Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis), the state birdYoung sapling of sandalwood (Santalum album), the state tree
The state ofKarnataka inSouth India has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It has a recorded forest area of 38,720 km2 which constitutes 55% of the geographical area of the state. These forests support 25% of the elephant population and 20% of the tiger population of India. Many regions of Karnataka are still unexplored and new species of flora and fauna are still found.
The mountains of theWestern Ghats in the western region of Karnataka are a biodiversity hotspot. Two sub-clusters of the Western Ghats, Talacauvery and Kudremukh, are on a tentative list of sites that could be designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks which fall outside these subclusters were included in the Nilgiri biosphere reserve in 1986, a UNESCO designation. In the Biligiriranga Hills the Eastern Ghats meet the Western Ghats.
The state bird and state animal of Karnataka are Indian roller and the Indian elephant. The state tree and state flower are sandalwood (Santalum album) and lotus. Karnataka is home to 524 tigers (around 12% of tigers in world).
This park is present in theUttara Kannada district and spreads over an area of 250 km2. The elevation varies from 27 to 937 metres (89 to 3,074 ft), and temperatures from 15.5 °C to 45 °C. Average annual rainfall is about 4,700 millimetres (185 in) .
The park is withinGundlupet taluk ofChamarajanagar District covering over 800 km2 and adjoins the states ofTamil Nadu andKerala. In 1973, Bandipur became one of the first of India's tiger reserves and became a part ofProject Tiger. In 1977, an intention was declared under the Wildlife Protection Act to notify it as anational park.
Flora:[1] The scrub jungles towards the eastern limits of the park consist of stunted trees, interspersed with bushes and open grassy patches. Towards its north-western fringes, there is a gradual shift in the vegetation from open drydeciduous forests to tropical mixed deciduous forests. These diverse habitats support an enormous diversity of animal life.
The park is inBengaluru urban district andKanakapura taluk ofRamanagara district covers over 260.51 km2 of area. Elevation varies from 740 to 1,034 metres (2,428 to 3,392 ft), temperature from 20 to 35 °C and the average annual rainfall is 700 millimetres (28 in).
Fauna:[1] Mammals in the park include Indian leopard, gaur, Indian elephant, golden jackal, fox, wild boar, sloth bear, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, common langur, bonnet macaque, Indian crested porcupine and hare. A Bengal tiger was sighted in the park.
Spread over an area of 600.32 km2, it encompasses regions in the districts ofDakshina Kannada,Udupi andChikmagalur. Altitude varies from 134 to 1,892 metres (440 to 6,207 ft). The park has a pleasant climate, with temperatures ranging from 17 to 28 °C. Annual rainfall varies from 1,778 to 6,350 millimetres (70 to 250 in), with an average of 4,000 millimetres (157 in). The rivers Nethravati,Tunga andBhadra are believed to originate here at Ganga Moola.
Also known as Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) National Park, the park gets its name from theNagara Hole (Snake River in Kannada) which runs eastwards through its centre. Nagarahole river flows through the park before it joins theKabini river that also acts as a boundary between Nagarahole and Bandipur. The park covers an area of about 575 km2. TheWayanad Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala adjoins to the Southeast.
Flora:[1] These forests are dominated byteak androsewood. The eastern limits of the park consist of regenerating dry deciduous forests. The west region of the park contains tropical moist and semi-evergreen forests. Interspersed with these forests are swampy fallows calledhadlus, which are dominated by grasses and are favoured grazing areas of many wild herbivores.
Fauna:[1] Some of the species of mammals found in this park areIndian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus), gaur (Bos gaurus), sambar (Cervus unicolor), chital or spotted deer or axis deer (Axis axis), muntjac or barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), chevrotain or mouse deer (Moschiola indica), four horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), giant fruit bat (Pteropus giganteus),Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris),Indian leopard (Panthera pardus), leopard cat (Felis bengalensis), jungle cat (Felis chaus), rusty spotted cat (Felis rubiginosa), common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), dhole or Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus) and flying fox (Pteropus giganteus), the largest Indian bat. Among the 300 species[3] of birds identified in this park include herons, storks, egrets, ducks, kites, eagles, falcons, partridges, quails, peafowl, owls, lapwings, sandpipers, pigeons, doves, parakeets, cuckoos, nightjars, swifts, kingfishers, bee-eaters, barbets, swallows, larks, woodpeckers, shrikes and orioles. Reptiles include marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Indian pond terrapin, star tortoise, common Indian monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis), forest calotes, southern green calotes, skinks (Mabuya spp.), geckos, spectacled cobra,Russell's viper, common krait, Indian python (Python molurus), checkered keelback, green whip snake, common Indian bronzeback, flying snake, wolf snake and trinket snake.
Thegreat Indian hornbill (Buceros bicornis), found in the forests of KarnatakaSpot-billed pelican, (Pelecanus philippensis), a bird found in the bird sanctuaries of KarnatakaRufous babbler (Turdoides subrufus) at Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Karnataka has 19 wildlife sanctuaries:
Kaveri Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over three districts; Chamarajanagar, Mandya and Ramanagara. The sanctuary was originally notified in 1987 with an area of about 510 km2 . Subsequently it was expanded by adding more forest areas in stages, and its present extent is 1,027 km2. Cauvery wildlife division has two sub-divisions, namely, Hanur and Kanakapura sub-divisions, and consists of seven ranges, namely, Kothnur, Hanur, Cowdally, Gopinatham, Halagur, Sangam and Muggur ranges. The sanctuary provides a vital link between Bannerghatta National Park in the north and BRT Tiger Reserve and MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in the south. The area is drained by three rivers, namely, Cauvery, Arkavathi and Shimsha, along with their numerous rivulets. The forest is primarily of dry deciduous and scrub types, but a wide range of forest types including moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen, shola, riverine, Hardwickia forest, etc. are encountered at different altitudes. Important animals found in the sanctuary are tiger, elephant, leopard, bison, wild dog, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear, wild boar, common langur, bonnet macaque, giant squirrel, honey badger (ratel), chevrotain, kollegal ground gecko, varieties of reptiles and birds and many.
Adichunchanagiri Wildlife Sanctuary,[4] inMandya district, is spread over 0.88 square kilometres (0.34 sq mi). It was created mainly for the conservation of peacocks. It also houses nearly 250 other species of birds.[5]
Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary[6] is inMysore district and is spread over 13.5 square kilometres (5.2 sq mi). This park consists of eucalyptus and sandalwood plantations. Leopard, fox and spotted deer are found here. Also around 230 species of birds have been observed here.[7]
Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary is inChamarajanagar district and is spread over 539.58 square kilometres (208.33 sq mi). Some of the species of flora found here areAnogeissus latifolia,Grewia tilaefolia andSyzygium cumini. Mammals include elephants, tigers, leopards, sloth bear, gaur, barking deer and sambar. Among the 215 species of birds are the Nilgiri wood pigeon, Malabar whistling thrush, yellow-throated bulbul, peregrine falcon, rufous-bellied hawk-eagle. An endangered amphibian,Icthyophis ghytinosus has been reported in the sanctuary.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is betweenChikkamagaluru andShimoga districts and is spread over 492.46 square kilometres (190.14 sq mi). Common species of flora includeLagerstromia lanceolata,Adina cordifolia andCareya arborea. Mammals include tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, slender loris and pangolin. Among the bird species found here are ruby-throated bulbul, shama, Malabar whistling thrush and paradise flycatcher.
Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is inKodagu district and is spread over an area of 181.80 square kilometres (70.19 sq mi). The evergreen forests include species likeCinnamomum zeylancium,Cedrela toona andAlstonia scholaris. Bamboos are dominant and include species likeBambusa bambos andDendrocalamus strictus. Mammals include elephant, gaur, tiger, jungle cat, bonnet macaque and Nilgiri marten.[1] Also around 300 species[3] of birds have been observed here: It is spread across the districts ofBangalore,Mysore andMandya and is spread over 1,027.53 square kilometres (396.73 sq mi). Dry deciduous trees found in this park include species likeTerminalia arjuna andSyzgium cumini. Animal species found in this park include leopard, elephant, sambar and common otter. This is also one of the last refuge of the highly endangered grizzled giant squirrel in Karnataka. Also around 300 species[3] of birds have been observed here. This sanctuary is also famous for mahseer fish (Tor species).
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is inUttara Kannada district and is spread over 475.02 square kilometres (183.41 sq mi). Common tree species found here areDalbergia latifolia,Terminalia paniculata,T. tomentosa andVitex altissima. Mammal species include elephant, gaur, wild boar, slender loris, Malabar giant squirrel and barking deer.
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is inBellary district and is spread over 82.72 square kilometres (31.94 sq mi). This sanctuary was mainly created for the conservation of sloth bears.
Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 906 square kilometres (349.8 sq mi), MM Hills wildlife sanctuary came to being on 7 May 2013. Contiguous with BRT Tiger Reserve and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, the sanctuary boasts of tiger, elephant, leopard, dhole, sambar, barking deer and others. The sanctuary is in Chamarajanagar district, Kollegala taluk.
Melkote Temple Wildlife Sanctuary[8] is inMandya district and is spread over 45.82 square kilometres (17.69 sq mi). An endangered species of flora,Cycas circinalis is found here. Mammal species include wolf, leopard, blackbuck and pangolin. Also around 230 species[9] of birds have been observed.
Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is inUdupi district and is spread over 370.37 square kilometres (143.00 sq mi). Some of the tree species found here areDipterocarpus indicus,Calophyllum tomentosum andHopea parviflora. An endangered species of climberCoscinium fenestratum has been recorded here. Slender loris, lion-tailed macaque, sambar and chital are some of the animals found here. The endangered cane turtle is also found here.
Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary is inMysore district and is spread over 30.32 square kilometres (11.71 sq mi). Common species of flora includeEmblica officinalis,Santalum album andDendrocalamus strictus. Mammals include elephant, gaur, leopard, spotted deer and common palm civet.
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is inKodagu district and is spread over 102.59 square kilometres (39.61 sq mi). Some species of flora found here areHopea parviflora,Heptapleurum capitatum,Xanthalis tomentosa andOchlandra rheedii. Mammals include elephant, tiger, slender loris, Nilgiri marten and bonnet macaque. Around 230 species of birds have been observed.[3] Bird species include great pied hornbill, Malabar trogon and Nilgiri blackbird.
Sharavathi LTM Wildlife Sanctuary is inShimoga district and is spread over 431.23 square kilometres (166.50 sq mi).Dipterocarpus indicus,Caryota urens andDillenia pentagyna are some of the species of plants found here. Tiger, leopard, mouse deer, bonnet macaque and common langur are some of the animal species found here. Snakes are commonly found here. Paradise flycatcher, racket-tailed drongo and blue-throated barbet are some of the bird species found here.
Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary is inKodagu district and is spread over 105.00 square kilometres (40.54 sq mi).Albizzia lebbek,Artocarpus lakoocha,Dysoxylum malabaricum andMesua ferrea are some of the species of plants found here. Clawless otter, elephant, tiger, striped-necked mongoose and mouse deer are some of the animal species found here. Also around 300 species of birds have been observed here.[3] Fairy bluebird, Malabar trogon and broadbill roller are some of the avian species found.
Attiveri Bird Sanctuary is inUttara Kannada district and is spread over 2.23 km2. White ibis, little cormorant, pied kingfisher, common grey hornbill are found here.
Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is inShimoga district and is spread over 0.73 km2. The tree species that dominate this sanctuary areVitex leucoxylon andPhyllanthus polyphyllus. 191 species of birds are recorded here including white ibis, pheasant-tailed jacana, purple moorhen and little grebe.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary[10] is inMandya district and is spread over 0.67 km2. Among the tree species found here, is the uniqueIphigenia mysorensis. Other tree species includeDerris indica andBarringtonia racemosa. This sanctuary houses nearly 170 birds.[10] Birds like cormorants, darter, white ibis, great stone plover, cliff swallow, spoonbills, lesser whistling teal roost here all through the year.
Kaggaladu Heronry is inTumkur district and is one of the largest painted stork sanctuaries in South India. Some of the birds that nest here are painted storks, grey herons, pelicans, black stilts and ducks.
Kokrebellur Pelicanry[12] is in the town of Kokkare Bellur inMandya district and is a haven for avian species like grey or spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) and painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala). In fact the wordkokkare means stork in theKannada language. Apart from pelicans and storks, 250 species of birds have been sighted here.[13][14]
Magadi Bird Sanctuary: Magadi Bird Sanctuary created at the Magadi tank, in Magadi village of Shirahatti Taluk,Gadag district. It is one of the biodiversity hotspots in North Karnataka. From Gadag it is 26 km, it is on Gadag-Bangalore Road, from Shirahatti it is 8 km, and from Lakshmeshwara 11 km. Bar-headed goose is one of the bird migrates to Magadi wetlands of Gadag district. Normally birds eat fish, amphibians, molluscs, snakes etc., but migratory birds eating agricultural produce is both interesting and curious too. Winter habitat is on cultivation, it feeds on barley, rice and wheat and damage crops.
Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary is inHaveri district and spread over an area of 139.10 acres (0.5629 km2). This sanctuary was created mainly for the conservation of peacocks.
Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary is inBelgaum district and is spread over 20.78 square kilometres (8.02 sq mi). This sanctuary is known for migratory birds like demoiselle crane and European white stork.
Flora and fauna in Karnataka are threatened. Issues include poaching, human–wildlife conflict,habitat destruction, pollution and introduction of invasive species.
Despite the best efforts of conservation activists,poaching remains one of the serious problems affecting the flora and fauna in the state. Between 1997 and 2001, a 98 elephants were poached in Karnataka.[15] Poaching has also affected the breeding of turtles likeolive ridley on the beaches ofKarnataka as well asotters on the river banks. Tigers are also another species that are threatened by poachers.[16]Sandalwood, famed for its sculptures and its aroma, is frequently poached out of the forests of Karnataka.Teakwood, famed for furniture, is another species affected by this problem. Staff shortage, lack of adequate funds and unscientific anti-poaching camps are some of the reasons quoted for continued poaching activities.[16]
Some of the activities that are causing a destruction of habitat of flora and fauna in Karnataka are:
Construction ofdams andreservoirs: Construction of dams causes widespread flooding of surrounding areas causing destruction of species that inhabit the area. They also affect riverine species like fishes and disrupt their normal habits. An example is the construction of the Linganamakki reservoir inShimoga district that caused the extinction of the grassHubbardia heptaneuron.[15]
Destruction of forest land for agriculture and other purposes: Large tracts of forest land have been cleaned up formonoculture plantations of teak, coffee and rubber. This has led to the destruction of species that were dependent on the forest. An example of this is loss of habitats such asMyristica swamps and high altitude grasslands. In the dry zone, they have adversely affected several species dependent on large tracts of scrub such as the wolf and thegreat Indian bustard.
Mining operations: Mining operations clear out large areas of land and cause destruction to the species dependent on them. An example is the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited which mined iron ore within the boundaries of the protectedKudremukh National Park.[17]
Due to the loss of habitat, more and more species of fauna have started to venture into human habitation causing a conflict between humans and other animals. A typical species affected by this is the elephant which ventures out of the forest into human cultivations thereby eating or destroying the crops. In some cases, the elephants have also caused human deaths like an incident that happened inHassan district where a villager was trampled to death.[18] Precautionary measures (sometimes illegally) are taken by humans to prevent such mishaps likeelectric fencing have also led to disastrous consequences likeelectrocution of fauna.[19]
Release of industrial waste and human effluents into rivers have caused significant damage to species that reside in rivers and riverbanks. Air pollution is also a significant cause of concern in metros like Bangalore where it has been found that air pollution is discolouring foliage including those of ornamental plants.[20] A comparison of the lichen flora of the gardenLal Bagh inBangalore has revealed that 18 of the 22 species noted in 1980 were no longer present in 1997.[15] Pollution in rivers likeKabini,Kaveri andGhataprabha has caused sharp reduction in populations of bird species, including beneficial insectivorous birds like drongos, as well as honeybees.[15]
Introduction of new species into a habitat has caused serious consequences to the existing species. A typical example is the introduction of the Africancatfish (Clarias gariepinus) in the lakes and rivers of Karnataka. This is a carnivorous fish and has caused serious damage to the indigenous fauna.[15] Weeds likeEupatorium,Lantana andParthenium have invaded large tracts of land causing destruction. An increase inEupatorium is attributed as one of the causes for the spread of the deadlyKyasanur forest disease (which has a morbidity rate of 10%) among humans since it harbours tick populations that are vectors for this disease.[15]Eucalyptus plantations in theRanibennurblackbuck sanctuary have seriously harmed the extremely raregreat Indian bustard.[15]
Various conservation activities are in progress to protect the biodiversity present in Karnataka. These activities are mostly done by the Forest Department of the State of Karnataka and other voluntary organisations.
The presence of human habitation within the core area of reserved forests poses many problems like human–wildlife conflict and destruction of habitat due to agriculture and cattle grazing. Systematic efforts have been made to relocate some of this population into proper zones outside the protected area. An example is the relocation of some villagers from Bhagawathi and Nassehalla habitations within the Kudremukh National Park to safer regions outside it.[21]
New scientific methods are being used to protect the flora and fauna. Some of these are:
Usage of satellites to detect forest fires so that they can easily be extinguished.[22]
Radio tracking of animals and usage of techniques like remote camera sampling to estimate the animal population.[23]
Installation of wireless stations and using wireless sets for easy communication among individuals involved in field trips and anti-poaching activities.[23]
It is highly important to keep up the morale of forest wardens and other staff members involved in anti-poaching activities and field trips. It is also necessary to keep them up-to-date on the technology and wildlife related laws. The following steps were implemented to address this issue:[23]
Field kits were provided to the staff consisting of boots, rain gear and uniforms.
Conservation related award programs were announced to boost the morale of the staff.
Training programs were undertaken for the staff in the use of firearms against poachers, field craft and Indian wildlife laws
Many areas of Karnataka, especially in the forests ofMalnad region are unexplored and new species of flora and fauna are discovered periodically. Some of the new species of flora discovered in Karnataka includeParacautleya bhatii (aginger) andIsachne veldkampii (a grass), both of which were discovered nearManipal inUdupi district.[24] Two species of algae,Cosmarium bourrellyi andCosmarium desikacharyi were discovered in a paddy field inBelgaum.[25] Other new species of flora discovered in Karnataka includeIsoetes udupiensis[24] (a pteridophyte) andPisolithus indicus (afungus).[26]
^abcdefghijkA Walk on the Wild Side, An Information Guide to National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Karnataka, Compiled and Edited by Dr. Nima Manjrekar, Karnataka Forest Department, Wildlife Wing, October 2000
^A description of Kokkare Bellur has been provided bySharath S. Srivatsa (15 February 2006)."Lending a helping hand".The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived fromthe original on 4 September 2006. Retrieved8 May 2007.
^abcdefgA report on the environment of Karnataka and action plan thereof is discussed byMadhav Gadgil; et al."Karnataka State of Environment Report and Action Plan, Biodiversity Sector"(PDF).ENVIS Technical Report 16. Environmental Information System, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Retrieved8 May 2007.
^A brief description of mining atKudremukh is provided byPraveen Bhargav & Niren Jain (4 January 2004)."Battle for Kudremukh".The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived fromthe original on 10 March 2004. Retrieved8 May 2007.
^Relocation of villagers from Kudremukh National Park has been mentioned byK. Ullas Karanth, Niren Jain and N. Samba Kumar."Tiger Habitat Consolidation in Kudremukh"(PDF).A Final Report to 21st Century Tiger from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).21st Century Tiger. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 23 August 2007. Retrieved8 May 2007.
^abcSome conservation methods being used in Karnataka to protect flora and fauna are mentioned byShekar Dattatri."Tigers in India A chance for survival". Wildlife First. Retrieved8 May 2007.
^Discovery of new algae species is mentioned byU D Bongale (1989). "New taxa of Cosmarium Corda (Desmidiaceae) from Karnataka State, India".Hydrobiologia.171 (2):103–106.doi:10.1007/BF00008169.S2CID42836704.
^Details regardingPuntius coorgensis is provided byJayaram (1982)."Catalog of Fishes".Pisces Reference. Fishbase. Retrieved7 May 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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