Anshi National Park, Location, Biodiversity, Kali Tiger Reserve 

Anshi National Park is located in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. It is spread over about 340 sq km along the Kali River and ranges from 200 to 925 meters elevation. The region receives around 2500 mm rainfall annually and supports dense forests, rare wildlife including black panthers and rich ecological diversity.

Anshi National Park Features

Anshi National Park is known for its rugged terrain, heavy rainfall and connection with Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary forming a large protected forest system. The key features of this national park has been highlighted below:

• Location and Extent: Situated on the Karwar-Londa route, the park covers about 340 sq km and forms part of a larger 2200 sq km continuous forest landscape.
• Altitude: Elevation ranges from 200 to 925 meters, creating varied habitats like valleys, slopes and hill forests supporting diverse species.
• Climate Conditions: Receives nearly 2500 mm rainfall annually, with temperature varying between 10°C in winter and 40°C in summer seasons.
• River System: Kali River flows through the park, acting as a major ecological lifeline and supporting aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
• Forest Type: Dominated by moist deciduous and semi evergreen forests with patches of evergreen vegetation in deeper valleys and western regions.
• Landscape Features: Includes deep valleys, narrow hill slopes, dense forests and riverine ecosystems forming a highly scenic and ecologically important terrain.
• Formation History: Originated from Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in 1987, with final expansion in 2002 adding around 90 sq km area.
• Protected Status: Became part of a Tiger Reserve in 2007 under Project Tiger, increasing its conservation importance nationally.

Also Read: National Parks in India 2026

Anshi National Park Biodiversity

The Anshi National Park hosts highly diverse flora and fauna due to its Western Ghats location, with many rare and endangered species recorded.

• Key Flora Species: Includes Calophyllum wightianum, Garcinia morella, bamboo, teak, silver oak, eucalyptus and Artocarpus lacucha found across forest zones.
• Evergreen Elements: Trees like Knema attenuata, Hopea species and Carallia brachiata dominate semi evergreen and evergreen patches in high rainfall areas.
• Large Mammals: Important animals include tigers, elephants, Indian bison, sloth bear and wild boar found in dense forest interiors.
• Rare Species: Black panther (melanistic leopard) is a major highlight and one of the rarest sightings in this region.
• Other Mammals: Includes pangolin, Malabar civet, jungle cat, leopard cat, flying squirrel and Indian grey mongoose.
• Deer Species: Common herbivores include sambar, spotted deer, barking deer and mouse deer supporting predator populations.
• Bird Diversity: Around 200 species such as great hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, brahminy kite and crested serpent eagle are recorded.
• Reptile Species: Includes king cobra, spectacled cobra, python, krait, Russell’s viper and bamboo pit viper.

Also Read: Tiger Reserves in India

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Kali Tiger Reserve

Kali Tiger Reserve represents the integrated conservation area formed by combining Anshi National Park and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary under a unified management system.

• Formation Timeline: Declared tiger reserve in 2007 as “Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve” under Project Tiger initiative for wildlife protection.
• Renaming: Renamed as Kali Tiger Reserve in 2015 to highlight the importance of Kali River as the ecological backbone of the region.
• Total Area Coverage: Includes Anshi National Park (~340 sq km) and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (~475 sq km), forming a vast protected zone.
• Ecological Connectivity: Creates nearly continuous forest landscape extending over 2200 sq km with adjoining protected regions of Goa and Maharashtra.
• Administrative Structure: Divided into wildlife divisions and ranges such as Anshi, Phansoli, Kulgi and Castlerock for effective management.
• Habitat Diversity: Contains moist deciduous, semi evergreen and evergreen forests supporting high biodiversity and ecological stability.