The Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is a majestic species facing significant conservation challenges. Recognizing this critical need, the Government of India (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in collaboration with State Forest Departments, has established designated areas known as Elephant Reserves. These reserves prioritize the protection …
Ecosystem-based approaches in forest management, particularly the ecosystem approach to forest management (EAFM), represent a paradigm shift from traditional forestry practices. Traditional forest management was primarily focused on two principles: sustained yield and normal forests. Sustained yield aimed to maintain a balance between consumption and regeneration, ensuring that the rate of harvest does not exceed …
Stretching for 590 kilometers, Kerala’s coastline offers a diverse habitat, dotted with rocks, inlets, backwaters and seawalls. Olive Ridley turtles are frequent nesting visitors, while green turtles have been documented nesting on the southern coast near Quilon. Leatherback turtles, though occasionally found stranded, do not nest in this region. In the 1920s, T.H.Cameron, a district …
Main functions of the Human Resource Development (HRD) WING The Human Resource Development (HRD) Wing is solely responsible for imparting Mandatory Training to the Forest Drivers, Beat Forest Officers, Section Forest Officers, Wildlife Assistants. The Range Forest Officers (FNTR) category, Deputy Range Forest Officers and the Forest Watchers in the Kerala Forest Department. The quality …
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the eight hottest hotspots of biological diversity in the world. The forests of Kerala, located in the Western Ghats, is known for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems, including tropical forests, grasslands, and wetlands. Forest resource planning in these regions involves the systematic assessment, …
Forest health monitoring is a critical component of sustainable forest management, aimed at assessing and maintaining the vitality, productivity and resilience of forest ecosystems. It involves a systematic and regular assessment of various indicators that reflect the condition of forests including tree health, species composition, forest structure and environmental factors such as soil quality and …
Kerala, a state nestled in the southern reaches of the Western Ghats in India, proudly embodies extraordinary bio-geographic significance. Here, an astonishing 95% of the Western Ghats’ flowering plants and 90% of its vertebrate fauna find their sanctuary, characterised by remarkable levels of uniqueness. The varied topography and microclimates of Kerala play an important role …
Kerala is a haven for plant life, with a surprisingly high number of species that can’t be found anywhere else on Earth. Over a third, an impressive 33.5%, of the State’s 3800 flowering plants are endemic. This means that staggering number of endemic plants, representing a whopping 22.6% of all such plants in India, thrive …
A recent study by the Zoological Survey of India points a worrying picture of Kerala’s biodiversity. The study identified a staggering number of species facing endangerment, including 31 mammals, 20 birds, 54 reptiles, 54 frogs, and a multitude of invertebrates like dragonflies (38 species), freshwater crabs (15 species) and tiger spiders (4 species). Even Kerala’s …
Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems. These services can be categorized into four main types: Provisioning Services: These are the products obtained from ecosystems, such as food, water, timber, and fiber. Regulating Services: These are the benefits that ecosystems provide by regulating natural processes, such as climate regulation, flood control, disease …