Visualisation of impacts due to the proposed developmental projects in the ecologically fragile regions- Kodagu district, Karnataka

Abstract

Assessing land use land cover changes in forested regions reflect the extent of anthropogenic pressure, ecosystem degradation and their impact on local wellbeing. The rapid expansion of linear developments such as roads, power lines will have an irreversible loss of habitat, as a result of forest fragmentation and consequent disruptions in the local ecological processes. The spatiotemporal land use analysis of Kodagu highlights the loss of forest cover due to an uncontrolled expansion of coffee plantations and other driving forces. The major cover of evergreen forest (40.47 to 27.14%) has lost due to interventions in terms of road, built-up areas and other changes. Around 66,892 ha of pristine forest cover was lost due to un-interrupted exploitation. Kushalnagara and Madikere taluks have lost the major chunk of forests due to construction (roads, homestays, villas, etc.) activities. Forest fragmentation analyses portray the status of forests in their condition across the temporal scale. The region had 32% of forest cover under interior or intact forests in 1973, whereas in 2018 it covers only 19% under various protected areas. Though Kodagu district is well connected with national and state high ways, the Government has now proposed to increase the road width of existing major highways (7) and a new railway line connecting Tellicherry and Mysore. The scenario based analysis has been done considering business as usual and with the expansion of linear alignments using Fuzzy-MCE-AHP-MCA. Forecasting future land use changes resulting from linear developments suggest the loss of core forest with the expansion of pre-existing roads. The loss of 8% forest cover with the expansion of linear alignments will have irreversible impacts on Kodagu landscape. The study reveals the causal factors for the disaster are the absence of prudent management of a landscape in the ecologically fragile region evident from the conversion of native forests to other land uses, disruption of stream network, construction of buildings along the water course disrupting the natural water flow, construction or expansion of existing roads, steep vertical cuts leading to structural instability, removal of native vegetation cover in highly undulating terrains with steep slopes leading to the weakening of terrain due to the lowered binding capability of soil, encroachment of local water bodies (such as ponds/tanks), etc. The study emphasizes the need for restoration of stream network, catchment treatment through planting of native species, arresting deforestation and restrictions of large-scale developmental projects with the detrimental land use changes. The outcome of the current research helps in evolving appropriate policies to review the proposed linear projects towards sustainable management of natural resources. Keywords: Land use land cover, Fragmentation, MCE-Fuzzy-AHP-CA, Kodagu, Western Ghats