Policy Research
Preparation of integrated management plan for Pulicat – Zone of Influence” was carried out in 2022, focusing on the Pulicat bird sanctuary located in Tiruvallur District. The main objective of this project was to develop a comprehensive management plan for the sanctuary. This involved the preparation of a brief document followed by an integrated management plan, taking into consideration the major biotic and abiotic factors that influence the wetland and its biodiversity
The zone of influence around the wetland and its associated land uses were analysed and mapped to understand the ecological interactions and impacts. Based on proximity and direction, factors such as drainage, urbanisation, and land-use change were identified as significant influencing factors. Further, the project estimated the land use and land cover in the wetland’s multiple buffer regions to ensure sustainable management practices
The project focused on the preparation of applications for proposing new Ramsar sites of international importance. The specific locations were Kodaikanal, Coutralam waterfalls complex in Tirunelveli and the Aagayagangai falls (Kolli hills, Namakkal). To support this, data collection was conducted by a team consisting of biologists, hydrologists, and engineers to identify its unique ecological significance. This data collection process involved gathering information on landscape characteristics, hydrology, and vegetation density, including specifically identifying globally significant plant species and their details. Physical mapping techniques were employed to create a comprehensive understanding of the selected sites and their ecological value. Interaction with local communities and interviews with the respective department officials and frontline staff were an integral part of this process
The landscape has been thoroughly assessed using a rapid assessment method. The study period coincided with the monsoon season. Flowers and fruits of herbaceous flora and grasses were recorded, which helped higher accuracy in identification in the field itself. The assessment included survey and identification of herbs, grasses, trees, shrubs, climbers, hydrophytes and creepers. The Allikuzhi RF biodiversity survey reveals that the dominant life form in the area is herbaceous plants, with a total of 151 species identified. In the Nanmangalam RF, the habitat type with the highest number of species richness is Herb with 207 species. We surveyed various animal groups, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates like butterflies and dragonflies. Our assessment found 121 species in total, including 62 birds, 7 reptiles, 4 amphibians, 43 invertebrates and 7 mammals. Out of these, 35 species are protected by the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, including five Sch-II species and two Sch-I species
The aim of the project is to document and prepare a database of the biodiversity of the beach and its environs. Multiple field trips to the sites during various seasons have provided many interesting and lesser known organisms to the database. The major groups documented were Angiosperms, Avifauna, Butterflies, Odonates, Mammals, Molluscs and macros Crustaceans. The inventory has been compiled and documented
The project aims to articulate factors underlying neighbourhood preference in three cities in the developing world as cities have always been places of trade and innovation, as well as places of coexistence
Where and how we live have an enormous impact on global issues such as climate change and migration. The preferences of our generation will drive much of this as local governments and real estate developers respond in the form of new regulations, incentives and dwelling types. The goal of this study is to help professional urban planners and designers understand better the perceptions, values and motivations behind residents’ preferences for certain types of neighbourhoods
Care Earth Trust was tasked with studying and assessing existing urban green spaces within the Greater Chennai Corporation’s limits and the preparation of site specific strategies and structure plan for increasing of green cover. This was done by creating multifunctional landscapes and appropriate vegetation to enhance urban resilience and human well-being. Manuals for planting and maintenance of urban open spaces including medians were prepared as part of the project in addition to formulating legal and institutional setup for sustainable maintenance of proposed projects
The project aimed at studying the distribution and characterization of mountain wetlands in Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, and propose a plan for their protection and conservation. Field assessment, data analysis and mapping of high elevation wetlands in the Tamil Nadu Western Ghats were completed as part of the project along with analysing the drainage and disturbance patterns. An overarching plan for the protection and conservation of the state’s mountain wetlands were developed as part of the research work
With the core objective of mainstreaming conservation goals across different sectors and levels of public administration in Tamil Nadu, the project aimed to create dialogue and integration of different departments and stakeholders to strengthen the dissemination of information and engagement for the conservation of the Western Ghats. The most significant accomplishment was the support provided to the Department of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives to draft the Special Area Development Programme for the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Through this project, we also managed to achieve the support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan at the state level
With a special emphasis on urbanization, landscape fragmentation, isolation, and the socio-ecological consequences of the land use and land cover change, we aimed at studying the trends and patterns of land use and land cover change. In this study, we focused on the Western districts of Tamil Nadu- Erode and Coimbatore. These areas had large tracts of forested land with moderately dense vegetation. Trends in the land use and land cover (LU/LC) study showed that there had been a huge decrease in forest areas and emergence of new land use category. On the other hand, an increase in crop lands was observed, which peaked in 1970-1980
As part of the project, distal drivers of land use and land cover change at sites such as Kancheepuram, Nagapattinam, and Tirunelveli were studied. The Tirunelveli district represents the plains of Southern Western Ghats; the Kancheepuram district represents a mixed habitat of peri-urban/agrarian nature; finally, the Nagapattinam district represents the East Coast and a Ramsar site/Wildlife Sanctuary
With the core objective of mainstreaming conservation goals across different sectors and levels of public administration in Tamil Nadu, the project aimed to create dialogue and integration of different departments and stakeholders to strengthen the dissemination of information and engagement for the conservation of the Western Ghats. The most significant accomplishment was the support provided to the Department of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives to draft the Special Area Development Programme for the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu. Through this project, we also managed to achieve the support of the National Biodiversity Action Plan at the state level
This study was commissioned by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to address the issue of water availability and identify water stressed areas in Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Guindy National Park, and Erode Forest Division. Remote sensing data as well as field assessments were employed to develop a water management strategy and action plan for the project sites. The study also helped identify and protect water resources originating in the watershed and extend the availability of water through appropriate interventions
The Wetland Participatory Management Planning looked at developing a management and action plan based on primary and secondary studies to help strengthen the management of Bird Sanctuaries. The project aimed to enable key stakeholders such as the Public Works Department (PWD) and village communities to engage in the formulation of plans. The management plan included various recommendations encompassing different domains including identification of flagship species, water and wetland area management, biodiversity and habitat management, invasive species control and monitoring, management of wetland as public space through local community participation
Bird Sanctuaries that were investigated as part of the project include Vedanthangal, Karikili, Vellode, Vettangudi, Kanjirankulam, Chitrangudi, Mela-Selvanoor, Keela-Selvanoor, Koonthankulam, Vaduvoor and Udayamarthandpuram in Tamil Nadu
The project looked to map the environmental profile of Srirangam town and identify environmental pollution hotspots. An environment management plan was prepared to carry out restoration programmes along with a set of recommendations to ensure environmentally compatible land use planning. This involved consultations with a range of stakeholders through structured meetings and discussions; analysis of geographical data through maps for habitat, infrastructure, transport, choke points, agglomeration, pollution, etc. and field verification of the same through rapid assessments
Investigations and analyses revealed that environmental management of Srirangam city needs to be built on the buy-in of stakeholders such as the temple administration, state line departments, residents, pilgrims, service providers etc., And, it was recommended that the only way to achieve this is through massive awareness and capacity building programmes is which effectively illustrate the link between a clean environment and the sacred
The project looked to map the environmental profile of Srirangam town and identify environmental pollution hotspots. An environment management plan was prepared to carry out restoration programmes along with a set of recommendations to ensure environmentally compatible land use planning. This involved consultations with a range of stakeholders through structured meetings and discussions; analysis of geographical data through maps for habitat, infrastructure, transport, choke points, agglomeration, pollution, etc. and field verification of the same through rapid assessments
Investigations and analyses revealed that environmental management of Srirangam city needs to be built on the buy-in of stakeholders such as the temple administration, state line departments, residents, pilgrims, service providers etc., And, it was recommended that the only way to achieve this is through massive awareness and capacity building programmes is which effectively illustrate the link between a clean environment and the sacred
This study was commissioned by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to address the issue of water availability and identify water stressed areas in Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Guindy National Park, and Erode Forest Division. Remote sensing data as well as field assessments were employed to develop a water management strategy and action plan for the project sites. The study also helped identify and protect water resources originating in the watershed and extend the availability of water through appropriate interventions
The scope of the project was enumeration of tree species, identification of threats, suggest restoration protocols and develop a plantation plan for the campus of the Officers’ Training Academy in Chennai. Biodiversity assessments were conducted and a list of species suitable for planting in appropriate locations were identified. A strategy to manage invasive species was also chalked out
Care Earth has drafted the Ecological Management Plans for the upcoming campuses of the Indian Institute of Technology in Tirupati, Palakkad, Dharwad and Jammu, outlining a set of processes and practices to meet the institute’s objectives of sustainable growth. Field assessments comprising of all out search, transects and sample plot surveys were done to assess the habitat and its constituent species; a set of flora/fauna were identified as bio-indicators of the campus. Geo-spatial analyses of the habitat for various parameters such as ecological zonation, human habitation and hydrology were carried out as part of the project as well
Care Earth has drafted the Ecological Management Plans for the upcoming campuses of the Indian Institute of Technology in Tirupati, Palakkad, Dharwad and Jammu, outlining a set of processes and practices to meet the institute’s objectives of sustainable growth. Field assessments comprising of all out search, transects and sample plot surveys were done to assess the habitat and its constituent species; a set of flora/fauna were identified as bio-indicators of the campus. Geo-spatial analyses of the habitat for various parameters such as ecological zonation, human habitation and hydrology were carried out as part of the project as well
Care Earth Trust was involved in the process for preparing a proposal to enable the certification of the Pallikaranai marsh as a Ramsar site. This included structured and open discussions with the senior officials of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to enable an in depth understanding of data sources, data availability, and past, current and future plans of management. Data sources, reports and maps of the Forest Department were thoroughly studied in addition to incorporating inputs from published as well as unpublished sources of information. Boundaries were delineated to identify the candidate site and site visits were carried out to verify on ground
Care Earth was entrusted with the preparation of Ecological Management Plan for the proposed new campus of the Indian Institute of Technology Madras at Thaiyur in Kanchipuram district. As part of the project, selected classes of plants and animals in around the proposed new campus were enumerated; habitat use by these species were assessed and habitats of greater conservation value were identified GIS based map of the current land use of the 150 acres was prepared in addition to one depicting the distribution of critical habitats. All out search for selected classes of plants and animal species was done and local abundance of selected flagship species was duly estimated
