About Sharavathi Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary:
- It is located in Shimoga District in Karnataka.
- It lies in the Western Ghats.
- It was formed by combining the existing Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Aghanashini Lion-Tailed Macaque Conservation Reserve, and the adjoining reserve forest blocks.
- The sanctuary shares its southwestern boundary with the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The sanctuary is nourished by the Sharavathi River. The Linganamakki reservoir spread over an area of 128.7 kms, is a part of this sanctuary.
- Terrain: The overall terrain of the sanctuary is highly undulating, with altitude ranging from 94 m to 1102 m.
- The spectacular Jog Falls, where water from the Sharavathi River falls from a height of almost 300 m, is present on the northern boundary of the sanctuary.
- Vegetation: It mainly consists of tropical evergreen to semi-evergreen types of forests, moist deciduous forests, and grasslands and savanna.
- Flora: The sanctuary is immensely rich in species like Dhoopa, Gulmavu, Surahonne, Mavu, Nandi, etc.
- Fauna:
- It is home to the endangered lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), tiger, leopard, wild dog, jackal, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer, mouse deer, etc.
- It is home to approximately 700 lion-tailed macaques — the highest population of the endangered species in any protected area.
