Restoration of the Forest Landscape of SGNP (Mulund Region)
Introduction
Natural regeneration is a biological process that can be assisted and managed to increase forest cover and associated ecosystem services. Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) is a simple, low-cost restoration method that can effectively enhance the productivity and ecosystem functions of deforested or degraded lands. The method aims to accelerate, rather than replace, natural successional processes by removing or reducing barriers to natural regeneration such as soil degradation, competition with weedy species, and recurring disturbances.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park was selected for ANR interventions as the park is grappling with encroachment throughout its boundary which resulted in a loss of tree cover. The park is situated partly in Thane District and (59.24 Sq.Km.) and in Mumbai Suburban District (44.44 Sq.Km.) of Maharashtra State. Khindipada, the eastern end of SGNP for this project was chosen for the interventions.
The site is largely a dry deciduous habitat with undulating terrain. Its habitat is largely fragmented towards the boundary side which is surrounded by various hutment colonies. The habitat is largely dominated by Palmyra Palms which is intersected with various seasonal streams. Several open patches resulted in a fragmented canopy cover. Fragmented patches form numerous canopy gaps. Disturbed canopy cover impacts the understorey and affects the biota thriving on the forest floor.
The habitat is devoid of perennial undergrowth therefore the land is largely exposed. As the forest dept, is keen to increase the green cover throughout the park range, this could be a potential site where the ANR process could be utilised to improve the ground cover or understorey as well as the local biodiversity. Before initiation of the project, the potential sites were surveyed in the area wherein the plantation can carry out to enhance the local biodiversity.
Project Overview
Project Location: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mulund, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Project Duration: April 2021 - March 2023
Project Partner: Borivali Forest Dept. and iNaturewatch Foundation
Knowledge
Funding Agency: DCB Bank Ltd.
Project Outcomes:
Environmental
- Increase in the green cover and local biodiversity.
- Scientific ANR Model
- Natural regeneration and Improvement in the water and soil quality.
- Carbon sequestration in another 10 years.
- Fulfilment of Biodiversity Aichi Target no. 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 20.
Economic
- Employment, Eco-tourism as alternative livelihood and ABS System (Access and benefit-sharing)
Social
- Community Engagement
- Increased Awareness
- Positive Impact on local administration and corporate CSR.
Project Updates
April - June 2022
October - December 2021
January - March 2022
The project's first quarter of 2022 has been very demanding. Protecting the plants from the arid summers presented us with difficult tasks. We were unable to water the plants on a regular basis from April to May due to the municipal work being done outside the park gate, which caused some plants to suffer. However, despite the extreme weather, we continually work to protect and keep an eye on the saplings. For optimal growth, compost and soil mixture were applied to the plants. Additionally, tree guards were frequently inspected for damage and fixed or replaced as necessary. For their hard work both on and off the field, our entire staff is appreciated. Without the ongoing assistance and direction from the Forest Department and DCB Bank, we could not have accomplished any of these. As a result, we are appreciative of DCB Bank and the entire forest department staff.
January - March 2022
October - December 2021
January - March 2022
From January to March we have been working hard to prepare our plants for the summer heat, as summer is the most sensitive season for plants. Therefore we conducted mulching in late February for all of our plants through volunteering activities and with the help of our caretakers, of course! So that the area around the plants can retain moisture for a longer duration. Alongside we also cleared the site of unwanted grass so as to prevent fire. Provision for water has also been a task, but we have somehow prepared our site to embrace the summer heat. It's been quite a task but we have come through.
October - December 2021
October - December 2021
October - December 2021
In the past three months, we did plantation review, soil testing, pathway making, tank installation. We also carried out community engagement programmes for activities such as tree guard making, and mulching. which helped the plants in water retention during the dry months. we did ground digging work to safeguard, our water tanks, we also made a tweak to our original plan by dropping the drip irrigation or borewell work, as it wasn't a sustainable option for the given land. instead we are now watering plants with the help of tankers, for whom we had to dig up a path to make way for them. It's been a tough call, but our caretakers have been taking good care of our plants and the site.
August - September 2021
August - September 2021
October - December 2021
During this period, We planted 7840 saplings at the site for enrichment plantation. In enrichment plantation we developed pollinator zones, deer browse zones and did canopy plugging to join the fragmented canopy of the area. We also did plantation around Palm 50 trees. During the biodiversity survey we recorded a total of 144 species. 55 species of plants and fungi, 48 species of insects and other arthropods, 1 species of amphibian, 7 species of reptiles, 30 species of birds and 8 species of mammals. We conducted six volunteering programmes in which 23 volunteers participated in different activities like Tree tagging and tree counting, Plantation in Palm Ring, Marking plots and so on.
April - July 2021
August - September 2021
April - July 2021
Under this project we selected the barren and rocky site at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park for restoring forest landscape through Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) method. The project is funded by DCB Bank and the area comes under the jurisdiction of Forest Department. The Project duration is three years. During last quarter period, we carried out the baseline survey, enrichment plantation, biodiversity survey, ground water survey for borewell digging and community engagement programmes.
Project Interventions
Baseline Surveys
Ground Preparation and Plantation
Identification of Canopy gaps
- Baseline Survey and Seasonal Biodiversity Survey
- Soil Analysis
- Tree Tagging and Wilding Protection
Identification of Canopy gaps
Ground Preparation and Plantation
Identification of Canopy gaps
Identifying the potential sites for plantation and connecting the canopies through ANR Method using Google Earth.
Ground Preparation and Plantation
Ground Preparation and Plantation
Ground Preparation and Plantation
- Ground Preparations
- Digging Pits and Trenches
- Contour Bunding
- Tree plantation as Canopy Plugs
- Irrigation for plants
- Pathway Development
Habitat Maintenance
Nature Trails and Signage Development
Ground Preparation and Plantation
- Nursery Establishment for creating plant saplings.
- Assistance and Caring new Wildling
- Grass Pressing
- Removal of Invasive Species
- Fire Breaks
Nature Trails and Signage Development
Nature Trails and Signage Development
Nature Trails and Signage Development
- 3 Natural Trails developed to enhance the educational value
- Incorporation of 12 field stations
- Bilingual Signages about local flora and fauna
- 12 exhibit developments based on biodiversity surveys
Community Engagement
Nature Trails and Signage Development
Nature Trails and Signage Development
- Stakeholder Meeting
- Corporate Employees and Community Volunteers
- Nature Awareness Programmes
- Capacity Building of Forest Guards and Local Communities
Volunteering Programmes
Volunteering Programmes
Volunteering Programmes
- Clean-Up Drive
- Tree-tagging and counting
- Restoring Forest landscape through assisted natural regeneration