1. Bhadra, situated 38 km nw of Chikmaglur and 275 km from Bangalore, amidst the western Ghats , in the state of Karnataka and originally known as Jagara Wls (as declared by the Govt. of Mysore in 1951) , comprised an area of only 77sqkm. The area was then extended to surrounding terrain and Bhadra wls was officially born in 1974.It was later declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1998, becoming the 25th tiger reserve in the country.
2.The first successful village relocation program was implemented here.This began in1974 and was completed in 2002 during which 26 villages were relocated.
3.Extending over a total area 500sqkm the Bhadra wls gets its name from the river Bhadra and its tributaries which flow through it.The river Bhadra originates in Kudremukh in the Western Ghats and together, with its tributaries, flows eastwards along the southern part of the Deccan Plateau .A dam is built across the river at Lakhavalli which forms the Bhadra Resevoir.The resevoir extends over an area of 2000 sqkm.The resevoir consists of two main areas Muthodi and Lakhavalli.The western part of the sanctuary near Muthodi borders the Bhadra resevoir.It is therefore popularly known by the locals as the Muthodi wls.
4.This very river continues through to the city of Bhadravati and then flows onwards to join the Tunga river to become the Tungabhadra river .The Tungabhadra then flows eastwards as the major tributary of the Krishna to finally empty itself in the Bay of Bengal
5.The extensive variation in elevation from 600 msl to1900 msl has resulted in great environmental diversity.Forests range from dry deciduous ,moist deciduous to semi-evergreen.The sanctuary is surrounded by the slope of steep hills.The highest peak in the sanctuary being Hebbegiri.Many well known falls are also located inside the sanctuary of which the Hebbe falls are well known.Among the trees found here are Teak ,White Rosewood,Bamboo,Oak etc.There are120 plant species to be found here including many medicinal ones like citronella,jambli,jalarin,indigo,mangosten,kino,tr eeco etc
6.It is the home to a wide variety flora and fauna.An estimate of 33 tigers 22 leopards,leopard cat,ruddy mongoose,slender loris, pangolin and elephants.It is the home of the elusive Black Panther which is rarely sighted and equally rarely photographed.The reptiles include vine snake,king cobra, russels viper, bamboo pit viper monitor, gliding lizard and crocodiles.There are also exotic species of butterfly
7.The birds include both native and migratory There are about 250 to 300 known species including,hill myna,great black woodpecker,shama, malabar trogon, malabar whistling thrush, a variety if hornbills etc..
8.The threats are as many as assails other sanctuaries,poaching,fishing,timber depredation,forest fires etc
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