Location

It is situated in the Western Ghats in the Kodagu district, Karnataka.

Area

It covers an area of 181 sq. km.

Highest Point

Brahmagiri Peak (1607 meters) is the highest point in the sanctuary.

Rivers

The Lakshmana Tirtha River (origin in the sanctuary) is tributary of the Cauvery River.

Flora

The sanctuary is home to evergreen & semi-evergreen forests, shoal forest in grasslands & bamboo groves.

Surroundings

The sanctuary is bordered by coffee & cardamom plantations.

Fauna

Endangered species: Lion-tailed macaque, which is rare and requires conservation efforts.

Other mammals: Tigers, elephants, bonnet macaques, common langurs, barking deer, mouse deer, and Malabar giant squirrel.

Additional species: Giant flying squirrel and Indian Gaur also found in the sanctuary, enriching its wildlife diversity.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about conservation zones:

1. The core zone is the most protected area of a wildlife sanctuary or national park, where no human activities are allowed except for research.
2. The buffer zone surrounds the core zone and allows limited human activities like ecotourism & farming etc.
3. The transitional zone is where the core and buffer zones meet human settlements or agricultural land, allowing human activities like farming and industries.
4. The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Eastern Ghats region of Karnataka.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1, 2, and 3 only
(b) 1 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 3 only

Answer: (a) 1, 2, and 3 only

Explanation:

● Statement 1 is correct: The core zone is the most protected area where human activities are restricted to research only.

● Statement 2 is correct: The buffer zone allows controlled human activities like ecotourism & farming, to minimise their impact on the core zone.

● Statement 3 is correct: The transitional zone is where human activities like farming & settlements are more common. It acts as a buffer between protected areas & human spaces.

● Statement 4 is incorrect: The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Western Ghats, not the in Eastern Ghats.