Ecological Guidelines and Recommendations for Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development

This paper is a case of urban river Mutha for ecological management.Over the past few decades, condition of river Mutha has deteriorated considerably. The present situation shows less of fresh water flow and lot of sewage water addition,waste dumping and foul smelling water flow. The fresh water contribution by base flow to the main stream is very negligible. The only source of fresh water is sporadic water release from Khadakwasala dam. It is irregular and in small proportion to support ecosystem functioning of the river Mutha.There is a of public debate regarding improvement in the river's condition and to correct its root cause. The disruption in the river's ecosystem is basically by human interventions. The study appeals for interdisciplinary approach with a view of environmental governance and management to solve river related problems. The focus of this study is to assess environmental impact when the river related projects being planned by Municipal authorities. The study included survey of physical changes by human interventions, in the river Mutha channel ,banks and modification of habitats hampering aquatic as well as land biodiversity. The study indicated crucial biodiversity indicators for the health of the river ecosystem. By giving grades based on both the physical conditions and biodiversity of various stretches of the river plan to improve conditions is suggested.The study created guidelines for restoration and management of Mutha river ecosystem, which may be useful for rivers especially in the urban area. This paper is based on the research project .Ecological Guidelines and Recommendations for Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development. conducted by Ecological Society.

Wild Edible Plants of Nutritional and Medicinal Significance to the Tribes of Palghar, Maharashtra, India

Wild edible plants (WEP) are an important component from the perspective of tribal diet. There are various traditional practices and beliefs in relation to the use of wild edibles among various tribal communities in Maharashtra. In this study, the WEP found in Jawhar block of Palghar district and detailed information on the local usage for medicine or food purpose has been documented. With this, the traditional methods of preparation, collection and storage of these edible wild plants has also been documented. The present paper presents a total of 162 species of WEP, out of which almost 74% are consumed as food, 14% possess medicinal significance while 12% of the species exhibit both dietary and medicinal significance. This type of study could contribute in recording the traditional heritage of food culture and generate awareness about the importance of wild edible species. Documentation of these wild plant species can help in commercialization and domestication of the wild varieties and their entry into urban marketplaces to generate higher revenue for the farmers. Wild edibles could prove to be a remedy to food scarcity, a source of nutritional security and improve the economy in tribal areas.

Alternative Futures : India Unshackled Edited by Ashish Kothari and K. J. Joy

Book Review

Assessment of Restoration Potential in the Catchments ofPavana, Chaskaman and Dimbhe Dams in Northern Western Ghats

Dam catchment regions in Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, have special significance for its ecologyand sustainable development. As a part of the Western Ghats mountain range, they host unique biodiversitythat needs to be conserved. The study area viz. Pavana, Chaskaman and Dimbhe catchments are part of theNorthern Western Ghats. These dams have been built on rivers that supply water to several large cities andto a large part of Maharashtra’s agriculture in the Deccan Plateau. Conserving forest cover in these regionshas a direct impact on water security. Considering the above factors the study of land use and vegetationwas conducted in the catchments of Pavana, Chaskaman and Dimbhe. This study involved classificationand identification of land use classes supported by ground truthing in the catchment areas. For areas having degraded vegetation cover, the recommended approach was ecological restoration (Gole,1990) (Gole, 2007). Based on this study we developed and tested a method to compare relative restorationpotential and prioritization across multiple dam catchments. Restoration guidelines, both general andcatchment-specific, were developed to guide an implementation program.

What Should be basis of Human Life? –Engineering, Economics or Ecology?

This article is based on the Dubhashi Memorial Lecture titled “Significance of 3 Es”, delivered by Prof. Gole in2007 at Pune University. It is being published here due to its relevance to present modern life which is relyingmore and more on engineering, technology and economics (crony capitalism) while completely neglectingEcology.

Reverse Extraction – Resource Sharing; Participatory Planning in Kodagu, India

Traditionally, people have depended on forests for their livelihood and a process of sustainable resource extraction was in place, which typically did not result in major degradation of forested landscapes. With the increase in human population, per capita consumption and commodity exports there have been substantial changes in land use patterns, and depletion of forest cover and habitat for wildlife. In response to shrinking habitat, a new phenomenon of “reverse extraction” is now increasingly visible, where wildlife such as elephants, leopards, wild boar, and several other species are increasingly coming out of their habitat that has resulted in crop raiding, livestock killing, and causing human deaths as well. This paper makes a case for anintegrated conservation planning at a regional scale takes advantage of indigenous knowledge, advances in geospatial technologies, and inclusive, participatory planning as a way forward that would create a people’s plan fulfilling human and wildlife needs.

Foreword

This is the foreword to Volume 30-31 of Journal of Ecological Society written by Mrs. Aparna Watve It introduces in brief the articles in this issue which focus on Human Nature and Nature

Ecological Guidelines and Recommendations For Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development

Ecological Guidelines and Recommendations For Mula-Mutha Riverfront Development

Role of Godrej Mangroves in Climate Change Mitigation through Carbon Sequestration.

Godrej and Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. is conserving thousands of acres of mangrove forest along the western bank of Thane Creek (19º03’31.12” N, 72º56’31.54” E to 19º06’31.43” N to 72º56’31.54” E) since the decade of 1940s. In this rich biodiverse forest, we have recorded 16 species of mangrove and mangrove associated plants. These forests provide ecosystem services like prevention of coastal erosion, habitat for wildlife, livelihoods for local fisherfolk, research and education avenue for academia and regulation of local climate. This paper explains material and methodology used to measure sequestered carbon using data of past 3 years. Annually this forest sequesters 6 lakh tons of CO2 its potential annual increment value iaround 50,000 tons of equivalent CO2. This carbon sequestration service is very valuable considering high emission of CO2 in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and its impact on climate change. The paper also highlights importance of this project to the society and need to sensitize stakeholders for the mangrove conservation.

Unfolding the ’Raakhan Raan’ a Livelihood Based Conservation Tradition of Tribals around Kalsubai Harishchandragad Wildlife Sanctuary

Degraded and overgrazed grasslands and meadows is a critical issue affecting productivity of open grazed animals. Traditional forest dwelling communities are knouin to conserve their surrounding biodiversity, mostly with cultural perspectives and this indirectly preserve the resources for future generations. Fakhan Raans are privately owned grass sanctuaries which are protected from open grazing and other disturbances like ores and harvested sustainably. This is the first study of this tradition unique to the Western Ghats. A surv‹nJ mas conducted in 13 hamlets belonging to 11 village panchayats in Akole taluka of Maharashtra. Duffy structured intervieuis mere conducted in all households of selected hamlets in a door-to-door manner. Using a detailed questionnaire we collected data on livestock, raakhan ran holdings and changes within f«s/ decade. The tradition is not unique to a particular community. lt is a sus/oinflhfe practice considering that grass is harvested after seed dispersal and some areas are lefl unharvested. The Raakhan Rans have been reducing over the last decade, though still maintained by large headers for fodder security. Special eJorfs are required to conserve the tradition and link it to the protection of grassland biodiversity and dependent livelihoods.