Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary

 Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary : Recently, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) granted in-principle approval for the diversion of 142  hectares of forest land in Karnataka’s Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary, despite existing ecological concerns and the lack of forest clearance.

• About Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Wildlife Sanctuary: Lies within the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

o Covers an area of approximately 431.23 sq. km, including the Linganamakki reservoir

o Flora and Fauna: It supports diverse plant species such as Dhoopa, Gulmavu, Surahonne, Mavu, and Nandi

ü Lion-Tailed Macaque , tigers, leopards, wild dogs, jackals, sloth bears, deer species (spotted, sambar, barking, mouse), wild pigs, common langurs, bonnet macaques, and the Malabar giant squirrel, making it a crucial zone for wildlife conservation.

• About Lion-Tailed Macaque : It is a Old World monkey species that is arboreal and diurnal, with an omnivorous diet primarily consisting of fruits.

o Named for its lion-like tail – long, thin, and tufted.

o Found in the evergreen forests of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

o It is one of the smallest macaque species, distinguished by a grey mane encircling its face.

o Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered

ü CITES: Listed in Appendix I,

ü Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I