Recovering Biodiversity in Indian Forests

By: G. Vishwanatha Reddy and K. Ullas Karanth and N. Samba Kumar and Jagdish Krishnaswamy and Krithi K. Karanth

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Synopsis: This book demonstrates how varying levels of human disturbance manifested through different management regimes influence composition, richness, diversity and abundance of key mammal, bird and plant species, even within ecologically similar habitats. Based on our results, we show the critical importance of the 'wildlife preservation' approach for effective biodiversity conservation. The study also provides examples of a practical application of rigorous methods of quantitative sampling of different plant and animal taxa as well as human influences, thus serving as a useful manual for protected area managers. Protectedareas of various kinds have been established in India with the goal ofarresting decline in, and to provide for, recovery of biodiversity andecosystem services. A model that targets 'wildlife preservation' under stateownership is practiced across the country. However, forests in India are underintensive human pressure and varying levels of protection; therefore, protectedareas may also experience open-access resource use, a model that is beingaggressively advocated as a viable alternative to 'preservationism'. We haveevaluated the conservation efficacy of alternative forest management models byquantifying levels of biodiversity under varied levels of access, resourceextraction and degree of state-sponsored protection in the Nagarahole forestlandscape of southwestern India.