Grassland and Shola Research and Restoration of

the Palni Hills

July 2009 to January 2011

Palni Hills Physical Features

Objectives

Search for Pioneer species Grasses and shola

Mapping middle altitude shola

Finding degradation and delineating causes of native flora

Identification of sites for restoration of grasslands and shola

Mapping gaur movement

Identification of small conservation areas for Malabar giant squirrel

Achievements

> Survey of various grasslands in the Palni Hills

> Collection of Existing data on sholas and grasslands in Palni hills

> A brief survey of the grasslands flora and the production of a working

manual of about 60 plus species (grasslands and associated species),

> Identification of potential grassland restoration sites near exotic plantations

> Tracking Gaur(Bos gaurus) movements and recording forage grass species

> Identification of Habitat of Malabar Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica)

> Identification of Plant nectar source for wild honeybees

> A working relationship with the Forest Department and a verbal agreement

for planting grasses in a previously pine area

> Acquirement of Community involvement in preservation and restoration of grasslands

Assessing shola

•There are few scattered shola pockets in Upper Palnis

Tiger shola, Bambay shola, Pambar shola, Mathikettan shola, Kookal shola

•Floral composition of Bombay shola and Pambar shola are recorded

Survey of various grasslands in the Palni Hills

There are three types of grasslands in Upper and Middle Palnis are surveyed 1. Marshy grasslands e.g Mannavanur, Berijam lake, Kodai lake 2. Grass patches near sholas e.g.Pambar shola 3. Grasslands in rocky cliffs e.g Adukkam

Search for Pioneer species Grasses and shola 31 spp of native grasses and 21spp of grass associated plants have been recorded and A Field guide also prepared

A nursery of Grasses and associate species A small nursery of grass spp was established at PHCC office in Kodaikanal. There were 60 spp of grasses and associate plants raised for Taxonomical analysis

Finding degradation and delineating causes of native flora Invasion of Exotic trees & Weeds Wattle, Pine, Eucalyptus and other weeds

Identification of sites for restoration of grasslands and shola Kundar valley is one of suitable restoration site

Mapping gaur movement Gaur movements recorded in shola and outskirts of Kodaikanal town

Human animal conflicts in resources sharing

Identification of small conservation areas for Malabar giant squirrel Ratufa indica habitats recorded in all shola patches of Upper Palnis

Foraging wild honeybees have been recorded in Shola as well as in Grassland areas. Shrub plants near shola and grasslands are major nectar source of honeybees Apis cerena indica and Apis melliferae. These major Pollinators of forest also take nectar from flowers of Shola trees.

Recording Honeybee movements and their nectar plants

Involvement of Communities and other stakeholders Conduct awareness camps by slide shows and evening gathering in mountain villages to initiate a discussion about the problems in the region and the project, and acquirement of their wholesome participation in it. Traditional knowledge on shoals and grasslands and their opinion on deteriorated role of exotic tree plantation in natural resources have been recorded.

Limitations

> Rapid increase of invasive exotic plantations in private lands near forest lands

> Illegal Cultivation practices and firing in native grasslands

> Reduction of wild honeybee population by massive usage of pesticides in

cultivation fields

> Human animal conflicts in resources sharing

>Getting approval from Government departments to restore grassland spp and establishing

Trial plots in protected forest lands. Only oral permission has been achieved for research.

>Palni hills get two monsoons South east and North west. So there is a limited periods for

field practices

>Nilgiri tahr movements are remote mountain cliffs such as Ibex peak. It needs long time

efforts to assess habitat and movements.

> Need of long term study corridor study and conflicts

Field staff with Research scholars