A large chunk of the Western Ghats, which primarily stretches across four districts of Karnataka, lost 20,000 hectares of its area over the last 17 years putting one of the world’s biological hotspots at risk. The alarming rate of loss of tree cover over the last 5 years can have long-term repercussions, including drying of rivers. The impacts of decreasing forest cover are now visible. The region is important for the entire Indian subcontinent as it influences the south-west monsoon pattern during late summers.

Dakshin Kannada and Udupi lost more than 70% of the total trees coverage areas since 2001. The district is rapidly losing forest to unplanned infrastructure projects and agricultural activities. Some of the causes of forest degradation are- iron ore mining sites in the Dakshin Kannada district, construction of dams, setting up of forest based industries and encroachment for agricultural practices.

Figure 1

Rapid urbanization is another major factor. The encroachment of forest land in conversion to agriculture, horticulture and private plantations are prevalent throughout the districts which have also led to the loss of native vegetation and human-animal conflict. The impact has led to conversion of perennial streams to seasonal streams, flash floods, droughts, change in water quality, soil erosion which has led to an imbalance in the ecosystem.

Out of all the districts in Karnataka, the maximum decline in forest cover was seen in Dakshin Kannada and Udupi districts in the last 3 years. In Dakshin Kannada, the loss was 1109 hectares in 2016; 955 hectares in 2017 and 1072 hectares in 2018. In Udupi, the forest cover decreased to 740 hectares in 2016; 857 hectares in 2017 and 665 hectares in 2018. Declination in forest cover in Dakshin Kannada and Udupi from the year 2001 to 2017 is shown in graphs below.

Figure 2

Table 2

Year	Udupi (in Hectares)
2001	65.2
2002	83.1
2003	89.7
2004	85.3
2005	240
2006	205
2007	352
2008	241
2009	283
2010	93.6
2011	692
2012	439
2013	589
2014	503
2015	527
2016	740
2017	857

Figure 3

Figure 4

Methodology is shown in Figure 4

The result of this study indicates considerable loss of forest cover in the past 17 years. The Land Use Land Cover map of the year 2002 and 2017 shows a huge conversion and declination in the forest cover. The forest cover has decreased up to 2819.653 sq km in the year 2017 as compared to 2002 which was 3287.124sq km. The map below shows the extracted forest cover of both the years.

Dakshin Kannada and Udupi have abundance of natural resources in terms of forest cover and minerals but has been a prey to forest degradation since the past 17 years. It has caused in the loss of several flora and fauna species and also has tremendous impact on the human habitation. Flash flood, drought, forest fires, impact on the air and water quality are to name a few of the problems.

Knowing the potentiality of the districts and to retain its sustainability, there are few species of trees that would help in restoring back the forest as well as contribute in the growth of economy. 6 species of Eucalyptus can be grown in India. It has a very long lifespan of up to 200 years, takes 8 to 10 years to fully mature, can survive on any soil type and climatic conditions. Eucalyptus can even re-grow from buds on the trunk and lower branches even after bushfire. As the forests in Karnataka are affected by forest fires every year, this species of trees would decline the risk of forest fire and contribute in the quick restoration of forests. Forests and trees species can be monitored using geospatial technology which would keep a track of time in analysing and estimating the time required for restoring back the forest. Geospatial Technology can also be useful in monitoring the affected areas caused due to activities such as mining, forest fire, deforestation and land conversion.