AND DYNAMICS OF

PRIVATE FORESTS IN

SAHYADRI-KOKAN

CORRIDOR IN

SOUTHERN

MAHARASHTRA

Principal Investigator: Jayant Kulkarni

Field Biologist: Chintamani Kamble

Wildlife Research and Conservation Society

Background

• W. Ghats a high biodiversity region

• The forest area is fragmented

• There is large area under private forest

• Conservation of private forest is important for

maintaining connectivity, preventing land

degradation and conservation of biodiversity

• Aim of the project is “Conservation of Private

Forests in Sahyadri-Kokan Corridor”

The Study Area

CEPF Strategic Directions and

Investment Priorities

Aligns with Strategic Direction 1: Enable action

by diverse communities to ensure conservation

of key biodiversity areas and enhance corridor

connectivity

Falls under Investment Priority 1.2: Promote

partnerships to identify, evaluate, and advocate

for suitable mechanisms that incorporate critical

links (biological corridors) into the protected

area network in the Sahyadri-Kokan Corridor

Objectives

Extent and distribution of private forest

Dynamics of land use on private forest

Mapping of private forest, identification of

critical links/corridors for conservation of

private forests

Develop mechanisms and technology for

conservation of private forests

Identify future partners for conservation of

private forests

What is Private Forest?

• Non-cultivable land

• Private forest was acquired under Maharashtra

Private Forest Acquisition Act in 1975

• Amended in 1978 - Area in excess of 12 ha

was retained with Forest Dept. and rest was

returned

• In Godavarman Case of 1996 Supreme Court

gave directions to Government to identify

private forest

• Private forests have been identified by the

Govt. but several discrepancies

1: Extent and Distribution

District-wise Area (sq.km.)

District Geog.

Area

Pvt.

Forest aNon-

cultivable

Land b

Govt.

Forest c

Satara 10480 58 1380 1320

Sangli 8572 20 607 428

Kolhapur 7685 15 736 1329

Ratnagiri 8208 NA 2302 62

Sindhudurg 5207 86 1277 555

Total 40152 179 6302 3694

Source:

a, c - Forest Department

b - 2001 Census of India

d - Forest Survey of India, 2003. Includes Govt. and Pvt. Forest

2: Dynamics of Land Use

Methodology

Questionnaire Survey of land owners and

Actual assessment of non-cultivable land

All talukas in Western Ghats in 5 districts

Talukas: 23

Villages: 89

Land owners: 239

Results: Social Information

Most shareholders reside in Mumbai with one

shareholder looking after the land

There is shortage of manpower due to

outmigration

In many areas people are eager to sell land to

businessmen

There is high pressure of tourism development

in some areas

Results: Use of Non-cultivable

Land

Earlier main land use was shifting cultivation

but discontinued 10 to 30 years ago because

of shortage of manpower

Mainly used for regular clear felling and sold

for firewood

Felling carried out by contractor

Felling cycle typically 7 to 12 years

Other uses: firewood, brushwood for raab,

pasture, shifting cultivation.

Results: Land use details

Results: Land Use Changes

Dandeli Paper Mill is leasing land on a large

scale for eucalyptus plantations in Kolhapur

Businessmen from Kerala are purchasing

large tracts of land for conversion to rubber

and pineapple plantations

People are opting for Cashew and Mango

cultivation promoted by Horticulture

Department

Social Forestry Dept is promoting Acacia

plantations

People are selling large areas of private land

for windmills in crest-line zone of Western

Results: Field Assessment

Non-cultivable land was mostly on hillside

Almost all the lands showed erosion and land

degradation

Few owners were aware of erosion and its

impact on soil quality

Clear-felling was common land use but no

post-felling care and management

Results: Type of vegetation

VEGETATION TYPES

LAND USE PRACTICES

LAND USE CHANGES

Results: Potential for

Conservation

Many land owners in Satara, Sangli and

Kolhapur expressed interest in plantation

projects

Monetary benefit was the prime concern

In Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg their decision

depended a lot on opinion of other

shareholders and villagers

Main inputs required were technical guidance,

training, low cost seedlings and financial

support

Problems for Conservation

Action

People have been fooled in the past by

promoters of agro-forestry schemes (Jatropha

etc.)

Land is being purchased by businessmen from

Mumbai on a large scale in Ratnagiri and

Satara Districts

Shortage of manpower in villages because of

outmigration

Multiple shareholders makes decision-making

difficult

3: Mapping of Private Forests

Methodology

Reserved forest boundaries have been

obtained from Forest Department and are

being digitised and mapped

A GIS consultant, Mr. Shashank Srinivasan,

has been engaged for mapping private forests

Mapping of private forests is being carried out

using Landsat imagery

Analysis will reveal extent of private forest and

area under different vegetation categories in

each District

Identification of Critical Link

The Koyna-Chandoli Corridor is identified as a

critical link

Located in buffer zone of Sahyadri Tiger

Reserve

22 Villages in corridor zone with some area

under good quality private forests

The area is being mapped & studied in detail

for formulation of a project for conservation of

private forests

Koyna-Chandoli Corridor Area

Koyna Sanctuary

Chandoli NP

Boundaries of Corridor

4: Development of Mechanism

for Conservation of Private

Forests

Proposed Mechanism

Reduction of pressures of Raab by education

on alternative farming practices

Development of production models that are

sustainable and profitable

REDD+ mechanism is being considered for

incentives under CDM (need more

information)

Proposed Components of

Sustainable Forestry Models

NTFP, Bee keeping, medicinal plants,

bamboo, Native fruit trees, timber, cane,

firewood

Assessment of plant resources was carried out

in Koyna-Chandoli Corridor

302 plant species (70 with economic value)

Data is being studied for possible sustainable

models

Selection forestry system rather than clear-

felling

Post felling operations (singling, tending,

thinning)

Further Work

Future Direction of Work

• Implementation of project in Koyna-Chandoli

Corridor

• Development of sustainable forestry models

• Liaison with Government for promoting

sustainable forestry and relaxing regulations

(Lok Vaniki Scheme of MP is a possible

model)

• Involve local NGOs and contractors

• Explore various types of financial incentives

Future Partners

• Land owners

• Local timber contractors

• Social Forestry Department

• Forest Department

• State Government

• Dapoli Agricultural University, Organic farmers

• NGOs working with local people in Chandoli-

Koyna Corridor

Acknowledgements

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

ATREE

Dr. Bhaskar Acharya

Ms. Amrita Tripathi