Source: TH
Subject: Mapping
Context: A recent faunal survey in the Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary has recorded several new species of birds, butterflies, and odonates, significantly enriching Kerala’s biodiversity database.
About Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary:
What it is?
- Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Western Ghats, known for its exceptional biodiversity, wide altitudinal range, and intact forest ecosystems.
Located in:
- The sanctuary falls under the Nilambur forest landscape, an ecologically rich belt of the Western Ghats known for dense forests and high endemism.
- Its position on the Nilgiri slopes places it within a critical Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, influencing rainfall, vegetation, and species diversity.
History:
- Notified in 2020
- Kerala’s 18th Wildlife Sanctuary and 24th Protected Area
- First wildlife sanctuary in Malappuram district
Key geographical & ecological features:
- Sharp altitudinal gradient (40 m to >2,550 m): The wide elevation range creates varied climatic conditions, supporting species adapted to both lowland and montane ecosystems.
- Seven forest types (unique in Kerala): The coexistence of seven distinct forest types in one landscape makes it ecologically exceptional and highly biodiverse.
- Semi-evergreen & evergreen forests: Support dense canopy, high rainfall species, and endemic flora.
- Moist deciduous forests: Act as crucial habitats for large mammals and seasonal biodiversity.
- Sub-tropical savannah & hill forests: Provide transitional ecosystems supporting grassland–forest species.
- Montane wet temperate forests & grasslands: Sustain high-altitude endemics and regulate hydrology.
- Ecological corridor: By linking Silent Valley National Park and Mukurthi National Park, it ensures habitat continuity for wildlife movement across state boundaries.
- New Amarambalam Reserve inclusion: This largely undisturbed forest tract preserves near-pristine ecosystems, serving as a genetic and ecological refuge within the Western Ghats.
Significance:
- Biodiversity hotspot:
- Hosts key Western Ghats endemics such as Nilgiri tahr and lion-tailed macaque
- Rich diversity of birds, butterflies, odonates, amphibians, reptiles, and freshwater fish
- Landscape connectivity: Ensures habitat continuity across Kerala–Tamil Nadu forests, crucial for large mammals and migratory species
