Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Study yields not-so-exotic results

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The nature and biodiversity of forest areas in Kerala are under multiple pressure due to increase in population, habitat loss, exploitation of resources, pollution and introduction of exotic species of plants and animals, according to the 2007 report on the State of the Environment in Kerala.

The report published by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) states that the pressures could have serious repercussions on forest wealth.

The study came up with a set of indicators to monitor policies related to biodiversity.

The indicators include the status of flora and fauna, threatened species, area under forest cover, forest density, status of natural forests compared to plantations, compensatory afforestation programme, forest area under joint forest management, status of protected forest areas and the extent of mangrove ecosystem.

The report concludes that the forest area of the State is 9,400 sq. km, which works out to 24.12 per cent of the total geographic area. The per capita availability of forests in Kerala is estimated at 0.035 hectares.

The study notes that the general trend indicated deterioration of forest cover. It however notes that certain exotic plantation species like rubber and eucalyptus compensated the loss of natural forests and tree canopy coverage. There has been gradual increase in the tree cover outside the forest area.

The report says that the compensatory afforestation programme in Kerala has failed to achieve both financial and physical targets. Participatory forest management initiatives in the State like Vana Samrakshana Samithis and Eco Development Committees have not only resulted in better management of forests but also in improving the socio-economic conditions of forest-dependent communities.

The establishment of protected areas is another positive indicator. The report observes that the mangrove ecosystem in the State is facing severe depletion. There is also no attempt to protect and rehabilitate the degraded areas, because they are mostly in private holdings.

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