Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary

Nov. 10, 2024

Environmental activists have sounded an alarm over the growing threat to elephants in Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, following the death of a young male elephant due to electrocution.

About Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary:

Location: It is located in Shimoga District of Karnataka.
It covers an area of 395.6 sq. km.
It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 23rd November 1974.
Mandagadde Natural Bird Sanctuary, present on a small island in the River Tunga, is also a part of this sanctuary.
The Tunga Anicut Dam is situated within the sanctuary and provides shelter for otters and water birds.
There are a large number of human settlements inside Shettihalli Sanctuary, mainly consisting of families that were displaced by the construction of the Sharavathi Dam in the 1960s.
Vegetation:
- The sanctuary has mostly Dry and Moist Deciduous Forests in the eastern and central parts.
- Towards the west, with an increase in rainfall, there are Semi-evergreen Forests.
Flora: Major tree species include silver oak, teak, Indian Thorny Bamboo, Calcutta Bamboo, Asan, Tectona Grandis, Sweet Indrajao, Amla, etc.
Fauna:
- It houses mammals like Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog, Jackal, Gaur, Elephant, Sloth Bear Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Pig, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque, etc.
- Birds include Hornbills, Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Parakeets, Doves, Pigeons, Babblers, Flycatchers, Munias, Swallows, Woodpeckers, Peafowl, Jungle fowl and Partridges.