The name of Veerappan evokes images of dead elephants, cut trees and bloodied guns.Bizarre as it may sound but a recent scientific study has shown that the forest cover has actually increased in areas where Veerappan has been active.Scientists B. Shivaraj and Shashidhar who conducted this study say that these patterns which are actually "contrary to expectatons" can't be attributed "merely to change" for statistical analysis bears it out that "Veerappan-infested areas are actually regenerating better."Their finds are reported in the latest issue of the Indian journal Current Science.