The Denuded Condition of the Minor Forest in Kanara Coastal Tract, its History and a Scheme for its Regeneration

Abstract

The strip of forest lying between the Kanara seaboard and the foot of the Western Ghauts or Sahyadris has been mostly constituted the minor forest and set apart for the exercise of the local privileges. The condition of the forest is much too deteriorated and the deniudation has a history three or four centuries old. Teak appears to have grown after the denudation, that is, when the plantsuccession was thrown back and conditions favourable to deciduous species were created. Yet the evolution of plant growth is there as permitted by the physiographic conditions and the way in which the progressive succes- sion is being established locally in the denuded areas is described. The local prejudices about teak have been set forth and the loss that may be caused to the nation on account of unreasonable restrictions on teak planting since imposed has been pointed out. As a means to restock the area, regeneration of junglewood species, mostly useful for fodder under Taungya System, has been suggested. Fire protection rather than controlled fires as also controlled grazing as may be permitted by the local conditions have been advocated, provided the Rural Development Board takes interest in such activities and co-operates with the Forest Department in carrying out the scheme.