Conservationist moves NBA to change the trekking trail of fragile ecosystem
Ravi Hegde, a zoologist and basic science researcher, has now submitted a detailed plea to the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and urged the authorities to direct the Karnataka State Forest Department to constitute an expert committee to decide on specific trek routes related to the Great Canara Trails trekking project.
“Many experts with different research expertise have studied extensively the intricate ecosystems of Kathlekan and Malemane swamp forests. Eminent scientists like Dr. M. D. Subash Chandran (IISc-Kumta Research Station), Dr. T. V. Ramachandra (IISc, Bangalore), Dr. R. Vasudeva (UAS, Sirsi), Dr. K. V. Gururaja (IISc, Bangalore), and Dr. Aravind Madhyastha (ATREE, Bangalore) have worked extensively in recent years on Myristica Swamp forest fauna and flora of Kathlekan. While deciding the trekking routes through rarest of the rare forest patches of Kathlekan, which includes Myristica Swamp Forest Systems, the authorities did not consult experts who have been working in the area. Forest authorities have to compulsorily seek expert opinion from the panel of scientists who have been working in the area before finalizing the trekking route through Kathlekan. It is essential to preserve this precious heritage for future generations. Rarest of the rare forests of Kathlekan belong to the world, not only to us,” Ravi said.
In his recently submitted plea to Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Ravi demanded that the myristica swamp forest systems of Kathlekan and Malemane be spared from the proposed Great Canara Trails, being launched by the Forest Department of Karnataka in November 2015. He also requested the minister to relook at the approved Great Canara Trek Trail and incorporate appropriate changes after a review by competent ecologists.
Hegde said the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change as well as the Ministry of Tourism had recently written to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Karnataka, to take an appropriate decision immediately on the detailed scientific plea submitted by him. He even met B Ramanath Rai, Minister of Forests, Ecology and Environment and explained the devastating effects the trekking project can cause on the Myristica Swamp forest systems of Kathlekan. He said the state authorities were yet to take any decision on his plea and he was forced to move the NBA in this regard. “It is sad that the state authorities are delaying a decision on this. It is very important to understand that this precious forest system belongs to the entire world, not only to us. It is our moral and ethical responsibility to protect it for future generations. We do not have any rights to destroy it,” he said.
The very ancient Gondwana relic rain forests of Uttara Kannada district, especially the Kathlekan forest in Malemane ghat region, harbour the rarest of rare fauna like endangered lion tailed macaques, kumbara frog, fresh water molluscan species, and many more. Myristica Swamps have high watershed value and since time immemorial, have been harbouring many endangered plant and animal species that depend exclusively on these swamps for their survival, explained Ravi.
“Many experts with different research expertise have studied extensively the intricate ecosystems of Kathlekan and Malemane swamp forests. Eminent scientists like Dr. M. D. Subash Chandran (IISc-Kumta Research Station), Dr. T. V. Ramachandra (IISc, Bangalore), Dr. R. Vasudeva (UAS, Sirsi), Dr. K. V. Gururaja (IISc, Bangalore), and Dr. Aravind Madhyastha (ATREE, Bangalore) have worked extensively in recent years on Myristica Swamp forest fauna and flora of Kathlekan. While deciding the trekking routes through rarest of the rare forest patches of Kathlekan, which includes Myristica Swamp Forest Systems, the authorities did not consult experts who have been working in the area. Forest authorities have to compulsorily seek expert opinion from the panel of scientists who have been working in the area before finalizing the trekking route through Kathlekan. It is essential to preserve this precious heritage for future generations. Rarest of the rare forests of Kathlekan belong to the world, not only to us,” Ravi said.
In his recently submitted plea to Prakash Javadekar, Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Ravi demanded that the myristica swamp forest systems of Kathlekan and Malemane be spared from the proposed Great Canara Trails, being launched by the Forest Department of Karnataka in November 2015. He also requested the minister to relook at the approved Great Canara Trek Trail and incorporate appropriate changes after a review by competent ecologists.
‘State govt sleeping’
Hegde said the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change as well as the Ministry of Tourism had recently written to the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Karnataka, to take an appropriate decision immediately on the detailed scientific plea submitted by him. He even met B Ramanath Rai, Minister of Forests, Ecology and Environment and explained the devastating effects the trekking project can cause on the Myristica Swamp forest systems of Kathlekan. He said the state authorities were yet to take any decision on his plea and he was forced to move the NBA in this regard. “It is sad that the state authorities are delaying a decision on this. It is very important to understand that this precious forest system belongs to the entire world, not only to us. It is our moral and ethical responsibility to protect it for future generations. We do not have any rights to destroy it,” he said.
The very ancient Gondwana relic rain forests of Uttara Kannada district, especially the Kathlekan forest in Malemane ghat region, harbour the rarest of rare fauna like endangered lion tailed macaques, kumbara frog, fresh water molluscan species, and many more. Myristica Swamps have high watershed value and since time immemorial, have been harbouring many endangered plant and animal species that depend exclusively on these swamps for their survival, explained Ravi.
