A preliminary note on rain shadow effect and strategic forestry

Abstract

The purpose of this note is to present some tentative ideas on rain-shadow effect which may lead to further exploration of: a) The relationship between the rain-shadow effect of the Western Ghats (the Syhadri ranges) and the drought-prone regions in the Peninsular India, especially, the Deccan Plateau; b) Factors associated with the location of and areas under the rain-shadow; and c) Possible effect of manipulation of these factors, (e.g. strategically developed forest cover) on the location of and area under rain-shadow. Underlying this exploration is a question and a philosophy. Why some regions in the Peninsular India have low rainfall and are drought-prone? If low rainfall is due to rain-shadow, we have two options: One, consider rain-shadow as a given, perpetual, natural topographical/geographical constraint, and concentrate on such activities as exploitation and conservation of available underground and surface water, bringing water to the region by canals, and undertaking relief operations during droughts. Two, scientifically analyse the very cause, namely, the factors associated with the rain-shadow effect, and explore the possibility of manipulating these factors to minimize the rain-shadow effect.