Introduction
Bhadra situated in the midst of Western Ghat in Chikmagalur
and Shimoga districts of Karnataka is surrounded by lofty hill
ranges of Mullaianagiri, Hebbegiri, Gangegiri & Babaudangiri.
and also the picturesque Bhadra river and its tributaries like
Somavahini, Thadabehalla and Odirayanahalla. A dam has been constructed
across Bhadra river near Lakkavalli. The reserve consists of two
main areas, Muthodi and Lakkavalli.
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Conservation
History
The
area was declared as "Jagara Valley Wildlife Sanctuary" by the
Government of Mysore in 1951, vide Government Notification No.
A & F. 6175/90/10 FT-112-40-2, dated 21.2.51 covering an area
of 77.45 sq. miles. After a systematic survey and census of the
entire area including animals, birds and plants, it was thought
to bring some more area under the Jagara Valley Forests. The adjacent
area, which were rich in wildlife was surveyed and the Sanctuary
was reconstituted in the year 1974, as Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary",
vide Notification No. AFD-25-FWL-74, dated 6.9.74, covering an
area of 492.46 sq. km. as per section 18 of Wildlife Protection
Act 1972 (Intention), and confirmed under section 26 of Wildlife
Protection Act 1972, vide notification Fee-58-FW-96, dated 9.3.98.
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Census
Census figures of 1993
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Census figures of 1997
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Archeology
Ancient
temples like, Mhakta Markandya temple of Khandya, and Bhavani
Shankar temple of Hebbe are an attraction. These temples were
built during Hoisala regime.
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Forest Types
Southern
tropical dry deciduous dry teak ,Northern tropical dry deciduous
mixed forest ,Dry deciduous scrub forest ,Boswellia forest ,Dry
bamboo brakes , Anogeissus pendula forest .
Major
Flora
Main
Species
Tree:
Teak,
Rosewood, Mathi, Honne, Nandi, Kindal etc.
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Management
Practices,
Achievements and Shortfalls
Boundary
consolidation, protection, habitat improvement, communication
network, roads and bridges. Infrastructure development, tourism
development, Socio-economic development. Research activities are
practised. Infrastructural development in the form of office and
staff quarters has been achieved as per allocation.
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Special Projects
New Initiatives
Eco-development
Some
sort of gainful employment has to be provided to the villagers
living adjoining to the Sanctuary area in addition to providing
fuelwood, fodder and small timber for agriculture implements,
so as to relieve the pressure on the forests.
The alternative sources to meet the minimum needs of villagers
of the surrounding areas are to be made with the following measures.
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1.
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Providing sanitary facilities |
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2.
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Providing water facilities |
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3.
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Culverts, Bridges for roads |
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4.
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Providing solar lamps |
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5.
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Providing bio-gas plants |
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6.
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Vaccination to local cattle |
At
least 4 squads of 10 persons in each squad is essential for effective
protection.
There is a need for creating of strike force of 10 persons under
a leadership of a Range Forest Officer, with a minivan for quick
movement to the spot of illegal activities and to curb such activities.
This will even create fear among the smugglers and poachers. Workshops
shall be conducted for rural youths as well for the wildlife enthusiasts
and members of the village committees, elected representation
of local panchayats etc., these trained persons shall act as coordinators
between authorities and rural public in planning, protection and
Eco-development works.
Village Forest Protection Committees
To
protect the tiger reserve from fire, the meetings are conducted
involving the leaders of the surrounding villages.
Protection Squads / Patrolling
In
order to control poaching and smuggling, anti-poaching squads,
comprising 5 member in each squad are stationed in sensitive areas.
Due to paucity of funds this has not been increased.
Education and Awareness
Nature
Education Camps for students of schools and colleges, institutions,
volunteers and wildlife enthusiasts, teachers of educational institutions
for 3 days, are conducted to create awareness on Wildlife.
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Constraints
Human population
Around
36,029 in numbers in surrounding 26 villages.
Around 736 families in the core.
Livestock population
Around
16249 About 4000 in the reserve.
Encroachment
Encroachment
occurred after 27.4.78 and inclusive of ineligible encroachment
prior to 27.4.78 for which proceedings under Section 64(A) initiated.
Grazing
Cattle
grazing is mostly restricted to buffer zone especially, in the
Lakkavalli area.
FIRE
One
of the primary factors that has adversely affected the status
of habitat and biodiversity in the Sanctuary is the occurrence
of regular fires. Due to forest fires, which are some times deliberate,
the natural regeneration is either lost or retarded and the forest
floor is deprived of rich humus which the essential for growth
and productivity.
Poaching of fauna and flora
Bhadra
Wildlife Sanctuary is the natural habitat of some of the prized
timber species such as Teak and Rosewood. Besides, extensive teak
plantations have been raised in the past (1903-1978) throughout
the Sanctuary. Timber smuggling is common in Lakkavalli and Thanigebyle
ranges. The smugglers use carts and bullocks to drag the teak
timber, sometimes they may even saw the sizes inside the forests.
Poaching activities are found in places which are nearer to the
estates
Offence (Poaching of Fauna )
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Date of committing/detection of the offence
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Seizure |
No. of persons arrested |
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19.12.95
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One Gun. (Local) |
2 persons |
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27.05.96
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Deer skin-1Horn -1 |
4 persons |
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02.11.96
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Deer (cub)Cycle-1 |
1 person |
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02.01.97
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One Gun.(Local) |
1 person |
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25.07.97
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Deer (dead) |
Accused not traced |
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18.03.99
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Small Indian civet |
2 persons |
Offence cases (Poaching of flora)
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Years
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Total cases
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1994-95
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1995-96
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1996-97
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1997-98
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1998-99
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Total
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Criminals and Extremists
Nil
Diseases
The
Sanctuary was earlier famous for Indian bison, which numbered
more than a thousand. Rinder pest disease took a heavy toll on
these animals during 1998-99. Now no diseases are noticed. Vaccination
of livestock of surrounding villages against foot and mouth disease
has been done.
Other
Tunga-Bhadra
Lift Irrigation Project
Proposal
is afoot to lift water from Tunga river, pump it into Bhadra river
and further lift it and take the water in canals through part
of the P.T. near Lakkavalli. This project is called Tunga Bhadra
lift irrigation project. This will irrigate some dry land in Kadur,
Tarikere Taluks of Chikmangalur District. Odirayanahalla Diversion
Canal Scheme will take away 12 ha. forest area due to laying of
the canal.
Control of the Buffer
Buffer
is under the control of the management of the Reserve.
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Conflicts
Man-Animal
Wild
animals especially, wild elephant, normally cause damage to the
human life and crops by entering the private lands and on outside
the Sanctuary.
Man-Forest
The
Bhadra tiger Reserve has 16 revenue villages comprising of 736
families.
Wild Animal -Forest
Nil
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Action
Points
Fires
cause irreparable, damage to the microfauna besides affecting
the normal life, growth, propagation and movement of many larger
animals and birds. Hence, preventive and fire control measures
have to be given top priority in the habitat development of the
Sanctuary.
In order to control poaching and smuggling, anti poaching squads
are to be stationed in sensitive areas. It is proposed to have
a protection squad of 10 persons in each range. There is need
for creating a strike force of 10 persons under the leadership
of Lakkavalli Range Forest Officer with a minivan for quick movement
to the spot of illegal activities and to curb such activities.
This will even create fear among the smugglers and poachers.
Preventive and fire control measures have to be given top priority
in the habitat development of the Sanctuary.
To prevent the human deaths and crop damages works like, digging
of elephant proof trenches are to be taken up in a phased manner.
During 1998-99, 4 km of elephant proof trenches have been dug.
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