A day of extra-ordinary rains around Tumakuru

169 years ago - A day of extra-ordinary rains around Tumakuru
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"On the 4th of October, 1846, an extraordinary storm of this sort broke over the hills to the north of Toomcoor, in the Chittledroog district, 10 inches of rain fell in 4 hours, and burst the bunds of nearly all the tanks over a range of 80 miles. The presence of trees appears in some way to modify these sudden bursts of rain and to eualize the falls, as similar thunder storms are common in the immediate
neighbourhood of Seringapatam, where rocks are abundant and verdure scanty."

Source: 'Notes on the influence exercised by Trees on Climate'
The Madras Journal of Literature and Science. Published under the auspices of the Madras Literary Society and Auxillary of the Royal Asiatic Society, Vol. 15, 1849, Madras.

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Conservation of Devarayanadurga forest over the centuries

This is an unedited version of the story that was published in two parts* in the Deccan Herald, Bangalore, in Aug-Sep 2014. A view of Devarayanadurga forests ©Ameen Ahmed (All rights reserved) Located a stone’s throw distance from Tumkur city towards east atop one of the many hills of the metamorphic Closepet granite chain that runs, often breaking in between, from Hospet in north Karnataka to Yellandur near Chamarajanagar town in south is the picturesque Devarayanadurga village. It is a place which gives a sense of joy to varied people. To a Hindu pilgrim it is abode of the many gods well-known of which is Lord Narasimhaswamy. To a history buff, it is home to structures like the Devarayanadurga fort which is eye witness to the happenings here for the last few centuries. For a meditator, the ambience of the place at a height of almost 4,000 feet above sea level is perfect to spend some peaceful moments away from the noisy and polluted cities. Devarayanadurga village was the seat...

Wild Tigress sighted (and caught) near Chitradurga after 60 (35 ?) years!!!

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Tiger in Devarayanadurga (Updated Aug. 2007)

I. Introduction to Devarayanadurga State Forest (DDSF): Devarayanadurga state forest was the first state forest to be declared in Karnataka (in 1907). It has been enjoying some sort of legal protection by the Government since as early as 1853. II. Vegetation/ Flora of Devarayanadurga forests: It is about 42.27 Sq km large and is a patch of mainly Dry Deciduous forest inter-spread with large patches of scrub and a few degraded moist deciduous forests in its valleys. The forest is degraded towards periphery. For a forest which is just about 6 km from Tumkur city, it is remarkably well preserved and wild. Both the Forest Department and the locals of Tumkur have special attachment towards this forest. It is important to note that there are no villages inside the forest here and there are many chunks of hilly forests adjoining Devarayana Durga state forest (DDSF) roughly about 20 sq. km, which although unprotected have a fairly good tree cover like the one at Ranthambore Nation...

Tumakuru's Environment & Heritage Issues

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