Wildlife of Karnataka
Encyclopedia
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
located in South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. It has a recorded forest area of 38720 km² which constitutes 20.19% of the total geographical area of the state.. These forests support 25% of the elephant
Elephant
Elephants are large land mammals in two extant genera of the family Elephantidae: Elephas and Loxodonta, with the third genus Mammuthus extinct...
population and 15% of the tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
population of India. Many regions of Karnataka are as yet unexplored and new species of flora and fauna are found periodically. The mountains of Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
which are in the western region of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
are a biodiversity hotspot
Biodiversity hotspot
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers in two articles in “The Environmentalist” , revised after thorough analysis by Myers and others in...
. Two sub-clusters of these Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
viz. Talacauvery
Talakaveri
Talacauvery , is the place that is generally considered to be the source of the Cauvery River. It is located in the Brahmagiri hill near Bhagamandala in Kodagu district, Karnataka, 1,276 m. above sea level...
and Kudremukh
Kudremukh
Kudremukh also spelled Kuduremukha is a mountain range in Chikkamagaluru district, in Karnataka, India. It is also the name of a small hill station town situated near the mountain, about 48 kilometers from Karkala and about 20 kilometers from Kalasa...
which are located in Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
are in the tentative list of sites that could be designated as World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
by UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
. The Bandipur and Nagarahole national parks which fall outside these subclusters were included in the Nilgiri biosphere reserve in 1986, a UNESCO designation. The state bird and state animal of Karnataka are Indian Roller
Indian Roller
The Indian Roller , also called the Blue Jay in former times is a member of the roller family of birds. They are found in southern Asia from Iraq to Thailand and are best known for the aerobatic displays of the male during the breeding season...
and the Indian Elephant
Indian Elephant
The Indian Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
respectively. The state tree and state flower are Sandalwood (Santalum album
Santalum album
Santalum album or Indian sandalwood is a small tropical tree, the most commonly known source of sandalwood. This species has been utilised, cultivated and traded for many years, some cultures placing great significance on its fragrant and medicinal qualities. For these reasons it has been...
) and lotus respectively.
National parks in Karnataka
Anshi National Park
This park is present in the Uttara KannadaUttara Kannada
Uttara Kannada also known as North Canara or North Kanara, is a district in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is bordered by the state of Goa and Belgaum District to the north, Dharwad District and Haveri District to the east, Shimoga District and Udupi District to the south and the...
district and spreads over an area of 250 km². The altitude varies from 27 metres (89 ft) to 927 metres (3,041 ft) , and temperatures from 15 °C to 35 °C. Average annual rainfall is about 4700 millimetres (185 in) .
- Flora: The area has semi-evergreen and evergreenEvergreenIn botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
forests. Some common tree species in the area are CalophyllumCalophyllumCalophyllum is a flowering plant genus of around 180-200 species of tropical evergreen trees in the family Calophyllaceae. The generic name is derived from the Greek words καλος , meaning "beautiful", and φυλλον , meaning "leaf." Its members are native to Australasia, Madagascar, Eastern Africa,...
tomentosa, CalophyllumCalophyllumCalophyllum is a flowering plant genus of around 180-200 species of tropical evergreen trees in the family Calophyllaceae. The generic name is derived from the Greek words καλος , meaning "beautiful", and φυλλον , meaning "leaf." Its members are native to Australasia, Madagascar, Eastern Africa,...
wightianum, GarcinaGârcinaGârcina is a commune in Neamţ County, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Almaş, Cuejdiu and Gârcina....
cambogia, GarcinaGârcinaGârcina is a commune in Neamţ County, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Almaş, Cuejdiu and Gârcina....
morealla, KnemaKnemaKnema is a genus of plant in family Myristicaceae. It contains the following species :...
attenuata, HopeaHopeaHopea is a genus of plant in family Dipterocarpaceae. The genus was named after John Hope, 1725-1786, the first Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. It contains about 104 species, distributed from Sri Lanka and southern India to southern China, and southward throughout Malesia to...
wightiana, Tetrameles nudiflora, AlstoniaAlstoniaAlstonia is a widespread genus of evergreen trees and shrubs from the dogbane family . It was named by Robert Brown in 1811, after Charles Alston , Professor of botany at Edinburgh from 1716-1760....
scholaris, FlacourtiaFlacourtiaFlacourtia is a genus of flowering plants in the in the willow family, Salicaceae. It was previously placed in the now defunct family Flacourtiaceae. The generic name honors Étienne de Flacourt , a governor of Madagascar. It contains 15 species of shrubs and small trees that are native to the...
montana, Machilis macarantha, CaralliaCaralliaCarallia is a genus of plant in family Rhizophoraceae.Species include:* Carallia calycina, Benth.* Carallia diplopetala, Hand.-Mazz.* Carallia euryoides, Ridley...
brachiata, ArtocarpusArtocarpusArtocarpus is a genus of about 60 trees of Southeast Asian origin and the Pacific, belonging to the mulberry family, Moraceae.-Description:...
hirsutus, ArtocarpusArtocarpusArtocarpus is a genus of about 60 trees of Southeast Asian origin and the Pacific, belonging to the mulberry family, Moraceae.-Description:...
lacoocha and CinnamomumCinnamomumCinnamomum is a genus of evergreen aromatic trees and shrubs belonging to the Laurel family, Lauraceae. The species of Cinnamomum have aromatic oils in their leaves and bark. The genus contains over 300 species, distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of North America, Central America,...
zeylanicum. - Fauna: Mammals in the park include Indian ElephantIndian ElephantThe Indian Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
, GaurGaurThe gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
, Wild boar, Sambar, chevrotainChevrotainChevrotains, also known as mouse deer, are small ungulates that make up the family Tragulidae, the only members of the infraorder Tragulina. There are 10 living species in three genera, but there are also several species only known from fossils...
, muntjacMuntjacMuntjac, also known as Barking Deer and Mastreani Deer, are small deer of the genus Muntiacus. Muntjac are the oldest known deer, appearing 15–35 million years ago, with remains found in Miocene deposits in France, Germany and Poland....
, chitalChitalThe chital or cheetal , also known as chital deer, spotted deer or axis deer is a deer which commonly inhabits wooded regions of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and in small numbers in Pakistan...
, Gray langurGray langurGray langurs or Hanuman langurs, the most widespread langurs of South Asia, are a group of Old World monkeys constituting the entirety of the genus Semnopithecus. All taxa have traditionally been placed in the single species Semnopithecus entellus...
, Bonnet MacaqueBonnet MacaqueThe bonnet macaque is a macaque endemic to southern India. Its distribution is limited by the Indian Ocean on three sides and the Godavari and Tapti Rivers along with a related competing species of rhesus macaque in the north....
, Slender LorisSlender lorisThe slender lorises are two species of loris native to India and Sri Lanka, the only members of the genus Loris:* the red slender loris, Loris tardigradus* the gray slender loris, Loris lydekkerianus...
, Bengal TigerBengal TigerThe Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
, Jungle CatJungle CatThe jungle cat is a medium-sized cat and considered the largest remaining species of the wild cat genus Felis. The species is also called the swamp lynx but is not closely related to the lynxes....
, Indian LeopardIndian leopardThe Indian leopard is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard....
, Leopard CatLeopard CatThe leopard cat is a small wild cat of South and East Asia. Since 2002 it has been listed as Least Concern by IUCN as it is widely distributed but threatened by habitat loss and hunting in parts of its range...
, Small Indian CivetSmall Indian CivetThe Small Indian Civet or Rasse is a species of civet found across south and South-east Asia as well as in the Indonesian archipelago. The Assamese name Johamaal refers to its glandular odour similar to a scented rice variety called Joha...
, Common Mongoose, Golden JackalGolden JackalThe golden jackal , also known as the common jackal, Asiatic jackal, thos or gold-wolf is a Canid of the genus Canis indigenous to north and northeastern Africa, southeastern and central Europe , Asia Minor, the Middle East and southeast Asia...
, DholeDholeThe dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only extant member of the genus Cuon, which differs from Canis by the reduced number of molars and greater number of teats...
, Sloth BearSloth BearThe sloth bear , also known as the labiated bear, is a nocturnal insectivorous species of bear found wild within the Indian subcontinent. The sloth bear evolved from ancestral brown bears during the Pleistocene and shares features found in insect-eating mammals through convergent evolution...
, Malabar Giant SquirrelIndian Giant SquirrelThe Indian giant squirrel, or Malabar giant squirrel, is a large tree squirrel species genus Ratufa native to India. It is a large-bodied diurnal, arboreal, and herbivorous squirrel found in South Asia.-Description:...
, Grizzled Giant SquirrelGrizzled Giant SquirrelThe grizzled giant squirrel is a large tree squirrel in the genus Ratufa found in the highlands of the Central and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka, and in patches of riparian forest along the Kaveri River and in the hill forests in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala states of southern India...
, Indian Giant Flying SquirrelIndian Giant Flying SquirrelThe Indian Giant Flying Squirrel - alternatively referred to as Large Brown Flying Squirrel or the Common Giant Flying Squirrel - is a species of rodent in the Sciuridae family. It is found in China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Thailand.-References:...
, and Indian Crested Porcupine. King cobraKing CobraThe king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m . This species, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia...
, python, cobraCobraCobra is a venomous snake belonging to the family Elapidae. However, not all snakes commonly referred to as cobras are of the same genus, or even of the same family. The name is short for cobra capo or capa Snake, which is Portuguese for "snake with hood", or "hood-snake"...
, rat snakeRat snakeRat snakes are medium to large constrictors that can be found through a great portion of the northern hemisphere. They feed primarily on rodents and birds and, with some species exceeding 3 m , they can occupy top levels of some food chains. Many species make attractive and docile pets and one,...
, viperViperidaeThe Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes found all over the world, except in Antarctica, Australia, Ireland, Madagascar, Hawaii, various other isolated islands, and above the Arctic Circle. All have relatively long, hinged fangs that permit deep penetration and injection of venom. Four...
and krait are among the snakes that inhabit the park. Interesting birds include the Great HornbillGreat HornbillThe Great Hornbill also known as Great Indian Hornbill or Great Pied Hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family. Great Hornbills are found in the forests of Nepal, India, the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, Indonesia. Their impressive size and colour have made them important in...
, Malabar Pied HornbillMalabar Pied HornbillThe Malabar Pied Hornbill is a hornbill. Hornbills are a family of tropical near-passerine birds found in the Old World....
and Ceylon Frogmouth.
Bandipur National Park
It is situated within Chamarajanagar districtChamarajanagar district
Chamarajanagara is the southern-most district in the state of Karnataka, India. It was carved out of the original larger Mysore District in the year 1998...
covering an area of over 800 km² and adjoins the states of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
and Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. In 1973, Bandipur became one of the first of India's Tiger Reserves and became a part of Project Tiger
Project Tiger
Project Tiger was launched in 1972 in India. The project aims at ensuring a viable population of tigers in their natural habitats and preserving areas of biological importance as a natural heritage for the people. The selection of areas for the reserves represented as close as possible the...
. In 1974, intention was declared under the Wildlife Protection Act to notify it as a National Park
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
.
- Flora: The scrub jungles towards the eastern limits of the park consist of stunted trees, interspersed with bushes and open grassy patches. Towards its north-western fringes, there is a gradual shift in the vegetation from open dry deciduousDeciduousDeciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
forests to tropical mixed deciduous forests. These diverse habitats support an enormous diversity of animal life. - Fauna: The mammals found here are Indian ElephantIndian ElephantThe Indian Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
(Elephas maximus indicus), GaurGaurThe gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
(Bos gaurus), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Chital or Spotted deer (Axis axis), Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) or Barking deer, Mouse deer (Moschiola indica), Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata), Slender loris (Loris tardigradus), Red Giant Flying SquirrelRed Giant Flying Squirrel- Distribution :The Red Giant Flying Squirrel is a species of flying squirrel, which ranges from the eastern regions of Afghanistan, into northern India and Pakistan through to Java, and Taiwan, and also Sri Lanka. It can also be found in parts of Borneo. This species was recorded in Peninsular...
(Petaurista petaurista), Bengal TigerBengal TigerThe Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
(Panthera tigris), Indian LeopardIndian leopardThe Indian leopard is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard....
(Panthera pardus), Common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), Dhole or Asiatic wild dog(Cuon alpinus), Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena), Golden JackalGolden JackalThe golden jackal , also known as the common jackal, Asiatic jackal, thos or gold-wolf is a Canid of the genus Canis indigenous to north and northeastern Africa, southeastern and central Europe , Asia Minor, the Middle East and southeast Asia...
(Canis aureus), Ruddy mongoose (Herpestes smithii), Smooth-coated OtterSmooth-coated OtterThe Smooth-coated Otter is a species of otter, the only extant representative of the genus Lutrogale. The species is found from southern Pakistan and parts of the India east to Southeast Asia, and there is a disjunct population in Iraq...
(Lutrogale perspicillata), Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata). Among the 230 species of birds identified here, some of the important groups include Herons, Storks, Egrets, Ducks, Kites, Eagles, FalconFalconA falcon is any species of raptor in the genus Falco. The genus contains 37 species, widely distributed throughout Europe, Asia, and North America....
s, QuailQuailQuail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds generally considered in the order Galliformes. Old World quail are found in the family Phasianidae, while New World quail are found in the family Odontophoridae...
s, PartridgePartridgePartridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.These are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East...
s, Wildfowl, LapwingLapwingVanellinae are any of various crested plovers, family Charadriidae, noted for its slow, irregular wingbeat in flight and a shrill, wailing cry. Its length is 10-16 inches. They are a subfamily of medium-sized wading birds which also includes the plovers and dotterels. The Vanellinae are...
s, Sandpipers, Pigeons, Doves, ParakeetParakeetParakeet is a term for any one of a large number of unrelated small to medium sized species of parrot, that generally have long tail feathers...
s, Cuckoos, Owls, NightjarNightjarNightjars are medium-sized nocturnal or crepuscular birds with long wings, short legs and very short bills. They are sometimes referred to as goatsuckers from the mistaken belief that they suck milk from goats . Some New World species are named as nighthawks...
s, SwiftSwiftThe swifts are a family, Apodidae, of highly aerial birds. They are superficially similar to swallows, but are actually not closely related to passerine species at all; swifts are in the separate order Apodiformes, which they share with hummingbirds...
s, KingfisherKingfisherKingfishers are a group of small to medium sized brightly coloured birds in the order Coraciiformes. They have a cosmopolitan distribution, with most species being found in the Old World and Australia...
s, Bee-eaters and Munias. Reptiles like Marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Indian Pond Terrapin, Starred Tortoise (Geochelone elegans), Common Indian Monitor (Varanus bengalensis), Indian Chameleon (Chamaeleo zeylanicusChamaeleo zeylanicusThe Indian Chameleon, Chamaeleo zeylanicus is a species of chameleon found in Sri Lanka, India and other parts of South Asia. Like other chameleons, this species has a long tongue, feet that are shaped into bifid claspers, a prehensile tail, independent eye movement and the ability to change skin...
), Skinks (MabuyaMabuyaMabuya is a genus of long-tailed skinks nowadays restricted to species from the Americas. The American mabuyas are primarily carnivorous, though many are omnivorous. Formerly, many Old World species were placed here, as Mabuya was a kind of "wastebasket taxon"...
spp.), Geckos (HemidactylusHemidactylusHemidactylus is a genus of the family of typical geckos, Gekkonidae. It is the second-most speciose genus in the family, with about 90 described species, newfound ones being described every few years. These geckos are found in all the tropical regions of the world, extending into the subtropical...
), Common Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosusPtyas mucosusDhaman or Oriental Ratsnake Ptyas mucosus is a common species of colubrid snake found in parts of South and Southeast Asia. Growing to nearly two metres, they are large snakes and their colour varies from pale browns in dry regions to nearly black in moist forest areas...
), Indian CobraIndian CobraIndian Cobra or Spectacled Cobra is a species of the genus Naja found in the Indian subcontinent and a member of the "big four", the four species which inflict the most snakebites in India. This snake is revered in Indian mythology and culture, and is often seen with snake charmers...
(Naja naja), Russell's viper (Daboia russelli), Common KraitCommon KraitThe common krait is a species of genus Bungarus found in the jungles of the Indian subcontinent. It is a member of the "big four", species inflicting the most snakebites in India....
(Bungarus caeruleus), Indian python (Python molurus), Checkered Keelback, Green Whip Snake, Common Indian Bronzeback (Dendrelaphis tristisDendrelaphis tristisThe Bronzeback Dendrelaphis tristis is a species of tree-snake found in South Asia.-Description:It is a long slender snake with a pointed head and a bronze coloured line running down its back. Feeds on geckos and frogs. This harmless snake prefers the tree tops to life on the ground...
) and Trinket Snake (Elaphe helenaElaphe helenaTrinket Snake, Coelognathus helenus, is a non-venomous constrictor species of colubrid snake native to south Central Asia.-Distribution:Sri Lanka, Southern India, Pakistan , Nepal, BangladeshType locality: India: Vishakhapatnam ....
) are found here
Bannerughatta National Park
It is located in Bengalooru district and covers over 115 km² of area. Altitude varies from 740 metres (2,428 ft) to 1034 metres (3,392 ft), temperature from 20° to 35 °C and the average annual rainfall is 700 millimetres (28 in).- Flora: The area has dry deciduousDeciduousDeciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
forests and thorny scrub, with patches of moist deciduousDeciduousDeciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
forests along the streams. Tree species in the park include AnogeissusAnogeissusAnogeissus is a genus of trees native to South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula, and Africa, belonging to family Combretaceae. The genus has eight species, five native to South Asia, two endemic to the southern Arabian Peninsula, and one native to Africa. Anogeissus latifolia, known as dhaora, is one of...
latifolia, Schleichera oleosa, Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia arjunaTerminalia arjunaTerminalia arjuna is a tree of the genus Terminalia.-Description:...
, GrewiaGrewiaThe large flowering plant genus Grewia is today placed by most authors in the mallow family Malvaceae, in the expanded sense as proposed by in the APG. Formerly, it was placed in either the linden family or the Sparrmanniaceae...
tilaefolia, SantalumSantalumSantalum is a genus of woody flowering plants, the best known and commercially valuable of which is the Indian Sandalwood tree, S. album. Members of the genus are trees or shrubs. Most are root parasites which photosynthesize their own food but tap the roots of other species for water and...
album, ShoreaShoreaShorea is a genus of about 196 species of mainly rainforest trees in the family Dipterocarpaceae. The genus is named after Sir John Shore, the Governor-General of the British East India Company, 1793-1798. They are native to southeast Asia, from Northern India to Malaysia, Indonesia and the...
talura, Emblica officinalis, VitexVitexVitex is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae Martynov, nom. cons. . It has about 250 species. Its type species is Vitex agnus-castus. There is no universal English name, though "chastetree" is common for many species...
altissima, WrightiaWrightiaWrightia is a genus of 23 species of flowering plants in the Apocynaceae family, native to tropical Africa, Asia and Australia...
tinctoria, RandiaRandiaRandia can refer to:*Rand's Warbler , a bird species*Randia , a genus of plants in the Rubiaceae...
sp., ZiziphusZiziphusZiziphus is a genus of about 40 species of spiny shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae, distributed in the warm-temperate and subtropical regions throughout the world. The leaves are alternate, entire, with three prominent basal veins, and long; some species are deciduous,...
sp. and Albizzia sp.. Bamboos are common in the park, the dominant species being DendrocalamusDendrocalamusDendrocalamus is a tropical genus of giant clumping bamboo, which are similar to the genus Bambusa. With about 29 species, this genus is found from the Indian subcontinent throughout Southeast Asia...
strictus. A small area of the park has plantations of Eucalyptus, BauhiniaBauhiniaBauhinia is a genus of more than 200 species of flowering plants in the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the large flowering plant family Fabaceae, with a pantropical distribution. The genus was named after the Bauhin brothers, Swiss-French botanists....
purpurea, SamaneaSamaneaSamanea is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. It belongs to the sub family Mimosoideae....
saman and PeltophorumPeltophorumPeltophorum is a genus of between 5–15 species of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. The genus is native to certain tropical regions across the world...
pterocarpum. - Fauna: Mammals in the park include Indian Leopard, Gaur, Indian Elephant, Golden Jackal, fox, Wild boar, Sloth Bear, Sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Indian Crested Porcupine and hare. A Bengal Tiger has recently been sighted in the park.
Kudremukh National Park
Spread over an area of 600.32 km² it encompasses regions in the districts of Dakshina KannadaDakshina Kannada
- Geography :The district geography consists of sea shore in the west and Western Ghats in the east. The major rivers are Netravathi, Kumaradhara, Phalguni, Shambhavi, Nandini or Pavanje and Payaswini which all join Arabian sea. Vast areas of evergreen forests which once covered this district, have...
, Udupi
Udupi district
Udupi district , ಉಡುಪಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ) in the Karnataka state of India was created in August 1997. The three northern taluks, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkal, were separated from Dakshina Kannada District to form Udupi district. Udupi district is surrounded by Uttara Kannada district in north, Dakshina Kannada...
and Chikmagalur. Altitude varies from 134 metres (440 ft) to 1892 metres (6,207 ft). The park has a pleasant climate, with temperatures ranging from 17° to 28 °C. Annual rainfall varies from 1778 millimetres (70 in) to 6350 millimetres (250 in) , with an average of 4000 millimetres (157 in). The rivers Nethravati, Tunga
Tunga
Tunga may refer to:* Tunga River, a river in India* Tunga, Leyte, a municipality in the Philippines* Tunga, Trondheim, a location in Trondheim, Norway* Tunga , a Unicode typeface included in Windows XP that displays Kannada script...
and Bhadra
Bhadra
In Hinduism, Bhadra is a goddess of the hunt and one of Shiva's servants....
are believed to originate here at Ganga Moola.
- Flora: The park has mostly evergreenEvergreenIn botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
and semi-evergreen forests. SholaSholaSholas are patches of stunted evergreen tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forest found in valleys amid rolling grassland in the higher montane regions of South India. These patches of shola forest are found mainly in the valleys and are usually separated from one another by undulating...
grassland habitat is found at elevations above 1400 metres (4,593 ft). Evergreen trees include PoeciloneuronPoeciloneuronPoeciloneuron is a plant genus in the family Calophyllaceae....
indicum, Holigarna arnottiana, ArtocarpusArtocarpusArtocarpus is a genus of about 60 trees of Southeast Asian origin and the Pacific, belonging to the mulberry family, Moraceae.-Description:...
sp., CalophyllumCalophyllumCalophyllum is a flowering plant genus of around 180-200 species of tropical evergreen trees in the family Calophyllaceae. The generic name is derived from the Greek words καλος , meaning "beautiful", and φυλλον , meaning "leaf." Its members are native to Australasia, Madagascar, Eastern Africa,...
sp., Alstonia scholarisAlstonia scholarisAlstonia scholaris Alstonia scholaris Alstonia scholaris (Apocynaceae, commonly called Blackboard tree, Indian devil tree, Ditabark, Milkwood pine, White cheesewood and Pulai; syn. Echites scholaris L. Mant., Pala scholaris L...
, CanariumCanariumCanarium is a genus of about 75 species of tropical and subtropical trees in the family Burseraceae, native to tropical Africa, southern Asia, and Australia, from southern Nigeria east to Madagascar, Mauritius, India, southern China, Indonesia and the Philippines...
strictum, SyzygiumSyzygiumSyzygium is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. The genus comprises about 1100 species, and has a native range that extends from Africa and Madagascar through southern Asia east through the Pacific...
cumini, FlacourtiaFlacourtiaFlacourtia is a genus of flowering plants in the in the willow family, Salicaceae. It was previously placed in the now defunct family Flacourtiaceae. The generic name honors Étienne de Flacourt , a governor of Madagascar. It contains 15 species of shrubs and small trees that are native to the...
montana, Symplocos spicata, HopeaHopeaHopea is a genus of plant in family Dipterocarpaceae. The genus was named after John Hope, 1725-1786, the first Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. It contains about 104 species, distributed from Sri Lanka and southern India to southern China, and southward throughout Malesia to...
parviflora, Mesua ferreaMesua ferreaMesua ferrea is a species in the family Calophyllaceae. The plant is named after the heaviness of its timber and cultivated in tropical climates for its form, foliage, and fragrant flowers...
and Evodia roxburghiana. There are also a few plantations of EucalyptusEucalyptusEucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
, CasuarinaCasuarinaCasuarina is a genus of 17 species in the family Casuarinaceae, native to Australasia, southeast Asia, and islands of the western Pacific Ocean. It was once treated as the sole genus in the family, but has been split into three genera .They are evergreen shrubs and trees growing to 35 m tall...
and Acacia auriculiformisAcacia auriculiformisAcacia auriculiformis, commonly known as Auri, Earleaf acacia, Earpod wattle, Northern black wattle, Papuan wattle, Tan wattle, is a fast-growing, crooked, gnarly tree in the family Fabaceae. It is native to Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. It grows up to 30m tall...
. - Fauna: Mammals in the park include Bengal TigerBengal TigerThe Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
, Indian LeopardIndian leopardThe Indian leopard is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard....
, DholeDholeThe dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only extant member of the genus Cuon, which differs from Canis by the reduced number of molars and greater number of teats...
, Golden jackalGolden JackalThe golden jackal , also known as the common jackal, Asiatic jackal, thos or gold-wolf is a Canid of the genus Canis indigenous to north and northeastern Africa, southeastern and central Europe , Asia Minor, the Middle East and southeast Asia...
, Lion-tailed MacaqueLion-tailed MacaqueThe lion-tailed macaque is an Old World monkey that is endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.-Physical Characteristics:...
, Common Langur, Sloth BearSloth BearThe sloth bear , also known as the labiated bear, is a nocturnal insectivorous species of bear found wild within the Indian subcontinent. The sloth bear evolved from ancestral brown bears during the Pleistocene and shares features found in insect-eating mammals through convergent evolution...
, GaurGaurThe gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
, Sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Indian Giant Flying Squirrel, Indian Crested Porcupine and mongoose. Reptiles are represented by snakes and tortoises. Bird species in the park include the Malabar TrogonMalabar TrogonThe Malabar Trogon is a species of bird in the trogon family. It is found in the forests of Sri Lanka and peninsular India. In India it is mainly found in the Western Ghats, hill forests of central India and in parts of the Eastern Ghats...
, Great HornbillGreat HornbillThe Great Hornbill also known as Great Indian Hornbill or Great Pied Hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family. Great Hornbills are found in the forests of Nepal, India, the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, Indonesia. Their impressive size and colour have made them important in...
, Malabar whistling thrushMalabar Whistling ThrushThe Malabar Whistling Thrush is a whistling thrush in the thrush family Turdidae. They are also known locally by the name of Whistling Schoolboy for the whistling calls that they make at dawn that have a very human quality...
and Imperial Pigeon.
Nagarhole National Park
Also known as Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) National Park gets its name from the Nagara Hole (Snake River in Kannada) which runs eastwards through its centre. Nagarahole river flows through the park before it joins the Kabini river that also acts as a boundary between Nagarahole and Bandipur. The park covers an area of about 575 km². The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala adjoins to the Southeast.- Flora: These forests are dominated by teakTeakTeak is the common name for the tropical hardwood tree species Tectona grandis and its wood products. Tectona grandis is native to south and southeast Asia, mainly India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Burma, but is naturalized and cultivated in many countries, including those in Africa and the...
and rosewoodRosewoodRosewood refers to any of a number of richly hued timbers, often brownish with darker veining, but found in many different hues. All rosewoods are strong and heavy, taking an excellent polish, being suitable for guitars, marimbas, turnery , handles, furniture, luxury flooring, etc.In general,...
. The eastern limits of the park consist of regenerating dry deciduous forests. The west region of the park contains tropical moist and semi-evergreen forests. Interspersed with these forests are swampy fallows called hadlus, which are dominated by grasses and are favoured grazing areas of many wild herbivores. - Fauna: Some of the species of mammals found in this park are Indian ElephantIndian ElephantThe Indian Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
(Elephas maximus indicus), Gaur (Bos gaurus), Sambar (Cervus unicolor), Chital or Spotted deer or Axis deer (Axis axis), Muntjac or Barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Chevrotain or Mouse deer (Moschiola indica), Four horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), Giant fruit bat (Pteropus giganteus), Bengal TigerBengal TigerThe Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
(Panthera tigris), Indian LeopardIndian leopardThe Indian leopard is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent. It is one of the five big cats found in India, apart from Asiatic lion, Bengal tiger, snow leopard and clouded leopard....
(Panthera pardus), Leopard cat (Felis bengalensis), Jungle cat (Felis chaus), Rusty spotted Cat (Felis rubiginosa), Common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), Small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), Dhole or Asiatic wild dog (Cuon alpinus) and Flying fox (Pteropus giganteus), the largest Indian Bat. Among the 250 species of birds identified in this park include Herons, Storks, Egrets, Ducks, Kites, Eagles, Falcons, Partridges, Quails, Peafowl, Owls, Lapwings, Sandpipers, Pigeons, Doves, Parakeets, Cuckoos, Nightjars, Swifts, Kingfishers, Bee-eaters, Barbets, Swallows, Larks, Woodpeckers, Shrikes and Orioles. Reptiles include Marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Indian pond terrapin, Star tortoise, Common Indian monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis), Forest calotes, Southern green calotes, Skinks (MabuyaMabuyaMabuya is a genus of long-tailed skinks nowadays restricted to species from the Americas. The American mabuyas are primarily carnivorous, though many are omnivorous. Formerly, many Old World species were placed here, as Mabuya was a kind of "wastebasket taxon"...
spp.), Geckos, Spectacled cobra, Russell's viper, Common krait, Indian python (Python molurus), Checkered keelback, Green whip snake, Common Indian bronzeback, Flying snake, Wolf snake and Trinket snake.
Wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka
- Adichunchanagiri Peacock Sanctuary: This is located in Mandya district and is spread over 0.88 km². This was created mainly for the conservation of peacocks.
- Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in Mysore districtMysore districtMysore District is an administrative district located in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. The district is bounded by Mandya district to the northeast, Chamrajanagar district to the southeast, Kerala state to the south, Kodagu district to the west, and Hassan district to the north...
and is spread over 13.5 km². This park consists of eucalyptus and sandalwood plantations. Leopard, fox and spotted deer are some of the animal species found here.
- Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in the Chamarajanagar districtChamarajanagar districtChamarajanagara is the southern-most district in the state of Karnataka, India. It was carved out of the original larger Mysore District in the year 1998...
and is spread over 539.58 km². Some of the species of flora found here are Anogeissus latifolia, Grewia Tilaefolia and Syzygium cumini. Species of mammals include elephants, tigers, leopards, sloth bear, gaur, barking deer and sambar. Among the 215 species of birds found here include Nilgiri wood pigeon, Malabar whistling thrush, yellow-throated bulbul, peregrine falcon, rufousbellied hawk eagle. An endangered amphibian, Icthyophis ghytinosus' has been reported in this sanctuary.
- Bhadra Wildlife SanctuaryBhadra Wildlife SanctuaryBhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is 38 km. northwest of Chikmagalur town in Karnataka state.It extends between 13º 25' and 13º 50' N latitude to 75º 15' and 75º 50' E longitude. The elevation gradient...
: This is located between the ChikkamagaluruChikkamagaluruChikmagalur is a town located in Chikkamagaluru district in the Indian state of Karnataka. Located in the foothills of Mullayanagiri range chikmagalur is famous for the coffee, it is known as the coffee land of karnataka. it has international school called ambar valley and a star resort by name...
and Shimoga districts and is spread over 492.46 km². Common species of flora include Lagerstromia Lanceolata, Adina cordifolia and Careya arborea. Mammals include tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, slender loris and pangolin. Among the bird species found here are rubythroated bulbul, shama, Malabar whistling thrush and paradise flycatcher.
- Brahmagiri Wildlife SanctuaryBrahmagiri Wildlife SanctuaryBrahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary The Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary is located in the Kodagu district and is part of the Western Ghats. It is situated on the border between Wyanad District of Kerala state on the south and Kodagu District in Karnataka on the north side. It is located at a distance of...
: This is located in KodaguKodaguKodagu , also known by its anglicised former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It occupies an area of in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centres, making it the least...
district and is spread over an area of 181.80 km². The evergreen forests in this sanctuary include species like Cinnamomum zeylancium, Cedrela toona and Alstonia scholaris. Bamboos are dominant here and include species like Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus. Mammals include elephant, gaur, tiger, jungle cat, bonnet macaque and Nilgiri marten.
- Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary: It is spread across the districts of BangaloreBangaloreBengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, Mysore and MandyaMandyaMandya is a city in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the headquarters of Mandya district and is located 40 km from Mysore and 100 km from Bangalore.-Etymology:...
and is spread over 102.59 km². Dry deciduous trees found in this park include species like Terminalia arjuna and Syzgium cumini. Animal species found in this park include leopard, elephant, sambar and common otter. This is also one of the last refuge of the highly endangered grizzled giant squirrel in Karnataka. Bird species include grrn billed malkoha, whitebrowed bulbul and pygmy woodpecker. This sanctuary is also famous for mahseer fish (Tor sp.).
- Dandeli Wildlife SanctuaryDandeli Wildlife SanctuaryDandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka. The sanctuary covers an area of . Along with neighboring Anshi National Park , the sanctuary is declared as Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve, during 2006....
: This is located in Uttara KannadaUttara KannadaUttara Kannada also known as North Canara or North Kanara, is a district in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is bordered by the state of Goa and Belgaum District to the north, Dharwad District and Haveri District to the east, Shimoga District and Udupi District to the south and the...
district and is spread over 475.02 km². Common tree species found here are Dalbergia latifoliaDalbergia latifoliaDalbergia latifolia is an economically important timber species native to low elevation tropical monsoon forests of eastern India...
, Terminalia paniculata, T. Tomentosa and vitex altissima. Mammal species include elephant, gaur, wild pig, slender loris, Malabar giant squirrel and barking deer.
- Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary: This is located in Bellary district and is spread over 55.87 km². This sanctuary was mainly created for the preservation of sloth bears.
- Ghataprabha Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in Belgaum districtBelgaum districtBelgaum district is a district in the state of Karnataka, India. The city of Belgaum is the district headquarters in North Karnataka. By the 2011 Census of India, it had a population of 4778439...
and is spread over 20.78 km². This sanctuary is known for migratory birds like demoiselle crane and European white stork.
- Melukote Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in Mandya district and is spread over 45.82 km². An endangered species of flora, Cycas circinalis is found here. Mammal species include wolf, leopard, blackbuck and pangolin.
- Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in Udupi districtUdupi districtUdupi district , ಉಡುಪಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ) in the Karnataka state of India was created in August 1997. The three northern taluks, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkal, were separated from Dakshina Kannada District to form Udupi district. Udupi district is surrounded by Uttara Kannada district in north, Dakshina Kannada...
and is spread over 247 km². Some of the tree species found here are Dipterocarpus indicus, Calophyllum tomentosum and Hopea parviflora. An endangered species of climber Coscinium fenestratum has been recorded here. Slender loris, lion-tailed macaque, sambar and chital are some of the animals found here. The endangered cane turtle is also found here.
- Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in Mysore districtMysore districtMysore District is an administrative district located in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. The district is bounded by Mandya district to the northeast, Chamrajanagar district to the southeast, Kerala state to the south, Kodagu district to the west, and Hassan district to the north...
and is spread over 30.32 km². Common species of flora include Emblica officinalis, Santalum album and Dendrocalamus strictus. Mammals include elephant, gaur, leopard, spotted deer and common palm civet.
- Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in KodaguKodaguKodagu , also known by its anglicised former name of Coorg, is an administrative district in Karnataka, India. It occupies an area of in the Western Ghats of southwestern Karnataka. As of 2001, the population was 548,561, 13.74% of which resided in the district's urban centres, making it the least...
district and is spread over 102.59 km². Some species of flora found here are Hopea parviflora, Schefflera capitata, Xanthalis tomentosa and Ochlandra rheedii. Mammals include elephant, tiger, slender loris, Nilgiri marten and bonnet macaque. Bird species include Great pied hornbill, Malabar trogon and Nilgiri blackbird.
- Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary: This is located in Dharwad districtDharwad DistrictDharwad District is an administrative district of the state of Karnataka in southern India. Dharwad is the cultural headquarters of North Karnataka....
and is spread over 119.00 km². Eucalyptus are the dominant species of trees found here. Cassia fistula, Prosopsis julifora and Zizyhus Mauritania are other tree species found here. This sanctuary was created mainly for the conservation of blackbucks. This sanctuary is also a habitat for the endangered Great Indian BustardGreat Indian BustardThe Great Indian Bustard or Indian Bustard is a bustard found in India and the adjoining regions of Pakistan. A large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs giving it an ostrich like appearance, this bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds...
.
- Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in Shimoga districtShimoga DistrictShimoga District is a district in the Karnataka state of India. A major part of Shimoga District lies in the Malnad region of the Western Ghats, a hilly area known for its green forests, plentiful rainfall, and as the source of many of the area's rivers. Shimoga City is the administrative centre...
and is spread over 431.23 km². Dipterocarpus indicus, Caryota urens and Dillenia pentagyna are some of the species of flora found here. Tiger, leopard, mouse deer, bonnet macaque and common langur are some of the animal species found here. Snakes are commonly found here. Paradise flycatcher, racket-tailed drongo and bluethroated barbet are some of the bird species found here.
- Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in Shimoga districtShimoga DistrictShimoga District is a district in the Karnataka state of India. A major part of Shimoga District lies in the Malnad region of the Western Ghats, a hilly area known for its green forests, plentiful rainfall, and as the source of many of the area's rivers. Shimoga City is the administrative centre...
and is spread over 395.60 km². Cassia fistula, Kydia calycina and Wrightia tinctoria are some of the species of flora found here. Tiger, leopard, bonnet macaque and Malabar giant squirrel are some of the animal species found here.
- Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary: This is located in Udupi districtUdupi districtUdupi district , ಉಡುಪಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ) in the Karnataka state of India was created in August 1997. The three northern taluks, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkal, were separated from Dakshina Kannada District to form Udupi district. Udupi district is surrounded by Uttara Kannada district in north, Dakshina Kannada...
and is spread over 88.40 km². Machilus Macrantha, Lophopetalum wightanium and Artocarpus hirsuta are some of the species of flora found here. Tiger, leopard, lion-tailed macaque and spotted deer are some of the animal species found here.
- Talakaveri Wildlife SanctuaryTalakaveri Wildlife SanctuaryTalakaveri Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary in Southern Karnataka state of South India. It is located in Kodagu district and is spread over 105 km².-Flora and fauna:...
: This is located in Kodagu district and is spread over 105.00 km². Albizzia lebbek, Artocarpus lakoocha, Dysoxylum malabaricum and Mesua ferrea are some of the species of flora found here. Clawless otter, elephant, tiger, striped necked mongoose and mouse deer are some of the animal species found here. Fairy bluebird, Malabar trogon and broadbiller roller are some of the avian species found.
Bird sanctuaries
- Attiveri Bird Sanctuary: This is located in Uttara KannadaUttara KannadaUttara Kannada also known as North Canara or North Kanara, is a district in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. It is bordered by the state of Goa and Belgaum District to the north, Dharwad District and Haveri District to the east, Shimoga District and Udupi District to the south and the...
district and is spread over 2.23 km². White ibis, little cormorant, pied kingfisher, common grey hornbill are some of the bird species found here.
- Gudavi Bird Sanctuary: This is located in Shimoga districtShimoga DistrictShimoga District is a district in the Karnataka state of India. A major part of Shimoga District lies in the Malnad region of the Western Ghats, a hilly area known for its green forests, plentiful rainfall, and as the source of many of the area's rivers. Shimoga City is the administrative centre...
and is spread over 0.73 km². The tree species that dominate this sanctuary are Vitex leucoxylon and Phyllanthus polyphyllus. 191 species of birds are recorded here including white ibis, pheasant-tailed jacana, purplr moorhen and little grebe.
- Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary: This is located in Mysore districtMysore districtMysore District is an administrative district located in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. The district is bounded by Mandya district to the northeast, Chamrajanagar district to the southeast, Kerala state to the south, Kodagu district to the west, and Hassan district to the north...
and is spread over 0.67 km². Among the tree species found here, is the unique Iphigenia mysorensis. Other tree species include Derris indica and Barringtonia racemosa. This sanctuary is a haven for birds like cormorants, darter, white ibis, great stone plover, cliff swallow, spoonbills, lesser whistling teal and kingfishers.
- Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary: This is located in Shimoga districtShimoga DistrictShimoga District is a district in the Karnataka state of India. A major part of Shimoga District lies in the Malnad region of the Western Ghats, a hilly area known for its green forests, plentiful rainfall, and as the source of many of the area's rivers. Shimoga City is the administrative centre...
and is based on a small island on the TungaTungaTunga may refer to:* Tunga River, a river in India* Tunga, Leyte, a municipality in the Philippines* Tunga, Trondheim, a location in Trondheim, Norway* Tunga , a Unicode typeface included in Windows XP that displays Kannada script...
river. It is mainly visited by migratory birds like Median Egret (Egretta Intermedia), the Little Cormonant (Phalacrocoorax Niger), and the Darter or Snake Bird (Aninga nufa).
- KaggaladuKaggaladuKaggaladu is a small village in the historic Sira Taluk of Tumkur district in south-eastern part of Karnataka state. Since 1999, the villagers have been a welcome host for Painted Storks and Grey Herons, which annually breed on the trees inside the village and raise their young ones...
Heronry: This is located in Tumkur districtTumkur districtTumkur district is an administrative district in the state of Karnataka in India. The district headquarters are located at Tumkur. The district occupies an area of 10,598 km² and had a population of 2,584,711, of which 19.62% were urban as of 2001...
and is one of the largest painted storks sanctuary in South India. Some of the birds that nest here are painted storks, grey herons, pelicans, black stilts and ducks.
- Kokkare Bellur Pelicanry: This is located in the town of Kokkare Bellur in Mandya district and is a haven for avian species like Grey or Spot-billed Pelican (Pelecanus philippensis) and Painted Stork(Mycteria leucocephala). In fact the word Kokkare means stork in the Kannada language. Apart from pelicans and storks, 141 species of birds have been sighted here.
- Magadi Bird SanctuaryMagadi Bird SanctuaryMagadi Bird SanctuaryMagadi Bird Sanctuary created at The Magadi tank, It is one of the Biodiversity hotspots of Karnataka, in North Karnataka.The Magadi tank is located in Magadi village of Shirhatti Taluk, Gadag District...
: Magadi Bird Sanctuary created at The Magadi tank, It is one of the Biodiversity hotspots of Karnataka, in North Karnataka.
The Magadi tank is located in Magadi village of Shirhatti Taluk, Gadag District
Gadag District
Gadag District had a population of 971,952 of which 35.21% was urban as of 2001. Population increased 13.14% in the decade 1991-2001. The District is bounded on the north by Bagalkot District, on the east by Koppal District, on the southeast by Bellary District, on the southwest by Haveri...
. From Gadag it is 26 km, it is located on Gadag-Bangalore Road, from Shirhatti it is 8 km, and from Lakshmeshwar 11 km.
Bar headed goose : is one of the bird migrates to Magadi wetlands of Gadag District, North Karnataka. Normally birds eat fish, amphibians, molluscs, snakes etc., but Migratory birds eating agricultural produce is both interesting and curious too. winter habitat is on cultivation, it feeds on barley, rice and wheat and damage crops.
- Bankapura Peacock Sanctuary: This is located in Haveri districtHaveri DistrictHaveri is a district in the state of Karnataka, India with the potential to become a tourist hub. As of 2001, it had a population of 1,439,116 of which 20.78% were urban residents.-Tourism:Examples of tourist attractions in the district:...
and spread over an area of 139.1 acre (0.562918226 km²). This sanctuary was created mainly for the conservation of peacocks.
- Bonal Bird sanctuary: This is located in (Gulbarga District)near Surpur about 180 km from GulbargaGulbargaGulbarga is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Gulbarga District. It was formerly part of Nizam's Hyderabad state...
city.
Dangers to flora and fauna
Poaching
Despite the best efforts of conservation activists, poachingPoaching
Poaching is the illegal taking of wild plants or animals contrary to local and international conservation and wildlife management laws. Violations of hunting laws and regulations are normally punishable by law and, collectively, such violations are known as poaching.It may be illegal and in...
remains one of the serious problems affecting the flora and fauna in the state. Between the years 1997-2001, a total of 98 elephants have succumbed to poaching in Karnataka. Poaching has also affected the breeding of turtles like Olive Ridley
Olive Ridley
The olive ridley sea turtle , also known as the Pacific ridley, is a species of sea turtle.- Description :The olive ridley is a small extant sea turtle, with an adult carapace length averaging 60 to 70 cm 1...
on the beaches of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
as well as otters on the river banks. Tigers are also another species that are threatened to extinction by poachers. Sandalwood
Sandalwood
Sandalwood is the name of a class of fragrant woods from trees in the genus Santalum. The woods are heavy, yellow, and fine-grained, and unlike many other aromatic woods they retain their fragrance for decades. As well as using the harvested and cut wood in-situ, essential oils are also extracted...
, famed for its sculptures and its aroma is frequently poached out of the forests of Karnataka. Teakwood, famed for the furnitures is another species of flora affected by this problem. Staff-shortage, lack of adequate funds and unscientific anti-poaching camps are some of the reasons quoted for continued poaching activities.
Habitat destruction
Some of the activities that are causing a destruction of habitat of flora and fauna in Karnataka are:- Construction of damDamA dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
s and reservoirReservoirA reservoir , artificial lake or dam is used to store water.Reservoirs may be created in river valleys by the construction of a dam or may be built by excavation in the ground or by conventional construction techniques such as brickwork or cast concrete.The term reservoir may also be used to...
s: Construction of dams causes widespread flooding of surrounding areas causing destruction of species that inhabit the area. They also affect the flow of riverine species like fishes and disrupt their normal habits. An example is the construction of the Linganamakki reservoir in Shimoga districtShimoga DistrictShimoga District is a district in the Karnataka state of India. A major part of Shimoga District lies in the Malnad region of the Western Ghats, a hilly area known for its green forests, plentiful rainfall, and as the source of many of the area's rivers. Shimoga City is the administrative centre...
that caused the extinction of the grass, Hubbardia heptaneuron. - Destruction of forest land for agriculture and other purposes: Large tracts of forest land have been cleaned up for monocultureMonocultureMonoculture is the agricultural practice of producing or growing one single crop over a wide area. It is also known as a way of farming practice of growing large stands of a single species. It is widely used in modern industrial agriculture and its implementation has allowed for large harvests from...
plantations like teak, coffee and rubber. This has led to the destruction of species that were dependent on the forest. An example of this is loss of special habitats in KarnatakaKarnatakaKarnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
such as Myristica swamps and high altitude grasslands. In the dry zone, they have adversely affected several species dependent on large tracts of scrub such as the wolf and the Great Indian BustardGreat Indian BustardThe Great Indian Bustard or Indian Bustard is a bustard found in India and the adjoining regions of Pakistan. A large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs giving it an ostrich like appearance, this bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds...
. - MiningMiningMining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...
operations: Mining operations clear out large areas of land and cause destruction to the species dependent on them. An example is the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited which mined iron ore within the boundaries of the protected Kudremukh National Park.
Human-wildlife conflict
Due to the loss of habitat, more and more species of fauna have started to venture into human habitation causing a conflict between humans and fauna. A typical species affected by this is the elephant which ventures out of the forest into human cultivations thereby eating or destroying the crops. In some cases, the elephants have also caused human deaths like an incident that happened in Hassan districtHassan district
Hassan is a district in Karnataka state, India. The district headquarters are Hassan.Hassan district was the seat of the Hoysala Empire which at its peak ruled large parts of south India from Belur as its early capital and Halebidu as its later capital during the period 1000 - 1334 CE...
where a villager was trampled to death. Precautionary measures (sometimes illegally) taken up by humans to prevent such mishaps like electric fencing have also led to disastrous consequences like electrocution
Electric shock
Electric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
of fauna.
Pollution
Release of industrial waste and human effluents into rivers have caused significant damages to species that reside in rivers and riverbanks. Air pollution is also a significant cause of concern in metros like Bangalore where it has been found that air pollution is discolouring foliage including those of ornamental plants. A a comparison of the lichen flora of the garden Lal BaghLal Bagh
- History :Hyder Ali commissioned the building of this garden in 1760 but his son, Tipu Sultan, completed it. Hyder Ali decided to create this garden on the lines of the Mughal Gardens that were gaining popularity during his time. Hyder Ali laid out these famous botanical gardens and his son added...
in Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
has revealed that 18 of the 22 species noted in 1980 were no longer present in 1997. Pollution in rivers like Kabini, Kaveri and Ghataprabha
Ghataprabha
Ghataprabha is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India. It is located in the Gokak taluk of Belgaum district in Karnataka.-Demographics:As of the 2001 India census, Ghataprabha had a population of more than 20,000...
has caused sharp reduction in populations of bird species, including beneficial insectivorous birds like drongos, as well as honeybees.
Invasive new species
Introduction of new species into a habitat has caused serious consequences to the existing species of flora and fauna. A typical example is the introduction of the African catfishCatfish
Catfishes are a diverse group of ray-finned fish. Named for their prominent barbels, which resemble a cat's whiskers, catfish range in size and behavior from the heaviest and longest, the Mekong giant catfish from Southeast Asia and the second longest, the wels catfish of Eurasia, to detritivores...
(Clarias
Clarias
Clarias is a genus of catfishes of the family Clariidae, the airbreathing catfishes. The name is derived from the Greek chlaros, which means lively, in reference to the ability of the fish to live for a long time out of water....
gariepinus) in the lakes and rivers of Karnataka. This is a carnivorous fish and has caused serious damage to the indigenous fauna living in those lakes and rivers. Weeds like Eupatorium, Lantana
Lantana
Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. They are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa but exist as an introduced species in numerous areas, especially in the Australian-Pacific region. The genus includes both...
and Parthenium
Parthenium
Parthenium is a genus of flowering plants in the aster family, Asteraceae. The name is derived from either the Greek word παρθένος , meaning "virgin," or παρθένιον , an ancient name for a plant. Members of the genus are commonly known as feverfew. Notable species include Guayule and P...
have invaded large tracts of land causing destruction. An increase in Eupatorium is attributed as one of the causes for the spread of the deadly Kyasanur Forest disease
Kyasanur forest disease
Kyasanur forest disease is a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to South Asia. The disease is caused by a virus belonging to the family flaviviridae, which also includes yellow fever and dengue fever.-History:...
(which has a morbidity rate of 10%) among humans since it harbors tick populations that are vectors for this disease. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
plantations in the Ranibennur
Ranibennur
Ranebennuru or Ranebennur, is the biggest city and only City Municipal Corporation in Haveri district in Karnataka. It is situated about 300 km north west of Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka...
Blackbuck
Blackbuck
Blackbuck is a species of antelope native to the Indian subcontinent. Their range decreased sharply during the 20th century. Since 2003, the IUCN lists the species as near threatened....
sanctuary has seriously harmed the extremely rare Great Indian Bustard
Great Indian Bustard
The Great Indian Bustard or Indian Bustard is a bustard found in India and the adjoining regions of Pakistan. A large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs giving it an ostrich like appearance, this bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds...
.
Conservation efforts
Various conservation activities are in progress to protect the biodiversity present in Karnataka. Thes activities are mostly done by the Forest Department of the state of Karnataka and voluntary organisations like Wildlife Conservation Society (US and India chapters) and Kudremukh Wildlife Foundation.Relocation of human population
The presence of human habitation within the core area of reserved forests poses many problems like human-wildlife conflict and destruction of habitat due to agriculture and cattle grazing. Systematic efforts have been made to relocate some of this population into proper zones outside the protected area. An example is the relocation of some villagers from Bhagawathi and Nassehalla habitations within the Kudremukh National Park to safer regions outside it.Usage of technology
New scientific methods are being used to protect the flora and fauna. Some of these are:- Usage of satellites to detect forest fires so that they can easily be extinguished.
- Radio tracking of animals and usage of techniques like remote camera sampling to estimate the animal population.
- Installation of wireless stations and using wireless sets for easy communication among individuals involved in field trips and anti-poaching activities.
Staff empowerment
It is highly important to keep up the morale of forest wardens and other staff members involved in anti-poaching activities and field trips. It is also necessary to keep them up-to-date on the technology and wildlife related laws. The following steps were implemented to address this issue:- Field kits were provided to the staff consisting of boots, rain gear and uniforms.
- Conservation related award programs were announced to boost the morale of the staff.
- Training programs were undertaken for the staff in the use of firearms against poachers, field craft and Indian wildlife laws
Recently discovered species
Many areas of Karnataka, especially in the forests of MalnadMalnad
Malenadu is a region of Karnataka state in South India. Malenadu covers the western and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, roughly 100 kilometers in width. Malenadu covers portions of the Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu and Hassan districts....
region are unexplored and new species of flora and fauna are discovered periodically. Some of the new species of flora discovered in Karnataka include Paracautleya bhatii (a ginger
Ginger
Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family . Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal....
) and Isachne veldkampii (a grass), both of which were discovered near Manipal
Manipal
Manipal is a university town situated in the state of Karnataka in India. It is a suburb within Udupi city and is administered by Udupi City Municipality. It is located in the rocky hinterland of the Malabar Coast of south west India, about 8 km from the Arabian Sea...
in Udupi district
Udupi district
Udupi district , ಉಡುಪಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ) in the Karnataka state of India was created in August 1997. The three northern taluks, Udupi, Kundapur and Karkal, were separated from Dakshina Kannada District to form Udupi district. Udupi district is surrounded by Uttara Kannada district in north, Dakshina Kannada...
. Two species of algae, Cosmarium bourrellyi and Cosmarium desikacharyi were discovered in a paddy field in Belgaum
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
. Other new species of flora discovered in Karnataka include Isoetes udupiensis (a flowering plant) and Pisolithus indicus (a fungus
Fungus
A fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
).
Some of the new species of fauna discovered include two species of ants, Dilobocondyla bangalorica
Dilobocondyla bangalorica
Dilobocondyla bangalorica is a species of ant in the subfamily Myrmicinae. This arboreal ant nests in dead wood and crevices in tree barks. The species name is after the type locality, Bangalore, where the ant was discovered in 2006....
which was discovered on the campus of Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science
Indian Institute of Science is a research institution of higher learning located in Bangalore, India. It was established in 1909.-History:After a chance meeting between Jamsetji N...
, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
and Discothyrea sringerensis which was discovered near Sringeri. Three new species of frogs; Philautus
Philautus
Philautus is a genus of shrub frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. Some species in this genus are now considered extinct by IUCN, while others are widespread and abundant...
luteolus, Philautus
Philautus
Philautus is a genus of shrub frogs in the family Rhacophoridae. Some species in this genus are now considered extinct by IUCN, while others are widespread and abundant...
tuberohumerus and Nyctibatrachus
Nyctibatrachus
Nyctibatrachus is a genus of true frogs endemic to India. It is a very ancient member of the true frog family, Ranidae.Their scientific name means "night frog", in reference to their habits and dark color.-Species:...
petraeus have been discovered in Karnataka. Explorations in the Sharavathi river have yielded new fish species like Batasio
Batasio
Batasio is a genus of catfish of the family Bagridae. These small fish are found in fast-flowing hillstreams throughout South and mainland Southeast Asia.-Taxonomy:...
sharavatiensis (a bagrid catfish), Schistura
Schistura
Schistura is a genus of ray-finned fish in the subfamily Nemacheilinae . All members of Schistura live in stream and river habitats; some inhabit caves.- Species :...
nagodiensis and Schistura
Schistura
Schistura is a genus of ray-finned fish in the subfamily Nemacheilinae . All members of Schistura live in stream and river habitats; some inhabit caves.- Species :...
sharavathiensis. Another fish species, Puntius
Puntius
Puntius is a genus of ray-finned fishes in the family Cyprinidae of the order Cypriniformes. Fishes of this genus are known as the spotted barbs for the predominant pattern, though many have vertical black bands instead. Also, the Spotted Barb proper is one particular species, Puntius binotatus....
coorgensis
has been discovered near Bhagamandala
Bhagamandala
Bhagamandala is a pilgrimage place in Kodagu, Karnataka, in India. It is situated on the river Kaveri in its upstream stretches. At this place, the Kaveri is joined by two tributaries, the Kannike and the mythical Sujyoti river...
in the Kaveri river. Some other species of fauna discovered in Karnataka include two species of whiteflies
Whitefly
The whiteflies, comprising only the family Aleyrodidae, are small hemipterans. More than 1550 species have been described. Whiteflies typically feed on the underside of plant leaves.-Agricultural threat:...
, Distinctaleyrodes setosus and Aleurocanthus arecae
and a caecilian
Caecilian
The caecilians are an order of amphibians that superficially resemble earthworms or snakes. They mostly live hidden in the ground, making them the least familiar order of amphibians. All extant caecilians and their closest fossil relatives are grouped as the clade Apoda. They are mostly...
, Gegeneophis
Gegeneophis
Gegeneophis is a genus of amphibian in the Caeciliidae family.- Species :...
madhavai. Explorations in the soil around the Linganamakki reservoir has revealed eleven new species of earthworm
Earthworm
Earthworm is the common name for the largest members of Oligochaeta in the phylum Annelida. In classical systems they were placed in the order Opisthopora, on the basis of the male pores opening posterior to the female pores, even though the internal male segments are anterior to the female...
s.
Endangered species
Evergreen
In botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
trees like Dipterocarpus
Dipterocarpus
Dipterocarpus is a genus of flowering plants and the type genus of family Dipterocarpaceae. The genus has about 70 species, occurring in Southeast Asia. It is an important component of dipterocarp forests...
bourdilloni, Hopea erosa
Hopea erosa
Hopea erosa is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Source:* Conifer Specialist Group 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
and Hopea jacobi
Hopea jacobi
Hopea jacobi is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Source:* Ashton, P. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
, Croton lawianus
Croton lawianus
Croton lawianus is a species of the genus Croton and the family Euphorbiaceae located in India .It is related to:* Trigonostemon lawianus Müll.Arg....
(a small tree) and Pinnatella limbata (a type of moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
). Some of the critically endangered species of fauna found in Karnataka include Gyps indicus (the Indian vulture) and two species of frogs, Indirana gundia
Indirana gundia
Indirana gundia is a species of frog found in the Western Ghats of India.Since 2010, it is never been seen and may be extinct....
(found only in Gundia range, Sakleshpur
Sakleshpur
Sakleshapur or Sakaleshpura in Kannada is a taluk and hill station town in Hassan district in the South Indian state of Karnataka....
) and Micrixalus kottigeharensis
Micrixalus kottigeharensis
Micrixalus kottigeharensis is a species of frog in the Ranidae family.It is endemic to India.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss....
(found only near Kottigehara
Kottigehara
Kottigehara is a village located in the foothills of Charmadi ghat in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka state, India. Its coordinates are 13°3'27"N and 75°31'58"E....
, Chikkamagaluru district).
Some of the endangered species of flora include evergreen trees like Cynometra
Cynometra
Cynometra is genus of tropical forest trees with a pantropical distribution. It is particularly important as a forest component in west Africa and the neotropics. Cynometra alexandri is a familiar timber tree of central and east Africa...
bourdillonii, Cynometra travancorica
Cynometra travancorica
Cynometra travancorica is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family.It is found only in India.It is threatened by habitat loss.-Sources:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
, Hopea glabra
Hopea glabra
Hopea glabra is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Source:* Ashton, P. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
, Hopea parviflora
Hopea parviflora
Hopea parviflora is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to India.-References:* Ashton, P. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
, Hopea ponga
Hopea ponga
Hopea ponga is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Source:* Ashton, P. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007.-External links:*...
, Hopea racophloea
Hopea racophloea
Hopea racophloea is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Source:* Ashton, P. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
, Hopea wightiana
Hopea wightiana
Hopea wightiana is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Source:* Ashton, P. 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
, Shorea roxburghii
Shorea roxburghii
Shorea roxburghii is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is a tree found in Cambodia, India, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, and Vietnam.-References in Place Names:...
and Tarenna agumbensis
Tarenna agumbensis
Tarenna agumbensis is a species of plant in the Rubiaceae family. It is endemic to India.-References:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 23 August 2007....
and flowering plants like Glochidion pauciflorum
Glochidion pauciflorum
Glochidion pauciflorum is a species of plant in the Phyllanthaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Sources:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
, Glochidion tomentosum
Glochidion tomentosum
Glochidion tomentosum is a species of plant in the Phyllanthaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Sources:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 21 August 2007....
, Ixora lawsoni
Ixora lawsoni
Ixora lawsonii is a species of flowering plant in the Rubiaceae family. It is endemic to southern India.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 22 August 2007....
and Syzygium stocksii
Syzygium stocksii
Syzygium stocksii is a species of plant in the Myrtaceae family. It is endemic to India.-References:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 23 August 2007....
. Other endangered trees found in Karnataka include Isonandra stocksii
Isonandra stocksii
Isonandra stocksii is a species of plant in the Sapotaceae family. It is endemic to India. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 22 August 2007....
, Kingiodendron pinnatum
Kingiodendron pinnatum
Kingiodendron pinnatum is a species of legume in the Fabaceae family.It is found only in India.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:* CAMP Workshops on Medicinal Plants, India 1998. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
, Maesa velutina
Maesa velutina
Maesa velutina is a species of plant in the Myrsinaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 22 August 2007....
, Myristica magnifica
Myristica magnifica
Myristica magnifica is a species of plant in the Myristicaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 22 August 2007....
, Rapanea striata
Rapanea striata
Rapanea striata is a species of broadleaf evergreen plant in the Myrsinaceae family. It is endemic to India.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 23 August 2007....
and
Xylosma latifolium
Xylosma latifolium
Xylosma latifolium is a species of plant in the Salicaceae family. It is endemic to India.-References:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 24 August 2007....
.
Endangered species of fauna found in Karnataka include the Bengal tiger
Bengal Tiger
The Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
, Indian Elephant
Indian Elephant
The Indian Elephant is one of three recognized subspecies of the Asian elephant, and native to mainland Asia. Since 1986, Elephas maximus has been listed as endangered by IUCN as the population has declined by at least 50% over the last three generations, estimated to be 60–75 years...
, Lion-tailed Macaque
Lion-tailed Macaque
The lion-tailed macaque is an Old World monkey that is endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.-Physical Characteristics:...
, Olive Ridley turtle and dhole
Dhole
The dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only extant member of the genus Cuon, which differs from Canis by the reduced number of molars and greater number of teats...
, the Indian wild dog. Many endangered species of amphibians are found here including frogs, Indirana brachytarsus
Indirana brachytarsus
Indirana brachytarsus is a species of frog found in India....
, Microhyla sholigari
Microhyla sholigari
Microhyla sholigari is a species of microhylid frog, endemic to southern India.-Description:The frog was described from the Biligirirangan Hills in South India and is named after the Soliga tribal people living in the forests in and around these hills...
, Minervarya sahyadris
Minervarya sahyadris
Fejervarya sahyadris is a species of frog in the Ranidae family. It was initially placed in a monotypic genus Minervarya.It is endemic to India. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland, rivers, pastureland, heavily degraded former forest, open...
, Nyctibatrachus aliciae
Nyctibatrachus aliciae
Nyctibatrachus aliciae is a species of frog in the Ranidae family.It is endemic to India.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rivers.It is threatened by habitat loss.-References:...
, Nyctibatrachus hussaini
Nyctibatrachus hussaini
Nyctibatrachus karnatakaensis is a species of frog in the Ranidae family.-Geographic range:It is endemic to the Western Ghats of India in the Kudremukh region.-Habitat:...
, Nyctibatrachus sanctipalustris
Nyctibatrachus sanctipalustris
Nyctibatrachus sanctipalustris or the Coorg night frog is a species of frog in the Ranidae family. The specific name, sanctipalustris, "holy swamp" in Latin, refers to the type locality, "the sacred swamps of the Cauvery [river]...Coorg, India"....
, Philautus charius
Philautus charius
Philautus charius is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.It is endemic to India and Nepal.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montanes.It is threatened by habitat loss....
, Philautus wynaadensis
Philautus wynaadensis
Philautus wynaadensis is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.It is endemic to India.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, plantations , and heavily degraded former forest.It...
, Ramanella mormorata
Ramanella mormorata
Ramanella mormorata is a species of narrow-mouthed frog found in India....
and Rhacophorus lateralis
Rhacophorus lateralis
Rhacophorus lateralis is an endangered species of Rhacophorid tree frog endemic to the Western Ghats in South India. Its natural habitats is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, intermittent freshwater marshes and plantations...
and a toad, Bufo beddomii
Bufo beddomii
Beddome's Toad is a species of toad found in the Western Ghats of India.-Description:Bufo beddomii exhibits a crown that lacks bony ridges; its short, projecting snout has an angular canthus rostralis. Its interorbital space is somewhat broader than the upper eyelid. Its tympanum is very small,...
. Other endangered species of fauna include Hipposideros hypophyllus (the Kolar
Kolar
Kolara is a city in the South Indian state of Karnataka. It is the headquarters of Kolar District. It is known for being one of the gold mining sites in India....
leaf-nosed bat) and Pseudomulleria dalyi
Pseudomulleria dalyi
Pseudomulleria dalyi is a species of bivalve in the Etheriidae family. It is endemic to India. Its natural habitat is rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* Madhyastha, N.A. 2000. . Downloaded on 7 August 2007....
(a mollusc).