Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

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Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary & Project Tiger Reserve
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary & Project Tiger Reserve
Map of India
Map of India
Location Chikmagalur District and Shimoga district, India
Nearest city Chikmagalur, India
Area 492.46 km²
Established 1974
Governing body Government of Karnataka

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is 38 km. northwest of Chikmagalur town in Karnataka state. The sanctuary is surrounded by Mullaianagiri, Hebbegiri, Gangegiri and Babaudangiri hills and has the tributaries of the Bhadra river flowing through it. The western border of the sanctuary abuts the back waters of the Bhadra Reservoir which has a catchment area of 1,968 km², surrounded by scenic hills and steep slopes.

Contents

[edit] Conservation history

The area was first declared as Jagara Vally Wildlife sanctuary in 1951 by the then government of Mysore covering an area of 77.45 km². After a systematic survey of the flora and the fauna of the area and its surroundings, the area was extended to its present extent in 1974.

[edit] Flora and Fauna

A diverse range of wildlife is found in the sanctuary like bison (Gaur), Elephants, Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Chital spotted deer, Boar, Porcupine, Muntjac, birds like the Peacock, Parrot, Partridge, Pigeon, Munia and Bee eaters, and reptiles such as King Cobras and Indian Rock Pythons.

[edit] Activities

Nature enthusiasts can avail safari facilities at "River Tern Lodge", a Jungle Lodge and Resort undertaking of the state government. Not to be missed apart from the jungle safaris is a boat ride to the several small islands that dot the reservoir. These islands are breeding grounds of the River Tern, a sleek white bird with a yellow beak. Literally thousands of these birds nest on the islands during monsoon season (June - August). Eventually their eggs hatch and the nestlings fly away just before the rising waters of the reservoir inundates the islands. Common trees of the forest are Teak, Rosewood, Mathi, Honne, Nandi, Kindal etc.

         CENSUS FIGURES FOR BHADRA
                1993            1997
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Tiger           25               33
Leopard         11               21
Elephant        161              203    
Gaur            139              186            
Chital                           780            
Sambar                           518                    
Bonnet Macacque                  248                    
Wildboar                         470                    
Muntjac                          749            
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Bhadra Reservoir and River Tern Islands Chikmagalur

Reservoir with River Tern Islands Chikmagalur

Bhadra WLS Chikmagalur

Rose ringed Parakeet or Common Parrot, Bhadra WLS Chikmagalur

Lemon Pansy butterflies mating, Bhadra WLS Chikmagalur

Common Baron, Bhadra WLS Chikmagalur

River Tern nestling learning to fly, Bhadra WLS Chikmagalur

Gaur Bison (male), Bhadra WLS Chikmagalur

[edit] Concerns

  • Growing human population in the 26 villages that are close to the sanctuary and encroachment.
  • Livestock population and grazing by the thousands of cattle that belong to the villagers.
  • Diseases. Livestock carry diseases like foot and mouth disease to the herbivours in the park. During the 1989-99 time period, rinderpest wiped out most of the Gaur population, which numbered more than a thousand, reducing the population to its present numbers. With proactive programs of inoculating local cattle, the population of Gaur is again on the rise.
  • Tunga-Bhadra Lift Irrigation Project. This project promises to bring water to the rainshadow areas of Chikmagalur district by transferring water from Tunga river to Bhadra River, but poses a threat of disturbance to the natural habitat.
  • Poaching of Timber by villagers.

[edit] References / Links