Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Chikmagalur, Karnataka India

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary situated in the midst of Western Ghats in Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts of Karnataka. It is about 275 kms from Bangalore and 38 kms from Chikmagalur town and covers an area of 492.46 Kms. The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary boasts of a substantial tiger population It was declared as the 25th Project Tiger of India in 1998.

Kallahathigiri is the higest peak in the sanctuary with a height of 1875Mts. Kemmannugundi and Bababuden Hills, are within the sanctuary.

bhadra-wildlife-forestThe lush green vegetation and lofty hill ranges are a beautiful and spectacular. The wildlife sanctuary is called so after the Bhadra River which flows through the lush forests. The lush green vegetation of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary consists of mostly moist and dry deciduous forests. More than 120 species of trees grow here, which include Teak, Rosewood, Mathi, Honne, Nandi, Tadasalu and Kindal.

It’s nestled in the lofty hills of the Western Ghats. Kallahathigiri, the highest peak (1875 m) of the sanctuary, towers over the whole area. The perennial river Bhadra slithers through the terrains, and thus the name of the sanctuary.

There is a popular local saying, “If the bamboo swings to the voice of the wind and the tiger wanders with gaiety, then it must be Jagara Valley.” Jagara is a village located near the sanctuary.

The forests types are southern dry, mixed deciduous forests, southern moist, mixed deciduous forests and western sub tropical hill forests. The eastern part of the sanctuary is dominated by evergreen shoal forests. The vegetation is predominantly of dry deciduous scrub forests.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary situated in the midst of Western Ghats in Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts of Karnataka. This sanctuary is covering an area of 492.46 sq. km.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of 38 km northwest of Chikmagalur town. The sanctuary is surrounded by Mullaianagiri, Hebbegiri, Gangegiri and Bababudangiri hills and has the tributaries like Somavahini, Thadabehalla and Odirayanahalla of the Bhadra River flowing through it.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary gets its name from the river Bhadra. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is also popularly known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary, after the village on its periphery. The reserve consists of two main areas, Muthodi and Lakkavalli.

The area was declared as "Jagara Valley Wildlife Sanctuary" in 1951 by the Government of Mysore. The Sanctuary was reconstituted in the year 1974 as "Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary".

The forest type is southern tropical dry deciduous dry teak, Northern tropical dry deciduous mixed forest, Dry deciduous scrub forest, Boswellia forest, Dry bamboo brakes, Anogeissus pendula forest.

More than 120 tree species grow here, which include Teak, Rosewood, Mathi, Honne, Nandi, Tadasalu and Kindal.

A diverse range of wildlife is found in the sanctuary like elephant, gaur, tiger, panther, sambar, spotted deer, mouse deer, barking deer, sloth bear, wild boar, wild dog, mongoose, porcupine, jackal, and the common langur.

The southern part of the Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary is rich in birds, butterflies and reptiles.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary houses more than 250 species of bird life. Some of them are the ruby-throated bulbul, shama, Malabar whistling thrush, four species of hornbill, racquet-tailed drongo, and the paradise flycatcher.

Reptiles like Crocodiles and various kinds of snakes can also be found here. The sanctuary is also home to exotic butterflies, which include Yam fly, Baronet, Crimson rose, Tailed jay, Great orange tip, Bamboo tree brown and blue pansy.

The activities in Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary include wildlife viewing on jeeps, water-based adventures, trekking, island camping, bird watching and rock climbing.

Other attractions of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary are the ancient temples like the Mhakta Markandya temple of Khandya and the Bhavani Shankar temple of Hebbe built during Hoysala administration.

Over 120 tree species grow in the sanctuary, including species having medicinal properties. The sanctuary is recognized as an “Important Bird Area.” It plays host to around 100 species of birds. The reserve is a favorite haunt for gaur (Indian bison), according to a report, around 1,000 bison are residing in the sanctuary. There is also considerable elephant population. Bhadra is known for its Tigers. According to 1997 census, there are around 33 tigers roaming in its wilderness.