Description

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Context

The Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary which is Kerala’s youngest protected area has emerged as a biodiversity hotspot.

A recent faunal survey conducted by the Forest Department documented 63 new species of odonates, butterflies and birds.

The sanctuary located in the Nilambur Forest Division was declared a protected area in 2020.

Facts about Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary

Feature	Details
Location	Malappuram district
Total Area	228 sq.km
Established	2020
Geographical Significance	Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme
Borders	Mukurthi National Park (Tamil Nadu) on the eastern side, Silent Valley National Park(Kerala) on the southern side
Tributary	Named after the Karimpuzha River which is a tributary of the Chaliyar River
Ecological Importance	High biodiversity due to varied topography from steep hills and deep valleys to grasslands and shola forests
Inhabited Tribes	Home to Cholanaikans, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group

Faunal Survey Findings

Bird Diversity in Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary

Newly recorded birds (16 species) include:

Eurasian Sparrow Hawk
White-Rumped Vulture
Blue-eared Kingfisher
Broad-tailed Grassbird
Savanna Nightjar
Jacobian Cuckoo
Long-Billed Pipit

Butterfly Diversity

Newly recorded butterflies (6 species):

Suffused Double Banded Judy
Painted Courtesan
Nilgiri Four-ring
Silver Streaked Acacia Blue
Sinhalese Five-ring
Small Cupid

Endemic species recorded:

Red Eye Bushbrown
White Bar Bushbrown

Odonate (Dragonflies & Damselflies) Diversity

Newly recorded odonates:

Gomphidia kodaguensis
Rhyothemis triangularis
Euphaea fraseri
Protosticta gravelyi

Flora of Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary

Only forest in Kerala where all 7 forest types found in the state are present.

Evergreen rainforest
Semi-evergreen forest
Moist deciduous forest
Sub-tropical hill forest
Sub-tropical savannah
Montane wet temperate forest
Montane wet grasslands

List of wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala

Sanctuary Name	Location	Area (sq. km)	Notable Features
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary	Thekkady, Idukki District	925	Known for elephants and tigers; includes Periyar Lake.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary	Wayanad District	344	Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve; rich in biodiversity.
Parambikulam Tiger Reserve	Palakkad District	643.66	Noted for teak plantations and tiger population.
Silent Valley National Park	Palakkad District	237.52	Pristine tropical rainforest; habitat for the lion-tailed macaque.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary	Idukki District	90.44	Dry thorny forest; home to the endangered grizzled giant squirrel.
Eravikulam National Park	Munnar, Idukki District	97	Habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr; known for Neelakurinji blooms.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary	Thiruvananthapuram District	128	Features diverse flora and fauna; includes Neyyar Dam.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary	Thiruvananthapuram District	75	Contains Peppara Dam; rich in birdlife.
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary	Kollam District	172	Part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve; known for biodiversity.
Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary	Thrissur District	125	Second oldest sanctuary in Kerala; includes Peechi and Vazhani dams.
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary	Idukki District	105.364	Surrounds Idukki Arch Dam; rich in elephant population.
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary	Kannur District	55	Evergreen forests; home to various endemic species.
Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary	Thrissur District	85	Located in the Western Ghats; rich in biodiversity.
Thattekad Bird Sanctuary	Ernakulam District	25	Also known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary; birdwatcher's paradise.
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary	Kochi, Ernakulam District	0.0274	Mangrove ecosystem; important for migratory birds.
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary	Kottayam District	14	Located on the banks of Vembanad Lake; known for birdwatching.
Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary	Malappuram District	227.97	Kerala's youngest sanctuary; diverse habitats and species.
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary	Kannur District	30.38	Part of the Western Ghats; rich in endemic species.
Kurinjimala Sanctuary	Idukki District	32	Protects the habitat of Neelakurinji flowers.
Choolannur Pea Fowl Sanctuary	Palakkad District	5	Dedicated to the conservation of peafowls.
Begur Wildlife Sanctuary	Wayanad District	55	Dense forests; home to elephants, leopards, and other wildlife.

Sources:

HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Critically examine the role of biosphere reserves in biodiversity conservation, with special reference to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. (250 words)