Abstract

A Geo-Informatics Analysis of Forest Cover Change in the Western Ghats of Karnataka

Dr. Chandrakumar

Volume: 13 Issue: 1 2023

Abstract:

The Western Ghats of Karnataka constitute one of the most ecologically significant forest landscapes in southern India, supporting high levels of biodiversity, watershed systems, carbon storage, wildlife habitats, ecological connectivity and important ecosystem services. However, increasing agricultural expansion, plantation development, infrastructure, settlements, forest fires, encroachment and landscape fragmentation have created considerable pressure on forest eco-systems. This study examines the spatial status and recent changes in forest cover in the Karnataka sector of the Western Ghats using Geo-informatics of forest cover and change data. At the Karnataka level, total forest cover increased from 36,132 km² in 2015 to 37,550 km² in 2017, 38,575 km² in 2019 and approximately 38,730 km² in 2021. Thus, the Karnataka’s reported forest cover increased by about 2,598 km² between 2015 and 2021. District-level evidence shows considerable spatial variation. In 2015, Uttara Kannada recorded 7,833 km² of forest cover, Kodagu about 3,100 km², Chikkamagaluru 3,671 km², Shivamogga 4,144 km², Dakshina Kannada 2,848 km² and Udupi 2,179 km². By 2019, forest cover had reached 8,123.75 km² in Uttara Kannada, 3,263.38 km² in Kodagu, 3,951.78 km² in Chikkamagaluru, 4,270.78 km² in Shivamogga, 3,064.66 km² in Dakshina Kannada and 2,283.38 km² in Udupi. The study demonstrates that changes in total forest cover should be interpreted together with forest-density classes, fragmentation and land-use transitions.

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