Blending development with Nature
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The Tamil Nadu Government is now embarking on buying/acquiring patta lands along the reserve forests so as to link the missing chain of migratory corridors, writes M. SOUNDARIYA PREETHA
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With Nature: Development works in the areas adjoining the forests should blend with the natural environment.
The Anaimalai, Palani and the Nilgiris hills, Anaimudi and Dhodabetta peaks, the Palghat Pass, steep hills, rugged terrain, undulating plateaus on the hills and, the hills ending abruptly leading to the plains – that’s the Western Ghats and it traverses through Coimbatore district.
As the city (Coimbatore) grows and demand for land increases, it is essential to know the hills better and plan development so that the natural environment around is not affected.
Several of the reserve forests on the ghats were notified during the British rule. These are designated forest areas known as protected areas and hence, any developmental activity is according to the prescribed guidelines. In fact, to regulate the growth around forest areas especially, along the hilly terrain, there is a Hill Area Conservation Authority (HACA) in every district. It regulates constructions in the fringe areas of the forest.
The sanction for construction is given by HACA only after carefully examining factors such as scope for man-animal conflict and obstructions in migratory corridor of wildlife especially pachyderms.
The Tamil Nadu Government is now embarking on buying/acquiring patta lands along the reserve forests so as to link the missing chain of migratory corridors.
In the level terrains, agriculture is taken up and there is a clear demarcation from the forest area.
Even agriculture in patta lands outside the forests needs to be guided and restricted for preventing man-animal conflict.
Time and again, Forest Department has been appealing to the farming community to change the cropping pattern especially, in the fringe areas of the forest.
There is a thrust in the campaign to avoid crops such as maize, sugarcane, plantain that will lure the pachyderms while they migrate in search of food and water.
There are a lot of development activities now on the revenue lands that are not designated as forest but definitely have an impact on the abutting jungles.
T.R. Shankar Raman of Nature Conservation Foundation told The Hindu Property Plus that the State Government can join hands with non-Governmental organisations and take the initiative to have eco-sensitive zones near the forests.
The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests declares the identified area as eco-sensitive (roughly 10 km radius adjoining the forest area) and development in these areas should have environment-friendly structures, zero waste disposal and captive power generation.
He also suggests that in the areas near the forest, resorts and individual farms can raise native species rather than ornamental plants. For instance, if the area has ground water shortage then eucalyptus should not be cultivated.
These will help protect the nearby forests.
Similarly, waste disposal requires special attention. Dumping of waste near the forest area can attract animals, leading to man-animal conflicts. Waste generation in these areas should be minimal. Measures such as composting and waste management should be taken up.
Private farms, residences and resorts coming up in the nearby places should go in for water harvesting and tapping ground water should be minimal. The waste water should not be let out into the streams directly and appropriate use of water is important.
Marking the boundaries of private lands near the hills with walls or fencing can block the water sources and free animal movement and these should be avoided, he suggests.
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