Why in News?
On March 5, 2026, the Kappatagudda Wildlife Sanctuary came into the spotlight after the Karnataka High Court directed the State government to include a previously omitted 55 sq. km reserve forest area into the sanctuary's boundaries.
Location
- Situated in Gadag district, North Karnataka, spanning the Deccan Plateau.
- Nicknamed the "Western Ghats of North Karnataka" for its ecological similarity despite the region's aridity.
Area and Ecosystems
- Covers 32,346 hectares (324 sq km total intended), including dry deciduous forests, scrublands, grasslands, and riverine zones.
- Major catchment area for the Tungabhadra River.
Flora
- Supports dry-scrub and deciduous vegetation with around 400 medicinal plant species.
Fauna
- Hosts 18 mammal species per SACON study (2024), including leopards, Indian wolves, striped hyenas, blackbucks, chinkaras, four-horned antelopes, jungle cats, jackals, foxes, porcupines, and rusty-spotted cats.
- Also features monitor lizards, reptiles, and diverse birds.
History and Establishment
- Proposed in 2013 from Kappatagudda Reserve Forest for medicinal plant and wildlife protection.
- Notified in May 2019 (partial), with board approval in January 2019 for full 300 sq km.
- Features ancient Chalukya and Rashtrakuta temples/ruins.
Threats and Conservation
- Faced mining pressures, with 28 lease applications deferred in 2024 and local movements halting de-notifications.
- 2025 camera-trap surveys (phase-2) confirmed key species to deter illegal activities.
- Central notification declared surrounding area as Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) for ecosystem protection.
Tourism and Development
- Karnataka tourism developing jungle hotels and safaris (introduced 2025) with facilities like toilets and no-plastic zones; home to wolves, leopards, etc., spotted on tours.
- Balances wildlife, healing (medicinal plants), temples, mining, and tourism interests.
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