1

Pathiramanal Biodiversity Conservation and Bio-park project :  An Action Research Programme      

Name of PI and Affiliation: 

Sreekumar Chattopadhyay, Scientist, CESS

Amount of Grant Sanctioned: 

Rs. 467500/-

Duration: 

 1 Year       

Abstract of the Work:

This action research programme was taken up at the request of the Muhamma Grama Panchayath. Detailed investigations covering relief, soil, geomorphology, bathymetry, land use and biodiversity, ecotourism were done. Developments by plants spelling out various interventions measures have been developed.  Plan focus strengthening the biodiversity and showcases it to attract tourists.  Suggested activities include establishment natural history museum and an aquarium, planting of mangroves all around the island, setting up of the butterfly park and other biodiversity enhancement programmes.  Which will lead to minimum construction in the island.  The plan was presented in an open seminar at Muhamma in the presence of almost all stakeholders.  This project is one of the examples of close interactions among S&T Institutes, line departments and Panchayaths in environmental conservation and ecotourism development.

2

Environmental Resource Assessment for Evolving Sustainable Development Models in Selected Ecosystems of Kerala

Name of PI and Affiliation: 

Dr. P.K.K. Nair, Director, ERRC

Amount of Grant Sanctioned: 

Rs. 600000/-

Duration: 

1 Year      

Abstract of the Work:

The environment theme has brought out a unified world order with biodiversity conservation and sustainable   development as the core issues for focal attention. The basic direction for addressing environmental issue is contained in the expression “think globally and act locally” in view of the fact that livelihood of local communities is linked to native resources, and thus an ecosystem approach is the natural means for achieving the sustainable development goals. The present study deals with the creation of weather database and statistical analysis of rainfall data to approximate regional change manifestation as exemplified through statistical analysis

3

Demystifying the post Climax Status of Kariyan Shola in         Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary-An Ecological Conundrum    

Name of PI and Affiliation: 

Dr. M.A. Sooraj, Lecturer

Amount of Grant Sanctioned: 

Rs. 640410/-

Duration: 

3 years  

Abstract of the Work:

Ecosystem is a dynamic, and the populations constituting them do not remain the same. This is reflected in the gradual changes of the vegetation community over time, known as succession. It begins with the colonization of the disturbed area. The study includes elucidate the presence of tropical wet evergreen forests in the rain shadow region of Western Ghats and to ascertain the reasons for the same and to find out, whether high relative humidity actually compensates low rainfall of the region, to study the structure of vegetation community using classical phytosociological method, to study the regeneration status of the dominant species and to analyse the physical and chemical properties of the soil and to correlate the data with the vegetation.

4

Analysis of Long Term Climatic Data to Understand the Regional Manifestation of Global Climatic Change over Kerala

Name of PI and Affiliation: 

Dr. R.R. Jaisankar, Assistant Professor

Amount of Grant Sanctioned: 

Rs. 258500/-  

Duration: 

2 Years

Abstract of the Work:

Rain fall is considered as an essential process of nature, rather     than it treated as an essential sector for the total development of the society. Being a tropical country India’s agricultural planning and consumption of water depend on monsoon rainfall, more than 75% of rainfall accruing during monsoon season; monsoon rainfall is irregular both in time period and space, so it is a significant factor for developing the rainfall analysis. The present study deals with the creation of weather database and statistical analysis of rainfall data to approximate regional change manifestation as exemplified through statistical analysis.

5

Hazard and Risk Evaluation of Landslide Prone Areas in Kerala Western Ghat   

Name of PI and Affiliation: 

Dr. S. Sreekumar, Reader, Christ College, Irinjalakkuda

Amount of Grant Sanctioned: 

Rs. 647892/-

Duration: 

3 Years          

Abstract of the Work:

Kerala, from time immemorial has been be set with two chronic problems of land degradation caused by natural hazards. One such problem occurs at the boundary as coastal erosion where as high on the hills of the Western Ghats degradation of land by soil erosion, occurrence of landslides and property leading to public criticism and cause concern to civil authorities. The slope stability problems in Idukki and Malappuram district are studied in detail. The major objectives are the identification and location of slide prone areas in the Kerala Western Ghats, Risk evaluation of the severe hazardous areas, examine the relationship between landslides and land use practices, preparation of detailed hazard zonation map generated for Idukki and Malappuram districts etc. Techniques to be involved for mitigate the hazard including capacity building.

6

Protection of Coastal Ecosystem in Kasargod District by Planting Mangroves   

Name of PI and Affiliation: 

Prof. T.C. Madhava Panicker, President, BIOSK, Kasargod

Amount of Grant Sanctioned: 

Rs. 204600/-

Duration: 

1 Year

Abstract of the Work:

The west coast of Indian Peninsula is very significant in many aspects. It is characterised by many features like headlands, bays, lagoons, etc. Mangroves form one of the important link for the sustainability of coastal eco system. Majority of the rivers are west flowing in Kerala. The coastal plains contain varities of landforms which are the result of the operation of different geomorphological processes. Beaches, Backwaters and wetlands form part of the ecosystem. Indiscriminate use of the landforms for various developmental activities leads to environmental degradation. In the light of recent tsunami mangroves have emerged as planning significant role in coastal protection. The present work deals with the protection of coastal ecosystem in Kasargod district by planting mangroves. The project will study the survival rates of various species in the coastal area. The quality of water and soil in the mangrove area is also done. The faunal diversity of the area was also carried out.

7

Cadastral Scale CRZ Maps for Urban Areas in Kerala-Phase I Kozhikode, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram Corporations and Varkala Municipality 

Name of PI and Affiliation: 

Dr. K.V. Thomas, Scientist, CESS

Amount of Grant Sanctioned: 

Phase I – Rs. 698500/-; Phase II-Rs. 2500000/-

Duration: 

1 Year

Abstract of the Work:

The CRZ intends to protect the coastal ecosystem and morphology from environmental degradation.  Cadastral level information on the CRZ is required for its meaningful implementation.  Detailed CRZ maps in cadastral scale have been prepared for Varkala Municipality, Kozhikode corporation and Thiruvananthapuram corporation.  The HTL and LTL were identified in the field based on geomorphic signatures and demarcated on cadastral base maps.   The cadastral maps have information of CRZ categories of each survey plot in the areas.

8

Water Quality Monitoring Programme for the State

Name of PI and Affiliation: 

Dr. P. S. Harikumar, Scientist, CWRDM

Amount of Grant Sanctioned: 

Duration: 

Abstract of the Work: