mangroves and protection to existing areas are to be taken up immediately.

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