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{{Distinguish|Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
| alt_name = Bheemeshwari Wildlife Sanctuary
| iucn_category = IV
| photo = Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary 6.JPG
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = A view of Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary during summer
| photo_width =
| map = India Karnataka
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Map of [[Karnataka]]
| map_width =
| location = [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Mandya]]
| coordinates = {{coords|12.170|77.543|region:IN-KA|notes=<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://protectedplanet.net/sites/Cauvery_Sanctuary |title= Cauvery Sanctuary |work= protectedplanet.net }}{{Dead link|date=June 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{Convert|1027.53|km2|abbr=on}}
| established = 1987
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| governing_body = [[Government of India]],<br/> [[Ministry of Environment and Forests|MOEF]],<br/>[http://www.aranya.gov.in/Home.aspx Karnataka Forest Department]
| world_heritage_site =
| url =
}}
The '''Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary''' is a [[Protected areas of India|protected area]] located in the [[Mandya]], [[Chamarajanagar]] and [[Ramanagara district|Ramanagar]] districts of [[Karnataka]], [[India]]. The [[Cauvery]] River passes through its midst. An area of {{Convert|510.52|km2|abbr=on}} was established as Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary on 14 January 1987 under Section 18 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 with the objective of providing protection, conservation and development of Wildlife and its environment. The sanctuary was expanded to its current area of {{Convert|102753| ha}} in 2013.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gubbi |first1=Sanjay |last2=Mukherjee |first2=Kaushik |last3=Swaminath |first3=M.H. |last4=Poornesha |first4=H.C. |title=Providing more protected space for tigers Panthera tigris: a landscape conservation approach in the Western Ghats, southern India |journal=Oryx |date=10 March 2015 |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=336–343 |doi=10.1017/S0030605314000751|doi-access=free }}</ref> On its east, it adjoins [[Dharmapuri]] forest division of [[Tamil Nadu|Tamil Nadu state]].

==Geography==
The sanctuary, established on 14 January 1987 under Section 18 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1973, is spread over an area of {{Convert|1,027.53|km2}}<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Mukharjee | first1 = M. | last2 = Swaminathan | first2 = M. H. | last3 = Poornesha | first3 = H. C. | year = 2016| title = Providing more protected space for tigers Panthera tigris: a landscape conservation approach in the Western Ghats, southern India | journal = Oryx | volume = 50| issue = 2| pages = 336–343| doi = 10.1017/S0030605314000751 | doi-access = free }}</ref> It lies in an elevation range of {{Convert|125|-|1514|m}} (“Ponnachi Betta” is the highest mountain in the centre of the sanctuary<ref name=Aranya/>) with its northern and southern boundary delimited by the [[Cauvery River]] on the [[Eastern Ghats]], which drains from west to east. Its eastern and northeastern borders are bounded by the Tamil Nadu state.<ref name=Aranya>{{Cite web|url=http://aranya.gov.in/downloads/CauveryWLS_MgmtPlan.pdf|title=Part – I: The protected area: The existing Situation|access-date=5 January 2016|publisher=Forest Department of the Government of Karnataka}}</ref><ref name=Bird>{{Cite web|url=http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=18209|title= IN186: Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary|access-date=5 January 2016|publisher=Bridlife International}}</ref> The river forms the interstate boundary between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states over a river reach of {{Convert|73|km}} with dense forests on both banks. The sanctuary is named after the Cauvery River which flows through it over a total length of {{Convert|101|km}}.<ref name=Aranya/>

Important places along the river stretch flowing through the sanctuary covering its forested central and eastern parts are the [[Hogenakal Falls]] (meaning: "smoking rock" in [[Kannada language]]), [[Mekedatu]] (meaning: "goats leap"), and Sangam (confluence with the [[Arkavathi River]]. An important religious centre within the sanctuary is [[Muthathi]] Anjaneya temple.<ref name=Aranya/> Also located within the sanctuary are an ecotourism fishing resort and the
Cauvery Fishing Camp at Bhimeshwari.<ref name= Shenoy>{{Cite web|last1= Shenoy|first1= Kausalya|last2= Varma|first2= Surendra|last3= Prasad|first3= K. V.Devi|url=http://www.iisc.ernet.in/~currsci/sep102006/637.pdf.|format=pdf|title=Factors determining habitat choice of the smooth-coated otter, ''Lutra perspicillata'' in a South Indian river system|date=10 September 2007|access-date=5 January 2016|publisher=Current Science Journal}}</ref>

The sanctuary is managed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests with four wildlife ranges at Kanakapura, Hanur, Cowdally and MM Hills wildlife ranges. The reserve forests, which are part of the sanctuary, are the Basavanabetta S.F ({{Convert|3765.50|ha}}), the Chilandavadi S.F ({{Convert|1987.50|ha}}), the Muggur S.F ({{Convert|2044.00|ha}}), the Chikkayalur S.F ({{Convert|13875.00|ha}}), and the Mahadeswara Reserve Forest ({{Convert|31023.50 |ha}}).<ref name=Aranya/> The boundary of the sanctuary is well demarcated with the surrounding border areas consisting of agricultural lands and forests; the bordering forest areas are: the Kollegal forest division to its west and south, Mandya and Ramanagaram forest divisions to its north, and Dharmapuri Forest division of Tamil Nadu state to its east.<ref name=Aranya/>

Human habitation inside the sanctuary and within {{Convert|5|km}} radius of the sanctuary consists of eight enclosed villages and 30 villages respectively with a total population of 39,000 whose main occupation is agriculture. Along the boundary of the sanctuary, a trench is excavated to prevent elephant migration to neighbouring villages and to check damage to agricultural lands.<ref name=Aranya/>

==Climate==
[[File:Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve.jpg|thumb|Map showing Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary]]
The sanctuary has a semi-arid climate, where the average temperatures are a minimum of {{Convert|5|C}} and maximum of {{Convert|38|C}}, and during summer it touches a maximum of {{Convert|40|C}}. The sanctuary receives rainfall both during the [[Northeast monsoon]] and [[Southwest monsoon]]. The rainfall varies between {{Convert|750|mm}} and {{Convert|800|mm}}.<ref name=Aranya/><ref name=slr>{{Cite journal| last = Shenoy,K|author2=Varma, S| title = Factors determining habitat choice of the smooth-coated otter, Lutra perspicillata in a South Indian river system – ePrints@IISc|volume=91|pages=637–643| series = current science| access-date = 7 April 2012| year = 2006| url = http://eprints.iisc.ernet.in/8831/}}</ref>

==Biology and ecology==
The sanctuary mainly consists of [[Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests|dry deciduous forest]], [[Deccan thorn scrub forests|southern tropical dry thorn]] and [[Riparian forest|riverine]] forests.<ref name="Bird"/><ref name ="ggs">{{Cite journal| last = N,Bhaskaran |author2=K,Senthilkumar |author3=M,Saravanan| title = A new site record of the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Ratufa macroura (Pennant, 1769) in the Hosur forest division, Eastern Ghats, In|journal=Journal of Threatened Taxa |volume=3 |issue=6 |pages=1837–1841 | access-date = 7 April 2012| url = http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:olBWZHMiAO8J:scholar.google.com/+cauvery+wildlife+sanctuary&hl=en&as_sdt=0,5|doi=10.11609/JoTT.o2632.1837-41 |year=2011 |doi-access=free }}</ref> ''[[Hardwickia binata]]'' and ''[[Albizia amara]]'' are the dominant forest types. There is hardly any vegetation in the northwestern part while good forests exist in the rest of the sanctuary.<ref name=Bird/>

===Flora===
The dominant species of trees found in this sanctuary are ''[[Terminalia arjuna]]'' and [[Syzygium cumini|jambul]] (''Syzygium cumini''). Other tree species in the sanctuary are ''Albizia amara'', ''Feronia'' sp., ''[[Tamarindus indica]]'', ''[[Mangifera indica]]'', ''Hardwickia binata'', ''[[Acacia armata]]'', and several other species of acacia, Feronia and [[Ficus]].<ref name=Aranya/><ref name=Bird/><ref name="ggs"/>

===Fauna===
[[File:GrizzledSquirell-cauvery wls.jpg|thumb|right|[[Grizzled giant squirrel]] in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary]]
It is home to mammals like [[Bengal tiger|tiger]] (''Panthera tigris''),<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Gubbi |first1=Sanjay |last2=Harish |first2=N.S. |last3=Kolekar |first3=Aparna |last4=Poornesha |first4=H.C. |last5=Reddy |first5=Vasanth |last6=Mumtaz |first6=Javeed |last7=Madhusudan |first7=M.D. |title=From intent to action: A case study for the expansion of tiger conservation from southern India |journal=Global Ecology and Conservation |date=January 2017 |volume=9 |page=11 |doi=10.1016/j.gecco.2016.11.001 |doi-access=free }}</ref> [[Indian elephant|elephant]] (''Elephas maximus''), [[wild boar]] (''Sus scrofa''), [[Indian leopard|leopard]] (''Panthera pardus''), [[dhole]], [[spotted deer]] (''Axis axis''), [[barking deer]] (''Muntiacus muntjak''), [[Sambar (deer)|sambar]] (''Cervus unicolor''), [[four-horned antelope]] (''Tetracerus quadricornis''), [[black-naped hare]] (''Lepus nigricollis''), [[chevrotain]], [[common langur]], [[bonnet macaque]], [[honey badger]] (ratel)<ref name=Bird/><ref>S.Gubbi,V.Reddy,H.Nagashettihalli,R.Bhat and M.D.Madhusudhan (2014) "Photographic Records of the Ratel Mellivora capensis from the Southern Indian State of Karnataka" published in: Small Carnivore Conservation, Vol.50, July 2014</ref> [[Indian giant squirrel|malabar giant squirrel]] (''Ratufa indica maxima''), [[grizzled giant squirrel]] (''Ratufa macroura'') which is under the highly endangered category in the state of Karnataka (but under [[IUCN Red List]] as near threatened<ref>{{Cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/details/19381/0|title= Ratufa macroura|access-date=8 January 2016}}</ref>), [[smooth-coated otter]] (''Lutra lutra'')<ref name=Aranya/><ref name=Bird/><ref>Shenoy, Kausalya and Varma, Surendra and Devi Prasad, KV (2006) Factors determining habitat choice of the smooth-coated otter, Lutra perspicillata in a South Indian river system. In: Current Science, 91 (5). pp. 637–643</ref><ref name="cws">{{Cite web |url=http://www.cauverywildlifesanctuary.com/frm_birds_animals.aspx |title=Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary official website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140310203138/http://www.cauverywildlifesanctuary.com/frm_birds_animals.aspx |archive-date=10 March 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The smooth-coated otter sites in the sanctuary’s river reach were specifically studied. It was noted that the otters inhabited riverine areas which were loosely packed sand and rock without compacted sand, rocks, gravel, and plant cover.<ref name= Shenoy/>

The river Cauvery is also habitat for various species of reptiles like the [[marsh crocodile|mugger crocodile]] (''Crocodylus palustris''), Indian mud turtles (''Chelonia'' sp.).<ref name=Bird/><ref name="cws"/> Reptile species in the sanctuary are [[Indian rock python]] (''Python molurus''), [[Indian cobra]] (''Naja naja''), [[Russell’s viper]] (''Daboia russelii'') and [[banded krait]] (''Bungarus fasciatus''). This is also one of the few places to find the IUCN Red List Critically Endangered [https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/56096394/56717605] hump-backed [[mahseer]] (''Tor remadevii'' <ref>{{Cite journal|last=Raghavan|first=Rajeev|last2=Dahanukar|first2=Neelesh|last3=Philip|first3=Siby|last4=Britton|first4=J. Robert|last5=Krishnankutty|first5=Prasannan|last6=Knight|first6=J. D. Marcus|last7=Manimekalan|first7=Arunachalam|last8=Pinder|first8=Adrian C.|date=2018-06-20|title=Resolving the taxonomic enigma of the iconic game fish, the hump-backed mahseer from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, India|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=13|issue=6|pages=e0199328|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0199328|issn=1932-6203|pmc=6010267|pmid=29924871}}</ref>) fish. It was also, previously, part of the distribution of the Critically Endangered [https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/172430/6890986] Nilgiri Mystus (''Hemibagrus punctatus''), known locally as ''haddu.''

===Avifauna===
The sanctuary is listed as an [[Important Bird Area|IBA]] assessed bird area by the [[BirdLife International]] in 2004 which extends over the same semiarid area as the sanctuary. The two most endangered species in the sanctuary are ''[[Gyps]]'' species of vultures – the [[white-rumped vulture]] (''Gyps bengalensis'') and [[Indian vulture]] (''Gyps indicus''). The four vulnerable species reported are [[Nilgiri wood-pigeon]] (''Columba elphinstonii''), [[greater spotted eagle]] (''Clanga clanga''), [[white-naped tit]] (''Parus nuchalis'') and [[yellow-throated bulbul]] (''Pycnonotus xantholaemus''). Other bird species reported are 25 species of Malayan Tropical Dry Zone which includes the near threatened [[red-headed vulture]] (''Sarcogyps calvus''). The species of least concern reported here is the resident [[white-bellied blue-flycatcher]] (''Cyornis pallipes'').<ref name=Bird/>

In a recent bird survey carried out in the sanctuary, reported in January 2014, the total number of bird species identified in the park are 280, which include 19 new species. Some of the notable species reported are: [[Indian courser]], [[Malabar parakeet]], [[large-billed leaf warbler]], [[green leaf-warbler]], [[western crowned leaf warbler]], [[fairy-bluebird]], the [[Indian blue robin]], the [[yellow-throated bulbul]], the [[crested goshawk]], [[rosefinch]], [[Blyth's swift]], [[Orphean warbler]], [[European bee-eater]], and [[Eurasian crag martin]].<ref name= Chandra>{{Cite news|last= Chandra |first=N.S. Subhash |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/380577/03919-bird-species-found-cauvery.html|title=19 new bird species found in Cauvery wildlife sanctuary|date=14 January 2014|access-date=5 January 2016|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref>

==Threats==
The threats faced in the sanctuary have been recorded to be mostly of recent origin and of low intensity. These low level threats are related to farming and fishing activities, use of forest resources in the form of logging, tree harvesting, extraction of minor forest produce, least degree of recreational disturbance from human activities and low level of natural changes in the form of water harvesting structures. Upstream water impoundments have resulted in very low flows even in monsoon seasons, and dam releases introduce cold, low mineral content water at unpredictable times, all of which impact on riverine species. However, the threats from exploitation of biological resources in the form of hunting and capture of animals is assessed as high.<ref name=Aranya/><ref name=Bird/>

Introductions of alien fish species [https://www.iamlivingit.com/fishing/prepare-for-an-invasion] have put huge pressures on the native fish, especially the most endangered species.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pinder, Raghavan & Britton|date=2015|title=The legendary hump-backed mahseer Tor sp. of India's River Cauvery: an endemic fish swimming towards extinction?|url=https://www.int-res.com/articles/esr2015/28/n028p011.pdf|journal=Endangered Species Research|volume=28|pages=11–17|doi=10.3354/esr00673|doi-access=free}}</ref>

==Conservation measures==
[[File:Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary 9.JPG|thumb|right|Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary landscape]]
Conservation measures in force in the sanctuary are in the form of patrolling on foot and in jeeps, and functioning of 11 moving anti-poaching camps; two permanent camps have been proposed. Drinking water to wild animals are provided through building of water conservation structures. Fire lines are cut and burnt well in advance before the beginning of the forest fire season; fire lines are created and dry material burnt. Fire watchers are stationed at strategic locations.<ref name=Aranya/>{{Rp|17–22}} A 10-year conservation plan for the period 2006–16 has been instituted. Zoning of forest into Core, Buffer, and Tourism zones has been planned. The tourism zone has four specific areas – Bheemeshwari<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://travel.manoramaonline.com/travel/beyond-kerala/2019/11/07/bangalore-weekend-getaway-bheemeshwari-nature-camp.html|title=Get away from Bangalore this weekend, stay close to nature at Bheemeshwari|website=travel.manoramaonline.com|access-date=2019-11-08}}</ref> and Muthathi, Sangam and Mekedatu in the
Kanakapura Wildlife Range, Gopinatham and Hogenakal falls of M.M.Hills Wildlife Range. Administrative set up has been proposed to be reorganized with additional staff.<ref name=Aranya/>{{Rp|32–37}} Improvement of patrolling paths has been envisaged.<ref name=Aranya/>{{Rp|48}} To increase awareness among the general public publicity pamphlets are planned, apart from fixing signages and plaques with information on the importance of preservation of wildlife of the sanctuary.<ref name=Aranya/>{{Rp|50}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}
{{Protected areas of Karnataka}}

[[Category:South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests]]
[[Category:Wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka]]
[[Category:1987 establishments in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1987]]

Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary - Revision history

>InternetArchiveBot at 23:03, 26 June 2021