Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary

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Context

• Nearly 50 years after it was notified, the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is yet to get the necessary protection of an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ).

Direction by NGT

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has told the state government to resolve the issues that have led to the delay in the notification of eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) status for the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary.

Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary

Location

• Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the state of Karnataka.

Declaration of Wildlife Sanctuary

• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1974.

Dam

• The Tunga Anicut Dam is situated within the sanctuary and provides shelter for otters and water birds.

Bird Sanctuary

• The Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is also a part of the Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It is a popular bird nesting site situated on an island in the midst of the Tunga River.

Vegetation

• Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is mainly covered by tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
• The eastern and central parts are mostly covered by dry and moist deciduous forests while the western parts have semi-evergreen forests.

Flora and Fauna

• The sanctuary is home to species of animals such as white-backed vultures, Indian nightjar, and white-bellied dingo.
• Some other animal species such as tigers, king cobras, slot bears, leopards, elephants, langurs, and pythons reside in dense forest areas.