Karnataka state has 43,35,694 Ha forest cover under reserved forest (29,55,022.37 Ha) protected forest (3,58,521.03 Ha), deemed forest (10,11,839.82 Ha) and other minor forest cover. Karnataka state has 5 National Parks, 27 Wildlife Sanctuaries and 8 Conservation and Community Reserves to protect the environment and wildlife. ADTR (Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve) wild life division is formed by Dandeli Wild Life Sanctuary and Anashi National Park notified under section of wild life protection act (WPA), 1972 as (amended upto 2003) with an area of 136774.17 ha. The region has lush green cover and harbours diverse flora and fauna. Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary (SWLS) is located in the Sharavathi river basin dominated by dense evergreen to semi evergreen forests in the hills and moist deciduous in foot hills.  It was declared as protected wild life sanctuary under section 18 of WPA, 1972 as (amended upto 2003). It is a rich habitat for many exotic species of animals including the lion-tail Macaque, varied mammals, birds and tigers with regular river flow. Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Udupi district of Karnataka, named after the goddess Mookambika. The sanctuary was established with AFD.48.FWL.74, dated: 22-05-1978. The lion-tailed macaque and cane turtle found in dense evergreen to semi evergreen forests and rivers Chakra and Sowparnika drain the sanctuary.

Figure 1: Protected areas selected for the study.