Climate crisis in forests: Dandeli losing its distinctive grasses & hornbills to erratic weather

Subject :Environment

Section: Protected Area

Context:

In recent years, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns in the Dandeli forest area are impacting the forest ecosystem and the people living around them and dependent on them.

Dandeli forests and Wildlife sanctuary:

The Dandeli forest in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka is known for its forest grasses, birds and cattle herders.
Along with neighboring Anshi National Park, the sanctuary was declared part of the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve in 2006.
It is also an elephant reserve under the Project elephant.
There are around 100 different types of grasses that grow in the undergrowth of the Dandeli forest.
These are the primary sources of food for the herbivore population of the forest such as barking deer, chital (spotted deer) and elephants.
The wildlife sanctuary is known for its great hornbill (great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill), the Malabar pied hornbill and the elusive black panther.

Changes in the ecology of dandeli forests and its impact:

The grasses are being replaced by eupatorium weed, which is not eaten by the herbivores and is prone to fires.
- Eupatorium is a non-native species introduced in the area during the British rule for decorative purposes.
During the colonial era the lush semi-evergreen and evergreen forests were replaced by monoculture teak plantations and the general character of the forest also changed from semi-evergreen to moist deciduous.
The British had banned controlled fires in the forest, which was practiced by local farmers for slash and burn cultivation. This, in turn, led to there being uncontrolled forest fires. This is because dry leaves, tree limbs and other inflammable debris would be removed during controlled fires, limiting the chances of wildfires.
The flowering and fruiting patterns of the more than 40 different varieties of fig trees that grow in Dandeli, have changed. The fig fruits are the main source of nutrition for most of the local birds in the area, especially the Malabar pied hornbill.
Honey collection in the area has reduced in recent years as the ficus trees are not flowering properly.

Source: DownToEarth