Radhakrishnan Kuttoor
The Hindu,Feb 15, 2011
PATHANAMTHITTA: Ponnambalamedu and surrounding forest areas under the
Goodrickal range of the Ranni Forest Division will be annexed to the
Periyar Tiger Reserve soon.
Ranni Divisional Forest Officer L. Krishnaprasad told The Hindu on Monday that 148 sq.km. of forestland in the Ranni forest division adjoining the PTR-East and PTR-West forest divisions had been identified for inclusion in the PTR as per a notification (GOP No. 75/2007) issued by the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department on December 31, 2007.
He said the earmarked areas include the ecologically sensitive areas of Ponnambalamedu, Chenthamarakokka, Meenar and Varayaadummotta.
Reservoirs excluded
However, the Kakki-Anathode and Pampa reservoirs of the Sabarigiri hydro-electric project of the Kerala State Electricity Board in the region had been excluded.
Mr. Krishnaprasad said Ponnambalamedu, Chenthamarakokka and adjoining areas had been identified as core or critical tiger habitats.
The DFO issued directives to the Goodrickal Forest Range Officer to take steps for the transfer of land to the PTR.
He said the land would be handed over after a joint inspection of the area by officials attached to the forest divisions of Ranni and PTR.
The forest area has a vast expanse of biodiversity-rich shola forests, where there is abundance of moisture.
Shola forests
Experts say ‘sholas' are ‘Tropical Montane Forests' interspersed with rolling grasslands in mountain tracts 1,500 metres above mean sea level and are the continuation of the west coast tropical wet evergreen forests. Shola forests have high ecological significance in protecting the head waters of rivers.
They have the capability of holding up water received by precipitation like a sponge, preventing rapid runoff.
There were criticisms from environmental groups against permitting eucalyptus plantations by the Hindustan Newsprint Limited in the Pachakkanam-Gavi areas.
However, no further revenue-earning activity will be permitted in the area, once the inclusion of the 148 sq.km. of forest area to PTR is completed.
The Hindu,Feb 15, 2011
Ranni Divisional Forest Officer L. Krishnaprasad told The Hindu on Monday that 148 sq.km. of forestland in the Ranni forest division adjoining the PTR-East and PTR-West forest divisions had been identified for inclusion in the PTR as per a notification (GOP No. 75/2007) issued by the Kerala Forests and Wildlife Department on December 31, 2007.
He said the earmarked areas include the ecologically sensitive areas of Ponnambalamedu, Chenthamarakokka, Meenar and Varayaadummotta.
Reservoirs excluded
However, the Kakki-Anathode and Pampa reservoirs of the Sabarigiri hydro-electric project of the Kerala State Electricity Board in the region had been excluded.
Mr. Krishnaprasad said Ponnambalamedu, Chenthamarakokka and adjoining areas had been identified as core or critical tiger habitats.
The DFO issued directives to the Goodrickal Forest Range Officer to take steps for the transfer of land to the PTR.
He said the land would be handed over after a joint inspection of the area by officials attached to the forest divisions of Ranni and PTR.
The forest area has a vast expanse of biodiversity-rich shola forests, where there is abundance of moisture.
Shola forests
Experts say ‘sholas' are ‘Tropical Montane Forests' interspersed with rolling grasslands in mountain tracts 1,500 metres above mean sea level and are the continuation of the west coast tropical wet evergreen forests. Shola forests have high ecological significance in protecting the head waters of rivers.
They have the capability of holding up water received by precipitation like a sponge, preventing rapid runoff.
There were criticisms from environmental groups against permitting eucalyptus plantations by the Hindustan Newsprint Limited in the Pachakkanam-Gavi areas.
However, no further revenue-earning activity will be permitted in the area, once the inclusion of the 148 sq.km. of forest area to PTR is completed.
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