Conservation of the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest of South India

Project

A unique ecosystem to preserve

The Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF) of South India is a unique ecosystem. It is made up of a complex group of over 400 woody species adapted to the lowest annual rainfall of any tropical dry evergreen forest in the world.  This forest is home to a number of rare, or threatened species such as Hildegardia populifolia, Drypetes porteri and Pterocarpus marsupium.  The widely distributed flowering and seeding times amongst the species also means that it is an excellent habitat for many animal and insect species, including important pollinators such as species of bee.

An endangered forest type

It is also the most endangered of all Indian forest types with less than 5% of its range, around 25,500 km2, with remnant vegetation.  Additionally, less than 5% of these remnants are remaining in anything near to pristine condition as the majority of them are secondary forest regrowth areas, having been cleared in the previous century as woodlots.  Further pressures on the TDEF is brought about as this area is both heavily populated and agriculturally intensive.  Consequently, it is estimated that less than 0.1% of the forest can be considered as a functional ecosystem.  This compares with Sri Lanka, where it is recorded that 37% of the dry evergreen forest range is protected.

Implementation of a conservation effort

The Auroville community has a long history of working to conserve this forest type, but more resources are required as the pressure on land and forest increases in India.  In order to step up the conservation efforts for this forest type, a multi-dimensional conservation effort is being implemented.

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