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Synopsis This paper deals with the historical origins of the serious ecological situation which now prevails in the Central Western Ghats region of peninsular India. The present alarming state of things has evoked considerable attention, and efforts at popular mobilization, on the part of ecologically conscious people (including scientists) and movements in the recent past. But historical research on the subject is only at the beginning stage. Very substantial work has nevertheless been done these last few years on the ecology of one the most interesting forest areas of the region, namely Uttara Kannada (formerly North Kanara) district, including research on historical aspects. The rest of the region has hardly been studied from this last point of view. An interdisciplinary research programme has recently been started at the French Institute, Pondicherry, with this object in view. The present paper only aims at presenting a preliminary overview of the field of study, and at outlining an agenda for research to come.