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Context :

• Recently, Karnataka has introduced a soft release strategy.
• This will address the growing human elephant conflict in Hassan, Chikkamagaluru & Kodagu districts
• This strategy involves rehabilitation of captured elephants into the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS).
• Elephants will 1st stay in a 20 square km enclosure.
• It is for acclimatisation & health checks before being released.
• After then they will be released in 4 designated areas within the sanctuary.

About Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS):

• The sanctuary is named after the Bhadra River.
• It is also known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary.
• BWS is also part of the Project Tiger
• It aims to protect tiger habitats & conserve tiger populations across India.
• Ecological Diversity:
  • Forest Types: The sanctuary has various forest types, including:
    • Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous Forests
    • Dry Deciduous Forests
    • Shola Forests
  • Fauna: The sanctuary has a rich diversity of wildlife:
    • Mammals: Tigers, leopards, dholes, gaurs, deer, & elephants.
    • Birds: BWS hosts 250 bird species including Hornbills, Malabar Trogon, & Hill Myna. Many of these are endemic to the Western Ghats.
  • Elephant Population:
    • The sanctuary currently has nearly 450 elephants.
    • It is estimated that the sanctuary can accommodate 200 more elephants.
  • Significance of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary:
    • Conservation Role: As a Project Tiger Reserve BWS plays an important role in the conservation of tigers.
    • It also protects other endangered species as well as biodiversity of the Western Ghats.
    • Human Wildlife Conflict Mitigation: The soft release strategy is part of a initiative.
    • It will manage & reduce human wildlife conflict with elephants.

Source: TH