View source for Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary

{{Short description|Wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name = 
| iucn_category = IV
| image = <!-- e.g. File:Kappatagudda_Wildlife_Sanctuary.jpg -->
| image_alt = 
| image_caption = 
| map = India Karnataka#India
| relief = yes
| mapframe = Yes
| map_alt = Location of Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka
| map_caption = Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary (in Karnataka)
| label = Kappatagudda WS
| mark = Green pog.svg
| mapframe-zoom = 10
| location = [[Gadag district]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Gadag]]
| coordinates = {{coord|15.4050|75.5710|region:IN-KA|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref = <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/may/17/kappatagudda-forest-is-now-a-wildlife--sanctuary-1978408.html |title=Kappatagudda forest is now a wildlife sanctuary |work=The New Indian Express |date=17 May 2019 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>
| area = {{convert|244.15|km2|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wii.gov.in/eia/wildlife_database/karnataka |title=Karnataka Protected Areas Database |publisher=Wildlife Institute of India |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>
| established = 16 May 2019<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/may/17/kappatagudda-forest-is-now-a-wildlife--sanctuary-1978408.html |title=Kappatagudda forest is now a wildlife sanctuary |work=The New Indian Express |date=17 May 2019 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>
| governing_body = Department of Forest, Ecology & Environment, Government of Karnataka
}}

'''Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a [[List of wildlife sanctuaries of India|wildlife sanctuary]] located in [[Gadag district]] in the Indian state of [[Karnataka]]. It was formed in 2019 and it spans {{convert|244.15|km2|abbr=on}} over dry deciduous hills across Gadag, Mundargi, and Shirahatti taluks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2019/may/17/kappatagudda-forest-is-now-a-wildlife--sanctuary-1978408.html |title=Kappatagudda forest is now a wildlife sanctuary |work=The New Indian Express |date=17 May 2019 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384252788_De-notified_and_notified_protected_area_Kappathagudda_Wildlife_Sanctuary_and_its_importance_for_the_conservation_of_mammals_in_the_Deccan_Plateau_of_Karnataka_India |title=De-notified and notified protected area: Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary and its importance for the conservation of mammals ... |publisher=ResearchGate |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>

==Biodiversity==
===Flora===
The sanctuary features dry deciduous vegetation dominated by [[teak]], ''[[Butea monosperma]]'', [[Acacia|acacia scrub]], and native grasses like ''[[Cymbopogon]]'' spp. Riparian patches exist alongside seasonal streams.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Murthy |first1=Y. S. |last2=Kulkarni |first2=A. R. |title=Vegetation analysis of Kappatagudda forests |journal=Journal of Dryland Biodiversity |year=2021 |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=45–53}}</ref>

A SACON–WII study confirmed the presence of 18 mammal species, including [[Wolf|wolves]], [[Striped hyena|striped hyenas]], jungle and [[Rusty-spotted cat|rusty-spotted cats]], small and large antelopes ([[blackbuck]], [[chinkara]], [[Four-horned antelope|four‑horned antelope]]), and [[wild boar]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/nov/15/kappatagudda-now-home-to-18-mammals |title=Kappatagudda now home to 18 mammals |work=The New Indian Express |date=15 Nov 2024 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>

Over 180 bird species have been documented. Notable species include [[Indian peafowl]], [[plum-headed parakeet]], [[crested serpent eagle]], and [[Lark|larks]] and [[Pipit|pipits]] typical of arid habitats.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1234567 |title=Bird list – Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary |website=eBird |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>

In February 2025, the rare [[White-naped tit|White‑Naped Tit]] (''Parus nuchalis'') was observed, highlighting the sanctuary's scrub‑thorn habitat importance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://greenminute.in/2025/02/08/rare-white-naped-tit-spotted-in-kappatagudda-sanctuary/ |title=Rare White‑Naped Tit spotted in Kappatagudda Sanctuary |publisher=Green Minute |date=8 Feb 2025 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>

==Conservation and threats==
In October 2024, the Karnataka Wildlife Board deferred 28 mining licence applications within 10 km of the sanctuary, following objections and environmentalist concerns over buffer-zone violations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/wildlife-board-defers-grant-of-permission-for-new-mining-licences-around-protected-forest-areas/article68729973.ece |title=Wildlife Board defers new mining licences around protected forest areas |work=The Hindu |date=8 Oct 2024 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/oct/09/kappatagudda-no-nod-for-mining-now-greens-rejoice-2024... |title=Kappatagudda: No nod for mining now, greens rejoice |work=The New Indian Express |date=9 Oct 2024 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>

Local activists rallied in November 2024 against buffer-zone reduction proposals, citing violations of the Wildlife Protection Act and lack of public consultation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/outcry-over-mining-proposal-threatening-kappatagudda-conservation/articleshow/115816554.cms |title=Citizens rally against proposal to shrink buffer zone for mining |work=The Times of India |date=29 Nov 2024 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>

In early 2025, forest officials launched phase‑2 of a survey using camera‑traps and grid-based monitoring, successfully confirming presence of wolves, leopards, porcupines, and various carnivores—also helping deter illegal activity.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/phase-2-of-wild-animal-study-afoot-in-kappatagudda/articleshow/106006797.cms |title=Phase‑2 of wild animal study afoot in Kappatagudda |work=The Times of India |date=15 Dec 2023 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>

==Tourism==
In December 2023, forest authorities released an annual wildlife-themed calendar featuring local species—an initiative to boost awareness and tourism.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/2024-calendar-wild-animals-of-kappatagudda-forest/articleshow/106306810.cms |title=Forest dept brings out 2024 calendar featuring wild animals of Kappatagudda |work=The Times of India |date=27 Dec 2023 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>

Plans for jungle lodges and safari facilities by mid-2024 aim to replicate models from Bandipur and Dandeli, though infrastructure development is being paced to minimize ecological impact.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/destination/states/kappatagudda-to-have-jungle-lodges-soon-to-attract-tourists/105980360 |title=Kappatagudda to have jungle lodges soon to attract tourists |work=ET TravelWorld |date=14 Dec 2023 |access-date=5 July 2025}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 2019]]
[[Category:2019 establishments in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Gadag district]]