Encroachment of forest lands and conversion to other land uses is one of the prime drivers of forest fragmentation. The forest land encroachment is the major threat to biodiversity because it not only causes the habitat loss of species but also results in the more devastating effects through fragmentation. The factors responsible for large scale land conversions are due to unavailability of land to meet the growing population’s demand; market based economic opportunities; unproductive land due to erosion of top soil with heavy rain fall, etc..
Forest division-wise encroachments are marked considering the latest forest administrative boundary map obtained from Karnataka Forest Department. The forest boundary map of the respective divisions are geometrically verified with ground control points (collected from field using calibrated GPS), the Survey of India topographic maps and online Google Earth (http://Googleearth.com). Forest boundary maps provide details according to forest type (evergreen, deciduous, plantations, etc.) at cadastral (village)  level with land survey numbers. There is a clear distinction between forest land, revenue land and other features. These maps were overlaid on Google earth data, which provided land use transitions details. Visual interpretations coupled with random field verifications were adopted to delineate un-authorised transitions in the forest land uses in recent years. The area of each polygon corresponding to encroachment is marked and verified in the field as well as with cadastral maps and topographic maps.
Figure 11 illustrates the level of encroachment of forests in Uttara Kannada district and  figure 12 details division wise forest area conversions. The district has five forest divisions one wild life division. Division-wise forest land changes have been analysed. Sirsi and Honnavar divisions have higher forest encroachments (3642 and 1852 hectares respectively) among all divisions due to conversion of forest land for agriculture, horticulture, etc. Even ecologically vital ecosystems such as swamps and sacred forests are being encroached in Sirsi, Honnavar divisions. The diversion of swamps and water channels to areca nut gardens in the upstream has deprived water to downstream habitations. Urban sprawl with encroachments of forests is noticed in the vicinity of towns - Sirsi, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Kumta town. 
Figure 13 and Table 13 lists division and forest type wise land transitions, which indicates that major land use changes have happened in moist deciduous forests (3747.89 Ha) followed by evergreen to semi evergreen (1629.16 Ha). The Sirsi division has lost major tracts of forests in all categories. Honnavar division shows 402.07 Ha of lost in forest plantations (of Acacia). Conversion of Betta lands for other uses is observed in Sirsi division. Moist deciduous forests (383.71 Ha) mainly cleared for habitations and other associated developments in Karwar division. Figures 14 to 18 depicts the division wise encroachments marked and also marked in Google Earth. Annexures 1 to 5 lists polygoin wise spatial extent of encroachments in the respective forest divisions with geo-coordinates. Encroachments in wildlife division are not marked due to the non-availability of forest boundary map.

Figure 11:  Forest encroachments in Uttar Kannada

Figure 12: Division wise forest encroachment

Table 13: Area of forest land encroached in different forest categories of five divisions (Ha)

Figure 13: Forest type wise encroachments

It is well accepted fact that environmental degradation is a manifestation of the dynamic driver’s play, i.e. socio-economic, institutional and technological activities, population growth and rising energy use and transportation. Region specific effective land use planning being suggested to control fragmentation taking into consideration issues of deforestation. The suggested measures emphasise the regeneration of natural forest cover in the district across all divisions. This requires motivation, conviction, and commitment between two major stake-holders: the forest fringe dwellers as well as the officials at Forest Department. This needs building up an atmosphere of mutual trust and understanding between them for a strong intention of improving forests, which will in-turn improve quality of life of outlying population.

1. Building of solutions that are specific to address fragmentation on regional levels such as at watershed level. Restoration of forests with native species to enhance hydrological services and biodiversity.
2. Constitution of forest protection task force at each division with the representatives of all stakeholders. Forest task force shall have representatives of VFCs (Village Forest Committee).
3. The plantation of native species, which will enhance local ecology and hydrology. Non-timber forest products (NTFP) provide livelihood to the dependent forest population. Involvement of local people in forest activities – nursery development, afforestation, extraction of NTFP will also help in the forest conservation while providing employment to local rural youth.
4. The grazing lands should be demarcated for each village and maintainace should be given to VFCs.
5. Minimising grazing in natural forests would help in the regeneration and make natural cover out of disturbances.
6. Establishment of seed production areas; clonal propagation of improved planting stock and use of better management practices. The use of bio-fertilizers and compost is being encouraged for their environment friendly characters.
7. Clear felling should not be permitted in the intact primeval forests. Selective logging may be allowed by demarking the productive zones followed by reforestation. This approach helps in preserving the structure of an ecosystem with functional aspects and biodiversity.
8. Capacity building of local community in the conservation and management of forests. Local communities and local foresters joint management would help in curtailing illegal logging and encroachments.
9. Wildlife conservation and habitat improvement with eco-development activities in and around Protected Area is to be taken up.
10. The protection phase needs more attention and should be made more effective to avoid any damage to the existing plantation.
11. E-versions of forest boundaries in handheld devices (mobile) of forest guards would help in the effective protection.
12.  Availability of geo-referenced forest boundaries of the defined jurisdictions on internet would also help NGO’s taking prime role in the forest conservation, which would help in minimizing violations by vested individuals.
13. Management of forests through scientific research findings will strengthen conservation efforts. Operational protection and comprehensive implementation as per the site specific plan (especially with reference to selection of site and nature of species) will ensure increased survival percentage and improvement in the condition of plantations.
14. Conservation of forest eco-systems and the environment of ecologically fragile zones with special emphasis on estuarine and the undulating lateritic tract of the coast should be taken up as early as possible. Socio-economic development of forest fringe population in for conservation of forest through available plans. The training should be given through VFCs on collection of NTFP (Non-timber Forest Products), application of bio-fertilizers. Employment generation for the disadvantaged section of the society, particularly women, SCs/STs and land less rural labors by implementation of Joint Forest Management of the forest patches.