Deccan thorn scrub forests

The Deccan thorn scrub forests are a special kind of dry forest area in south India and northern Sri Lanka. Long ago, this place was covered with thicker tropical forests, but today it looks very different. Now it has open areas with thorny trees, small bushes, and dry grasslands.

Many interesting animals live here, such as the great Indian bustard and blackbuck. Though there used to be many elephants and tigers, their numbers have gone down. Over 350 kinds of birds have been seen in this area.

Some parts of these forests are protected to help the animals and plants stay safe. The trees here have learned to live with very little water, which helps them survive in this dry land.

Geography

This area is found on the Deccan Plateau, a dry region that stretches across several states in India, including Maharashtra, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, and reaches into the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Most of the natural plants and trees have been removed to make space for animals to graze, leaving only a few small areas of the original habitat.

Climate

The Deccan thorn scrub forests get less than 750 mm (30 in) of rain each year, and all of this rain falls during a short rainy season. From November to April, there is no rain at all. During the hottest months, temperatures can go above 40 °C (104 °F).

Flora

Today, the Deccan thorn scrub forests are mostly made up of southern tropical thorn scrub, with some patches of the original tropical dry deciduous forests still remaining.

These thorn scrub forests have open, low vegetation with thorny trees that have short trunks and low branches. The trees usually grow up to 6–9 metres tall. Common grasses in this area include several types such as Chrysopogon fulvus, Heteropogon contortus, and Dactyloctenium species. The main plants in these forests are Acacia species, Balanites roxburghii, Cordia myxa, Capparis spp., Prosopis spp., Azadirachta indica, and Cassia fistula, among others.

In very dry and rocky places, the scrub is mostly made up of Euphorbia species. Some grassy growth may appear during the short monsoon season. In Tamil Nadu, the vegetation consists mainly of thinly spread thorny forests with umbrella-shaped crowns.

Some remaining forest patches contain many interesting plants, including a special type of cycad called Cycas beddomei and Psilotum nudum. There is also a small area with the tree Shorea talura being protected by the Forest Department. The area between the Nallamala and Seshachalam Hills is famous for the red sanders tree (Pterocarpus santalinus), a rare tree valued for its medicinal wood.

Fauna

The dry grasslands in the Deccan thorn scrub forests give a home to many animals that still live among the thorn trees. These grasslands, especially in southern Andhra Pradesh, support groups of the great Indian bustard and blackbuck antelope, though their numbers are getting smaller.

These forests were once home to large animals like the Bengal tiger, the Indian elephant, and the nilgai antelope, but these animals are now rare or might no longer live here.

This area is home to 96 different kinds of mammals. Three of these only live here: the split roundleaf bat, Kondana soft-furred rat, and Elvira rat. Other important mammals still found here include the gaur, dhole, sloth bear, chousingha, and the blackbuck.

The Deccan thorn scrub forests have many kinds of birds—almost 350 species! Three of these birds are mostly found only here: Jerdon's courser, Sri Lanka junglefowl, and yellow-fronted barbet. Jerdon's courser is a very rare bird that was found again in 1986 after not being seen since 1900. Other rare birds like the lesser florican and the great Indian bustard also live in this area.

Over 60 different kinds of reptiles and amphibians make their home in these forests. Some special ones include Duttaphrynus hololius, lizards like Hemidactylus scabriceps and Hemidactylus reticulatus, and snakes like Coluber bholanathi. Common animals such as the Indian star tortoise, Indian chameleon, and Bengal monitor are also found here.

Threats and conservation

The areas where these special forests grow are still being used for animals to eat grass. This creates new fields, but these fields are also in danger because too many animals are eating the grass and unwanted plants are growing there. There is still one big area of natural forest left in southern Andhra Pradesh.

Protected areas

About 9,430 square kilometers, or 3%, of this area is protected. In 1997, there were eleven protected places here that covered 4,110 square kilometers. Some of these places today include:

• Chundikkulam National Park, Sri Lanka (196 square kilometers)
• Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Karnataka (82.72 square kilometers)
• Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka (29.8 square kilometers)
• Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary, Maharashtra (8,496 square kilometers, plus a 400 square kilometer extension)
• Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra (230 square kilometers)
• Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh (357.6 square kilometers)
• Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary, Maharashtra (100.1 square kilometers)
• Pakkamalai Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu
• Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary, Karnataka (119 square kilometers)
• Sagareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra (10.9 square kilometers)
• Sri Venkateswara National Park, Andhra Pradesh (500 square kilometers)
• Tungabhadra Otter Conservation Reserve, Karnataka
• Tungabhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka (90 square kilometers)
• Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu (0.38 square kilometers; also in East Deccan dry evergreen forests)