Koundinya wildlife sanctuary

Koundinya wildlife sanctuary

Subject : Environment

Context: An 18-member herd of all female elephants from the forests of Gudiyattam and Pernambattu of Tamil Nadu are currently on the prowl in the Koundinya wildlife sanctuary zone in Chittoor district, apparently “in search of mates”.

Concept:

Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and an elephant reserve situated in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Terrain:

• The sanctuary has dry deciduous forests with thorny scrubs interspersed with trees. These forests have small ponds, tanks and the Kaindinya and Kaigaltributaries of Palar River. The sanctuary is situated in region where the Kolar Plateau ends.
• A corridor for elephants is being planned between Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary and Sri Venkateswara National Park under Project Elephant.

Fauna:

• The sanctuary is primarily an elephant reserve and is home to about 78 Indian elephants.
• The vulnerable yellow-throated bulbul is present in the sanctuary.
• Some of the other animals found in the sanctuary are sloth bear, panther, cheetal, chowsingha, sambar, porcupine, wild boar, jungle cat, jackal, jungle fowl, starred tortoise and slender loris.

Significance of sanctuary: Migration 

• It is the only sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh with a population of Asian elephants, which migrated after 200 years from neighbouring region
• From 1983 to 1986, a sizable number of elephants began their journey from the forests of Anekal-Hosur in Tamil Nadu and Bannerghatta in Karnataka to seek alternative homes in other regions.
• A majority of the elephant population in Koundinya sanctuary is male. A majority of 40 tuskers and a negligible number of females.
• Only the female elephants move in large herds, while the tuskers form into small herds or move as loners. The Female herd has its habitat stretching from Gudiyattam to Mudumalai and Annamalai Hills of the Western Ghats