Type: India Mapping

• Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2011, covering 134.88 sq. km.
• Recognized as the first dryland Wildlife Sanctuary in South India.
• Located in the Kalaburagi District, renowned for its floristic diversity.
• Contributes to the conservation of dryland ecosystems.

• Situated in the Hyderabad Karnataka region.
• Features the Chandrampalli Dam and four smaller dams within the sanctuary.

• Flora: Rich in medicinal plants and tree species like Red Sanders, Sandalwood, Acacia, and Teak.
• Fauna:
  • Mammals: Blackbuck, Common Fox, Four-horned Antelope, Indian Wolf, Hyena, and Fruit Bat.
  • Birds: Over 35 species, including Black Drongo, Black-winged Kite, Blossom-headed Parakeet, Blue Pigeon, Black-headed Oriole, and Grey Partridge.

• Comprises dry deciduous and moist deciduous forests.
• Fringes are planted with Acacia and Teak.
• Supports a dryland ecosystem with water bodies like the Chandrampalli Dam.
• Features a mix of arid and semi-moist climatic conditions.

PYQ:

[2018] In which one of the following States is Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary located?

(a) Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Manipur

(c) Meghalaya

(d) Nagaland

Which are the surveyed sites?

All the surveyed national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are located in Kerala, India, specifically in the Idukki district:

• Mathikettan Shola National Park (MSNP): It is a biodiversity hotspot and part of the Western Ghats.
• Pambadum Shola National Park (PSNP): It is Kerala’s smallest national park and home to unique flora and fauna.
• Anamudi Shola National Park (ANP): Named after Anamudi, the highest peak in South India.
• Kurinjimala Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS): Located in Idukki, it protects the habitat of the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a flower that blooms once every 12 years.
• Eravikulam National Park (ENP): Famous for the Nilgiri Tahr.
• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWLS): Situated in the rain-shadow region of the Western Ghats, near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border in Idukki.

PYQ:

[2020] With reference to India’s biodiversity Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are:

(a) Birds

(b) Primates

(c) Reptiles

(d) Amphibans

• Situated in the Mayurbhanj District, Northern Odisha, surrounded by high plateaus and hills.
• Twin peaks Khairiburu and Meghashini, rising to 1515 meters above mean sea level.
• Undulating and hilly terrain, interspersed with open grasslands and wooded areas.
• Inhabited by tribes like Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
• Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1956; brought under Project Tiger in 1973.
• Included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.

• Flora: Home to 1078 species of plants, including 94 species of orchids, with Sal as the dominant tree species.
• Fauna: Rich wildlife, including Leopards, Gaurs, Elephants, Langurs, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bears, Mongoose, Flying Squirrels, Porcupines, Pythons, Sambar, Pangolins, and more.
• It is critical habitat for birds, including migratory species like Bar-Headed Geese and Brahmini Ducks, and home to freshwater snails (Radix genus) in its water bodies.
• Melanistic Tigers:
  • Similipal hosts 27 of Odisha’s 30 tigers (AOTE-2023-24), including 13 pseudo-melanistic tigers with unique black-striped patterns due to a mutation in the Taqpep gene.
  • It is the only wild habitat in the world with pseudo-melanistic tigers.

PYQ:

[2011] Two important rivers – one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha – merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area.

Which one of the following could be this?

(a) Bhitarkanika

(b) Chandipur-on-sea

(c) Gopalpur-on-sea

(d) Simlipal

PYQ:

[2018] Which one of the following is an artificial lake?

(a) Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)

(b) Kolleru (Andhra Pradesh)

(c) Nainital (Uttarakhand)

(d) Renuka (Himachal Pradesh)

About Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve:

• Located in the state of Assam, Kaziranga is renowned for its biodiversity and conservation efforts.
• Established in 1905 as a reserve forest and declared a national park in 1974.
• Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 for its unique natural environment and successful conservation of the Great One-Horned Rhinoceros.
• Kaziranga is home to the highest density of tigers among protected areas in the world.
• It hosts two-thirds of the world’s Great One-Horned Rhinoceros population, a significant conservation success story.
• The park spans approximately 430 square kilometers (166 square miles) of grasslands, wetlands, and forests.

PYQ:

[2013] Consider the following fauna of India :

1. Gharial

2. Leatherback turtle

3. Swamp deer

Which of the above is/are endangered?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None