Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Current Context

Forest Department data show that the sanctuary recorded a significant share of poaching and gun-related wildlife cases in the Chamarajanagar forest circle in recent years.

Geographic Setting

1. Location: Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, in the Eastern Ghats.
2. Protected-area network: It is connected with Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, forming an important wildlife landscape.
3. Rivers: The Male Mahadeshwara hills are associated with the Kaveri and Palar river systems.
4. Religious significance: The sanctuary contains the famous Male Mahadeshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Biodiversity

1. Forest type: Predominantly dry and moist deciduous forests, with other forest types occurring across different elevations.
2. Flora: Important species include Anogeissus latifolia, Boswellia serrata and Chloroxylon swietenia.
3. Fauna: Supports elephants, tigers, gaur, leopards, dhole, sambar and spotted deer, among other species.
4. Landscape connectivity: Its contiguity with protected areas in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu supports wildlife movement across state boundaries.

Conservation Challenges

1. Poaching: Hunting and illegal wildlife trade remain major concerns.
2. Illegal arms: Gun-related offences pose a direct threat to wildlife protection.
3. Human–wildlife conflict: Increasing interaction between people and wildlife can intensify conservation pressures.
4. Frontline staff shortage: The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee highlighted serious shortages in forest staff, affecting ground-level protection.
5. Border landscape: Its proximity to Tamil Nadu makes coordinated enforcement important.

Conservation Priorities

1. Stronger surveillance: Expand patrols, camera traps and intelligence-based anti-poaching operations.
2. Staff capacity: Fill frontline vacancies and ensure adequate training and equipment.
3. Community participation: Involve local communities in wildlife protection and intelligence networks.
4. Landscape approach: Manage MM Hills along with neighbouring protected areas as a connected conservation landscape.
5. Inter-state coordination: Strengthen cooperation between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

FAQs

Q1. Where is Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Ans: Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, in the Eastern Ghats.

Q2. Which protected areas are connected with Male Mahadeshwara Hills?
Ans: Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve, Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

Q3. Which forest types dominate the Male Mahdeshwara sanctuary?
Ans: Dry and moist deciduous forests.

Q4. Which important wildlife species are found here?
Ans: Tigers, elephants, gaur, leopards and dhole, among others.

Q5. Why has Male Mahadeshwara Hills recently been in the news?
Ans: For the high incidence of poaching and gun-related wildlife offences, highlighting conservation and anti-poaching challenges.