Satpura-Melghat Landscape Restoration Initiative

Overview

Satpura-Melghat Landscape, representative of the dry deciduous forests of Central India, is vital for biodiversity conservation and provides essential ecosystem services contributing to climate resilience. The landscape, drained by the Tapi, Narmada and Godavari basins, is a mosaic of forestlands and agriculture spread across eight districts in Madhya Pradesh, and is home to tribes like Gond, Korku and Bhil who are dependent on natural resources for their lives and livelihoods, especially agriculture and non-timber forest produce. Despite the dense forest cover, the landscape suffers high levels of degradation due to various natural and anthropogenic pressures. Addressing these multi-faceted challenges requires an integrated approach which is used in this project. Geo-spatial analysis of the landscape using remote sensing and GIS data was done to understand the historical land use changes, forest cover, deforestation and degradation, forest fires, carbon sequestration potential, species occurrence, digital elevation model etc. Secondary data from the Working Plans of the forest divisions was analysed and integrated. The plans provide exhaustive information about the ecological and socio-economic attributes of the landscape which was supplemented by field surveys and community interactions. These assessments inform the overall planning for future interventions including afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry, assisted natural regeneration and sustainable resource management, grassland management etc. Consultations with key stakeholder groups laid the foundation for landscape-level collaborations and ensuring the interests of all are considered in planning.

Key achievements

The project has collected and integrated information for entire landscape spanning 3,810,133 ha area under sustainable landscape level planning. In addition to identification of priority areas, the project identified and prioritised sustainable value chain development opportunities for NTFP and agroforestry products like mahua, chironji, orange, jackfruit etc. Through these activities and continuous stakeholder consultation, the project laid a strong knowledge base to support conservation and sustainable management planning of Satpura-Melghat Landscape in the long term.
Also, the project identified priority areas for different restoration interventions in the landscape:
1) 178,858 ha area affected by deforestation identified for interventions such as afforestation, reforestation, agroforestry;
2) 296,910 ha degraded area identified for assisted natural regeneration and sustainable management;
3) 413,221 ha overlapping area identified as priority for biodiversity conservation;
4) 100,495 ha prioritised for grassland management.

Lessons

The project demonstrated need for thorough ecological and socio-economic assessments for effective landscape conservation. Balancing resource management with community well-being requires active participation at every stage for long-term sustainability. A strong stakeholder strategy, adaptable interventions and an adaptive learning framework are essential to address the evolving challenges of Satpura-Melghat landscape.

• Harmonising ecological, social and economic needs forms the cornerstone of sustainable landscape management. However, achieving this balance represents the most intricate and demanding aspect of such initiatives.