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Kerala Wildlife
Kerala Wildlife
The humid tropical climate in the wet evergreen rainforests and semi evergreen forests in the east results in biodiversified land in Kerala, India. Generally, the most wildlife remains concentrated in the east of Kerala. Kerala natural forests are spreaded over an area of 9400 km2 . These forests covers 24% of Kerala state. There are numerous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks which provide home to diverse species of birds & animals. Kerala wildlife is an attraction to tourists. One can visit wildlife reserves to know about the wild side of Kerala. Number of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of Kerala are listed below. Click the links to know more about Kerala Wildlife.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the southeast corner of the western ghats. It is spread over over an area of 128 km2 (49.4 sq mi). It was declared as a sanctuary in 1958. but the conservation of wildlife started after 1985 when a separate wildlife wing was setup. Agasthyamalai peak at an elevation of 1868 m is an important landmark.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS)
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated 18 km north of Marayoor on SH 17 in the Idukki District of Kerala in South India. It is adjacent to Eravikulam National Park to the south, Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the east. It is an integral part of the protected forests near Kerala.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the protected area in Chittur taluk in Palakkad district of Kerala state. This 285 km2 sanctuary is established in 1973, situated between the Anamalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills in the Sungam range of Hills.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is 16 km east of Sultan Battery in Wayanad District of Kerala. It is spread over an area of 344 km2 . This sanctuary is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. One can see wild animals such as Indian Bison, elephant, deer and tiger and a few wild birds.
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR)
Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve (ABR) bestrides the border of Kollam and Thiruvanathapuram districts in Kerala and Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts in Tamil Nadu, south of western ghats.
Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park is located adjacent to the western ghats in the Idukki district of Kerala. It has spread over an area of 97 km2 . This national park has a elevation of about 2000 m. Anamudi, the highest peak in India, is inside this park.
Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary
Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Mukundapuram Taluk in Thrissur district of Kerala State. It is spread over an area of 100 km2 on the western slopes of Nelliyampathi Hills.
Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai National Park, now known as Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, is located on the northwest of the Nilgiri Hills in Nilgiri district. It is approximately 80 km north west of Coimbatore in the west of Tamil Nadu on the interstate boundaries of Karnataka and Kerala. It is a significant wildlife conservation national park in India.
Anamudi Shola National Park
Anamudi Shola National Park is located along the western ghats in Idukki district of Kerala state. It is spread over an area of 7.5km2 .The elevation ranges from 2,152 m-2,305m. Anamudi Shola National Park is very high rainfall area.
Pambadum Shola National Park
Pambadum Shola National Park is located near Marayoor village in Devikulam taluk at Idukki district in Kerala state. Having an area of 1.32 km2 , Pambadum Shola National Park is declared as protected area in 2003. Its altitude ranges from 1,886-2,531m.
Kurinjimala Sanctaury
Kurinjimala Sanctuary is protecting the endangered Neelakurinji Plant in Kttakamboor and Vattavada villages in Devikulam Taluk in Idukki district of Kerala. It is spread over an area of 32 km2 . It is declared Sanctuary by Kerala Forest Minister Benoy Vishwam on October 7, 2006.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is located on Thiruvanathapuram – Ponmudi Road, 50 km northwestern side of Thiruvanathapuram. Earlier, It was the opart of the Paruthippally range of the Thiruvanathapuram Territorial Division. It was declared a sanctuary in 1983. It is located on the Hilly area and its elevation varies from 100m – 1,717m.
Kerala Forestry and wildlife
A. General Forestry
The area under forest in Kerala increased marginally during 1988-89,
over the previous year from 1,22,520 ha. to 1,122,685.33 Ha. (0.02%).
This includes reserve forests (81.49%) vested forests (16.85%) and area
proposed for reserve forests (0.26%). The area under forest accounts for
around 24 per cent of the total geographical area of the state.
The area under forest plantation marked a decrease from 155337.1 ha. in
1987-88 to 154,101.3 ha. in 1988-89 (0.79%). Among the species covered
under man made forests teak, eucalyptus and softwood constitute the
major items accounting for about 51.13%, 20.83%, 20.83% and 3.83 per
cent respectively.
Kerala forests are considered to be a repository of a variety of very
valuable forest resources. They include timber (Round log, Round poles,
and swan and squard), firewood, charcoal, bamboo, jungle wood poles,
reeds, honey and sandalwood. The total ban on tree felling imposed by
government continued during 1989 also.
The net revenue earnings from foresty sector amounted to Rs. 3374.43
lakh during 1988-89 as against Rs. 3,999.73 lakh during 1987-88 which
marked a decrease of Rs. (-)625.30 lakh (15.63%). The revenue earnings
from foresty sector include sale proceeds of forest produce and other
receipts like interest on forest revenue.
B. Social Forestery
Under the World Bank aided Kerala Social Forestry Project, 155.50 lakh
seedlings were produced during 1988-89. The achievements under other
components of the project during the year 1988-89 include raising of
large block plantations in 2,870.61 ha. of government lands and small
block plantations were also raised in 124.60 hat against the target of
500 ha. set for tribal fuel wood plantations. In the case of tribal
medicinal plantations the achievement is 90 ha. which has far exceeded
the target of 25 ha. In addition to raising of plantation and
distribution of seedlings, civil works such as construction of 82 office
buildings were also undertaken as part of the project and 132 staff
quarters. 217 vehicles of different types were also purchased during
1988-89. Under the Rural Fuel wood scheme the expenditure was only Rs.
48.67 lakh against the provision of Rs. 60.00 lakh.
C. Wildlife Development
The two National Parks and 12 Wildlife Sanctuaries in the state cover an
area of 2249.72 sq.kms. which forms about 24 per cent of the total
forest area (5.78% of the geographical area). The development activities
undertaken in the Wildlife Sanctuaries include survey demarcation and
consolidation of boundaries, improvement habitats and communication
system's construction of buildings for office, quarters, roads, fire
protection works, etc. During 1988-89 fire protection activities were
organised covering 1,192 kms. communication system could be established
in 25 Boundary Survey Centres, boundary survey works completed over a
distance of 45 kms., 454 no. of permanent cairns erected, construction
of roads and treck paths completed in over 126.8 kms, 8 watch towers
established and power fences were formed over a distance of 30 kms.
Construction of buildings/quarters/sheds (156 Nos.) and afforestation
works in 17 ha. of forest land were the other major activities taken up
in the Wildlife Division of the Forest Department.
The total expenditure for various development activities in the Wildlife
Wing during the year 1988-89 amounted to Rs.109.88 lakh.
The Kerala Forest Development Corporation with an authorised share
capital of Rs.10.00 crore, was set up (in 1975) to raise new Pulp wood
plantations and for takig over 15,400 ha, of plantations raised by the
Forest Department and managing them. The projects so far taken up by the
KFDC include Pulpowood project, Grass land Project, Softwood (matchwood)
Project and four cardamom projects viz. Pachakkanam, Mankulam, Nelliampa-thy
and Kanni Elam Project.
Forest Research Institute
The Forest Research Institute established in 1975 carries out advanced
studies and research in forestry and related subjects. Research
Programmes of the institute aim at developing technology for increasing
the productivity of plantations, proper managemnt of natural forests and
efficient utilisation of the available, timber. During the year 1988-89,
the Institute completed five projects and there are 53 ongoing projects.
The project completed include the study of afforestation techniques in
grasslands of Kerala, movement pattern of asiatic elephants in
Parambikulam. Wildlife Sanctuary, foliar analysis in Eucalypts to assess
soil test methods for nitrogen, phosphorus and pottassium ecology and
behaviour of Malabar giant squirrel and habitat utilisation by large
mammals in teak plantations and natural forests. During the year 1989,
six new projects are also initiated. The institute renders expert
service to the Forest Department to tackle disease problems, soil
studies etc. consultancy services are also provided to wood using
industries on preservative treatment and utilisation of rubber wood etc.
A bamboo Information Centre has been established at KFRI with the
support of IDRC, Canada. The Institute is carrying out developmental
programmes by availing assistance from State Government, Government of
India and other National and Inter-National Organisations. Since its
inception, the Institute has received a total amount of Rs. 687.30 lakhs
from different agencies.
Agricultural Research
Kerala Agricultural University, Central Plantation Crops Research
Institute, Central Tuber Crops Research Institute and National Research
Centre for Spices are the important agencies, engaged in agricultural
research in the state. The University undertakes fundamental, applied
and adaptive research of economic agro-livestock-fisheries farming
systems of Kerala. The university has five rig-ional agricultural
research stations with specific lead functios in different agro-climatic
zones to conduct location specific, production-oriented Research under
the National Agricultural research Project. In addition, two centres in
the Faculty of Agriculture and three in the Faculty of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences are engaged in advance studies. There are twenty three
research stations attached to the regional agricultural research
stations. All India Co-ordinated Research Project Centre on Agricultural
Drainage at Karumadi in Alleppey District conducts studies on drainage
under actual farming situations. Three Krishi Vinjyan Kendras
functioning under the University impart short training courses for
farmers, farm youths and farm women to develop skills in agricultural
practices. The activities in the Tribal Area Research Centre at Amboori
in Trivandrum district financed by ICAR are aimed at enhancing the net
income of the 'Kanikkar' tribal families. The University is currently
implementing 33 externally aided projects. The important research
highlights of the University are given below.
Four advanced cultures of rice namely Pattambi, Red Triveni, Culture
1727 and BR-51-315-4 and Mon-compu 153-1 were recommended for release.
In sugercane one selection (COIL-88322), in Bhindi one selection AEI and
in pepper, two selections Cul-141 and Cul-331 were also recommended for
release. In cashew seven bybrids were identified as promising with
regard to yield, nut size, shelling percentage and kernel grade. In
pumpkin selection CM-14 was identified for national release in the Ninth
workship of All India Co-ordinated Vegetable Improvement Project. A new
culture of Amaranthius (culture-8) was recommended for large scale
cultivation in Trivandrum-Quilon districts.
Studies in paddy crop management in Kari lands proved the effectiveness
of tile drainage system by giving an increased yield of 60 per cent. The
programme has established the re-chemical feasibility and financial
viability of the system.
Fish culture in rice fields after the Khariff crop of rice in Kuttanad
was found more profitable than a second crop of rice. In a cropping
system trial at Rice Research station, Vyttila it was found that
selecting stoking of prawn after rice gives better return than the
traditional prawn filuation.
A suitable strain of poultry adopted to the agroclimatic conditions of
Kerala has been evolved. It was also found that the cross of Australap
male and white Leghorn female is superior in egg production under low
and medium technology farming situation.
Central Plantation Crops Research Institute
The CPCRI conducts and coordinate research on coconut, oil plam,
arecanut, coconut and also on small holder plantation crops based
farming systems.
Central Tuber crops Research Institute
Two sweet potato hybrids namely X 108-2 and X 108-1 recorded
significantly higher yield (18.5 and 17.5 tonnes/ha respectively).
Two high yielding cloves of di-oscorea De 53 and De 55 were identified
in multi-location trials.
A high yiedling colacasia line C. 189 was identified.
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