Undercover agents of the forest | Jaisamand wildlife Sanctuary | One forest | MLA | CEPT university

One Forest Landscape Foundation Studio (LA4015) Level 4 Studio Monsoon 2022 Semester

Name : Mugdha V. Gangurde Student ID : PLA22207

Master of Landscape Architecture

Landscape Foundation Studio: One Forest L4 studio | Monsoon Semester 2022

In the landscape foundation studio, we investigated this primeval landscape entity and attempt to look at it from a multidimensional perspective. We observed, recorded and developed ways of understanding this complex unit. Based on these, we attempted to re-present an imaginative response for creating a journey through its many natures, and engaging with it meaningfully.

Tutors: Divya Shah, Yati Sengupta, Priyal Shah Teaching Associates: Rutvik Faldu, Riya Modi, Meen Purohit

Contents

Drawing the landscape

Dry deciduous scrub and thorny forest (Thol wetlands) North western Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Thol Sketches Thol Sections Storyboard

Reading and recording the forest

Tropical dry deciduous forest, Southern extension of Aravallis, Jaisamand wildlife sanctuary

Jaisamand Sketches Jaisamand Sections Mindmap

Co-relating systems

Understanding the various attributes of the system through forest sections

8’ sections A0 sheets

Decoding the forest

Identifying and developing the lens Chapters • Collection of data • Studying through sections • Study through data overlay

Re-presenting the forest

Journey and Pause Chapters • Possible variations.

• Experimenting with spatial systems • Possible Design intervention and proposal of trails

Charcoal sketch,Thol bird sanctuary.

6

LA4015 | One-Forest

Drawing the landscape We began the studio by recording the landscape through the most primary medium- sketching. The exercise was to observe and record a natural setting at dry deciduous scrub and thorny forest of the Thol wetlands, in north-western Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The sketches were meant to express the characteristics of the flora, the quality of light, scale, proportion, and a sense of perspective as accurately as possible.

The process of representing the physical characteristics of various parts of a forest through quick free-hand drawings helped to primarily identify the multiple spaces and experiences within the forest. Using this understanding, students composed individual storyboards as a reflection of their experience in the form of a narrative accompanied by hand-drawn mind maps and photo montages Medium - Charcoal and pencil

The exercise helped me identifying key spots in the landscape and attempting to capture its spatial characteristics based on texture, shape,canopy size, and tree form through memory and site expansion.

I | Drawing the landscape

7

Charcoal sketches Dry deciduous scrub and thorny forest (Thol wetlands) North western Ahmedabad, Gujarat .

View looking towards the water body

Meandering through the forest 8

Section through water body to understand the ground profile

Wilderness of Thol bird sanctuary LA4015 | One-Forest

Reading and recording the forest The next stage of the studio began with a site visit to tropical dry deciduous forest of Jaisamand wildlife sanctuary, located in the southern extension of the Aravallis.

After extensive site documentation, the students compiled the data to identify and process the various layers of the forest, along with multiple systems, spaces and experiences within the forest.

Medium - On site documentation, maps, profile sections, typological sections, photo documentation, herbarium, memory maps, sketches, soil sampling, and quadrat study. zzzzzz Understanding the characteristics of the forest and what it is trying to communicate to us through its form. These sketches are created by analysing photographs taken while exploring the forest. This is an attempt to put the terrain, composition, scale, and density of the forest on paper.

II | Reading and recording the forest

11

Charcoal sketches Tropical dry deciduous forest, Southern extension of Aravallis, Jaisamand wildlife sanctuarary

Seraphic climax of Anogeissus pendula .

Tropical dry deciduous condition Mind - map

Remembering the journey from the visit.

The map focuses on the most important points in Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary, such as lakes, Odhis, and specific locations of flora species that can only be seen during the monsoon season.

Also we encountered various fauna and their habitats.

Tropical dry deciduous condition with dominance of Phoenix sylvestris 12

Section : To study the terrain , root systems , geology LA4015 | One-Forest

Edaphic climax of Anogeissus pendula .

II | Reading and recording the forest

13

Co-relating systems At this stage, each student selected and sketched a 250 m long Forest section at 1:100 scale as a conjecture using the data collected during documentation in the previous stage and various secondary literature like Forest ecology

by G.S. Puri, data provided by Dr. Dubey (field ecologist). The making of the sections helped students correlate continuity of morphological systems horizontally and vertically. It helped them understand various components of landscape - terrain, soils, plants, vegetation types, and the idea of a habitat system.

The components that the students identified in the section and during the compilation of data for class documentation stage, - like the larger to the point systems, grain plans, topographic variations, documentation of terrain, flora and fauna, etc were then used as secondary research and reference.

The students attempted to identify specific attributes that systems of the forest carried in a rational manner.

Medium- 250m Forest section at 1:100 scale along with the attribute sheet for each ecological layer of the forest.

After studying and observing the forest, it was important to co relate the ground profile with factors like hydrology, flora and fauna species, geomorphology contributing on micro scale and its reflection on typological conditions of the entire forest.

III | Co-relating systems

15

Following the documentation of the forest and its features.

To better understand the forest, I made section through key area, including flora and fauna species, terrain, micro climate, and density. The ground profile was given special consideration, which helped me understand terrain and geomorphology as there is more rocky strata on ridge area as moreof deforestation occured is visible ,soil depth and microclimatic conditions such as moisture in valley areas versus harsh sun on ridge areas because they are exposed to sunlight. Also, what is the texture of the soil in that area. Along with which flora species are present in the lower, middle, and upper storeys of the section, as well as any fauna that may be present in that specific section.

18

LA4015 | One-Forest

III | Co-relating systems

19

0

50

100

250m

section B-B’

GEOLOGY

C1

C2

C3

Precambrian rock

Precambrian rock

Precambrian rock

Moderately disected Smooth ,soft

Ridge

Valley

GEOMORPHOLOGY

Blunt Least permeable

Wide - ‘U‘ shaped Highly permeable low disected Depositional

Hill Slope - gradual slope

Red sandly soil (Reddish brown )

Red sandly soil (Reddish brown )

Deep Granular Compacted

Deep Granular Compacted

HYDROLOGY (surface water, moisture above the ground and underground)

Seasonal stream

Seasonal stream

MICRO CLIMATIC CONDITIONS

Valley

FLORA

Dry Deciduous Open Forest Dense vegetation with diversed stratification

SOIL

Moist Seasonal Shallow

Moist Cool Breezy

upper storey Cassia fistula.

Phoenix sylvestris .

Prosophis ceneraria .

Terminalia bellirica.

Anogesis Latifolia.

Phyllanthus niruri

Credits Source for :

Herberium sample ,Soil sample,Hydrology , Geomorphology, Geology Site documentation complied by the students of foundation studio (class documentation.)

20

Moderately disected Hard, Rocky

Moderately disected Smooth ,soft

middle storey Grewia flavescens Ziziphus mauritiana Bueta monosperma

Prosophis ceneraria .

Ziziphus mauritiana

under storey Phyllanthus niruri Solanum nigrum Euphorbia hirta Ocimum americanum Withania somifera

Anogesis

Diversed and varied

FAUNA

Rocky strata with less am

Rough Course Shallow

Dry lack of moisture

Moist Seasonal Shallow

Both below and above the ground

Hill slope

Ridge

Moist Cool Breezy

Exposed Harsh Bright

Dry Deciduous Open Forest Dense vegetation with diversed stratification

Dry Deciduous Open Fo Sparse vegetation with f

middle storey Grewia flavescens Ziziphus mauritiana

upper storey Prosophis ceneraria .

Terminalia bellirica.

Anogesis Latifolia.

Prosophis ceneraria .

upper storey Boswellia serrata Lannea cormandelia

under storey Phyllanthus niruri Solanum nigrum Euphorbia hirta

Ziziphus mauritiana

Anogesis Latifolia. .

Diversed and varied

Grewia flavescens

m

Diversed and var

Panther, Hyena, Civets, Chinkara,Blue bull, Indian wild boar, Hare,Manoose

Hyena

Mugdha V. Gangurde PLA22207

ONE FOREST Attributes of Morphological units

Panther

Civets

Section 05 Tropical dry deciduous forest (southern extension of Aravalli range, Jaisamand wildlife Sanctuary)

Chinkara

Yellow-legged green pigeon, Grey hornbill, Asian paradise-flycatcher,long tailedshirks.

Panther

Sources: 1. The data (I.e. maps, profile sections, site photographs, soil samples, herbarium samples, along with data on geology and geomorphology) has been derived fro the site documentation compiled by the students of foundation studio following the academic site visit to Jaisamand wildlife sanctuary.

LA4015 | One-Forest

0

C3

C4

Precambrian rock

Ridge

Gentle slope Moderately permeable

Rocky strata with less amount of soil

Rocky strata with moderate amount of soil

Rough Course Shallow

Rough Course and granular Shallow

Dry lack of moisture

Dry moist

Ridge

As it is leeward side

Both below and above the ground

Exposed Harsh Bright

Exposed Partially shaded

Dry Deciduous Open Forest Sparse vegetation with framented tree composition

upper storey Boswellia serrata Lannea cormandelia

middle storey Anogesis latifolia

Zizuphus mauritiana,

er storey lanthus niruri anum nigrum horbia hirta

Anogesis Latifolia. .

Grewia flavescens

Ziziphus mauritiana

Anogesis Latifolia

Dry Deciduous Open Forest moderate vegetation with exposed sunlight

under storey Grewia flavescens Euphorbia bushes Cassia auriculata Cassia tora Apluda mutia

Lannea cormandelia

Diversed and varied

middle storey Anogesis Latifolia.

upper storey Boswellia serrata Lannea cormandelia

Barleria prionitis

Zizuphus mauritiana,

Grewia flavescens

Ziziphus mauritiana

under storey Grewia flavescens Euphorbia bushes Barleria prionitis

Anogesis Latifolia

Lannea cormandelia

Diversed and varied

a,Blue bull, Indian

y hornbill, iledshirks.

50 m

Sub-off shoot of the ridge

Both below and above the ground

dle storey wia flavescens phus mauritiana

25

Moderately disected Hard, Rocky

Blunt Least permeable

stratification

10

Precambrian rock

Moderately disected Hard, Rocky

)

5

C5

Panther, Hyena,Chinkara, Blue bull, Crested porcupine , snakes .

Panther

Civets

Snakes

III | Co-relating systems 2. Other references:

geology and geomorphology) has been derived from and wildlife sanctuary.

i) Puri,G.S. (1985).

Lizards

Hyena

Panther

Civets

Chinkara

Crested porcupine

Snakes

Skinks

Lizards,Skinks, Arachnids

21 Indian Forest Ecology, Vol.2 , https://doi.org/10.1604/9780836424331

Credits: Class documentation .

One Forest: Landscape foundation studio, monsoon semester 2022

24

LA4015 | One-Forest

Decoding the forest Can morphological understanding of physical systems of the forest, and the methods of classification be combined with a ‘direct’ and ‘felt’ experience or observations, to arrive at a specific / individual way of understanding the forest?

How do we investigate the experiences and specificities, and create a body of knowledge about the forest for us?

What do we learn about the many lives of the forest and the many forests that live within ‘One Forest’?

How does it inform the way we imagine the forest?

Each student explored these inquiries through their own unique lens.

Medium - Maps, sections, diagrams, Sectional montages, view montages, literature references.

UNDERCOVER AGENTS OF THE FOREST Understorey species one of the directors for human movement pattern in forest .Understanding how forest understorey species can be one of the indicators that can guide humans in the forest while they are exploring without harming themselves or the species is important. The study looks at proposing a trail for occasional visitors forest rangers, and villagers who come to the forest with their cattle , forest rangers and locals .

Examining the undergrowth to see if it is safe for humans to move through the forest or if they should take a different path, as well as if they area encountering dangerous fauna. Hence checking whether human intervention is harmful or safe for the undergrowth that grows there.

Hence these undercover agents help humans decipher the forest differently.

IV | Decoding the forest

25

Methodology DATA COLLECTION

• • • • • •

(Typological conditions) Tropical dry deciduouscondition Open dry deciduous condition Tree savannah condition Shrub savannah condition Thorny thicket condition Discontinous thorny thicket condition

GRAIN STUDY

GRAIN STUDY

• • • •

(Typological conditions)

Density Charateristics of the flora species Height Habitat and it’s threat

PROPOSING TRAILS

STUDY THROUGH SECTIONS

Prosing trail for various user • Forest rangers • Villagers • Villager + cattle • Occasional visitors

(Inferences studied by taken into considering following points.)

• Density • Terrain • Habitat • Height • Characterics of the flora species

• • • •

(Jaisanmand Sanctuary map) Density Typologies Terrain Characterics of the flora species

PAUSE POINTS

CONCLUSION

Representing possible variations in the forest Medium - Model

• •

Inferences taken through the study.

Open ended question

Flow chart showing the process followed while investigating the lense 26

LA4015 | One-Forest

Looking at the lens Keywords :

Moderately Sparse +Stunted

Observations :

Moderately Dense + Average heighted

Moderately spares + Stunted

So, while traversing the forest and documenting it, there were places where I could walk in and others where I couldn’t because the species were densely placed and heighted, whereas others were sparsely placed but had thorny species. I could also see the habitats of various fauna species.

Dense + Heighted

Dense, Spare,Heighted,Stunted, Thorny,Fragile species,Delicate species, Dangerous fauna, Habitat,Walkable,Restricted.

Moderately Dense + Average heighted

Photomonatge

IV | Decoding the forest

Dense + very low height

Moderately

Which led me to believe that Sparse + this small layer of understorey Stunted could be one of the indicators for human behaviour in the forest, guiding them without harming themselves or the forest’s flora and fauna.

Dense + Stunted

Dense + Heighted

Sparse + very low height 27

Stage 1 : Data collection Typological conditions :

Tropical dry deciduous condition Data collection of flora species found in understorey. Category-Height, Plant type, Flowering season, Invasive/Adaptive/Native, and Physical characteristics PLANT SPEICES

HEIGHT (CM)

TYPE OF PLANT

HUMAN THREAT

FLOWERING SEASON

I/N/A

Carissa spinarum

50-300 cm

Evergreen Shrub

Thorny,harm to human

Apr-Jul

N

Grewia tenax

50-200 cm

Perrineal shrub

No harm

Oct-Dec

N

Helicteres isora

50-200 cm &+

Deciduous herb

No harm

Apr-Dec

N

Grewia asiatica

50-320 cm

Perrineal shrub

No harm

May-Dec

N

Maytenus emarginata

100-300 cm

Evergreen Shrub

No harm

Dec-Jan

I

Securinega leucopyrus

100-400 cm

Perrineal shrub

No harm

Jun-Setp

N

Securinega virosa

100-1200 cm

Evergreen Shrub

No harm

Oct-Jan

I

Xeromphis spinosa

50-500 cm

Evergreen Shrub

Thorny,harm to human

Mar-Jun

N

Maytenus senegalensis

100-700 cm

Evergreen Shrub

No harm

Jun-Oct

I

Mimosa rubicaulis

200-300 m

Perrineal shrub

No harm

Jun-Aug

N

I - invasive , A - Adapted , N - Native Table showing species and its description

FAUNA : Insects : Indian Gray-bill ,Centipede , Millipede ,Crimson Marsh Glider ,Common pond skater , Tussar silkworm ,Yellow butterflies, Bug worm , Speckle bent spider ,Giant wood spider, Tiger butterfly.

Reptiles : Tree snake , Monitor lizard , Indian krait , Fan throated lizard , Common rat snake ,Indian cobra Birds : Parakeets, Dove, Green bee eater, Munias, Yellow legged pigeon , Indian grey hornbill, Rufous treepie, Asian paradise flycatcher, Dusky eagle owl, White browed flycatcher quails Animals : Blue bull, Chinkara, Hanuman langur,Porcupine, Jackal, Common mongoose, Rudy mongoose, Jungle cat, Civets, Indian sloth bear ,Cheetal ,Wild boar.

Credits : Herbarium JCB. (n.d.). http://flora-peninsula-indica.ces.iisc.ac.in/ Flowers of India. (n.d.). https://www.flowersofindia.net/ indiabiodiversity.org. (n.d.).

Rajasthan Biodiversity Network. (2022, January 20). Home. https://rajasthanbiodiversity.org

28

LA4015 | One-Forest

Study of typology through sections

Credits-Damya M.

Credits-Sneha P.

Observation : After combining the seasons, height, and level of harmfulness of flora species, • Average height of more than 1m, and above.

• Majority of the species many species found are delicate and moderate, with very few species having thorns • Flowering season - April-July • Densely placed • Seasonal streams running.

• Threat by fauna is moderate - Wild boar, Sloth bears .

Inferences : One needs to be careful while traversing through this patch as species are densely placed and moderate in height

IV | Decoding the forest

29

Data collection Typological conditions :

Open dry deciduous condition Data collection of flora species found in understorey. Category-Height, Plant type, Flowering season, Invasive/Adaptive/Native, and Physical characteristics PLANT SPEICES

HEIGHT (CM)

TYPE OF PLANT

HUMAN THREAT

Adhatoda vasica Securinega virosa Swertia chirata Bidens pilosa Cassia tora Corchorus trilocularis Impatiens balsamina Tridax procumbens Urena lobata Xanthium strumarium Borreria hispida Dicliptera micranthes Ocimum americanum Scilla indica

240 cm 200-300 cm 100 cm 50 cm 50 - 100 cm

Evergreen bush Perrinial herb Perrinial herb Annual herb Annual herb

No harm Toxic No harm No harm No harm

FLOWERING SEASON Dec - Jun Mar-Dec Mar-Oct Oct-Apr Jul-Sept

30-150 cm

Annual herb

No harm

Mar-May

N

50-90 cm

Perrinial herb

Little harmful

Mar-Oct

I

50 cm 50-100 cm

Perrinial herb Perrinial herb

Toxic Toxic

Annual Apr-Sept

I N

50-100 cm

Annual herb

Toxic

Aug-Sept

N

23–40 cm

Annual herb

No harm

Annual

N

20-30 cm

Perrinial herb

No harm

Nov-Apr

I

20 - 50cm

Perrinial herb

Toxic

Annual

I

150-200 cm

Perrinial herb

No harm

Apr-May

N

I - invasive , A - Adapted , N - Native Table showing species and its description

I/N/A N N N N N

FAUNA : Insects : Indian Graybill , Centipede , Millipede ,Crimson Marsh Glider , Common pond skater , Tussar silkworm , Yellow butterflies, Bug worm , Speckle bent spider , Giant wood spider , Tiger butterfly Reptiles : Tree snake , Monitor lizard , Indian krait , Fan throated lizard , Common rat snake ,Indian cobra Birds : Parakeets, Dove, Green bee eater, Munias, Yellow legged pigeon , Indian grey hornbill, Long tailed shrike, Rufoustreepie, Asian paradise flycatcher, Dusky eagle owl, White browed flycatcher quails, Indian flying fox , Jungle babbler , Red vented bulbul , Barred button quail , Black Drogo ,Indian robin ,Red wattled lapwing Animals : Panther, Hyena, Indian bullfrog Hanuman langur, Common mongoose, Civets, Indian sloth bear , Cheetal ,Wild boar.

Credits : Herbarium JCB. (n.d.). http://flora-peninsula-indica.ces.iisc.ac.in/ Flowers of India. (n.d.). https://www.flowersofindia.net/ indiabiodiversity.org. (n.d.).

Rajasthan Biodiversity Network. (2022, January 20). Home. https://rajasthanbiodiversity.org

38

LA4015 | One-Forest

Study of typology through sections

Credits-Siddharth J.

Credits-Sneha P.

Observation :

After combining the seasons, height, and level of harmfulness of flora species, Average height of more than 1.5 m.

• Equally delicate, fragile and thorny species present.

• Densely placed • Moderate harm by fauna - few snakes , wild boar ,sloth bear • Seasonal streams running .

• Flowering season - March - September

Inferences :

One needs to be careful while traversing through this patch as species are densely placed and moderately heighten by as more of fragile species one can move around easily IV | Decoding the forest

39

Data collection Typological conditions : Tree savannah condition

Data collection of flora species found in understorey. Category-Height, Plant type, Flowering season, Invasive/Adaptive/Native, and Physical characteristics HEIGHT (CM) Dichanthium annulatum 25 cm Apluda mutica 30-300 cm Themeda quadrivalvis 100 cm Eremopogon foveolatus 15-80 cm Catharanthus montanus 50 cm Tridax procumbens 50 cm Acanthospermum 75 cm hispidum Xanthium strumarium 100 cm Impatients balsamina 20-45 cm Catharanthus pusillus 10-20 cm PLANT SPEICES

Annual shrub Perennial shrub Annual shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub

HUMAN THREAT No harm No harm No harm No harm No harm No harm

FLOWERING SEASON Annual Aug-Dec Oct-May Mar-Dec Sept-Feb Annual

Annual shrub

Toxic

June

N

Annual shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub

Toxic No harm Toxic

Jul-Sept Mar-May Jul-Aug

A I N

TYPE OF PLANT

I - invasive , A - Adapted , N - Native Table showing species and its description

I/N/A A N N N A A

FAUNA : Insects : Indian bull frog, Indian gerbil,Centipede, Millipede,Crimson marsh glider, Common pond skater , Six spot ground beetle, Tussar silkworm, Yellow butterflies, Bug worm, Speckle bent spider, Giant wood spider, Beetle Reptiles : Tree snake ,Monitor lizard, Indian krait, Fan throated lizard, Common rat snake, Indian cobra, Russell viper, Glossy bellied racer, John’s earth boa.

Birds : Parakeets, Dove, Black shouldered kite, Green bee eater, Indian grey hornbill, Long tailed shrike, Dusky eagle owl, White browed fly catcher quails, Indian flying box, Pied bush chat, Jungle babbler, Paddy field pipit, Oriental magpierobin, Black drongo, Munias Animals : Panther, Hyena, Chinkara, Hare, Wild boar , Indian sloth bear ,Porcupine, Jackal, Common mongoose, Civets, Cheetal, Indian bush rat .

Credits : Herbarium JCB. (n.d.). http://flora-peninsula-indica.ces.iisc.ac.in/ Flowers of India. (n.d.). https://www.flowersofindia.net/ indiabiodiversity.org. (n.d.).

Rajasthan Biodiversity Network. (2022, January 20). Home. https://rajasthanbiodiversity.org

48

LA4015 | One-Forest

Study of typology through sections

Credits-Shivani T.

Observation :

After combining the seasons, height, and level of harmfulness of flora species, • Average height of more than 1 m and few can grow above 2m.

• Delicate and fragile, with very few species having thorns • Densely placed .

• Threat by many dangerous fauna - Panther,Hyena,Sloth bears,Indian krait,Indian cobra,Russell viper.

• Flowering season - May-August

Inferences : One can traverse through this patch but should be careful as the species are heighten and can encounter dangerous fauna.

IV | Decoding the forest

49

Data collection Typological conditions : Shrub savannah condition

Data collection of flora species found in understorey. Category-Height, Plant type, Flowering season, Invasive/Adaptive/Native, and Physical characteristics PLANT SPEICES

HEIGHT (CM)

TYPE OF PLANT

HUMAN THREAT

Andropogon pumilus Apluda mutica Aristida adscensionis Arthraxon quartinianus Bothriochloa pertusa Cenchrus biflorus Chionachne koenigii Chrysopogon fulvus Cymbopogon martinii Cynodon dactylon Dactyloctenium sindicum Desmostachya bipinnata Dichanthium annulatum Eleusine compressa Eragrostis ciliaris Hackelochloa granularis

70 cm 30-300 cm 10-100 cm 30 cm 50-90 CM 10-100 cm 250 cm 50 cm 90-180 cm 10-40 cm 20 cm 1.2 m 25 cm 30 cm 5-60 cm 5-100 cm 50 to 150 cm 60 cm 30-90 cm 200 cm 30-150 cm 80 cm 70cm.

120 cm 10-20 cm

Perennial grass Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Perennial grass Annual grass Perennial grass Perennial herb Perennial herb Perennial grass Perennial grass Perennial grass Annual shrub Perennial grass Annual grass Annual grass

No harm No harm Toxic No harm No harm Toxic Toxic No harm No harm No harm No harm No harm No harm No harm No harm No harm

FLOWERING SEASON Aug-Oct Aug-Nov Mar-Dec Annual Jan-May Jul-Sept Jul-Dec Oct-Dec Aug-Dec Mar-Sept Annual Jul-Nov Annual Mar-Sept Annual Jun-Octr

Perennial grass

Toxic

Jan-May

I

Perennial grass Perennial grass Annual grass Perennial grass Perennial grass Annual shrub Perennial grass Annual grass

No harm No harm No harm Toxic No harm Toxic No harm Toxic

Aug-Jan Mar-May Feb-Jun Oct-Jul Sept-Dec Annual May-Jul Jun-Nov

I N N N I I N N

Heteropogon contortus Iseilema laxum Sehima nervosum Themeda quadrivalvis Themeda triandra Eremopogon foveolatus Achyranthes aspera Desmostachya longifolia Euphorbia thymifolia

I - invasive , A - Adapted , N - Native Table showing species and its description

I/N/A N N I N I N N N N I N N N I I I

FAUNA : Insects : Centipede,Millipede,Tussar silkworm,Yellow butterflies,Bug worm,Giant wood spider, Beetle ,Giant Honey bee.

Reptiles : Tree snake, John’s earth boa,Indian krait, Fan throated lizard, Termite hill gecko, Common rat snake, Indian cobra, Russell viper, Glossy bellied racer.

Birds : Parakeets, Dove, Black shouldered kite,Green bee eater, Indian grey hornbill, Long tailed shrike,, Pied bush chat, Jungle babbler, Paddy field pipit, Red vented bulbul, Barred button quail, Common Indian nightjar, Indian robin, Black drongo, Animals : Panther, Hyena, Blue bull, Hare, Porcupine, Jackal, Common mongoose, Rudy mongoose,Civets, Cheetal,Indian sloth bear, Indian bush rat 58

Credits : Herbarium JCB. (n.d.). http://flora-peninsula-indica.ces.iisc.ac.in/ Flowers of India. (n.d.). https://www.flowersofindia.net/ indiabiodiversity.org. (n.d.).

Rajasthan Biodiversity Network. (2022, January 20). Home. https://rajasthanbiodiversity.org

LA4015 | One-Forest

Study of typology through sections

Credits-Shivani T. Credits-Neetu PS.

Observation : After combining the seasons, height, and level of harmfulness of flora species, • Average height of more than 2 m .

• Equally delicate ,fragile and thorny species .

• Moderately sparse.

• Dangerous fauna-Panther,Hyenas,Porcupine,Jackal,Indian cobra ,Krait and russell viper

Inferences : One traverse through this patch as easily as species are sparely placed and moderately heighted but can encounter with some dangerous fauna.

IV | Decoding the forest

59

Data collection Typological conditions : Thorny thicket condition

Data collection of flora species found in understorey. Category-Height, Plant type, Flowering season, Invasive/Adaptive/Native, and Physical characteristics PLANT SPEICES

HEIGHT (CM)

TYPE OF PLANT

HUMAN THREAT

I/N/A

Grewia tenax Grewia flavescens Flacourtia indica Securinega virosa Capparis sepiaria Euphorbia caducifolia Apluda mutica Aristida paniculata Aristida hystrix Dichanthium annulatum Eremopogon foveolatus

FLOWERING SEASON

50-200 cm 50-500 cm 300-500 cm 50-100cm 300-400 cm 50-300 cm 50-300 cm 50-500 cm 60 cm 25 cm 50-300 cm

Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Deciduous tree Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Deciduous shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub

Toxic Little harmful Toxic No harm No harm Toxic Toxic Toxic No harm No harm No harm

Oct-Dec Nov-Mar Nov-Mar Mar-Dec Oct-May Feb-Mar Aug-Nov Dec-Sept Jun-Dec Annual Sept-Dec

N N N N N N N I N N I

6-25 cm

Annual grass

Toxic

Aug-Sept

N

Perennial shrub Perennial herb Perennial herb Annual herb

No harm No harm Toxic Toxic

Mar-Sept Mar-May Oct-Mar Jul-Oct

I N I N

Melanocenchris jacquemontii

50-150 cm Heteropogon contortus 30-90 cm Sehima nervosum Parthenium hysterophorus 150-200 cm 10-100 cm Setaria verticillata

I - invasive , A - Adapted , N - Native Table showing species and its description

FAUNA : Insects : Six spot ground beetle, Bag worm , Giant wood spider, Indian gerbil, Centipede, Millipede.

Reptiles : Tree snake,Monitor lizard,Indian krait,Fan throated lizard,Rat snake,Indian cobra,Russell viper,Glossy bellied racer, Skinks, John’s earth boa.

Birds : Dove, Green bee eater, Long tail shrike, Asian paradise flycatcher, White browed flycatcher Quails,Pied bush cat,Jungle babbler,Paddy field pipit,Oriental magpie robin ,Sirkeer malkoha,Common Indian nightjar,Black Drogo,Indian robin.

Animals : Panther, Hyena, Chinkara, Hare, Hanuman langur, Porcupine, Jackal, Common mongoose, Rudy mongoose, Civets, Cheetal,Indian bush rat.

Credits : Herbarium JCB. (n.d.). http://flora-peninsula-indica.ces.iisc.ac.in/ Flowers of India. (n.d.). https://www.flowersofindia.net/ indiabiodiversity.org. (n.d.).

Rajasthan Biodiversity Network. (2022, January 20). Home. https://rajasthanbiodiversity.org

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Study of typology through sections

Credits-Shraddha N.

Observation : After combining the seasons, height, and level of harmfulness of flora species, • Average height of more than 1.5 m and few can grow above 2m • Majority of the species are thorny as compared to delicate and fragile species .

• Flowering season - May-November • Moderately placed • Dangerous fauna - Panthers,Hyenas,Sloth Bears,Indian krait,Indian cobra, and Russell viper

Inferences : One needs to be carefull while traversing through this patch as species are densely placed and most of them are thorny , also one can encounter with dangerous fauna.

IV | Decoding the forest

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Stage 1 :Data collection Typological conditions :

Discontinuous thorny thicket condition Data collection of flora species found in understorey. Category-Height, Plant type, Flowering season, Invasive/Adaptive/Native, and Physical characteristics HEIGHT (CM) Acanthospermum hispidum 50-75 CM Catharanthus montanus 50 CM Holaarrhena 50-300 CM antidysenterica Tridax procumbens 50 CM Xanthium strumarium 50-100 CM Maytenus emarginata 300-500 cm 50-100 cm Securinega virosa 300-500 cm Capparis sepiaria 100-300 cm Dodonaea viscosa Xeromphis spinosa 100-500 cm Euphorbia caducifolia 50-300 cm Melanocenchris 6-25 cm jacquemontii Aristida hystrix 60 cm 30-60 cm Eragrostis spectabilis Digitaria ciliaris 20-100 cm PLANT SPEICES

TYPE OF PLANT

HUMAN THREAT

Annual herb Perennial shrub

Toxic No harm

FLOWERING SEASON Jan-May Mar-May

Deciduous shrub

No harm

Mar-May

N

Perennial shrub Annual herb Evergreen shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Perennial shrub Deciduous shrub

No harm Toxic No harm Toxic No harm No harm Toxic Toxic

Annual Aug-Sept Dec-Jan Mar-Dec Feb-Mar Mar-May May Feb-Mar

A N N N N N N N

Annual grass

Toxic

Aug-Sept

N

Perennial grass Perennial grass Annual grass

No harm Toxic No harm

Jun-Dec Jul-Aug Apr-Jul

N I N

I/N/A N I

I - invasive , A - Adapted , N - Native Table showing species and its description

FAUNA : Insects : Six spot ground beetle, Bag worm , Giant wood spider, Indian gerbil, Centipede, Millipede.

Reptiles : Tree snake ,Monitor lizard, Indian krait, Fan throated lizard, Common rat snake, Indian cobra, Russell viper, Glossy bellied racer, Skinks, John’s earth boa.

Birds : Dove, Green bee eater, Long tail shrike, Asian paradise flycatcher, White browed flycatcher Quails, Pied bush cat,Jungle babbler, Paddy field pipit, Oriental magpie robin, Sirkeer malkoha, Common Indian nightjar, Black Drogo,Indian robin.

Animals : Panther, Hyena, Chinkara, Hare, Hanuman langur, Porcupine, Jackal, Common mongoose, Rudy mongoose, Civets, Cheetal.

Credits : Herbarium JCB. (n.d.). http://flora-peninsula-indica.ces.iisc.ac.in/ Flowers of India. (n.d.). https://www.flowersofindia.net/ indiabiodiversity.org. (n.d.).

Rajasthan Biodiversity Network. (2022, January 20). Home. https://rajasthanbiodiversity.org

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Study of typology through sections

Credits-Damya M.

Credits-Sneha P.

Credits-Aprati G.

Observation : After combining the seasons, height, and level of harmfulness of flora species, • Average height of not more than 1.5 m.

• More thorny species found as compared to fragile and delicate species.

• Sparsely placed .

• Dangerous fauna-Panther,Hyenas,Porcupine,Jackal,Indian cobra ,Indian Krait and Russell viper.

Inferences :

Traversing through this patch it is easier as it is sparsely placed but more of thorny species exists and can also have an encounter with dangerous fauna .

IV | Decoding the forest

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Jaisanmand wildlife sanctuary map

Tropical dry deciduous forest, southern extention of Aravallis , Jaisamand wildlife sanctuary Jaisanmand Wildlife sanctuary - Base map Important Landmarks in the forest 1. Dhuni 2. Rajia Durrah 3. Gajlar Durrah 4. Odhi 5. Godal Durrah 6. Rakeshwar Mahadevji Temple 7. Jhumar Bawdi 8. Murde Durrah 9. Saladia Kot 10. Gamdhar Odhi 11. Lodi Koi 12. Chital Point 13. Hawa Mahal 14. Roothi Mahal 15. Chatpur Odhi 16. Tulsi Namla 17. Juni Jhar Chowk 18. Dhabana Chowk 19. Karwandia Bheruji 20. Ghatla Chowki 21. Palodora Cowki 22. Piladhar Chowk 23. Mahudi Chowk Stream Order A. Piladhar Lake B. Debar Lake C. River Gomti

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Grain plan -

19 18

1 21

20

17

2 5 A

6

8

9 B 10

11

12

4

C 14 13 16

15 Credits Google earth,bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in. (n.d.). https://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/, Class documentation.

IV | Decoding the forest

Scale - 1:50000 97

Credits: Class documentation .

One Forest: Landscape foundation studio, monsoon semester 2022

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Re-presenting the forest As a final stage of the process, students identified points of pause on the basis of their lens and imagined a journey that connects these points in the forest.

The points of pause are where one could stop and discover the many systems/attributes/experiences of the forest that are not directly visible, thus demonstrating a deeper engagement.

Medium- Journey marked on a plan or mind map and Sectional montages/ view montages for points of pause

The journey through the forest and decoding it with the help of understorey that guides one to explore the forest without disturbing it or its habitat or harming themselves.

The process aided in identifying paths that could be used to propose trails for potential users coming to explore the wilderness, as well as trails that could help them move around the forest and visit important points in the forest.

Limitation : Season of study Potential of study : The process can help one to understand various attribute of understorey and possible movement pattern through it.

V | Re-presenting the forest

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Experimenting with spatial systems Possible variations Study through Model • • • •

• • •

Variations are being considered.

Examining the current grain plan and determining routes through it.

Creating dedicated pathways through the forest.

Creating pause points near significant landmarks so that people notice them and do not rush into the forest to explore them.

Considerations: Pins : Thorny species - Flora species with thorns.

Orange : Fragile species - Flora species with strong branches but no delicate flowers.

Green pins : Delicate species - Flora species with delicate flowers

Possible variation intervention

• • • • • • • 100

Possible intervention.

Creating a thorny protective layer of species to protect delicate species and observe them from a safe distance.

Understanding of the density of understorey in various typological conditions.

Understorey physical characteristics Walkable areas.

Species adaptation to terrain and micro climatic conditions.

LA4015 | One-Forest

Landmark - Piladhar lake Typological condition - Tropical dry deciduous along with tree savannah condition.

V | Re-presenting the forest

101

Landmark - Rakeshwar mahadev temple Typological condition -Tropical dry deciduous with open dry deciduous condition 102

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Landmark - Gamdhar odhi Typological condition - Open dry deciduous with thorny thicket condition V | Re-presenting the forest

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Jaisanmand wildlife sanctuary map

Tropical dry deciduous forest, southern extention of Aravallis , Jaisamand wildlife sanctuary Jaisanmand Wildlife sanctuary - Base map

Inferences : After overlapping all of the layers, a trails are proposed with the help of understorey fauna species, taking into account factors such as terrain, physical characteristics of the understorey species, density of the understorey, height of the understorey habitat residing in the understorey, and threat. Thus, the trails for various users travel through various parts of the sanctuary, allowing one to better understand and explore it.

Understory species have played an important role in guiding humans to follow a safer path through the forest without causing harm to the forest or themselves.

After studying the understory, I was able to understand various scenarios in which humans can traverse safely, need to be cautious, or should not enter at all.

Considerations for one to navigate through the forest • where If the species composition is dense but stunted and fragile, one can walk • If it is moderately sparse but has thorny shrubs, one must be cautious • Completely avoid patches where it is dense and tall and there is a possibility of encountering d angerous fauna.

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Jaisamand wildlife sanctuary - Base map

Credits- Base map Google earth,bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in. (n.d.). https://bhuvan.nrsc.gov.in/, Class documentation.

V | Re-presenting the forest

Scale - 1:50000 111

Traverse.Explore.Innocuously

It’s a completely different world. Understory plants are the most diverse component of biodiversity in forest ecosystems and play an important role in forest function. The understory influences the forest’s energy flow and nutrient cycling, as well as its biodiversity and regeneration capacity.

The understory is necessary not only for the plants , but also for fauna, as it provides food, cover, nesting sites, and other necessities.

A healthy and diverse understory plant community is also critical to the overall biodiversity of a forest ecosystem.

This piqued my interest, and I wondered how humans could decode the forest solely reading through the understorey layer, as it could be an intriguing way to explore the forest and learn what it was trying to say. Examining the undergrowth to see if it is safe for humans to move through the forest or if they should take a different path, as well as whether human intervention is harmful or safe for the undergrowth that grows there.

Can these undercover agents help humans decode the forest and direct how they should behave and explore it without harming it or themselves?

As a result, I can conclude that the understorey can assist humans in decoding the forest and exploring it without causing any disturbance, as well as determining which path through the forest is safe for humans to traverse. These understorey serve as informers to humans by remaining beneath the upper and middle storeys. Hence the name Undercover agents of the forest.

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Note : All drawings and text that are not credited, credits given to author.