Description

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Context:

A four-day faunal survey conducted at the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary has added significant findings to the sanctuary’s biodiversity records.

About Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

It is located in the southern part of the Western Ghats in the Kollam district of Kerala.
It covers an area of approximately 172 km2. and forms part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
Most of the Sanctuary area is hilly and riddled with ravines.
Drainage: The main rivers are Shendurney, Kazhuthuruthy and Kulathupuzha which merge to form the Kallada River.

Flora

The vegetation consists mainly of tropical evergreen forests, semi-permanent forests and moist deciduous forests.
The name 'Shendurney' is derived from the name of a species of tree, Gluta travancorica, locally known as 'Chenkurunji', which is endemic to the area and abundant in the sanctuary.

Fauna

Notable mammals include elephants, tigers, leopards, gaurs (Indian bison), sambar deer, barking deer, wild boars, and macaques.
The sanctuary also supports a significant population of Nilgiri langurs and lion macaques, both of which are endemic to the Western Ghats.
More than 200 species of birds are recorded in the sanctuary. Some of the notable species include the Indian hornbill, Malabar hornbill, Grey-headed bulbul, White-bellied warbler, and various species of woodpeckers, flycatchers, and raptors.

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About Shendurney

Source:

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary:

It is a protected area located in the Western Ghats of Kerala.
Chenthuruni River flows through the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats in the Kollam district of Kerala. The sanctuary is located on either side of the Shendurney River which is also referred to as the Chenthuruni River.

Statement 2 is correct: It features a mix of evergreen and deciduous forests along with rolling hills, streams and rivers creating a lush and diverse landscape. Asceua tertia is a newly identified species of ground-dwelling spider discovered in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary.