Mahendragiri: A Biodiversity Paradise- Our Concern

1. Mahendragiri:A Biodiversity Paradise- Our Concern Dr. S.N.Patro Working President Orissa Environmental Society snpatro11@rediffmail.com

2. Gajapati District showing Mahendragiri

3. Mahendragiri:Location

4. Geographic Location • Mahendragiri hilly terrain is located in Survey of India topographic maps 74 A/4, A/8, 74B/1 and 74B/5 within east longitudes 84. 9’. 30” to 84.3’ and north latitudes 18.52’ and 19.6’ 30”. • Because of its closeness to eastern coast and remarkable topographic heights (some peaks rising to about 1500 m MSL), it has been a prominent land mark for the early European sailors along the eastern coast.

5. Strategic Location • Mahendragiri hill, one of the highest peaks on the Eastern Ghats, marks the border of Andhra Pradesh-Odisha. • It is located at about 60 km from Paralakhemundi (Odisha) and 90 km from Srikakulam (Andhra Pradesh). • At an altitude of 1,501m (4,925’) above sea level, amidst a picturesque setting of the lush green forests, splendid scenic beauty of nature, Mahendragiri gives everlasting memory to visitors.

6. Mahendragiri Hill Complex:Top Hills

7. Drainage Mahendragiri is limited on the • West by the north of south flowing Mahendratanaya river (tributary of Vansdhara river); on the • North by the watersheds of San Nadi (tributary of Vansdhara), Ghodahad Nadi (tributary of Rushikulya river), Bahuda River; and on the • South-East by another small river also called Mahendratanaya, which drains directly into the sea at Baruva.

8. Forest Types The vegetation of Mahendragiri hill complex could be classified broadly into four types: • Sal forest, • Mixed forests, • Grassland, and the • Scrubs.

9. Mahendragiri:Flora • Mahendragiri hill complex is a biodiversity paradise and harbours species representing the entire Eastern Ghats. • It’s flora comes under the Deccan region of Hooker’s nine botanical provinces of British India. • Gamble & Fisher while recognizing five floristic divisions of Madras Presidency, placed Mahendragiri in their ‘Sal Region’.

10. Flora • Shorea robusta (Sal-E, Sala-O, Guggilamu-T) occurs throughout the forest. But its size varies with variation of altitude and edaphic conditions. • The common associates are: Terminalia bellirica (Bahada), T. chebula (Harida), Pterocarpus marsupium (Piasal/ Bija), Haldina cordifolia (Halanda or Kuruma), Madhuca Indica (Mahula), Anogeissus latifolia (Dhau/ Dhaura), Diospyros melanoxylon (Kendu), Dendrocalamus strictus (Baunsa), Mallotus philippiensis (Kunkum/Kamala Gundi), etc.

11. Orchids • A study conducted by a team of scientists from the Regional Plant Resources Centre in 2009 states that there more than 37 orchid species in the hill complex and • Two of those species are new records: Seidenfia versicolor Luisia zeylanica

12. Orchids Other orchid species are: • Eulophia graminea, • E. spectabilis, • Geodorum recurvum, • Habenaria crassifolia, H. furcifera, H. panigrahiana, H. plantaginea, • Liparis paradoxa, • Nervilia aragoana, N. crociformis, • Peristylus goodyeroides, • Acampe praemorsa, • Aerides multiflora, • Bulbophyllum cariniflorum, B. polyrhizum, B. umbellatum, • Cymbidium aloifolium, • Dendrobium aphyllum, D. bicameratum, D.formosum, D. herbaceum, D. macrostachyum, D. transparens, • Eria bambusifolia, E. lasiopetala, • Gastrochilus acaulis, • Luisia trichorhiza, • Oberonia ensiformis, • Pholidota imbricate, • Polystachya concreta, • Rhynchostylis retusa, • Vanda tessellate, V. testacea.

13. Himalayan Species • The flora of Mahendragiri is interesting because it represents Himalayan as well as peninsular species. • The characteristic Himalayan species are: Maoutia puya, • Viola serpens, V. betonicifolia, • Clematis royolei, • Rhamnus napalensis, • Anotis calycina, • Ajuga macrosperma, • Thalictrum foliolosum, • Rubus cordifolia, • Sarcococca trinervia, • Zanthoxylum armatum, • Ophiopogon intermedius, etc.

14. Peninsular Species The important Peninsular species are: • Tephrosia roxburghiana, • Sida rhombifolia, • Toddalia asiatica var. obtufolia, • Sophora interrupta, • Wendlandia gamble, • Pavetta brevifolia, • Anaphalis lawii, • Senecio candicans, • Diospyros candolleana, • Peperomia pellucida, • Neolitsea zeylanica, • Molineria finlaysoniana, • Clausena heptaphylla, etc.

15. New Records of Flora In 1991 two scientists from the Institute of Mineral and Material Technology (Regional Research laboratory), Bhubaneswar (M. Brahmam, and H.O.Saxena) had updated the number of angiosperm species to be 642 of which17 are new records to Mahendragiri hill complex. Those are: • Aganosma cymosa, • Cyanotis vaga, • Justicia glabra, • Mauoutia puya, • Polystachya favescens, • Sida rhombifolia, • Spherea interrupta, • Syzygium cuneatum, • Pittosporum nepaulense. • Eulalia quadrinervis, • Jansenella qrilfithiana, • Neanotis quadrilocularies, • Ophiorrhiza trichocarpos, • Paspalum compactum, p. conjugatum, • Plectranthus nilochericus and • Psychotria fulva.

16. Medicinal Plants Mahendragiri hill complex provides the ideal habitat conditions for medicinal plants. Some of those species are- • Coleus barbatus (Pashana Bhedi/ Pukhom Kur), • Emblica officinalis/ Phyllanthus emblica (Aonla), • Glorisa superba (Dasahara phula, Pancha angulia), • Piper longum (Pippali), • Rauvolfia serpentina (Patala Garuda/ Sarpa Gandha), Saraca asoca (Ashoka), • Santalum album (Chandan), etc.

17. Fauna • Among the faunal species Mahendragiri is known for the Indian elephant. • Indian animals including the Royal Bengal Tiger, leopard, hyena, wild bear, deer, antelope, peacock, snakes, and a variety of other terrestrial animals and birds had their best habitat in Mahendragiri.

18. Fauna (Contd…) • A study conducted in 2009 by a team of zoologists from World Wildlife Fund, North Orissa University and S.K.C.G.College, Paralakhemundi reports that the herpeto-faunal diversity of Mahendragiri hill complex is rich. • There were 69 species of herpeto-fauna, 20 species of amphibians, 3 species of turtles, 22 species of lizards and 24 species of snakes. • The study recorded: three species of frogs-Fejervarya sp., Chiromantis sp., and Philautus sp., and one species of lizard- Hemidactylus sp. supposed to be new to biological science.

19. Ancient Archaeological Monuments • Lakhs of people on the eve of Mahashivaratri congregate at this place and enjoy the enchanting and fantastic phases of sunrise and worship the temple of the Pandavas-Kunti, Yudhisthir, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadev. • The presiding deity in the Kunti Temple is Lord Siva in the name of Gokarneswar.

20. Archaeological Temple Monuments Bhima Temple Kunti Temple Yudhisthir Temple

21. Eco-development Activities • The forest plays the pivotal role of climate change impact reduction as the carbon sink and also is the eternal source of livelihood support of the local people. • There is ample scope of environment-friendly eco-development activities. The local community can be associated with conservation practices. The means to improve the local people’s livelihood pattern leading to economic security is to be promoted while taking utmost care of the ecosystem and environment. • Cottage industries, value addition of products, skill development of local people honouring their wisdom, development of market net-work, cultivation of local medicinal, fodder and other valuable plants, rearing of domestic animals for cultivation, milk, meat, etc. would go a long way in conservation of local resources and their wise use.

22. Eco-Development Activities(Suggestive) • Promotion of flora and fauna. • Nursery raising, plantation and post plantation care. • Cultivation of market-driven economically beneficial medicinal plants. • Non-timber forest products (NTFP) collection, processing and storage-tamarind, mango, turmeric, arrow root, ginger, mohua, tendu, broom, food and fodder, medicinal plant parts, etc. • Land use practices-cultivation for agricultural, horticultural and fodder crops over the hills and plain land. • Traditional skills and economic activities-leaf plate making, rope making, bamboo and cane crafting, plant sap collection for country liquor, honey collection, food processing, hill agriculture, etc.

23. Shifting Cultivation: Its Rationalisation • The hill surface is exposed due to indiscriminate vegetation clearance for shifting cultivation. The following activities may be undertaken for rationalisation: • Reclamation of wasteland, • Promotion of agro-horticultural operations, • Promotion of drought and hill adopted genetic species, which are generally grown over the podu (shifting cultivation) of jhum-affected land, • Promotion of forest resource-based cottage industries as source of alternative economic activities

24. Soil and Water Conservation • Reclamation of wasteland. • Land management and mini-water harvesting structures. • Plantation of valuable species in consultation with local people including grasses, reeds, agave, bamboo and cane, sabai, lemon grass, etc.

25. Eco-tourism, Cultural Tourism and other activities • The hill ecosystem represents the transitional elements of Himalayan as well as Peninsular species. This provides ample scope of eco-tourism development. • Protection of sacred grooves. • The archaeological temple monuments of Ramayana and Mahabharata epic fame at the summit of Mahendragiri attract lakhs of pilgrims more particularly during Shiva Ratri Puja. • Mountaineering and trekking has ample scope for its undulating topography and hills.

26. Other activities • Promotion of nutrition and health. • Popularisation of organic composting to save fuel wood and fire wood species and cow dung. • Skill (Traditional) development of local community. • Development of education, and awareness programmes.

27. Linking Forest Resources to Tribal Livelihood • Integrated development of the hill complex is intricately linked to the economic development and well being of the local population-most of them are tribal poor, who have been historically protecting the resources since time immemorial. • Local Tribals are the ‘Sacred Trust’ of the forest.

28. Heritage Sites in India

29. Mahendragiri:Biosphere Reserve Zones (Proposed): Core, Periphery & Transition

30. World Heritage Sites • Mahendragiri Hill Complex deserves to be recognized as a World Heritage Site. • Apart from the 28 sites inscribed on the World Heritage list, India has also maintained a list of tentative sites for recognition which has been submitted to UNESCO Committee for evaluation and acceptance. • Namdapha Natioanl Park, Kanchendzonga National Park, Great Himalayana National Park, Excavated Remains of Nalanda are some of the sites in the ‘Tentative’ list of Heritage Sites. • Bhitarkanika Conservation Area, a mangrove wetland in Odisha (2009) is also in the list.

31. Conservation Need • Wildlife Institute of India in their report “Planning a Wildlife Protected Area Network in India” have recommended the setting up of a sanctuary covering 50 sq km area in the Mahendragiri Hills on the basis of phyto-geographic affinities in north, north-eastern and south-eastern India. • The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1988 had sent this report to the Odisha State Government with request to implement the recommendations, since the responsibility and authority to set up a wild life sanctuary or a national park is vested with the state governments. • Of late, Government of Odisha has now constituted a committee in November 2011 to look into the matter following the suggestion made in the State Wildlife Board meeting in January 2011. • Orissa Environmental Society has been pursuing the matter.

32. Conclusion • Mahendragiri hill forest complex acts as the carbon sink and water tower, thus plays a pivotal role in maintaining the ecological balance and climate control of the entire south Odisha and Srikakulum district of Andhra Pradesh. • In view of the fact that the varied plant and animal species as yet are sustaining in the wild immediate steps need be taken for conservation measures and habitat management. • The ancient archaeological monuments are sustaining decadence in absence of conservation measures. • It is now imperative to constitute a Biosphere Reserve or Biodiversity Heritage Site or World Heritage Site in the Mahendragiri-Singaraj-Badadeva-Devagiri system covering more than 5,000 sq km.

33. Panoramic Gandahati Water Fall

34. Jai Hind