Vignettes: Exploring the Forest Landscape of Sirsi, Karnataka

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K ARNATAKA

S IRSI, GLIMPSES OF

VIGNETTES

VIGNETTES GL I MPSES O F

S I RSI , K ARNATAK A

Documentation of this study has been carried out in Semester –III (2019-20 Academic Year) by IInd yr. Students of Department of Landscape Architecture at VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune Published by Research and Design Cell, PVP College of Architecture, Pune.


R ELATIVE STUDY PROGRAM TO SIRSI, KARNATAKA

“IN AN UNFAMILIAR PLACE, SENSES SHARPEN.” A NNE W HISTON S PIRN


Landscapes are SETTINGS. Landscapes narrate STORIES, wherein all biotic and abiotic beings have a definitive role to portray. Our Actions and Reactions, are the Reflection of our Mental Constructs. These EVOLVE CONTINUOUSLY over a period of time, through generations, based on beliefs and CULTURAL PRACTICES.


Northern Western Ghats

Credit: https://www.britannica.com/place


Central Western Ghats

Credit: https://www.britannica.com/place


Nilgiri Hills

Credit: https://www.britannica.com/place


Southern Western Ghats

Credit: https://www.britannica.com/place


DIALOGUES ::

with people, places & self; between thinking & doing, is how one learns and evolves.


With an endeavour to read and experience landscape,

Thereby understand the quintessential Man and Nature CONNECT through the myriad responses; And thus become aware of the shift or continuum in ATTITUDE across the layers of evolution; We set to explore SIRSI , a modest hill station nestled in the serene Central Western Ghats.


Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


Sirsi & Surroundings

An Efficient – Functional Demonstration of Sustainable Development that strives to CONSERVE the essential ecological and cultural narratives, while not becoming a hindrance to

growth; ADAPTING with time.

14.6195●N 74.8354●E

R EADING L ANDSCAPE


The geology & soil has created peculiar niches where unique type of fresh-water wetlands called Myristica Swamps are found. Geomorphologically too, with the Karst formation (black crystalline limestone) at Yana Rocks, this region has a lot to explore and revisit, and explore yet another facet. This context imparts a Unique Sense of Place.

Delight

(functional/ social/ cultural/ economic values derived from land, water and vegetation)

(aesthetic/ visual/ experiential/ sensory/ conceptual/ intellectual responses to the values derived from a relationship between nature and culture or ecology and community)

The people who inhabited this region, understood the potential of the setting and thus their syntrophic response to this place, is an exemplary example of sustainable living. Less is indeed More! Various types of communities like Jogi, Kunbi, Hedge, showcase diverse settlement patterns, woven into a similar self-resilient fabric. Trade of Areca nuts, Black & White Pepper, Rice, Bay Leaves, Cinnamon and many other organically grown grains, spice & condiments is conducted. This region introduced Kannada as the first administrative language. The exemplary attitude towards Nature Conservation, has assured in protecting the sense of place.

EXPERIENTIAL

Unique habitat imparts this region with rich biodiversity and abundant natural resources. Abundant rainfall and a dense network of rivers flowing through the undulating terrain, create a series of waterfalls.

REVERENCE

Ecological Value is high due to the dense network of tropical moist evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests, which are home to many wildlife sanctuaries, national parks, sacred groves (‘Kan Forests’) community and conservation reserves.

SACRED -

SUSTENANCE -

RESOURCES

(environmental values of land, water and vegetation)

Community

SENSORY -

Ecology

There is a lot of flair for folk art and festivals, for example, the Kadambotsava festival, the Yakshagana Art form (song on spirits in Nature).

Mystical forests, mysterious swamps, misty waterfalls, crystalline rocks, impart enriching and memorable experiences. Such connections are heightened with the existence of the ASI Type A Madhukeshwara Temple in Banavasi and the Sahasralinga (1000 Shiva lingas), on the Shamla River near Sirsi. Sensitivity towards Nature and natural resources, regard towards traditional wisdom related to construction techniques, materials, socio-cultural practices; further increases the novelty factor of Sirsi and its surroundings. An unmatched synergy!

R EADING L ANDSCAPE The Three Principle Value Systems are adopted from Ian H. Thompson’s Ecology, Community, Delight


Traversed through the Forest Landscape, Experiencing distinct SETTINGS, Indulged in the DRAMA

bestowed by Nature as the Hidden Jewels REVEAL themselves.

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Conceptualized & Prepared by Aanchal Vidyasagar


Hydrology

Geo morphology

Geology & Soils

Physiography

Forests & Faunal associations

Land Cover/ Cultural Patterns

R EADING L ANDSCAPE


Dharwad

Maharashtra

Goa

Upper Bhima

Lower Krishna

Lower Bhima Middle Krishna

Upper Krishna

Kali

Andhra Pradesh

Upper Tungabhadra

Bedti Aghnashini Sharavati

Lower Tungabhadra

Tamil Nadu

Arabian Sea

KARNATAKA 0

100 km

Kerala

K RISHNA R IV ER B ASIN The formation of Western Ghats have resulted into many faults, which formed west flowing rivers. 4 West flowing rivers in the region namely Kali, Gangavalli/ Bedti, Aghanashini & Sharavati and 1 East flowing river, Varada.

MICRO WAT ERSHED

Sirsi is located at the junction of 3 Watersheds of the East flowing riverVarada, and the West flowing Gangavalli & Aghanashini Rivers.

Shimoga Arabian Sea

Udupi

UTTARA KANNADA 0

30 km

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


The Central Western Ghats are divided into:

Maharashtra

Dharwad

Coastal Region 60-80 km from Arabian Sea Goa

Malnad Region land of rolling hills, located at an altitude of average 600- 900m Semi-Malnad Region region having gradual slope

Andhra Pradesh

LEGEND ABOVE

Tamil Nadu

Arabian Sea

Shimoga 900 M

Arabian Sea

600 – 900 M 300 – 600 M 0 – 300 M

KARNATAKA 0

100 km

RIDGE

Kerala

RIVER

Udupi

UTTARA KANNADA 0

30 km

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


The major rock type found in this region is Peninsular Gneiss rock. These are metamorphic & collection of heterogeneous acidic rocks.

Maharashtra

Major types of soil found are forest brown soil, red gravelly soil and lateritic soil.

Dharwad

Goa

Few Characteristics are that the region is well drained, yellowish brown to reddish brown and clay to sandy clay subsurface soil.

Andhra Pradesh

Goa

Shimoga Tamil Nadu

Arabian Sea

Arabian Sea

Udupi

KARNATAKA 0

100 km

Kerala

UTTARA KANNADA 0

30 km

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


Dharwad

Maharashtra

Goa

There are 4 major types of Tropical Forests are Tropical Evergreen,

Tropical Moist Evergreen, Tropical Moist Deciduous and Andhra Pradesh

Tropical Dry Deciduous

Shimoga Tamil Nadu

Arabian Sea

Arabian Sea

Udupi

KARNATAKA 0

100 km

Kerala

UTTARA KANNADA 0

30 km

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


SEA

COAST

WESTERN SLOPES

TOP

EASTERN SLOPES

SHALLOW PLAINS

3500 MM ABOVE

2500-3500

1500-2500

900-1500

D ISTURBED F OREST

S EMI E VERGREEN & E V E R G REEN

M OIST D ECIDUOUS F OREST

D RY D ECIDUOUS F OREST

Dense Canopy Deciduous Trees Presence of Bamboo

Thorny Vegetation Presence of Thick Climbers Epiphytes Evergreen Trees Deciduous Trees

No Ground Cover

Presence of Bamboo Sparse Ground Cover

Low Shrubs

Dense Shrub

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


Birds

Snakes

Frogs

Ants

Spiders

Insects

Lizards

Glowing Fungi

Butterflies

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: Omkar Pai’s Blog, a resource person at Sirsi


https://www.ancient-asia-journal.com/articles/10.5334/aa.126/

1st Century

Saatvahana Dynasty 3 BCE - 255 AD

3rd Century

Kadamba Dynasty 325 - 540 AD

KALBURGI

Paithan VIJAYPURA Sirsi

Sirsi

6th Century

BELGAUM

Banavasi

BAGALKOT HALIYAL KADAMBA DYNASTY (325 - 540 AD)

SAATVAHANA DYNASTY (3 BCE - 255 AD)

HAMPI

YELLAPUR

9th Century

BELLARI

Chalukya Dynasty 973 - 1138 AD

SIRSI KUMTA BANVASI

CHITRADURGA

12th Century SHIVAMOGGA SHIMOGA BANGLORE MANGLORE

KOLAR

15th Century

Sirsi

Sirsi

Vijayanagar Dynasty 1336 - 1565 AD

Hampi

Haider Ali Dynasty 1761 - 1799 AD

MYSORE

Badami CHALUKYA DYNASTY (973 – 1138 AD) VIJAYNAGAR DYNASTY (1336 - 1565 AD)

Mysore

18th Century HAIDER ALI DYNASTY (1761 – 1799 AD)

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


WESTERN GHATS RIVER BASIN PHYSIOGRAPHY HYDROLOGY

P ROCESSES

GEOLOGY AND SOILS FOREST TYPES EVOLUTION CONNECTIVITY

P ATTERNS

INTRODUCTION (SIRSI)

ECOLOGICAL LANDMARKS FOREST MYRISTICA SWAMPS YANA ROCKS BHIMANGUDDA UNCHALLI FALLS

CULTURAL LANDMARKS

P LACE A SSOCIATIONS

BANAVASI SAHASRALINGA VADDINAKOPPA

DEVANHALLI HEGDEKATTA

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Conceptualized & Prepared by Aanchal Vidyasagar


UNIQUENESS of a place defines its IDENTITY And thereby signifies the POWER OF LANDSCAPE


Ecological Landmarks

Cultural Landmarks

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


F OREST D R ON GO N A T U R E C A MP

S IRSI T OWN

Y ANA R OCKS

B HIMANGUDDA

M YRISTICA S WAMPS U NCHALLI F ALLS

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


These forests are a integral part of the lives of residents of the village. People here own forest as they closely relate to it and hence fear is completely missing.

the

Each forest type has a peculiar sense of enclosure and this sense of the forest is mainly due to the various layers of vegetation, amount of sunlight penetrating, degree of humidity etc. Deciduous Forest forms an enclosure that is more compact in nature, beams of sunlight penetrating inside lighten up the space.

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


Myristica Swamps is a type of freshwater swamp , which predominantly consists of members of Myristicaceae. It has stilt and knee roots which are the breathing roots of these trees. It is a forested wetland having a high water table and occurring near rivers, streams, and lakes. The soil is thick, black, and nutrient-rich and is saturated (or soaked) with water. It provides an environment for water tolerant trees and other organisms.

Swamps lie on the interface of land and water and hence are one of the most productive ecosystems on Earth.

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


Amidst the Western Ghats, there is a creation of 61 monolithic rocks of which Bhairaweshwara (120’) and Mohini (90’) form the site of Yana rocks, located in the Yana village which is nestled in the Kumta Forest. The Yana Rocks are an unusual karst rock formation . Karst is a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone, characterized by underground drainage systems with sinkholes and caves. Observed two types of soils here; black soil deposited near to the caves and red laterite soil deposited at a distance from the caves. It is a live rock , supporting may faunas like bats, honey bees, birds, monkeys etc.

It seems as if the Bhairaweshwara has a dialogue

with the

surroundings. R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: Landscape Architect – Shivram Somasundaram


Bhimangudda or Bhimanavre gudda is a hill top which has a picturesque view of the Agnashini River. It is located in the Siddhapur Taluk, 2 kms from Nilkunda Village. At this point a 360°

view is revealed and we realize our micro-existence due to its vastness. A feeling of Reverence is triggered.

Natural patterns are observed beyond and far.

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: Landscape Architect – Shivram Somasundaram


A magnanimous waterfall on the Aghanashini river. The mountain tracks, the steep mountain slopes, deep gorges, chilly breeze, the amazing flora and the rare avian species accompany us until we reach the roaring Unchalli Falls plummeting down. The Aghanashini river meanders through thick woods and makes a spectacular waterfall. Situated nearly 35 kms away from Siddapur Taluka. A waterfall is formed on the less resistant or soft rocks that due to erosion, form a cliff. Laterite rocks can be observed on the cliff. Vegetation pattern is peculiar near the waterfall, broadleaf shrubs, small plants growing in the crevices of the rocks can be observed.

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: Landscape Architect – Shivram Somasundaram


B ANAVASI S AHASRALINGA

S IRSI T OWN H EGDEKATTA

D EVANHALLI

V ADDINKOPPA Q UEEN ’ S T ANK

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


At the entrance of the village the road is narrow and all the mixed type of houses are placed very densely near to it. The houses have shops at the ground level in front of the road and residences on the upper level. As well when we move towards the temple the road widens and the houses are linearly placed, guiding us to the temple. It located 25 km from Sirsi in a picturesque location, at the border of Shimoga and Sirsi, deep in the rain forests of Western Ghats on the banks of River Varadha.

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


Sahasralinga on the banks of the river Shalmala near Bhairumbe village, is 15 kms from Sirsi. There are thousand Shiva lingas carved on the rocks, some present in the river and some on the river bank. Each rock has carved Shiva linga on it and Nandi facing it. It was in the year 1969 that this holy place got discovered by Jean was an ethnologist.

Boulbet

who

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


A small village with 25-30 houses, on Sirsi - Banvasi road in the midst of tropical moist deciduous type of forest. The community primarily living here is Jogi. Paddy and Banana are primarily cultivated in this settlement. Also some families practice fishing. Each house have a small garden comprising of fruits and vegetable, for

sustenance. People practice joint farming , i.e. the entire land is cultivated and harvested by all community members collectively. This way the field work is effectively distributed.

Typical Section of this Settlement

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


The primary community living in this settlement is Kunbhi . These people are believed to have migrated from Maharashtra. The major crop grown in the fields is paddy. The village is located at the midst of tropical moist deciduous forest. The village has a relatively flat land with gentle slopes. The pattern of the settlement is such that the cattle shed is situated in front side little away from of the house.

Typical Section of this Settlement

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


This settlement lies between one of the oldest trade routes developed by Tipu Sultan from Kumta port to Banavasi. Suggesting that this settlement dates back to 16th century. This settlement primarily belongs to Hegde Community. These people primarily sustain their livelihood on areca nut plantations. The areca nut plantations here are one of the oldest plantations in the Sirsi taluk (more than 100 years old). Along with areca nut, these people also grow Black pepper and Banana. For each acres of Areca nut plantation, these people are allotted 7-8 acres of Betta land forest on which they can generate alternative source of income and also conserve them at the same time.

Typical Section of this Settlement

R EADING L ANDSCAPE Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


Decoding the DYNAMIC WEAVING of this place,

Comprehending the meanings imparted by the CONTEXT,

Capturing the uniqueness of the place,

Observing the concerns which need to be addressed;

We READ how the fabric of this place adapted and SUSTAINED through TIME.

Credit: IInd yr. students, 2019-20 Batch, PG-LA, VIT’s PVPCOA, Pune


Suneet Mohindru Landscape Architect Advisor

Isha Umrani Landscape Architect Program Co-ordinator

Aanchal Vidyasagar Landscape Architect Year Co-Ordinator

Shivram Somasundaram Landscape Architect Visiting Faculty

Landscape Conservation and Planning

Meenal Rohankar Landscape Architect Visiting Faculty Landscape Conservation and Planning

Landscape Management

Landscape Design Studio Team

Studio Working & Discussions :: within the classroom, and beyond (on site at Sirsi) Sayali Bhate

Adv. Gouri Joshi

Anagha Paranjape-Purohit

Landscape Architect

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Planner

Visiting Faculty

Visiting Faculty

Visiting Faculty

Environmental Legislation

Environmental Assessment Ecology and Biodiversity

Landscape Management

Kedar Champhekar Environmental Planner Visiting Faculty

Dr. Gurudas Nulkar Environmental Economist Visiting Faculty

Environmental Assessment Ecology and Biodiversity

Environmental Assessment Landscape Economy

Team of Experts from Allied Fields

Rucha Bhandari

Suhas Hegde

Omkar Pai

Balchandra Sayimane

Dr.R Vasudeva

Shridhar D. Bhat

Lawyer, Herpetologist Director of Tropical Rainforest Ecological Camp, Founder of Drongo Nature Camp

Team Leader of Tropical Rainforest Ecological Camp

President & Co-founder Tropical Rainforest Ecological Camp

Plant Geneticist, College of Forestry, Sirsi Member of MoEFCC, IIFGTB

Assistant Professor, Wildlife Management, College of Forestry, Sirsi

Ameya Bhosekar

Rohan Dalvi

Manasi Harisangam

Ketaki Jugoolkar

Utkarsha Kulkarni

IInd yr. Students, Masters in Landscape Architecture 2018-20

Resource Personnel at Sirsi Jayshree Patel

Shubham Patil

Kartik Paturkar

Nikita Surana

Apeksha Ubale


Vivekanand Institute of Technology’s Padmabhushan Dr. Vasantdada Patil College of Architecture, Pune Published by: Research and Design Cell, PVP College of Architecture, Pune. we believe in creating sensitive and socially conscious architects who can contribute in shaping our built environment


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