Endemic fauna in Western Ghats require contiguous habitat for survival. Study of LTM’s in the Sharavathi river basin indicates that population increase and consequent anthropogenic activities, including unplanned developmental activities, are the major reasons for degradation of habitats, deforestation and consequent decline in biodiversity. The study suggests that shrinkage of habitat due to regressive, divisive and intrusive fragmentation processes in the river basin needs to be checked through appropriate restoration and management measures.

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the support and funding provided by the Western Ghats Task Force, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Biodiversity Board, Government of Karnataka, The Ministry of Science and Technology, The Environment and Forests, Government of India and Indian Institute of Science. We thank  Mr. Susanto Sen for proof reading and useful suggestions.