Excerpts about the Bhadra Wildlife Reserve

How the shrine came into being

The Bhadra Wildlife Reserve was formally declared a sanctuary on September 6, 1974, making it the 25th tiger reserve in India. Karnataka has five tiger reserves: Bandipura, Bhadra, Nagarahole, Dandeli-Anshi and Biligiriranga Tiger Reserve. The shrine is unique considering its landscape. It has dry-deciduous, moist-deciduous, shola and semi-evergreen patches. It is located in the middle of the Western Ghats regions of Chikkamagaluru, NR Pura, Tarikere taluks of Chikkamgaluru district and Bhadravathi taluk of Shivamogga district.

Bringing forests together

The sanctuary was formed by bringing together 15 state forests and two small forests. The area consists of moist mixed deciduous forest and dry mixed deciduous forest. Shola Forest is located around the Bababudangiri State Forest. The area is full of bamboo plantations. In addition, there are approximately 120 tree species including teak, rosewood, mathi, honne, nandi and many medicinal plants. For years, the wood from these forests was used for VISL, MPM. Many experts have done research on the vegetation in the area.

Many types of animals

According to the Forest Department, the reserve is estimated to be home to 42 species of mammals, 264 species of birds, 43 species of reptiles, 18 species of amphibians and 56 species of butterflies. Tigers, leopards, wild dogs, elephants, gaur, sambar, spotted deer, sloth bears, wild boars, giant squirrels and peacocks can be found here. River terns visit the site to breed. According to the Tiger Estimation Exercise conducted in 2022, the Bhadra Tiger Reserve has 26 tigers. In the previous estimate from 2018, the number was 26.

Undulating terrain and hills

The area consists of undulating terrain with valleys and steep hills. The altitude ranges from 650 meters to 1,875 meters above sea level (MSL). Mullayyanagiri (1,914 metres), close to the northern boundary of Muthodi State Forest in the sanctuary, is the highest peak in Karnataka. Other hills of the shrine include Bababudangiri (1,700 meters), Kallathagiri (1,875 meters), Hebbegiri (1,329 meters), Tegurgudda (1,044), Kagemanegiri (1,102).

Average rainfall in the area

The average rainfall in the Bhadra Wildlife Division is between 1,500 mm and 1,700 mm. The Muthodi and Hebbe areas of the reserve receive more rainfall than the Lakkavalli and Tanigebyle areas. Gangegiri receives maximum rainfall of 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm. Aldhara receives a low rainfall of 1,000 mm. The Bhadrava River and its tributaries are the main water sources in the sanctuary. The western location of the shrine is surrounded by the river and backwaters of the Bhadra reservoir. The area is close to many tourist locations.