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Coffee Forests - A Gateway To Wildlife

by Dr. Anand Titus and Geeta N. Pereira

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ROLE OF RHINO IN SAFE GUARDING THE ECOLOGY

According to World Wildlife (WWF) REPORTS, RHINOS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ECO SYSTEMS BY SERVING AS “landscape architects “of their habitat. Rhinos consume large amounts of grass and shrubs, taking more than three days to digest a meal. This facilitates the distribution of seeds to different places and also helps in the germination of a few hard wood species.

  • The CHIKMAGALUR region with an elevation ranging from 700-1200 m MSL and a rainfall of 1000-4500 mm supports many wild life sanctuaries. India’s National bird Peacock is the most dominant bird of this region. This region grows both the Arabica and Robusta varieties of coffee. The Arabica varieties include S-795, selection 5B & cauvery. The Robusta varieties include Peridenia, S-274 and CxR.

    • MAIN INTERCROPS: Pepper, Cardamom, Arecanut, Orange, and Vanilla.

The Chikmagalur coffee forests are unique with undulating topographies. High Rise Mountains and steep valleys is the characteristic feature of this region. At the base of the mountain are extensive grass lands dotted with patches of dense forests. These grasslands are known as the SHOLAS. The shoals play a very important role in providing shelter to sambar, gaur, tigers, elephants and leopards.

  • The COORG region with an elevation ranging from 750-1100 m MSL and a rainfall of 1000-2500 mm is famous for different species of honey bees. Infact coorg honey sold by nimble footed tribals has many medicinal qualities. The region has both the tropical moist deciduous to dry deciduous and scrub forests depending on the precipitation of rainfall. South Coorg which houses the Nagarahole National park has teak as the predominant species.
    • Main varieties: Arabica - S.795, Sln.6, Sln.9, Cauvery; 
Robusta: S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Cardamom, Orange, Banana, and Arecanut

  • The MANZURABAD region with an elevation of 900-1100 m MSL and a rainfall of 1000-2500 mm is the natural habitat for the jungle fowl.
    • Main varieties: Arabica - S.795, Sln.6, Sln.9, Cauvery 
Robusta-S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Cardamom, Orange, Arecanut, Banana

    The spectacular plumage of the mail bird and its long colorful tail is indeed a pretty sight. The forests are composed of tall trees forming close canopies. The undergrowth has bamboo and canes on wet ground.

  • The NILGIRIS region with an elevation of 900-1400 m MSL and a rainfall of 1600-2600 mm is the ideal habitat for the spotted leopard. The dominant trees shed their leaves in the rainy season and spring forth a rich canopy during summer keeping the environs cool.
    • Main varieties: Arabica - S.795, Kent’s, Cauvery
Robusta: Peridenia, S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Orange, Banana, Ginger, Vegetables

LEOPARD: Panthera pardus

STATUS: Endangered.

In India, the leopard is the third largest cat. Three races are present in India with considerable color variation. They are territorial and solitary. It often carries its prey up a tree to eat.

BREEDING: The female produces the first litter when three to four years of age. Usually the female gives birth to 2 to 4 cubs. The gestation period is slightly over three months.

  • The PULNEYS region with an elevation of 600-2000 m MSL and a rainfall of 1000-1600 mm is home to one of the rarest flowers in the world, namely the bright, blue bell like KURINJI flower. This rare flower makes a dramatic appearance, once in 12 years. The tree canopy in these forests is uneven. Even though the forest consists of a large number of diverse species of trees, the canopy is not very dense.
    • Main Arabica varieties: S.795, Sln.5B, Sln.9, Sln.10, Cauvery
Main intercrops: Orange, Banana, Pepper, Cardamom, Vegetables

  • The SHEVEROYS region with an elevation of 900-1500 m MSL and a rainfall of 800-1500 mm is famous for the Indian bison or Gaur. It denotes vigor and strength. The forests are moderately dense and support shrubs, herbs and climbers.
    • Main Robusta varieties: S.795, Cauvery, Sln.9
Main intercrops: Orange, Banana, Pepper

GAUR OR INDIAN BISON: Bos gaurus Order: Artiodactyla Family: Bovidae

STATUS: Vulnerable.

Gaurs inhabit evergreen and deciduous forests and associated grass clearings. They are very shy and timid animals. They live in herds of 10 to 30 individual containing only one mature bull. Adult bulls are solitary. A very striking feature observed in these animals is the muscular ridge upon its shoulders, which slope down to the middle of the back where it ends abruptly. They mainly feed on grass, leaves and bark of certain trees. They also visit salt licks which plays a role in digestion and elimination of intestinal parasites.

MATING: There is no well defined season. In Karnataka, the new born are seen mainly from March to June. The cow separates from the herd when the calf is born and protects it for a few days. A fully grown cow can weigh up to 1000 kg.

  • The Travancore region with an elevation of 400-1600 m MSL and a rainfall of 2000-4000 mm is dotted with the Indian National flower, namely the Lotus. These bright fragrant flowers with floating leaves and long stems grow in shallow waters. It symbolizes purity and beauty.
    • Main Robusta varieties: S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Banana, Ginger, Vegetables, and Medicinal plants

  • The WAYANAAD region with an elevation of 600-900 m MSL and a rainfall of 1100-1200 mm is home to the majestic tiger-India’s National Animal. The forests are pretty dense and support big game.
    • Main Robusta varieties: Peridenia, S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Banana, Ginger, Vegetables

    TIGER: Panthera tigris

    STATUS: Endangered.

    Four species of large cats, tiger, lion, leopard and snow leopard, occur within the Indian sub-continent. Except for the leopard, they all have separate habitats and prey preferences. In all there are eight sub species of which the Caspian and Balinese are already extinct. The others are the Siberian, Chinese, Indo-Chinese, Sumatran, Javan and the royal Bengal tiger.

    The tiger is the largest of all the great cats, weighing up to 375 kg. India is credited as having the largest tiger population in the world. According to the latest census the tiger population has alarmingly declined to less than 2000 in spite of earmarking 29 tiger reserves in the country. Each tiger has a unique pattern of stripes and facial markings. So also the pug marks, which are unique to each individual. Tigers are highly territorial and lead a solitary life except during the breeding season. The tiger is in danger of extinction due to poaching and habitat loss. Every part of the tiger is used by man for his selfish gain. The skin is considered as a symbol of royalty. Claws are considered as lucky charm, and the bones and other organs are supposed to possess aphrodisiacal powers.

    BREEDING: A tigress attains sexual maturity at three years and the male by 4 years. Because a tigress, even during the terminal days of her pregnancy has to hunt for herself, nature has gifted her with in built protection. It is for this reason that the gestation period is short and for about 105 days.

    Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in the year 1973 to save the endangered species of tiger in the country. Starting from nine (9) reserves in 1973-74 the number has grown up to twenty nine (29) in 2006. A total area of 38,620 km2 is covered by project tiger areas, which is 1.17% of the total geographical area of the country.

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