Vegetation can flourish in Tamhini, finds study
Manjula Nair | TNN | Updated: Mar 11, 2019, 13:03 IST
Picture used for representational purpose onlyPUNE: Satellite imagery mapping of the Tamhini and Sudhagad sanctuaries, considered the fifth wettest region in India, showed that they have the highest photosynthetic capacity in Maharashtra.
“This tendency leads to more vegetation,” said Ameya Gode, one of the experts from the panel that conducted the study.
The mapping process was carried out by the forest department with the help from the panel from April to December last. “Tamhini and Sudhagad were declared as sanctuaries recently. The project was launched as the chief conservator of forests wanted a complete actionable map for management and conservation,” said Gode.
Gode is an expert in Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing.“Tamhini and Sudhagad are close to each other and displayed similar properties. There is an enhanced vegetation index, which tells you the photosynthetic capacity of the plants. Once we compared it to tiger reserves and other similar forest areas, we noticed that the photosynthetic capacity in the region is the highest in the state throughout the year,” he said.
The study also revealed that, of the total 260 sqkm area of the sanctuaries, 7 sqkm (700 hectares) is vulnerable to degradation. “The degradation has triggered a decline in the number of endemic species,” Gode said.
He said one of the key reasons behind the degradation was a spurt in tourism over the past few months. “The lack of rains over a course of time has added to the problems. The region has degraded from the level it was before. Pristine forests, where original indigenous species were preserved, are now getting replaced by newer species and that is a reason for concern,” Gode added.
The forest department is currently in the process of compiling the final list of new endemic species that were discovered through the process. “The expert panel found some endemic species of flora. But much of it is on the decline due to various reasons including diminishing ground,” said Vivek Khandekar, the chief conservator of forests (CCF), Pune circle.
“This tendency leads to more vegetation,” said Ameya Gode, one of the experts from the panel that conducted the study.
The mapping process was carried out by the forest department with the help from the panel from April to December last. “Tamhini and Sudhagad were declared as sanctuaries recently. The project was launched as the chief conservator of forests wanted a complete actionable map for management and conservation,” said Gode.
Gode is an expert in Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing.“Tamhini and Sudhagad are close to each other and displayed similar properties. There is an enhanced vegetation index, which tells you the photosynthetic capacity of the plants. Once we compared it to tiger reserves and other similar forest areas, we noticed that the photosynthetic capacity in the region is the highest in the state throughout the year,” he said.
The study also revealed that, of the total 260 sqkm area of the sanctuaries, 7 sqkm (700 hectares) is vulnerable to degradation. “The degradation has triggered a decline in the number of endemic species,” Gode said.
He said one of the key reasons behind the degradation was a spurt in tourism over the past few months. “The lack of rains over a course of time has added to the problems. The region has degraded from the level it was before. Pristine forests, where original indigenous species were preserved, are now getting replaced by newer species and that is a reason for concern,” Gode added.
The forest department is currently in the process of compiling the final list of new endemic species that were discovered through the process. “The expert panel found some endemic species of flora. But much of it is on the decline due to various reasons including diminishing ground,” said Vivek Khandekar, the chief conservator of forests (CCF), Pune circle.
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