Category: Environment and Ecology
Context:
- The High Court of Karnataka directed the State government to include the left-out areas of the Kappatagudda reserve forest as part of Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary.
About Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Location: It is located in the Gadag district of Karnataka.
- Other names: It is often called the “Western Ghats of North Karnataka”.
- Terrain: The sanctuary features diverse habitats—dry deciduous forests, grasslands, scrublands, and riverine zones.
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- Uniqueness: It is the only sanctuary in Karnataka declared specifically for the conservation of wild flora, particularly medicinal plants.
- Mineral Resources: The area is rich in gold, iron, and manganese, causing ongoing conflicts with conservation efforts.
- Status: Originally a Conservation Reserve, it was upgraded to a Wildlife Sanctuary in May 2019.
- Historical significance: The sanctuary’s historical significance traces back centuries, evident in the remnants of ancient temples and ruins that dot the hillsides. These structures are adorned with intricate carvings and tell tales of dynasties that once ruled the land, such as the Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas.
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- Key architectural marvels: It mainly consists of architectural marvels strewn across Kappatagudda, such as the Kappatagudda Jain Basadi, Brahma Jinalaya, Trikuteshwara Temple, and the Dambala Temple, stand testament to the craftsmanship and religious diversity of the region.
- Drainage: The Sanctuary forms the major catchment for the River Tungabhadra in the district.
- Vegetation: The sanctuary supports diverse vegetation typical of dry-scrub and deciduous ecosystems.
- Flora: The forest has about 400 medicinal plant species.
- Fauna: Key species include Leopards, Hyenas, Wolves, Foxes, Jackals, Four Horned Antelopes, Blackbucks, Monitor Lizards, Jungle Cats and various reptiles and birds.
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