Description

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Context

Days after the incident wherein a few cattle were left wounded after they accidentally consumed explosives, a bear succumbed to injuries it sustained after it accidentally consumed an explosive at the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

About the Sanctuary

The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary established in 1987 is a protected area spanning approximately 1027 km2 across the Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagar districts of Karnataka.

Named after the Cauvery River that flows through it for about 101 kilometers the sanctuary serves as a vital habitat for diverse flora and fauna.

Borders Tamil Nadu to the east and northeast.

Landmarks

Hogenakkal Falls known as Smoking Rock in Kannada.

Mekedatu translates to "Goat's Leap."

Sangam which is confluence of the Arkavathi and Cauvery rivers.

Muthathi which is site of the Anjaneya temple.

Climate

Temperature Range: 5°C to 40°C.

Receives rainfall from both the Northeast and Southwest monsoons, averaging between 750 mm and 800 mm annually.

Flora

The sanctuary predominantly features South Indian dry deciduous forests along with patches of southern tropical dry thorn and riverine forests.

Fauna

Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, Leopard, Dhole, Sloth bear, Spotted deer, Sambar deer, Four-horned antelope, Grizzled giant squirrel, Malabar giant squirrel, Smooth-coated otter, Mugger crocodile, Indian rock python, Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, Banded krait.

Aquatic Life

Mahseer fish
Indian mud turtles

Avifauna

The sanctuary is recognized as an Important Bird Area hosting species such as

White-rumped vulture
Indian vulture

Conservation Challenges

The sanctuary faces threats from proposed projects like the Barachukki mini hydel project which could lead to the diversion of forest land within its Eco-Sensitive Zone.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka

Name	Location (District)	Year Established	Area (sq km)	Key Features
Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary	Chamarajanagar, Ramanagara, Mandya	1987	1027.53	River Cauvery passes through; dry deciduous forest; home to elephant, leopard, dhole, mahseer fish, mugger crocodile; near Hogenakkal & Mekedatu
Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary	Uttara Kannada	1956	866.41	Dense deciduous forests; black panther, Malabar giant squirrel, hornbills, crocodiles; part of Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary	Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga	1974 (as sanctuary)	492.46	Tiger Reserve; moist deciduous forest; Bhadra River flows through; elephant, tiger, gaur
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary	Kodagu	1987	102.6	Western Ghats; important bird area; endangered Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Grey-breasted Laughingthrush
Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) WLS	Chamarajanagar	1987 (Tiger Reserve 2011)	540.39	Ecotone between Western & Eastern Ghats; elephant, tiger, wild boar, leopards
Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary	Udupi	1974	370.37	Tropical evergreen forests; Lion-tailed macaque, Indian bison, king cobra
Gudavi Bird Sanctuary	Shivamogga	1986	0.74	Seasonal bird sanctuary; spot-billed pelicans, ibis, herons
Attiveri Bird Sanctuary	Uttara Kannada	1994	2.23	Artificial reservoir attracts over 79 species of birds including 22 migratory ones
Adichunchanagiri WLS	Mandya	1981	0.88	Medicinal plants, leopards, peacocks, and bears

Sources:

DECCANHERALD

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Which of the following statements about the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is/are correct?

It is located in Karnataka and shares its eastern boundary with Tamil Nadu.
The Sanctuary is home to the endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrel and the Mahseer fish.
The dominant forest type in the sanctuary is tropical evergreen forest.

Select the correct answer using the code below:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: A)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The sanctuary is in Karnataka and adjoins the Dharmapuri forest division of Tamil Nadu.

Statement 2 is correct: The Grizzled Giant Squirrel and Mahseer fish are found here.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The sanctuary primarily has dry deciduous forests not tropical evergreen.