Habitat Management in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and the Elephant Reserves of South India

• Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and Adjoining Forests-total area is 12,587 sq kms
• Elephant Population Approximately 10,000

PREAMBLE

During the past decade there has been a sharp escalation in incidents and frequency of Human Animal Conflict, involving Elephants, Bears, Gaur, Leopards and Tigers in South India. Let us look primarily at Human Elephant Conflict [HEC] since this has been a cause of huge concern. While most discussions are around management of the species, i.e trans-location, setting up barriers, and population management, this paper does not attempt to make a case against species management. However, it is for consideration that in the cacophony of discussions, debates and opinions on species management, we have lost sight of the fact that the elephant is in many ways acting as a messenger telling us that there are serious problems in the habitat.

The habitat in South India is in essence the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve [NBR] and adjoining Elephant Reserves spanning over 12000 sq km in the three states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The elephant reserves are namely the Mysore Elephant Reserve, Wayanad Elephant Reserve and the Nilgiris Elephant Reserve. This is perhaps one of the largest network of Elephant habitat in South Asia. It is also home to the largest population of wild Asian Elephants with an estimated number of about 10000 elephants. The degradation of habitat is due to several reasons including teak monoculture, proliferation of invasive species, forest fires, and loss of forest cover due to development projects. Over the years, the problem has only increased because the basic concept has been to ‘Shoot the Messenger’ rather than to heed the message.

On the other hand, if we fail to act and if there is continued degradation of this forest landscape, wildlife species will increasingly fall prey to inbreeding and genetic disorders that will degrade the species within a few generations. This in turn will again contribute to forest degradation. Isolated interventions in scattered pockets will not yield long term results and therefore we must look at the entire landscape covering the elephant range in South India.

PROPOSAL FOR HABITAT MANAGEMENT IN THE NILGIRIS BIOSPHERE RESERVE AND  THE ELEPHANT RESERVES OF SOUTH INDIA

Introduction

The Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve [NBR] and adjoining forest areas of over 12000sq kms across the three states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu India is one of the largest networks of Elephant Habitat in South Asia. Apart from immense value as a prime habitat for wildlife it also provides vital hydrological services to South India in terms of Watersheds and Catchment areas. Moreover, this forest landscape should also be viewed as a vitally important component in providing resilience to the impending effects of climate change in this region of South India, which is home to several million people.

Against this background, it is a matter of serious concern that the sharp escalation of Human-   Animal Conflict and especially Human-Elephant conflict in areas adjoining the NBR and the Elephant Reserves in South India indicates high levels of habitat degradation in this vitally important network of PAs and Reserve forests. A ‘business as usual’ attitude will lead to serious consequences in the coming decades. It is therefore extremely important to come to grips with the problems and challenges in Habitat Management in the NBR.

Major Problems and Challenges in the NBR and adjoining elephant reserves can be summarized as below under Forest Degradation and Disruption of Elephant corridors and Migration routes

A.Forest Degradation 

(a) Teak Monoculture vast portions of the NBR and adjoining area are under
teak monoculture which have changed the original forest regime and adversely
affected the microclimate. Teak also deprives fodder for elephants though
elephants have now been compelled to feed on Teak bark. Teak restricts
natural regeneration of other indigenous tree species. There is a need to
phase out teak monoculture and this should to be permitted in PAs in the
NBR.

(b) Invasive Weeds- Massive proliferation of invasive weed species such as
Senna Spectabilis, Lantana Camera and Eupatorium are principal causes of
forest degradation resulting in a stifling of indigenous tree and plant species
and restricts the fodder available for elephants and other wildlife species.
Successful methodologies should be adopted for eradication of invasive species
and adequate funds should be allocated for this purpose.

(c) Forest Fires- Large scale forest fires occur frequently in the dry season
and destroy large areas of forests. Forest fires also encourage the proliferation
of invasive weed species. There is a need to establish a proper integrated
system for prevention and tackling forest fires. Available expertise could
also be taken from other countries such as Canada where the Canadian
Forest Service provides training in setting up early warning systems.
Technological systems such as the Fire Detection Robot introduced by other
countries could also be developed in India would also be very useful.

(d) Employment of Ecological Territorial Army Units: These units are formed
with a core staff of serving personnel and the bulk of the manpower is from
able bodied retired army personnel. There are about 8 such units in different
states of India and they have done excellent work in forest land restoration.
These could also be deployed in the South Indian states for forest land
restoration as well as for prevention of forest fires

(e) Grazing pressures- Grazing pressures by livestock prevents natural forest
rejuvenation and is a potential threat to herbivores through spread of diseases
such as foot and mouth,  that could wipe out entire herds of wildlife. The
local communities need to be provided alternative grazing areas and training
and capacity building for stall fed cattle and Diary Cooperatives. There is
also scope for cultivation of millets etc in fallow paddy lands for use as cattle
fodder. The project by Anna Hazare Model in the Ahmednagar region of
Maharashtra is an excellent success story in stall fed cattle and diary
cooperatives for rural areas.

B.Disruption of Elephant corridors and Migration routes

It is important to understand that when we improve the migration corridors and quality habitat in the Nilgiris Biosphere reserve, and the Elephant Reserves, it will benefit all forms of wildlife, improve water sheds & catchment areas and provide the region with greater resilience from the effects of climate change. Fragmentation of habitat and disruption of elephant corridors and migration routes    will have severe and irreversible damage to genetic health of all forms of wildlife and will in turn contribute to degradation of habitat. The major causes of disruption of corridors and migration routes are:

(a) Forest Land encroachment 

Improper implementation of the Forest Dwellers Act has resulted in large settlements springing in forest areas, blocking elephant movement and forcing the elephants to move outside the forests. Critical migration routes have also been cut off due to projects such as the Kabini Dam. While it is a politically sensitive issue, this trend must be checked before the situation crosses the point of no return. The improper implementation of the Forest Dwellers Act is also a major problem.

(b) Linear intrusions and development projects

Large swathes of forests are lost due to Forest Conversion for linear projects. The issue of forest land diversion in critical wildlife habitat for roads, railways lines and power lines has led to further degradation and blocking of elephant corridors. The background paper for the National Board for Wildlife on ‘Framing ecologically sound policy on linear intrusions affecting wildlife habitats’ prepared by the Nature Conservation Foundation in Jan 2011 needs to be ratified. It would be extremely important to understand that while taking steps for improving the habitat, further degradation of the habitat by means of linear development projects and dams etc that require further diversion of these forest areas should be avoided.

C.Blocking of Migration routes

Migration routes have been blocked due to projects such as the Kabini Dam. There is a need to analyze the feasibility of restoring these routes at least partially through engineered structures. For example, over four hundred overhead wildlife crossing places have been built across a highway in the Netherlands.

D.Campa Funds

There is a need to stop Campa funds being used for any monoculture plantations.  On the other hand, Campa funds should be utilized for conserving and promoting biodiversity.

E.Tourism 

Excessive tourist pressure in protected areas cause disturbance to wildlife and drive elephants out of forest areas. This is another cause of HEC. Movement of tourists in PAs must be regulated to the extent possible.

F.Elephant population

There is one aspect regarding elephant population that needs consideration. While some experts state that there is no major increase in the overall population of elephants, there is also a growing perception that the population of elephants in this region has increased considerably over the past few decades. There have been some suggestions regarding sterilization of female elephants, but the practicability of such measures will need to be validated. There is a growing demand and acceptance to the idea of culling of elephants on the grounds that the populations have increased beyond the carrying capacity of the habitat. This needs to be validated. Perhaps the reduction of forest cover has increased the density of elephants coming into areas outside the forests thus creating an impression of increase in population.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

A project proposal has to be prepared for addressing all the issues as mentioned above. There must be a time bound program for:

(a) Preparing the proposal and obtaining funding and other resources

(b) Capacity Building

(c) Project implementation

After the Capacity Building phase, the project implementation phase should be completed in five years. The Forest Restoration program will need to continue over a longer period. This could be reviewed during the third year of the implementation phase.

PROJECT PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS

The project for management of the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve and the three elephant reserves will require the collaboration at the global, state and regional levels.

(1) Global level- Global Partnership for Forest Land Restoration, Bonn Challenge, Forest Land Restoration such as RECOFTC [Thailand], National/ Central level Project partners and stake holders including MOEF India, WTI, WWF, IUCN India, IUCN Commission for Protected Areas Wildlife Institute of India,

(2) State level- Centre for Ecological Sciences [IISC Bangalore], IUCN India, Forest Departments of Karnataka, Kerala & Tamil Nadu. Perhaps WWF, could set up a coordination centre at a suitable location.

(3) Regional level – Coorg Wildlife Society, College of Forestry Ponampet, Environment and Health Foundation, Kodagu Model Forest, Forest First Samithi etc.,

Conclusion

It is obvious that urgent and collaborative action is required to implement measures to restore and preserve the NBR and adjoining Elephant Reserves. Procrastination will only increase the degree of difficulty. On the other hand, a coordinated effort by all concerned agencies offers hope for the future of this precious forest landscape. The success of this program will also serve as a model for other degraded forest areas both in India and other regions of the world.

 By: Col CP Muthanna