Adding to the already green neighbourhood of Jalahalli is the Jarkabandi State Forest at the Forest Region Road. The forest covers 494 acres of land which is distributed across two blocks, Jarkabandi State Forest block A and B.
Rocky
The forest harbours several species of animals, birds and plants. The area, which is covered with eucalyptus shrubs, is rocky and has vegetation typical to the Deccan Plateau.
A.G. Appurao, Deputy Conservator of Forests, says that 444 acres of land in the forest are covered by sandalwood trees and that it was declared a sandalwood reserve in 1901.
“Among the animals spotted rarely in the forest are leopards and sloth bears while jackals, porcupines, and pangolin are spotted often,” says Harish Bhat, a biodiversity expert.
“There are more than eight species of snakes such as cobras, russell vipers, vine snakes, and rat snakes.”
Plant species
“Over 70 species of birds and four species of owl, typical to the Deccan Plateau are found at the Jakarbandi State Forest. The forest houses plant species such as native acacia, albesia, pterocarpus, pongamia, amla, neem and ficus,” Mr. Appurao adds.
Encroachments
“To overcome the disturbance caused to the forest and to put an end to encroachments, several compounds are being build around the forest,” says Mr. Appurao.
A Forest Research Laboratory has come up on 20 acres of land at the Jarkabandi State Forest block B. With the efforts of the Forest Department, the remaining area is being developed into an urban forest.
