Feature

Details

Location

Shimoga District, Karnataka

Declared as Sanctuary

23rd November 1974

Important Water Bodies

- Tunga Anicut Dam (shelters otters and water birds)

- Mandagadde Natural Bird Sanctuary (an island on the River Tunga; part of this sanctuary)

Human Settlements

Several, mainly displaced families from the Sharavathi Dam construction in the 1960s

Vegetation Types

Dry deciduous, moist deciduous, and semi-evergreen

Flora (Major Tree Species)

Silver Oak, Teak, Indian Thorny Bamboo, Calcutta Bamboo, Asan, Tectona Grandis, Sweet Indrajao, Amla

Fauna – Mammals

Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog, Jackal, Gaur, Elephant, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Pig, Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque

Fauna – Birds

Hornbills, Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Parakeets, Doves, Pigeons, Babblers, Flycatchers, Munias, Swallows, Woodpeckers, Peafowl, Jungle Fowl, Partridges

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, often in the news, is known for which of the following features?

1. It is located in Kerala and houses the Periyar River source.
2. The sanctuary is home to the Tunga Anicut Dam and the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary.
3. It consists entirely of evergreen forests and lacks human settlements.
4. It is part of the Western Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot.

Select the correct answer:

A) 1 and 3 only

B) 2 only

C) 2 and 4 only

D) 1, 2, and 4

Answer: B

Explanation:

The sanctuary is located in Karnataka, not Kerala; it includes the Tunga Anicut Dam and Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, and contains deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. Additionally, it has human settlements resulting from the displacement caused by the construction of Sharavathi Dam.