Research Article | Published: 20 March 2019

An Integrated Approach for Identifying and Prioritizing Potential Areas as Conservation Reserves in the Western Ghats, India

Puthiya Veedu Karunakaran, Chrips Nesayyan Rachelpushpam, Vinod Thrikovilpadickal Raghavakurup and Babu Ambat

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 42 | Issue: 1 | Page No. 71-82 | 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2019-11K9Z0 | Cite this article

Abstract

We studied the Agasthyamalai region of the Western Ghats to identify and prioritize potential areas to declare as Conservation Reserves using biological and social values in the southern Western Ghats. In this two phase study, throughthe desktop analysis (ERDAS Imagine, IRS-LISS4 data) identified four major forest patches  viz., Kallar (24.05 km2), Ponmudi (57.17 km2), Chankili (119.64 km2) and Achancovil (7.55 km2) under the Palode and Kulathupuzha Forest Ranges of Thiruvananthapuram Forest Division (FD) and Achancovil Range of Achancovil FD. Second phase aggregated data pertaining to above four patches on presence of  climax type of forests, biological wealth indicated by species richness, presence of endemic and critical species of plants and animals (vertebrate species excluding mammals) and indigenous peoples’ reliance on natural resources like water and NTFP. An overlay analysis using Arc GIS 9.1, the thematic layers have been created and subsequently integrated to infer the hierarchy within the four patches. The highest weighted average conservation value (=117.5) was scored by Ponmudi, followed by (=100) Chankili and (=90) Achancovil, where as lowest score of 67.5 attributed to Kallar patch. Highest dependency value of 40 was attributed to Achancovil, followed by Ponmudi and Chankili equally scored (=35), while the Kallar scored only 25. Based on sum of conservation and dependency values, Ponmudi patch stands out with highest priority (=152.5) in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, and others trail behind respectively.

Keywords

Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Conservation Reserve, Prioritization, Kulathupuzha

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How to cite

Karunakaran, P.V., Rachelpushpam, C.N., Raghavakurup, V.T. and Ambat, B., 2019. An Integrated Approach for Identifying and Prioritizing Potential Areas as Conservation Reserves in the Western Ghats, India. Indian Journal of Forestry, 42(1), pp.71-82. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2019-11K9Z0

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 20 March 2019

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