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The
district has a total area of 1,03,417 hectares, i.e.,28.47%
of the total land under forest cover. The major forest area
is concentrated in Nilambur and Wandoor blocks and Melattur
in the Western ghats. Of the forests, 80% is deciduous and
the rest is evergreen. Teak ,rosewood, venteak, choropin,
mahogoni, etc. are the important trees. Other varieties
like kulamavu and villapine are used in the plywood industry.
Bamboo is extensively grown in all parts of the forest.
The district has also several man made plantations, mainly
of teak. A mammoth effort under the Nilgiri Biosphere Project
is underway to protect and regenerate the natural forests.
Afforestation is also being done under the Wasteland Development
Programme. |
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Elephants,
deers, tigers, blue monkeys, bears, boars, rabbits etc.
are found in the forests along with a variety of birds and
reptiles. Forests are the main source of raw material for
a number of wood-based industrial units. Besides timber,
firewood and green manure, forest produces like honey, medicinal
herbs, spices etc. are collected. Minor forest produces
are collected by the tribals. A Girijan Society functions
for ensuring fair prices for collected items and for arranging
supply of essential commodities to the tribal families.
Bamboo for pulp factories is mainly supplied form Nilambur
forests. The forests are protected by two forest divisions-Nilambur
North and Nilambur South. The social forestry division promotes
planting of trees outside forest lands, for protecting the
forests. |
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