Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC
The Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the state of Kerala, India. It is situated in the Western Ghats. It is bordered by the Bavali River, a tributary of the Valapattanam River.
The sanctuary is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including Asian elephants, gaurs (Indian bison), leopards, tigers, various species of deer, birds like the Malabar pied hornbill, and a range of reptiles, amphibians, and insects.
The sanctuary encompasses different types of forests, including evergreen, semi-evergreen, and deciduous forests, as well as grasslands and shola forests. These habitats provide homes for the diverse wildlife found in the area.
The establishment of the sanctuary aims to protect the natural habitats and wildlife in the region, as well as to create connectivity between other protected areas in the Western Ghats.
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Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary Location
The Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Kottiyoor village of the Kannur district in the state of Kerala, India. It is situated near other significant wildlife sanctuaries in the region, including the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka.
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Airport:
If you're traveling by air, you can fly to the Kozhikode (Calicut) International Airport and then take a drive of about 125 kilometers to reach the Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary.
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary Nearest Railway Station:
If you're traveling by train, you can take a train to the Thalassery Railway Station and then drive approximately 60 kilometers to reach the Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Thalassery is a town in the Kannur district of Kerala.
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary History
Reserve Forest Status: Before being declared a wildlife sanctuary, the area was part of the Kottiyoor Reserve Forest. This reserve forest had been subject to various forestry activities, including selective felling and teak plantation.
Establishment: The Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary is a relatively new sanctuary and was officially declared as such on March 1, 2011. The establishment of the sanctuary was part of conservation efforts to protect the rich biodiversity and ecosystems found in this region of the Western Ghats.
Wildlife Conservation: Recognizing the importance of preserving the diverse flora and fauna in the region, the Kerala government took steps to establish the Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary was created to provide protection to the wildlife and habitats found within its boundaries.
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary Area
The Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of approximately 30.02 square kilometers. It encompasses diverse habitats including evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, deciduous forests, grasslands, and shola forests.
The sanctuary is situated within the Western Ghats, a region known for its high biodiversity and ecological significance.
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary River
The Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary is bordered by the Bavali River, a tributary of the Valapattanam River. The Bavali River flows through the boundaries of the sanctuary, adding to its ecological diversity and significance.
Rivers and their associated riparian habitats are crucial for the health and balance of ecosystems. They provide water sources for wildlife, facilitate the movement of species, and contribute to the overall biodiversity of the area.
The presence of the Bavali River within the sanctuary support various aquatic species, provide water for wildlife, and contribute to the overall ecological health of the region.
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary Flora
The Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its rich and diverse flora, typical of the Western Ghats region. Here are some of the plant species and types of flora that you might find within the sanctuary:
(1) Evergreen Forests:
These forests are characterized by dense and lush vegetation that remains green throughout the year. They typically have a multi-layered canopy with trees of varying heights. Some common tree species in evergreen forests of the Western Ghats include species of Dipterocarpus, Mesua, and Hopea.
(2) Semi-Evergreen Forests:
These forests have a mix of both evergreen and deciduous characteristics. They have a diverse range of tree species and provide important habitats for wildlife. Trees like Magnolia, Calophyllum, and Terminalia can be found in semi-evergreen forests.
(3) Deciduous Forests:
These forests shed their leaves during certain periods of the year. They often have a diverse mix of tree species adapted to seasonal changes. Trees like Teak (Tectona grandis), Terminalia, and Lagerstroemia are common in deciduous forests.
(4) Shola Forests:
These are unique and highly specialized ecosystems found in high-altitude areas of the Western Ghats. Shola forests often occur as isolated patches within grasslands and have a distinct composition of species. Trees like Rhododendron, Vaccinium, and Strobilanthes are typical of shola forests.
(5) Grasslands:
The sanctuary also have areas of grasslands, which provide important grazing habitats for herbivores and contribute to the overall landscape diversity.
(6) Riverine Vegetation:
The presence of the Bavali River within the sanctuary support a variety of aquatic and riparian plant species along the riverbanks and water bodies.
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary Fauna (Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary Animals)
The Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a diverse range of fauna, including various species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and more. Here are some of the notable wildlife species that you might find within the sanctuary:
Mammals:
- Asian Elephant
- Gaur (Indian Bison)
- Leopard
- Tiger
- Sambar Deer
- Barking Deer
Birds:
- Broad-tailed Grass-Warbler
- Nilgiri Wood-Pigeon
- Malabar Pied Hornbill
- Grey-headed bulbul
- Wayanad Laughingthrush
- Rufous Babbler
- White-bellied Blue Flycatcher
- White-bellied Treepie
- Nilgiri Pipit
Reptiles:
- King Cobra
- Indian Rock Python
- Malabar Pit Viper
Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary UPSC Questions
Q. Where is Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary situated?/Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary in which district?
A. The Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Kannur district of Kerala, India. It is located in the Kottiyoor village within the Kannur district. The sanctuary is part of the Western Ghats region and is known for its diverse flora and fauna, as well as its rich biodiversity.
Q. Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary established in which year?
A. The Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary was officially established on March 1, 2011. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary as per government order G.O(MS)No.17/2011/F&WL. The sanctuary is located in the Kannur district of Kerala, India, and it was established to protect the diverse wildlife, habitats, and ecosystems found in the region.
Q. Which river is in Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary?
A. The Bavali River is the river that flows through the boundaries of the Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is located in the Kannur district of Kerala, India. The presence of the Bavali River adds to the ecological diversity and significance of the sanctuary's landscape, providing water sources and habitats for various aquatic and riparian species.
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