Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Shimoga district of the south Indian state Karnataka, is the home to numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Lying adjacent to Shimoga town, it spans an area of 395.6 square kilometres. On 23rd November 1974, it was declared as a wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is divided into a core zone covering 100.6 square kilometres, a buffer zone encompassing 237.4 square kilometres and a tourism zone spreading over an area of 57.6 square kilometres. Inside the sanctuary is located the Tunga Anicut Dam which shelters otters and water birds. Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary forms a part of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary. The former is a small island in the midst of the Tunga River and a popular bird nesting site. In spite of having tremendous biotic pressures, the sanctuary has maintained good forest patches.
Flora and Fauna of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary
Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is mostly dominated by dry and moist deciduous forests in its central and eastern parts. Semi evergreen forest can be witnessed towards the west with increasing rainfall. Common flora found here includes Wrightia tinctoria, Kydia calycina and Cassia fistula. The sanctuary hosts mammals like Pangolin, Giant Flying Squirrel, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Porcupine, Striped-necked Mongoose, Common Mongoose, Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur, Wild Pig, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Elephant, Gaur, Jackal, Wild Dog, Leopard and Tiger. Reptiles like Marsh Crocodile, King Cobra and Python are also the inhabitants of the sanctuary.
Avifauna of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary
Rich diversity of avifauna can be spotted in Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary such as Partridges, Jungle fowl, Peafowl, Woodpeckers, Swallows, Munias, Flycatchers, Babblers, Pigeons, Doves, Parakeets, Bulbuls, Kingfishers, Hornbills and many more. The sanctuary has also been identified as an Important Bird Area. Although the research done on the avifauna of Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary has been quite less, the sanctuary is believed to host numerous biome-restricted, globally threatened and restricted range species. Oriental White-Backed Vulture, a critically endangered species, is also found here in addition to White-Bellied Drongo, Brahminy Starling, Indian Grey Hornbill and Indian Nightjar which are Biome-11 species belonging to Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone.
Visiting Information
Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary is best visited during the period of November to January. It remains open all the days except Tuesday. Jungle safaris can be enjoyed in the sanctuary and the elephant camp at Sakrebyle can be cherished where the feeding of elephants can be seen. Bengaluru is the nearest airport while Shimoga Town Railway Station serves as the nearest railhead. Bus services are also available from Shimoga town situated nearby.
