Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary

Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

The Karnataka government has violated Wildlife (Protection) Act as well as Supreme Court orders in clearing a proposal to reduce the extent of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary,, while the National Board of Wildlife (NBWL) has failed to ensure that denotification of 300 sq km of sanctuary is compensated.

About Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located in the Shimoga District of Karnataka.
• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 23rd November 1974.
• It spans an area of 395.6 square kilometres.
• Inside the sanctuary is located the Tunga Anicut Dam, which shelters otters and water birds. 
• Mandagadde Natural Bird Sanctuary, present on a small island in the River Tunga, is also a part of this sanctuary.
• There are a large number of human settlements inside Shettihalli Sanctuary, mainly consisting of families that were displaced by the construction of the Sharavathi Dam in the 1960s.
• Vegetation: The vegetation in the region mainly consists of dry deciduous, moist deciduous, and semi-evergreen types. 
• Flora: Major tree species include silver oak, teak, Indian Thorny Bamboo, Calcutta Bamboo, Asan, Tectona Grandis, Sweet Indrajao, Amla, etc.
• Fauna:
  • It houses mammals like Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog, Jackal, Gaur, Elephant, Sloth Bear Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Pig, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, etc.
  • Birds include Hornbills, Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Parakeets, Doves, Pigeons, Babblers, Flycatchers, Munias, Swallows, Woodpeckers, Peafowl, Jungle fowl and Partridges.

Source: DH