Melagiri Restoration

About KANS:-KA bibliophiles will tell you that 20 of the 57 Kenneth Anderson stories are based in the Melagiri hills. This hilly region lies in the Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri Districts of Tamilnadu with the River Cauvery forming one of the boundaries. Kodekarai, kempakarai, Sulekunta, Pennagram, Jowlagiri etc are some of the many places that figure in his stories here. This area once resounded with the call of tigers, panthers and elephants.

About melagiri:-The rolling hills and valleys constitute various reserve forest totaling around 2000 Square kilometers. The area has a rich diversity of mammals, birds, plants and herbs of important medicinal value. A healthy population of resident and migratory elephants are to be found here. The numbers are thought to vary between 150 to 300 heads depending upon the season.

This region also forms a catchment area of the Cauvery river and its wellbeing is of particular importance to the riparian regions in the plains further downstream. In addition to all this it provides invaluable ecological services that are too great to be quantified.

Many hamlets exist in this region, and man animal conflict involving elephants, wild boar etc are all too common, for lack of a comprehensive solution. Human deaths, crop raiding etc are a common problem.

Action plan:-

1. A bio diversity survey of the region is being planned in the region to understand the ecology and character of the area.

2. It is essential that a sanctuary is established here in order to safeguard both the unique habitat and the interests of the people. Adequate measures can surely reinstate the reign of the striped monarch of the Indian jungle

3. Discuss Human-Elephant conflict

About KANS

http://kans.org.in/

Duration 1 or 2 days.