- The fragmentation caused by the submersion of vast area and also due to biotic pressures (increasing settlements, agricultural fields, quarrying, fuel wood, fodder and NTFP collection, encroachment, roads in reserve forests, etc.) Land use in the catchment needs to be strictly monitored for changes using satellite imageries and ground surveys. A centralized planning is necessary to maintain landscape in desirable state.
- Lopping of branches for fuel wood and collection of leaves for fodder deprives animals of their food. JFM committees to be formed in the catchment area and be associated with future management of forests in respective village territories.
- Overgrazing in the region has resulted in scarcity of resources for wild animals. Village fodder farms to be created to safeguard forests and wildlife and to meet the needs of soil and water conservation as well as for other ecosystem needs.
- Conversion of forests to monoculture in vast areas for commercial purposes has affected the free movement of wild animals and deprived them of food and habitat. Monoculture plantations only serve either small mammals and agricultural pests as hiding places An action plan needs to be prepared urgently for reducing greatly area under monoculture by introducing forest species, an appropriate list of species is given in the report. Moreover conversion of plantations into natural forests is necessary for meeting other ecological requirements including enhancement of watershed value.
- Fire, within limits, has an ecological role to play in the Western Ghats. But unregulated and frequent forest fires, accidental as well as intentional, have detrimental effects on the flora and fauna, and ecosystems as such. necessitating appropriate management strategies. such as creation of fire lines, restoration of evergreens, which provide greater fire immunity to the forests, adoption of a village centered fire management strategy etc.
- Theft of forest products and poaching of animals have also affected the faunal diversity.Strengthening of JFMs, creation of nature clubs in the village, and spread of awareness can go a long way in controlling hunting menace. The nature clubs may be affiliated to WWF State or NGO sponsored ecological or nature conservation/awareness movements. The village based nature clubs may be associated with animal census activities and other conservation centred activities.
In this regard, there is a need for :
- A comprehensive conservation strategy should be formulated immediately in consultation with stakeholders such as local villagers, environmentalists, and forest department personnel to conserve the unique flora and fauna of riparian ecosystem.
- Field observations show that many of the riverine swamps which harbour rare flora and fauna such as Semicarpus kathalekanensis and Phylloneura westermanni are under severe threat due to encroachment and expansion of agricultural activity. Immediate remedial measures need to be taken by forest department to stop such activities and conserve the endangered ecosystem.
- A detailed study, focusing on riparian forests is to be initiated immediately to document rare flora and fauna and evolve a conservation strategy for this unique eco-region-the Sharavathi Catchment.
