Abstract

The Nagarahole–Kallahalla–Thitimathi sub-landscape was chosen as our study site after examining other possible sites in the Malenad landscape (Karanth et al. 2011) of the Western Ghats of Karnataka (Das et al. 2006). The study area was found to be the most suitable because it falls under three different forest management regimes and provides a continuum along a gradient of protection levels, human access and resource extraction. It also has a history of social stability with clearly laid down forest protection and management laws.