Wildlife sanctuaries of south India are protected areas dedicated to the preservation of wild species. More specifically, animals, birds, reptiles, etc receive shelter in these sanctuaries. These sanctuaries are present in the states of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Some of these wildlife sanctuaries are described below.
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Western Ghats in Karnataka. The sanctuary derives its name from Bhadra River, which flows in the region all the year round. The sanctuary is often referred to as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary, based on the name of the adjacent village. It is surrounded by mountains and its highest summit is Kallahathgiri (1875 meters). With lofty peaks and vast expanse of greenery, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary acts as a safe home to various animals. It was earlier declared as a Game Reserve, but was converted to Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in 1974.
B R Hills Sanctuary
B R Hills Sanctuary is located in Kemmannagundi, Karnataka. The wildlife sanctuary is located at a height of about 5091 feet. The mountain ranges of Bilgiri Rangaswamy and Male Mahadeshwar connect the Western and the Eastern Ghats. The sanctuary has derived its name from these mountain ranges. In the south-east of this wildlife reserve, flows the Cauvery River and in the north lies Kollegal district. Here, tourists will come across a temple dedicated to Ranganatha Swami. This temple is located deep in the forest area. The sanctuary houses a variety of wild animals. One of the primary attractions of the sanctuary is the dodda sampige mara or the big champak tree. This tree is believed to be 2000 years old and is worshipped by the tribal community of the area namely, Soligas.
Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagar districts of Karnataka. The sanctuary has derived its name from the Kaveri River or Cauvery River, which is a source of sustenance in Karnataka. The sanctuary is surrounded by green forests, river, mountain peaks and valleys. Here, River Cauvery is at its mightiest. For adventure tourists and nature lovers, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary provides an opportunity to bask in the glory of nature. Apart from witnessing the wildlife, the sanctuary provides a great trekking trail.
Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
Mudumalai National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the northwestern side of the Nilgiri Hills in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary has tropical moist deciduous vegetation. In some parts of the sanctuary, parched deciduous trees and thorny scrubs are found, with the sights of few blackbucks running here and there. The summit of Kargudi Hill offers an outstanding panoramic view of the sanctuary, including the Moyar Gorge.
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Sirvilliputhur in southern Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary. It was declared as a sanctuary in December, 1989. The sanctuary was set up to protect and provide shelter to a near threatened species namely, grizzled giant squirrels.
Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary
Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary houses a variety of animals like bonnet macaque, common langur or Hanuman langur, nilgiri langur, leopard or panther, jungle cat, small Indian civet, mangoose, jackal, Indian fox, dhole or Indian wild dog, Indian elephant and others.
Begur Wildlife Sanctuary
Begur Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 20 kilometers from Wayanad district of Kerala. It is nestled on a plateau along the Western Ghats. The sanctuary is covered with dense forests, which houses a wide variety of flora and fauna. Here, the trees have medicinal values.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 60 km from Munnar in Idukki district in Kerala. The sanctuary provides shelter to a near threatened species namely, giant grizzled squirrel. The sanctuary is located in the rain shadow area of the Western Ghats. The vast expanse of the lush green forests, spread over an area of about 90 square kilometers.
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary
Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 50km north east of the capital city of Kerala namely, Thiruvananthapuram. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1983 and is covered with dense forests. Major species found in the sanctuary are tiger, panther, wild dog, lion tailed macaque, elephant, gaur, sambhar, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boar, Nilgiri langur, Malabar squirrel, etc.
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
Peechi Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Trichur in Kerala. The sanctuary was established in 1958. It is spread over an area of about 125 square kilometers. It is the second oldest sanctuary in Kerala. It houses a wide variety of animals, birds and reptiles. The sanctuary is rich in vegetation.
Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary
Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary is located at a distance of about 66 kilometers from Kollam district in Kerala. It has been named after a tree called Chenkuruny. It was declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1984 and is spread over an area of about 100 square kilometers.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the hills of Western Ghats in Kerala. It is spread over an area of about 777 square kilometers. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna.
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary
Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in a valley between the Annamalai ranges of Tamil Nadu and the Nelliampathy ranges of Kerala. The sanctuary is spread over an area of about 285 square kilometers. The sanctuary has peninsular flora and fauna,
which are excellently conserved. It houses a large population of gaur or bison. It is a home to elephants, sloth bears, wild boars, sambhars, chital, tigers, panthers, and crocodiles. There are also bonnet macaques, spectacled cobras, kraits, vipers, turtles, darters, little cormorants and black eagles in the sanctuary.
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary
Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Wayanad Sanctuary is located in the protected area networks, between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Spread over an area of about 344 square kilometers, the sanctuary is a home to reptiles like lizards, animals like sloth bears, sambhar, elephants, tigers, spotted deer, monkeys, panthers, jungle cats, civet cats, wild dogs, bison, bears, wild pigs, leopards and lion-tailed macaque, etc.
Other Wildlife Sanctuaries of South India
Some of the other wildlife sanctuaries of south India are Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary and Pranahita Wildlife Sanctuary.
