Indian roller (Coracias benghalensis), the state birdYoung sapling of sandalwood (Santalum album), the state tree
The state of Karnataka in South 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 the Western 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 the Uttara 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 within Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar District covering over 800 km2 and adjoins the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. In 1973, Bandipur became one of the first of India's tiger reserves and became a part of Project Tiger. In 1977, an intention was declared under the Wildlife Protection Act to notify it as a national 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 dry deciduous forests to tropical mixed deciduous forests. These diverse habitats support an enormous diversity of animal life.
The park is in Bengaluru urban district and Kanakapura taluk of Ramanagara 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.
Kudremukh National Park
Spread over an area of 600.32 km2, it encompasses regions in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur. 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 and Bhadra are believed to originate here at Ganga Moola.
Also known as Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) National Park, the park gets its name from the Nagara Hole (Snake River in Kannada) which runs eastwards through its centre. Nagarahole river flows through the park before it joins the Kabini river that also acts as a boundary between Nagarahole and Bandipur. The park covers an area of about 575 km2. The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala adjoins to the Southeast.
Flora:[1] These forests are dominated by teak and rosewood. 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 called hadlus, 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 are Indian 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.
Wildlife sanctuaries
The great 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] in Mandya 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 in Mysore 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 in Chamarajanagar district and is spread over 539.58 square kilometres (208.33 sq mi). Some of the species of flora found here are Anogeissus latifolia, Grewia tilaefolia and Syzygium 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 between Chikkamagaluru and Shimoga districts and is spread over 492.46 square kilometres (190.14 sq mi). Common species of flora include Lagerstromia lanceolata, Adina cordifolia and Careya 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 in Kodagu district and is spread over an area of 181.80 square kilometres (70.19 sq mi). The evergreen forests include species like Cinnamomum zeylancium, Cedrela toona and Alstonia scholaris. Bamboos are dominant and include species like Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus 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 of Bangalore, Mysore and Mandya and is spread over 1,027.53 square kilometres (396.73 sq mi). Dry deciduous trees found in this park include species like Terminalia arjuna and Syzgium 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 in Uttara Kannada district and is spread over 475.02 square kilometres (183.41 sq mi). Common tree species found here are Dalbergia latifolia, Terminalia paniculata, T. tomentosa and Vitex altissima. Mammal species include elephant, gaur, wild boar, slender loris, Malabar giant squirrel and barking deer.
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is in Bellary 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 in Mandya 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 in Udupi district and is spread over 370.37 square kilometres (143.00 sq mi). Some of the tree species found here are Dipterocarpus indicus, Calophyllum tomentosum and Hopea parviflora. An endangered species of climber Coscinium 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 in Mysore district and is spread over 30.32 square kilometres (11.71 sq mi). Common species of flora include Emblica officinalis, Santalum album and Dendrocalamus strictus. Mammals include elephant, gaur, leopard, spotted deer and common palm civet.
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is in Kodagu district and is spread over 102.59 square kilometres (39.61 sq mi). Some species of flora found here are Hopea parviflora, Heptapleurum capitatum, Xanthalis tomentosa and Ochlandra 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 in Shimoga district and is spread over 431.23 square kilometres (166.50 sq mi). Dipterocarpus indicus, Caryota urens and Dillenia 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.
Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary is in Udupi district and is spread over 88.40 square kilometres (34.13 sq mi). Machilus macrantha, Lophopetalum wightanium and Artocarpus hirsuta are some of the species of plants found here. Tiger, leopard, lion-tailed macaque and spotted deer are some of the animal species found here.
Talakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary is in Kodagu district and is spread over 105.00 square kilometres (40.54 sq mi). Albizzia lebbek, Artocarpus lakoocha, Dysoxylum malabaricum and Mesua 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 in Uttara 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 in Shimoga district and is spread over 0.73 km2. The tree species that dominate this sanctuary are Vitex leucoxylon and Phyllanthus polyphyllus. 191 species of birds are recorded here including white ibis, pheasant-tailed jacana, purple moorhen and little grebe.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary[10] is in Mandya district and is spread over 0.67 km2. Among the tree species found here, is the unique Iphigenia mysorensis. Other tree species include Derris indica and Barringtonia 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.
Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary: It is near the little village Mandagadde which is 30 km from the Shimoga town and is based on a small island on the Tunga River. It is mainly visited by migratory birds like median egret (Egretta intermedia), the little cormorant (Microcarbo niger), and the darter or snake bird (Aninga nufa).[11]
Kaggaladu Heronry is in Tumkur 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 in Mandya district and is a haven for avian species like grey or spot-billed pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) and painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala). In fact the word kokkare means stork in the Kannada 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 in Haveri 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 in Belgaum 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.
Dangers to flora and fauna
Flora and fauna in Karnataka are threatened. Issues include poaching, human–wildlife conflict, habitat destruction, pollution and introduction of invasive species.
Poaching
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 like olive ridley on the beaches of Karnataka as well as otters 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]
Habitat destruction
Some of the activities that are causing a destruction of habitat of flora and fauna in Karnataka are:
Construction of dams and reservoirs: 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 in Shimoga district that caused the extinction of the grass Hubbardia heptaneuron.[15]
Destruction of forest land for agriculture and other purposes: Large tracts of forest land have been cleaned up for monoculture 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 as Myristica 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 the great 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 protected Kudremukh National Park.[17]
Human–wildlife conflict
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 in Hassan district where a villager was trampled to death.[18] Precautionary measures (sometimes illegally) are taken by humans to prevent such mishaps like electric fencing have also led to disastrous consequences like electrocution of fauna.[19]
Pollution
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 garden Lal Bagh in Bangalore has revealed that 18 of the 22 species noted in 1980 were no longer present in 1997.[15] Pollution in rivers like Kabini, Kaveri and Ghataprabha has caused sharp reduction in populations of bird species, including beneficial insectivorous birds like drongos, as well as honeybees.[15]
Invasive species
Introduction of new species into a habitat has caused serious consequences to the existing species. A typical example is the introduction of the African catfish (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 like Eupatorium, Lantana and Parthenium have invaded large tracts of land causing destruction. An increase in Eupatorium is attributed as one of the causes for the spread of the deadly Kyasanur 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 the Ranibennurblackbuck sanctuary have seriously harmed the extremely rare great Indian bustard.[15]
Conservation efforts
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.
Relocation of human population
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]
Usage of technology
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]
Staff empowerment
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
Recently discovered species
Many areas of Karnataka, especially in the forests of Malnad region are unexplored and new species of flora and fauna are discovered periodically. Some of the new species of flora discovered in Karnataka include Paracautleya bhatii (a ginger) and Isachne veldkampii (a grass), both of which were discovered near Manipal in Udupi district.[24] Two species of algae, Cosmarium bourrellyi and Cosmarium desikacharyi were discovered in a paddy field in Belgaum.[25] Other new species of flora discovered in Karnataka include Isoetes udupiensis[24] (a pteridophyte) and Pisolithus indicus (a fungus).[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 by Sharath S. Srivatsa (15 February 2006). "Lending a helping hand". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 4 September 2006. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
^ abcdefgA report on the environment of Karnataka and action plan thereof is discussed by Madhav 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. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
^A brief description of mining at Kudremukh is provided by Praveen Bhargav & Niren Jain (4 January 2004). "Battle for Kudremukh". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 10 March 2004. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
^Relocation of villagers from Kudremukh National Park has been mentioned by K. 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 from the original(PDF) on 23 August 2007. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
^ abcSome conservation methods being used in Karnataka to protect flora and fauna are mentioned by Shekar Dattatri. "Tigers in India A chance for survival". Wildlife First. Retrieved 8 May 2007.
^ abDiscovery of Isoetes udupiensis has been mentioned by "New plant species found". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 11 May 2005. Archived from the original on 1 October 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007.
^Discovery of new algae species is mentioned by U D Bongale (1989). "New taxa of Cosmarium Corda (Desmidiaceae) from Karnataka State, India". Hydrobiologia. 171 (2): 103–106. doi:10.1007/BF00008169. S2CID42836704.
^Details regarding Puntius coorgensis is provided by Jayaram (1982). "Catalog of Fishes". Pisces Reference. Fishbase. Retrieved 7 May 2007.((cite web)): CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
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