Forest Core Demarcation Using Geo-Spatial Techniques: A Habitat Management Approach in Panchet Forest Division, Bankura, West Bengal, India

Habitat interior function effect from an area of specific edge depth in a forest patch. Every habitat has obviously an interior area, small or large size. Structurally it depends on the shape and edge depth ratio of the specific patch. The amount of habitat interior strengthens movement, connectivity, protection and availability of species, especially for large size animal. Habitat interior plays a vital role in sustaining their biological behaviour and activities. Forest habitat is developed by plantation after 1980 through different social forestry programs in Panchet Forest division. For this reason, forest cover is increased and it is spatially fragmented in nature. Fragmented habitat has a negative impact on forest interior. So demarcation of habitat interior or core is very urgent for biodiversity conservation and managing habitat structure. Thus the present study tries to investigate and identify the amount of habitat core using geospatial techniques and field verification. Major objectives are to suggest practical methods to increases the amount of interior as well as to minimize the gap between isolated patches to enhance the functional capability of habitat core in Panchet Forest Division under Bankura District.