Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve

Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve Latest News

Authorities of the BRT Tiger Reserve are seeking immediate action on fallow lands, warning that these neglected plots are turning into suitable habitats for big cats and increasing risks in fringe villages.

About Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve

• It is located in the BR Hills (Biligiri Rangana Hills) in Chamarajanagar District of southeastern Karnataka. 
• It is spread over an area of 574.82 sq.km. and lies at an elevation of 5,091 feet above sea level.
• The reserve gets its name from Biligiri, meaning “white rocky cliff,” which is home to the ancient Rangaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
• It is also believed that the hill range gets its name due to white mist and silvery clouds which cover these lofty hills for a greater part of the year. 
• It is considered to be the wildlife corridor that connects the Eastern Ghats to the Western Ghats, which in turn facilitates gene flow between the population species inhabiting both the mountain ranges. 
• The reserve is home to the Soliga community — a forest-dwelling indigenous people who have lived within the BRT hills for centuries.  
  • Soligas was the first tribal community living inside a tiger reserve and getting their forest rights recognised by a court in a judgement in 2011.
• Vegetation: 
  • The vegetation is predominantly dry scrub jungle to evergreen forests and high-altitude shola grassland habitat. 
  • Dry deciduous and scrub forests are found in the foothills.  
• Flora: The major species include Anogeissus latifolia, Dalbergia paniculata, Grewia teliaefolia, Terminalia alata, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia paniculata, etc.
• Fauna: Animals including tiger, elephant, leopard, wild dog, bison, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, four-horned antelope, sloth bear, wild boar, common langur, bonnet macaque, varieties of reptiles, birds, etc., are found in the Tiger Reserve.

News: TOI

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