Grasses of Mysore

Roopa Nagara is a recently planned residential Colony sprawling about 100 hectares and on the western outskirts of Mysore city. Predominantly this area is surrounded by numerous human settlements, suffixed with the name HUNDI, KOPPALU and HALLI.

Geographical coordinates

12° 17´ 33.17″ N and 76°35´06.56″ E, Elevation 832.6 MSL. Rainfall: - 750 mm. This area is designated as secondary scrub jungle and open grassland, situated in a rain shadow area in a saucer-shaped valley which was converted into pastureland and human settlement. Until recent past, rain based dry cultivation was in practice along with animal husbandry i.e. raring huge flocks of sheep and goats.

The area studded with a scanty population of mango and coconut cultivation along with other native species of Ficus, Pongamia, and Acacia converted into a planned residential colony to meet with the necessities of modern living. The unexpected increase of job opportunities in Information technology and Biotechnology fields, aggravated urbanization activities around this place, resulting in numerous residential layouts springing around.

There are no valid references available supporting the virgin vegetation pattern. There is a constant change in the vegetation varieties. Interestingly, this area does not have any open water reservoirs like a tank/lake. The water supply is fully dependent on groundwater reserves and rainfall.

Objective

With mention to the above activities, declining green cover around, a survey of accessible flora and fauna was made to understand, how wildlife is supported circuitously even under such urbanization pressure.

This small plot of land chosen for an enumeration of grass flora thriving there excluding grasses of fashion and lawn varieties has yielded good results. The seasonal appearance of this flora within an area of fewer than 120 hectares is truly amazing. A list comprising 23 kinds of grasses with comprehensive tabulation, supported with line drawings is presented in the attached file.