Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
The Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Kollam district of Kerala, India, and is a part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Western Ghats. It is notable as the site of India's first planned eco-tourism project, centered around the Thenmala Dam reservoir.
Key Features and Biodiversity
- Name Origin: The sanctuary is named after an endemic tree species, Gluta travancorica, locally known as 'Chenkurunji', which is found in abundance within the region.
- Diverse Ecosystems: The sanctuary spans an area of approximately 172 square kilometers and features a diverse mix of forest types, including tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and unique Myristica swamp forests.
- Rich Fauna: It is home to a wide range of wildlife, including:
- Mammals: Indian elephants, gaurs (bison), sambar deer, leopards, tigers, wild boars, Nilgiri langurs, and the highly endangered lion-tailed macaque.
- Birds: Over 200 species of birds, including the great Indian hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, and the elusive Great Eared Nightjar, a nocturnal bird spotted for the first time in Kerala at this sanctuary.
- Artificial Lake: A large, artificial lake covering nearly 18.69 square kilometers, formed by the Thenmala Dam reservoir, is a prominent feature of the sanctuary. The Shendurney, Kulathupuzha, and Kazhuthuruthy rivers merge to form the Kallada River, which drains the region.
Latest Update
In a recent development in March 2025, researchers from the University of Kerala discovered two new species of jumping spiders within the sanctuary, marking the first record of the Epidelaxia genus in India and further enriching the sanctuary's biodiversity records.
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