Latest news with #Gothrabheri
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Controlled burning ensures food security for Nilgiri tahrs in Eravikulam
In a strategic move to protect both wildlife and local communities, Eravikulam National Park (ENP) — the natural habitat of the endangered Nilgiri tahr — has embraced the controlled burning of grasslands. As fresh grass carpets the hills, wild animals find ample food, and the once-rising cases of human-animal conflict in Munnar are now on the decline. ENP assistant wildlife warden Nithin Lal said that this year, the Forest department conducted controlled burning on nearly 750 hectares. 'The controlled burning process starts in December and is completed in January. After the summer rain, hills where controlled burning was carried out changes into green carpets,' said the official. 'Every three years, the grass in the grasslands of ENP will become unsuitable for grazing. Nilgiri tahr and other animals will not feed on such grass. At that point, controlled burning will be carried out to ensure food security,' said Mr. Lal. 'Newborn Nilgiri tahr calves are eating the newly-grown grass from the grasslands. Controlled burning also ensures food security for wild elephants, including other animals in the Munnar landscape,' said the official. Since three decades According to officials, the Forest department started the process in Eravikulam around 30 years ago, based on the know-how from the tribal communities. According to Forest department sources, after the new grass grew following controlled burning on the hills, the wild animals, including wild elephants begin camping on the grasslands, which also reflects the reduction of human-animal conflict cases in Munnar. The Forest department, in association with the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) and the Scheduled Tribe Development department, has launched an initiative called 'Gothrabheri' to use tribal knowledge to mitigate human-animal conflict incidents in the State and also highlighted the importance of controlled burning. 'Gothrabheri' State nodal officer Raju K. Francis said that tribal population across Kerala an immediate tool to mitigate human-animal conflict cases in forest border areas. 'Controlled burning should be conducted inside forests in an emergency manner,' said Mr. Francis.
The Hindu
17-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Shift in ecosystem of Parambikulam forests through the eyes of tribes
In a groundbreaking discovery, the Forest department's 'Gothrabheri' programme, an initiative to tap into indigenous knowledge, has unveiled a fascinating narrative from the heart of the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve. At a recent seminar, a tribal participant revealed a shift in the ecosystem: while peacocks have flourished over the past decade, sightings of the once-common hump-nosed viper (locally called Churutta) are steadily declining. This revelation offers a glimpse into the nuanced balance of predator and prey, as seen through the eyes of the forest's original inhabitants. The Gothrabheri project was launched by the Forest department in association with the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) and the Scheduled Tribe Development department to explore tribal knowledge to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts in the State. From T.N. The project's State nodal officer Raju K. Francis states, 'According to tribal observations, peacocks prey on the hump-nosed vipers, which helps regulate the viper population that feeds on peacock eggs.' 'But for the last two years, giant peacocks from Top Slip in Tamil Nadu have arrived in the forests of Parambikulam and have fed on the vipers. The decline in vipers have led to a disproportionate surge in the peacock population. The Forest department will inspect whether the same happened in any other forests in the State,' says Mr. Francis. 'The tribespeople also mentioned that normally, animals and birds eat various types of fruits and seeds and when they excrete inside the forests, it helps in the growth of new plants. Whereas in the case of peacocks, they grind the seeds and eat them. Hence, there would not be a trace of seeds and no chance for new plant growth. This contributes to the afforestation of ground forests. The increase in the number of peacocks was noticed in various parts of the State, including in Idukki,' says the official. Dryness of land The presence of peacocks indicates the dryness of the land. 'The Forest department will conduct a scientific study with the support of respective authorities and agencies over the concerns raised by the tribespeople regarding the viper-peacock issue. It is a remarkable information from the tribal community. Hilly regions, including Idukki, have observed the presence of peacocks. We need to find the reason that led to their the presence,' adds Mr. Francis. The Gothrabheri project, according to officials, involves hosting a series of 15 seminars in various parts of the State. Through the initiative, the Forest department will engage in discussions with representatives from diverse tribal hamlets. 'After completing the seminars, a workshop will be conducted in Thiruvananthapuram with the presence of start-ups and experts,' says Mr. Francis.
