Changing Deccan Plateau landscape discussed at workshop

MUMBAI: A workshop to discuss the changing Deccan Plateau landscape was organised by BNHS at Solapur on the occasion of World Wildlife Day.

The workshop provided a platform to develop a network, discuss and chalk out the way forward to conserve the fragile grassland ecosystem and the changing landscape of the Deccan Plateau, including various grass species, tree species from the thorn and dry deciduous forests (including medicinal plants), insect and reptile species, bat species, Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Indian Wolf, Blackbuck, Chinkara, Indian Fox and Golden Jackal. The following areas are of importance going forward.

Need for a wider landscape based outlook and Cumulative Impact Assessment studies to conserve the vast mosaic of grasslands, scrub forests, farmlands, villages, rivers, small and big cities and the upcoming industrial areas, rather than a patchy approach focusing only on the meager protected areas in the region.

Need for better coordination between the different divisions of Forest Department, viz. Wildlife, Territorial and Social Forestry.

Need for Grassland Regulation Zone (GRZ) or Habitat Regulation Zone (HRZ) for grassland conservation through measures such as removal of exotic tree plantations, study of impact of farm pesticides, controlled grazing of domestic animals in non-protected areas and control on poaching.

Need for retention and promotion of sustainable traditional practices and blending them with modern field research findings.

Need for community based conservation measures through cooperation between traditional farmers, cash crop farmers, traditional nomadic shepherds (Dhangar), traditional hunters (Pardhi), forest officials, researchers, media and all other stakeholders.