The Arabian Sea, often referred to as Sindhu Sagar, is bordered to the west by the Cape of Africa and also the Arabian Peninsula, to the north by Pakistan and Iran, to the east by India, and to the south by the remaining Indian Ocean. The Arabian Sea is bordered by Konkan Coast in central India and the Malabar Coast in south-eastern India.
Source: iStock
The Malabar Coast was a key hub for international trade and commerce for more than 5,000 years with medieval Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome, Jerusalem, and the Arab world. Over these millennia, the majority of the region’s natural forests were removed. The Indian Subcontinent’s western coast, from the modern Mumbai city and its 18 million residents all the down to the southern tip of India, was formerly covered in a compact, rich, constant swathe of rain forest, according to a recreation of the ancient forest landscapes.
Source: Wilderness Travel
Tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, and wild canines previously roamed the forests. In the canopy of lofty trees, boisterous populations of big hornbills with oversize yellow bills and massive black and white Malabar pied hornbills would have been competing for fruit. Unfortunately, just a small portion of these trees and its diversity are still present today, victims of human activity somewhere along coast for thousands of years. Largely mostly to the influence of plantation trees like teak or forest degradation, the native tropical evergreen rainforest has been entirely superseded by a semi-deciduous vegetation. Tetrameles, Stereospermum, Ficus, Dysoxylum, Pterocarpus, Terminalia, Dalbergia, Madhuca, and Mangifera species are the distinctive trees.
Source: eBird
The biological ecosystem of the habitat has undergone substantial destruction or transformation to rice paddies, coconut, rubber, and lumber plantations, with virtually any noticeable areas of pristine forest habitat remaining.
Source: Times of India
Konkan is a region rich in natural beauty, but it also has a lot more to offer. Many indigenous and severely threatened species can be found there, from the elusive Indian gaur to the tiny weaver ants; pangolines are treasured there in order to ensure their survival, and Olive Ridley Turtles are protected. Long stretches of spotless, sandy beaches and vibrant seaside communities like Ratnagiri and Ganapatipule can be found along this coastal stretch of land, which is bordered on the east by the Sahyadri hills and on the west by the Arabian Sea. It is rich in natural resources.
Source: World Atlas
This coastal region is home to a variety of plant species, including Rauvolfia serpentine, Curcuma longa, Mucuna pruriens, Anacardium occidentale, Acalypha hispida, Heliconia rostrata, Dioscoria alata, Artocarpus heterophyllus, Michelia champaca, Piper nigrum, Ensete superbum, Dioscoria alata, and horticulture of coconut, mango, cashew nut, areca palm, jackfruit and etc.
Source: india.gov.in
In order to preserve and maintain the blooming biodiversity of cultivation, which is under threat from rising population, changing land use, deforestation, and development activities, the region should be given priority. The diversity, dominance, and richness of the species that make up domestic gardens’ vegetative components vary, indicating their dynamic nature.
References
- “Konkan Horticulture & Konkan Railway”. Welcome to Konkan Division. India.gov.in.
- http://divcomkonkan.gov.in/Document/en/page/KonkanHoriculture.aspx
- Eric Wikramanayake, “Malabar Coast Moist Forests”. One Earth.
- https://www.oneearth.org/ecoregions/malabar-coast-moist-forests/
- Joshy Mathew, “Plantation Economy In Colonial Malabar-With Special Reference To Wayanad”. JSTOR.
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/44147992
- Mr. Sandeep Narayan Naik, Dr. Deepali Garge, “Rain Tourism: A Progressive Opportunity and Challenges for Konkan Tourism”. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT).
- https://turcomat.org/index.php/turkbilmat/article/view/9279
India Ocean Project 