Alex Carpenter is a conservationist and British expat, settled in Goa for the past 8 years. He is the co-founder and managing director of a conservation NGO, ‘Tree Tribe’, and founder of ‘Tribe Wildlife Rescue.’ He recently conducted a talk on ‘Tropical Forest Conservation and Sustainability’ at Museum of Goa (MOG), in Pilerne.
Alex currently stays in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, where he is working on a forest restoration, sustainable agriculture and ecology-first eco-tourism project, spread over 150 hectares.
During an interaction with GT, he spoke about Goa’s forests, forest fires, the relevance of forests in our lives and how the forest keeps him sane!
Can you explain the concept of forest restoration?
It’s essentially about utilising nature’s own mechanisms to facilitate ecosystem restoration. For example, some trees are pioneer species that emerge when land is damaged, followed by secondary trees, and so on. Nature has all these systems in place.
Restoration, at least the type I am involved in, involves assisted natural regeneration, utilising these processes and devising ways to accelerate them. Instead of planting thousands of trees or insisting on the need for nitrogen-fixing plants, we refrain from such actions.
We observe nature in a specific location, striving to comprehend the existing systems and processes in the area. We seek to understand what impedes the forest, what the forest requires, and where the ecosystem naturally thrives. Subsequently, we take action based on these observations.
In many Goan villages, people have private forests or backyard forests, which are under threat due to habitat destruction. How do we revive such spaces and which species of trees would you suggest we plant?
It depends on where you are in Goa. The palette of species would change, so that’s another thing about restoration or regeneration that it’s extremely self-dependent.
We have a few standout species for reference. At a broader level, native ficus species, such as banyan trees and pipal, while not strictly native to Goa, are native to India. Ficus callosa and Ficus nervosa are exceptional forest trees. Ficus callosa, in particular, is remarkably fast-growing, a secondary evergreen tree that produces fruit attracting a variety of birds.
Trees like jackfruit and Otang (Artocarpus lacucha) are also remarkable choices. The Kadamba tree and Macaranga peltata, which spontaneously regenerates, are outstanding plants.
If someone is interested in restoring a landscape in Goa, they are encouraged to reach out to me or connect with local community groups, including biodiversity boards and similar organisations.
A crucial point to note is that successful restoration is not solely about what you plant; it equally involves what you remove. If your plantation is overrun by invasive plants, clearing them out will create space for trees to grow naturally. Birds will transport seeds and saplings, but first, you must eliminate creepers and invasive species, creating room within the ecosystem.
Being in Goa for so many years, you are pretty aware of the threat to Goa’s forest cover. What do you think is the biggest threat — the big projects like railway lines/highway construction or real estate giants that are literally eating up Goa’s forests, hills, etc?
I would assert that the most significant threat to the forest, on a macroscopic scale, is the profound misunderstanding and apathy towards it. Regardless of issues like infrastructure, real estate, or agriculture, the root problem lies in the fundamental lack of comprehension about the forest and a general indifference towards it.
Ultimately, there is no recognition of how vital the forest is. Constructing a highway through a forest isn’t inherently problematic; the key is to minimise the damage. Instead of clear-cutting forests, elevating the highway on a flyover without harming the underpass is a viable solution. This approach facilitates movement between places while reducing the environmental footprint, ensuring the presence of a sufficient number of animal species.
If necessary, trees can be replanted rather than initially felled. We have the capacity to regenerate, rebuild and promote growth. Forests can contribute to expanding the economy and increasing GDP.
In Goa, 65% of the forests exist, with only 10% remaining un-degraded, while the remaining 55% is degraded. There is a significant potential to optimise land use and maximise its benefits. When a substantial portion of land neither generates revenue nor contributes to nature, it becomes a wasted resource, serving no purpose.
How do other habitats, like wetlands, plateaus and coasts, impact the forest? Does any threat to these habitats directly impact forests?
Everything is interconnected. If the forest dies, the plateau dies. If the forest dies, the river dies, further harming the mangrove. You can’t view them as separate entities.
The reason why I have focused on forests here is because I live in a forest, and I’ve spent the most time observing and understanding the processes within it. We need to do a better job of protecting all of them, whether it’s a plateau, a mangrove, or dry scrubland.
Every type of ecosystem is crucial, and we need to improve our efforts in protecting them. We should develop with a grounded understanding of ecology – thus, mitigating the damage to it.
What sort of awareness should an individual have about forests and forest conservation?
I believe that everyone needs to have a heightened awareness right now, especially in Goa. In the next 10 years, the choices made will determine whether Goa develops into a place of genuine prosperity and global recognition.
If any state or country fails to effectively protect its forests, our collective future is at risk. The older generation may not be as concerned, as they won’t be around to witness the consequences. It’s the current generation that will bear the brunt. The more we deforest, the greater the likelihood of landslides, depletion of water aquifers, and rising temperatures. This, in turn, increases the chances of animals getting sick, leading to potential health crises like new types of diseases, as we’ve seen with Ebola, HIV, COVID, SARS and MERS, all originating from animals. All these issues stem from a planet that is ailing.
If our generation doesn’t take action now, we will all suffer the consequences. It doesn’t matter if you’re rich or poor, white or black or brown, male or female or transgender. The only difference is that the wealthy can afford to mitigate the effects, while the poor cannot. That’s the most significant problem we face.
You have closely studied the forest fires that Goa experienced earlier this year. What are your observations about it? And, how do we need to heal these forests from such destruction?
The cause is humans; it is not natural. I’m not suggesting that it was a deliberate act by humans, but it was not a result of natural forces. Whether it occurred because someone was clearing a plantation, discarded a cigarette (though unlikely), lit a bonfire, or intentionally sought to destroy the forest, the specific cause is not the central issue. The key point is that it’s not a natural event; it’s a result of human actions.
What can we do to prevent it? We need more information and education about wildfires. If you start a fire, it becomes your responsibility to ensure it doesn’t get out of control. How can we prevent more forest fires? We need to establish more evergreen forest systems.
Deciduous forests, with their open nature and leaves on the ground, are prone to ignition, especially when humans are present. In contrast, evergreen forests retain moisture, making them less susceptible to fires unless deliberate effort is made to ignite them. This is a critical point to remember. Once a forest is damaged by fire, the next stage is degradation. Invasive plants like lantanas, eupatorium and acacia thrive in these damaged ecosystems and the forest struggles to recover.
To restore a fire-damaged forest, we need to identify and remove the obstacles preventing forest regrowth. Regular monitoring and maintenance are essential. Native species cannot compete with non-native American plants because animals do not consume them.
Without natural predators, these plants flourish unless we take action to remove them. It’s crucial to recognise that evergreen forests play a significant role in regulating the climate by extracting and releasing water through transpiration. They are essential to our ecosystem, and their protection is paramount because they safeguard us and contribute to the overall forest composition. While it may take years for a forest to return to its natural state, our efforts can help restore our forests to their former glory.
Lastly, what does a forest mean to you?
It’s my home, ultimately! It’s what keeps me sane. When you go into any city and see a human, they are often incredibly busy, stressed and burdened with numerous problems. There’s so much noise, and both humans and animals are suffering; it’s a world of constant strife.
The forest is my sanctuary. Regardless of what’s happening in the city, I can sit by a tree, and when a bird comes by, everything feels alright. I believe every human needs that kind of solace. I’ve observed this truth living in a forest.