Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: TH
Context: The Cauvery basin has witnessed the loss of approximately 12,850 sq. km of natural vegetation between 1965 and 2016, with Karnataka accounting for three-fourths of the decline, according to a study by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.
- Karnataka has just around 20% of the area under forest cover
More about the Research:
- 46% reduction in natural vegetation cover, with dense vegetation decreasing by 35% and degraded vegetation by 63%.
- Adverse changes in forest cover in areas such as the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and national parks like Bandipur and Nagarhole.
- Recommendations: Integrated catchment management, sustainable agricultural practices
About Cauvery River
It is the third largest river – after Godavari and Krishna – in southern India, and the largest in the state of Tamil Nadu, known as ‘Ponni’ in Tamil. Originates in Karnataka (Talakaveri in the Brahmagiri range in the Western Ghats, Kodagu district) and eventually drains into the Bay of Bengal. Its left bank tributaries include Arkavathi, Hemavathi, Shimsa, and Harangi, while right bank tributaries consist of Lakshmantirtha, Suvarnavati, Noyil, Bhavani, Kabini, and Amaravathi.
