Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary

About Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: It is located in Shimoga District of Karnataka.
• It covers an area of 395.6 sq. km. 
• It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 23rd November 1974.
• Mandagadde Natural Bird Sanctuary, present on a small island in the River Tunga, is also a part of this sanctuary. 
• The Tunga Anicut Dam is situated within the sanctuary and provides shelter for otters and water birds.
• 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 sanctuary has mostly Dry and Moist Deciduous Forests in the eastern and central parts.
  • Towards the west, with an increase in rainfall, there are Semi-evergreen Forests. 
• 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.

Q1: What are Deciduous Forests?

A deciduous forest is a biome dominated by deciduous trees which lose their leaves seasonally. The Earth has temperate deciduous forests, and tropical and subtropical deciduous forests, also known as dry forests. Another name for these forests is broad-leaf forests because of the wide, flat leaves on the trees. 

Source: Greens apprise forest minister Khandre about threat to elephants in Shettihalli sanctuary