1. Habitat
type Grasslands.
2. Local
name
Jaymangali Black Buck Reserve or Mydanahally
Black Buck Reserve.
3.
Approximate
Area 837.27
Acres OR 338.98 Ha.
4.
Special
Significance of the habitat :Conservation of the only surviving Species of the genus Antelopes in India.
Provide Ecologically safe and sound habitat to the Indian Black Buck.
5.
Management
Regimes Forest Department Tumkur.
6.
Goods
and Services provided by the Habitat
a.
Grazing ground for cattle sheep goats etc.,
b.
Fuel Wood for People.
c.
Medicinal plants for People.
d.
Wood for agricultural implements.
e.
Water and Soil Conservation.
f.
Minor forest produce like leaves, Wild fruits, Wild
flowers.
g.
Improvement of ground water levels.
7.
Bad and Disservice's Provided
by the Habitat.
a.
Black Buck's graze the adjacent field crops and has
become severe source of loss for the farmers.
b.
Crop loss due to percupine .
c.
Attacks on the people by bears.
d.
Snake bites.
8. Significant
Ecological processes influenced by the Habitat.
With
Proper protection provided by the Forest Department and also the people
living around the Black Buck
sanctuary bushes small canopy trees have increased along with Eucalyptus trees.
The number of Black Buck's have also increased Biotic Diversity is increasing
along with this protection.
9. Significant
Man induced processes influenced by the Habitat.
The
most important man induced processes have been the efforts of forests Dept.
officials in providing the required protection and people's co-operation in the
efforts of the department in
conserving the Black Bucks. But the increased population of Black Bucks has led
to crop damage in the neighboring fields, farms, orchards and gardens.efforts
of environmental groups in arousing interest among people about conservation and also in pressurizing the
Government to initiate legal and departmental steps of conservation has
influenced the Habitat very much weed infestation during rainy season of
parthanium is also a problem. This reduces the availability of Grass for Black
Bucks.
10. Interacting
individuals and Institutions (Local):
Sanjay
Gubbi and his friends from Wild First,Tumkur
Ameen
Ahamed ,Guruprasad,Gundappa and others from WANC Tumkur Activists of Tumkur
Science Centre,
BIRDS
Madhugiri.
BAIF
Tiptur
Local
journalists, Nature lovers and some School teachers.
Karnataka
Rajya Ritha Sanga, Madhugiri unit.
11.
Activities
The
main activities include counting of Black Bucks, Studying the Bio Diversity of
the Reserve taking nature lovers to the area. Close interaction with official
and officers of the department and offering useful suggestions. Educating
people in and around the area about the ecological importance of the Reserve.
12. Interacting
individuals and Institutions (External)
Forest
department (Territorial) Tumkur Deputy Conservator of Forests.
13.
Activities :
A
Project "Conservation programme for Indian Black Bucks at Jayamangali
Black Buck Reserve" has been submitted to NORAD through Forest Department
for about Rs.200 Lakhs . It is yet to be sanctioned.
History of Important Habitat patches over
10-15/ 40-50 years
1.
Type
and name of the Habitat patch.
Grassland habitat
: Mydanahally Reserve Forest.
2.
Change
in
1.Area :- The Reserve Forest area which
was with revenue department was subjected to encroachment and many people had
sought for regularization of it. Now the land has been transferred to forest
department, which has declared it as a reserved forest. Forest department has
stopped all encroachment of the declared area. It has also protected felling of
trees and plantation trees and other plants and animals. It has totally stopped
hunting in the area on account of this there is an increase in the green cover.
But still it is an open Rock grassland. Number of Black Bucks are on the increase
very steadily. Now it has reached critical size and now it has become a problem
for farmers of the adjoining field.
3.Grassland
change in :
I.Area of Grassland:-
The area of the grassland which was shrinking has been stopped. It is
ecologically enriched with Water retentive structures like gully checks, check
dams, shoulder trench and water holes etc.,
II. Mammals:-
According to forest department sources 19 species of
mammals belonging to 11 families have been recorded in the area.
This includes the highly endangered Black Buck (Antelope Cervicapra)
. The census conducted by members of WANC during
the year 1997 put the number of Black Bucks around 408. The present estimated population
is around 1000-1500. Apart
from Black Bucks other mammals present in the area include
Bonnet Macaque, Jungle Cat, the small Indian Civet, the common
Mongoose, the Wolf, the Jackal, the Indian Fox, two
species of Bats and six species of rodents. The Forest
guards of the area
claim to have seen the sloth bear and stripped hyeana in the area.
But this needs to be physically verfied.
III Butterflies
:-67 Species of Butterflies belonging to 7 families
have been sighted in the area.
Most of the species recorded are common throughout the Indian Peninsula
and some are typical of the arid regions.
Avifauna:- About 125 Species
of Birds belonging to 37 families have been recorded in the area of which 22
are migratory. As expected of
Grasslands the area is rich in ground birds, Shrikes, Larks and Raptors. This
is the only Habitat in Tumkur Dist.Where the Indiancourser ( Cursorius
coromomdelicus) and painted sandgrouse. (Pterocles indicus) have been seen.
Some of the surrounding villagers claim to have seen the great Indian Bustard
in the past. Efforts are on to sight this highly threatened species. It has not been successful so
far.
Reptiles:- It has quite
number of reptiles typical of dry areas/plains. About 26 species belonging to
2orders have been recorded in the area of which 4 are poisonous while 10 are
non-poisonous. The poisonous snakes include highly venomous Russell's Viper
sawscaledViper, Common Indian spectaled
or binocellate Cobra. 11 species of lizards belonging to 4 families and
1 species of Tortoise have also
been sighted.
Amphibians:-Only one species of toad
could be seen in the area -the common bill toad. There are possibilities of a
few more species found in the
area.
4.Significant Ecological processes
influencing Habitat patch.
The entire patch has been provided with adequate protection.
There is an increase in greenary. But along with that Eucalyptus and other
alien species have become predominant. Forest department is trying to dig
trences and create green fence. Hunting has come to a halt. There are no
predatory animals. Therefore the number of Black Bucks have increased beyond
the sustaining capacity of the Grassland. Rain water conservation, Water shed
management and Soil Conservation structures are put up. On account of these efforts
it is hoped that Water availability will improve in future. But right now there
is scarcity of Water. Especially during summer months. Many of the planted
trees are getting Compeletely
dried during summer months.
5.Significant man induced processes
influencing the Habitat patch.
Apart from the above cited ecological processes there are no
man
induced processes of considerable importance influencing the Habitat patch.
Number of people coming to see Black Bucks is gradually increasing. Vehicles
moving into the Reserve disturb Black Bucks. Plastic pollution in the form of
visitor's garbage is gradually increasing.
6.Productivity of goods and services.
The Productivity of goods and services is gradually increasing.
People collect fuel wood, grass and other minor forest produce like fruits and
nuts. Tourism is on the increase. Vehicle owners, Rikshaw owners are getting
benefited. Sheep, Goat and Cattle grazing in a very limited way is taking
place.
7. Extent of bad and disservice.
Black buck's in-groups invade the neighboring fields and
graze tender crops. This has
assumed alarming proportions. People are fed up. For many proper crop
compensation is not given. The affected people are rising hue and cry and they
are threatening to kill the animals if suitable steps are not taken.
8.Reasons for ongoing changes
Ecological changes cited above are the main cause for the on
going changes.
9.Gainers
Women collecting minor forest produce, cattle grazers, Vehicle
owners, Shop keepers are benefited. Increased opportunities of daily wage
earners to work on Watershed, Trench construction, Soil conservation etc.,
contractors J.B.C. owners are also benefited.
10.Losers
Farmers adjacent to the reserve are
badly affected by crop
loss.
For them it has become a big
headache and many people
have given up cultivation
around the reserve area. Black Bucks go to far of fields in and around the grassland and damage the tender
crops.
11.Desired changes/ Desired future :-
The
major problems for the conservation of the Black Bucks
here
is typical man-animal conflict and shrinkaga of habitat both in quality and
quantity. The damage caused by the black bucks to the agricultural crops has
affected the local people's economy, their living and quality of life. Biotic
Interference by the local people and their cattle have affected the ecological
balance and environment. Therefore the situation demands taking up a project to
address the problems related to the rehabilitation and improvement of the
Environment at the earliest. The patience of the farmers affected by crop loss
is rapidly eroding. If this problem is not properly handled, the gains made all
these years are likely to be negated and the situation may go out of control.
The following works need to be taken up at the earliest.
a.
Soil
and Moisture conservation.
b.
Rotational
grazing of Black Bucks.
c.
Development
of fodder plots.
d.
Protection
from fire, illicit cutting, cattle grazing poaching etc.,
e.
Creation
of Water holes and providing salt licks etc.,
f.
Development and regulation of Ecotourism.
g.
Adoption
of Agri-Horti-silvicultural system of farming.
h.
Soil
and water conservation measures in the fields of farmers.
i.
Supply of fuel, folder, small timber trees etc.,
for farmers.
j.
Animal husbandary and other related issues.
k.
Encourage
farmers to take up Agro-forestry practices.
12. Desired Management system.
Forest department is currently managing
the reserve. But the department is very
much resented to by the farmers around the reserve. The major reason for
this resentment is the crop loss. The crop Compensation is not given properly
and adequately. The management of the Reserve is official and bureaucratic.
Involving people around the area is very crucial and challenging for the
conservation of Black Bucks. Sufficient funds required for taking up this
problem in a Comprehensive Way is not available. The local officers and
officials are unable to live upto the expectations and aspirations of the
people. Village Forest Committees need to be made more elaborate and
responsive. The gap existing between the Department and the people needs to be
bridged. General awareness about the importance and need of Conserving Black
Bucks and benefits that they get out of such a venture needs to be imparted
among the general public. People of the area are to be encouraged to build
partnership with the department in Conservation of Black bucks. Efforts of
Conservation needs to be much more transparent which can remove mistrust
between department and the people to be made stake holders in conservation.
This task is a very challenging and needs to be addressed with lot of Creative
Commitment and foresight.
13. Suggested Composition for a feasible
management plan for the habitat.
A management plan
has been proposed in the draft proposal of the Forest department
"Conservation programme for Indian Black Bucks at Jayamangali Balck Buck
Reserve" submitted for NORDA during the year 2000.
