Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary | 01 Feb 2020

  • Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Western Ghats of Karnataka (Udupi & Shimoga districts).
  • It is named after the Someshwara temple located within the sanctuary.
  • The sanctuary is mostly made up of evergreen forests, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
  • It is situated very close to the Kudremukh National Park.
  • Sitanadi river flows through the sanctuary.
  • Some Endangered species are found viz; Lion Tailed Macaque, Tiger, Dhole (wild dog).

Lion-tailed Macaque

  • It is endemic to the Western Ghats in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
    • Although the species has a relatively wide range, its area of occupancy is small and severely fragmented.
    • Primarily diurnal arboreal, it prefers the upper canopy of primary tropical evergreen rainforest.
    • It can also be found in monsoon forests in hilly country and in disturbed forest.
  • Protected areas:
    • Kudremukh National Park (Karnataka)
    • Periyar National Park (Kerala)
    • Silent Valley National Park (Kerala)
  • Threats:
    • Habitat loss and degradation - deforestation, agriculture, logging leads to a scarcity of the fruit on which the Macaque feed, which is particularly devastating.
      • Creation of exotic plantations such as tea, eucalyptus and coffee.
      • Hunting
      • Pet trade
  • Conservation and Protection:
    • IUCN Red list: Endangered.
    • It is listed in Appendix I of CITES.
    • It is protected under Schedule I, Part I, of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Source: TH