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Source: The post is based on the article “Cauvery basin lost nearly 12,850 sq. km of green cover” published in “The Hindu” on 11th December 2023
Why in the News?
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have released a study on the natural vegetation cover in the Cauvery basin.
What are the Key Findings of the Study?
1) Over 12,850 sq.km of natural vegetation in the Cauvery basin was lost in the 50 years between 1965 and 2016.
2) Karnataka lost the most natural vegetation, accounting for one third of the lost cover, while Tamil Nadu accounted for one fifth share.
3) Overall, there was a 46% decrease in natural vegetation with dense vegetation cover reducing by 35% and degraded vegetation by 63%.
4) Protected areas like Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary were most affected.
– For instance, Bannerghatta National Park saw its moist deciduous forest area drop from 50% in 1973 to 28.5% in 2015 due to human activities impacting the park and its surroundings.
Where is Cauvery River?
| Specifications | Details |
| Origin | Talakaveri on the Brahmagiri range near Cherangala village of Kodagu district of Karnataka. |
| Drains into | Bay of Bengal at Poompuhar, Tamil Nadu |
| States covered | Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry. |
| Important Tributaries | 1) Left Bank: Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha and Arkavati. 2) Right Bank: Lakshmantirtha, Kabbani, Suvarnavati, Bhavani, Noyil and Amaravati. |
| Major Projects | Krishnaraja sagar dam, Nugu, Mettur and Grand Anicut projects |
| Protected areas along Cauvery Basin | Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Bannerghatta National Park and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary |
| Cauvery River Water Dispute | Click Here to read |
UPSC Syllabus: Geography
