BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT Daroji
	Setting | Threats | Knowledge Individuals | Habitat | Life Scape | Management

1. Name of the Hotspot: Daroji Bear Sanctuary, declared on 17-10-1994.

2. Focal species:

            a. Plants

Acacia spp, Albizzia amara, Carissa caranda, Cassia fistula, Diospyros paniculata, Ficus glomerata, Ficus tomentosa, Givotea rottleriformis, Grewia damenae, Grewia spp., Holoptelia integrifolia,  Morinda tomentosa, Parkinsonia digitata,  Pavetta indica, Randia uliginosa, Wrightia tinctoria, Ximenia spp, Zizyphus jujuba, Zizyphus oocarpa,

 (List attached)

            b. Mammals

Panther, Jungle Cat, Wolf, Common Civet, Palm Civet, Striped Hyena, Jackal, Bonnet Macaque, Blacknaped Hare, Porcupine, Common Mongoose, Common Langur, Wild Boar, Three Striped Palm Squirrel, Shrew, Sloth Bear, Pangolin, Fruit Bat

            c. Reptiles

Checkered Keelback, Rat Snake, Russell’s Viper, Saw Scaled Viper, Spectacled Cobra, Whip Snake, Forest Calotes, Monitor Lizard, Starred Tortoise.

 (List attached)

            d. Birds

Cattle Egret, Collared Dove, Common Babbler, Common Quail, Common Treepie, Cormorant, Crested Lark, Grey Headed Myna, Grey Junglefowl, Grey Partridge, House Sparrow, Indian Jungle Nightjar, Large Egret, Large Grey Babbler, Little Brown Dove, Little Egret, Little Grebe, Median Egret, Paddy Bird, Painted Spurfowl, Peafowl, Cliff Swallow, Sandgrouse, Sparrow Lark, Turtle Dove, Whiteheaded Babbler, Whitenecked Stork, Yellow Throated Bulbul.

 (List attached)

            e. Fishes

Amblypharyngodon mola, Barilius barila, Catla catla, Cirrhinus mrigala, Cirrhinus reba,

Danio aequipinnatus, Esomus danricus, Labeo calbasu, Labeo rohita, Puntius amphibius, Puntius chola, Rasbora daniconius, Salmestoma acinaces,

 (List attached)

               (Source Mr. Chandrashekaraiah & Mr. Rahman)

3. Coordinating Team:

4. Investigating Team:

Chief Investigator: S G Neginhal IFS

            Experience/expertise: Wildlife Management Expert

            Co Investigators: Harish Bhat, Pramod Subbarao, Karthik G.

            Experience/expertise: Researcher and Naturalists

5. Dates of data collection: From 31-10-2003 To 02-11-2003

                                           From 25-12-2003 To 28-12-2003

6. Process of data collection: Field visits, Interviews and Interaction with villagers.

7. Sources of information:

·        Mr. S N Math, Range Forest Officer, Daroji Bear Sanctuary

·        Mr. Chandrappa - Forester

·        Mr. Kumar – Watcher

·        Mr. Chigari – Watcher

·        Mr. Palayya - Guard

·        NGOs

·        Local Villagers

·        Veterinarians

·        Tribals

·        Artisans

8. Number of man-days consumed in data collection: 31 days

1.      Location:             Daroji Bear Sanctuary

Hospot & Sandur Talukas,

Bellary District.

2.      Area (in ha or sq.km.): 5587.3 ha (55.87 sq km)

(Daroji Block (3000 ha approx) + Kamalapura Block (2500 ha approx)) formed out of Bilikal Reserve Forest.

3.      Latitude/Longitude/Altitude:

Latitude: 15° 16¢ 472² N

Longitude: 76° 34¢ 66² E

Altitude: 647 m

Temperature: 20° C - 43° C

Average Annual Rainfall: 531 mm (2001-03)

4.      Village/Taluk/Town/District:

Taluks: Kamalapura & Devalapura (in Hospet) and Daroji (in Sandur)

District: Bellary

5.      Maps (Kind of map and the scale):

Map – Physical, Scale – 2 cm = 1km

(Topo sheet # 57A/12, 57A/11, 57A/8)

6.      Mode of access (Distance from Railway/Bus station):

7.      Facilities to stay closest to the hotspot:

i.                    Hotels at Hospet (Rent ranges from Rs 250.00 to Rs 1000.00)

a.      Mallige Hotel

b.      Priyadarshini Hotel

c.       Mayura Bhuvaneshwari

ii.                 Forest Guest House at Kamalapura (Restricted to Forest Officers)

iii.               University Guest House (Restricted Admission)

iv.               Government Accommodation

a.      HPC TB Board Guest House, Kamalapura

b.      Vaikunta Guest House, TB Board, Hospet (Restricted Admission)

c.       Indira Bhavan, Munirabad

8.      Tariff (if any) to be paid to visit the hotspots:

Tickets (subject to revision) should be purchased when entering from main gate.

i.                    Entry fee per day:

a.      Adults (Indians): Rs. 20.00

b.      Foreign Nationals: Rs. 60.00

ii.                 Safari:

a.      Safari in departmental bus, per person: Rs. 25.00 per trip.

(Subject to minimum amount of Rs. 250.00 per trip)

b.      Safari in department jeep, per person: Rs. 50.00 per trip.

(Subject to minimum amount of Rs. 150.00 per trip)

c.       Safari in private vehicle if permitted

                                                              i.      Jeep/Car: Rs. 150.00 per day

                                                           ii.      LCV: Rs. 200.00 per day

                                                         iii.      Bus/Truck: Rs. 300.00 per day

iii.               Guide fees (One day or part thereof)

While accompanying private vehicle or safari: Rs. 100.00 per guide.

iv.               Amateur Photography fee

a.      Manual/Digital Still Camera: Nil

b.      Handy cam (or equivalent small): Rs. 50.00 per day.

c.       Larger video camera: Rs.100.00 per day

(Note: Payable only if taken out during the activities)

v.                  Parking of overnight halt vehicles at reception centre or elsewhere inside the wildlife sanctuary.

a.      Cycle: Nil.

b.      Motorcycle/Scooter: Nil

c.       Jeep/Car: Rs. 20.00 per night.

d.     LCV: Rs. 30.00 per night.

e.      Bus/Truck: Rs. 40.00 per night.

vi.               Trekking Activities:

a.      Entry fee per person: Rs.20.00

b.      Trekking fee per person: Rs. 50.00 per day.

c.       Trekking guide (per guide): Rs. 100.00 per day.

d.     Night halt at camping site per person: Rs. 50.00 per night.

9.      Controlling authorities:

i.                    Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife)

Karnataka Forest Department, Aranya Bhavan

Malleswaram 18^th Cross

Bangalore – 560 003

Ph: 334 5846, 334 3464

ii.                 Assistant Conservator of Forests

Wild Life Preservation Sub-Division,

Ranebennur, Haveri District.

Ph: (08373) 860394

iii.               Range Forest Officer

Wild Life Preservation Range, Kamalapura,

Vidyaranya – 583 276.

Taluk Hospet, Dist Bellary

Ph: (08394) 441869

10.  Classes of Landscape:

Undulating landscape with stunted vegetation within exposed granite boulders.  There are several huge rock caves inhabited by the sloth bears currently, but appears to have been inhabited by the humans in the past as authenticated by the broken earthenware, rock paintings.  There are some sites where worshipping of gods are found for ex, Hanumappana Doni, where the pond in the rock crevice and erected stone pillar.

11.  Water bodies:

In Daroji block of the sanctuary, Tungabhadra High Level Canal flows in the middle and also along the periphery of the sanctuary.

i.                    Tungabhadra river flows in Hospet and Anegundi

ii.                 Tungabhadra canals.

iii.               Water tanks

v     Chigaripalya Kere, Dharmasagara Kere, Dolikunte Kere, Karelekka Kere, Kudurepalya Kere, Obalapura Kere, Ramanna Kere, Vaddikere, Chinnapura Kere, KerekereMale Kere, Mavina Kere (Tanks in Kamalapura block)

v     Barebenche Kere, Daroji Kere, Halugollada Kere, Hirehuli Kere, Jali Kere, Kumbara Kere, Kenchappanabavi Kere, Ramayanna Kere, Sule Kere, Soulu Kere, Shanabogara Kere (Tanks in Daroji block)

iv.               Streams

v     Adda halla, Benchimatti halla, Belagam halla, Chigaripalya halla, Dolikunti halla, Dubba halla, Guadalidoni halla, Hiregundin halla, Hunachimarada halla, Karenala halla, Mavinakere halla, Navilooti halla (Streams in Kamalapura block)

v     Chiratematti halla, Halugolla halla, Hirehulikere halla, Jalikere halla, Jalibenchi halla, Kenchappabhavi halla, Kempu hotel halla, Ramayanna halla, Sulekere halla, Soulukere halla, Vajurappabhavi halla, Shanubhogara halla, Ullibayalu halla (Streams in Daroji block)

v.                  Pickup Dams

v     Chinnapura pickup dam (Adda halla)

v     Kudurepalya pickup dam (Near watch tower)

vi.               Wells

v     2 ancient wells are found in the sanctuary.

vii.             Borewells – Sunk by Forest Department

v     Bukka borewell, Hukka borewell (in Kamalapura block)

v     Vidyaranya borewell (in Daroji block)

12.  Human populations: No human settlements within the sanctuary.

13.  Presence of Scheduled tribes or Nomadic tribes population: (In the peripheral villages)

i.                    Sillekyatha

ii.                 Lambanis

iii.               Bedar

iv.               Naik

v.                  Kurubas

14.  Livestock: Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Pigs from peripheral villages.

15.  Irrigation status & Major crops: (Grown in peripheral villages)

Irrigation is mainly by Tungabhadra canals, rainwater, bore and open wells.

Major Crops – Jowar, Ragi, Sajje, Navane, Paddy, Sunflower, Groundnut, Gurellu, Linseed, Plantain, Sugarcane, Maize, Chilli, Onion, Turdal, Averekalu, Hesarakalu, Horsegram.

16.  Significant forest produce:

Honey & Wax, Soapnut, Tumri leaves, Badhe hullu (Grass for thatching), Zizyphus fruits, Kavali fruits, Levi fruits.

17.  Quantities recorded at the Range or Divisional Forest offices: NTFP not extracted in the sanctuary.

18.  Cooperative societies and their transactions: None

19.  Significant fresh water fish productions: No fish harvesting in the sanctuary.

20.  Disposal of fishing rights (Leasing/Auctioning/License): By Auction for water bodies situated outside the sanctuary.

21.  Significant estuarine & marine fish/shell fish productions: NA.

22.  Number and type of fishing crafts: Coracle and angling are used for fishing outside the sanctuary.

23.  Nearest Fishing landing centres: NA.

24.  Availability of fish processing facilities: NA.

25.  Mining and quarrying activities:

Around the periphery of the sanctuary, large quantities of iron ore and small quantities of manganese ore are being extracted. Quartz, granite and road metal quarries are found around the sanctuary.

26.  Sources & extent of air and water pollution:

Due to extensive extraction of iron ore, the water of Kamalapura tank and other smaller tanks have turned reddish brown, endangering fishes, birds, cattle and human population.  Silts are deposited both in major and minor tanks and also in Tungabhadra reservoir.

27.  Prevalence of Human diseases: AIDS, Malaria, Dengue, TB.

28.  Prevalence of Livestock diseases: H S, Rinderpest, Foot and Mouth disease, Anthrax.

29.  Educational institutions:

i.                    Kannada Vishwavidyalaya – Hampi.

ii.                 Proudadevaraya Engineering College – Hospet.

iii.               Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya – Hospet.

iv.               Kalavidyalaya.

30.  Cooperative societies:

i.                    Vijayanagara Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha, Kamalapura.

ii.                 Taluka Artisans Marketing Society, Hospet.

iii.               Vyavasaya Seva Sahakari Sangha, Hospet.

31.  Youth clubs:

i.                    Jolly Mitra Tanda, Kamalapura.

ii.                 Vidyaranya Yuvaka Mandala, Kamalapura.

32.  Ladies clubs:

i.                    Ambika Yuvathi Mandala, Kamalapura.

33.  Active NGOs:

i.                    Spurthi, Sandur – Involved in Environmental Awareness.

ii.                 Don Bosco, Hospet – Child Labour.

iii.               Arunodaya Pairada, Papanayakanahalli – Environmental Awareness and Child Labour.

iv.               Mahila Samaja, Hospet.

v.                  Vijayanagar Officials Association, Kamalapura – Social Work.

1.      Inventory of two kinds of activities affecting the core area as well as zone of influence

Table – 1

Table-2

a.      Preparation of sketch map of the landscape

1.      For zone of influence

2.      For zone of influence

b.     Description of Habitat types

1.      Habitat type: Deccan Plateau scrub jungle with granite boulder outcrops.

Rock and Soil: Mainly granite with many varieties of Schist, Gneiss. Near Paravalamma mines a monolith quartzite rock pillar of 250 feet height and 15 feet wide is found. The local people light the lamps on this pillar on Ugadi day. This is an unique spot nearby but outside the Daroji Sanctuary.

2.      Local name (if any): Agasibande Gudda, Addagallu Gudda, Benchi Gudda, Bolu Gudda, Chigarepalya Gudda, Chiratematti Gudda, Dharmasagarmule Gudda, Durgammannabande Gudda, Gangalabande Gudda, Gangalabenchu Gudda, Gudi Bheemappana Gudda, Handi Gudda, Hiregundina Gudda, Hirevari Gudda, Hejjenumule Gudda, Honnappana Gudda, Karadi Gudda, Karadi Sakrappanna Gundu Gudda, Karemetti Gudda, Kotigally Gudda, Koti Gudda, Rajanabande Gudda, Sanna Buddamale, Siddappana Gudda, Veekshana Gopura Gudda, Yedurumattikere Gudda

3.      Approximate total area (ha): 5587.3

4.      Special significance of the habitat type (if any): Typical Deccan Plateau flora & fauna

5.      Management regimes: Management regime with Karnataka Forest Department (Wildlife Division).

6.      Goods and Services provided by the habitat: Proper dwelling places to the Sloth Bears, Panthers and other wild animals as well as the flora.

7.      Bads and Disservices provided by the habitat: NA.

8.      Significant ecological processes influenced by the habitat:  Regeneration & establishment of Deccan flora and fauna in the sanctuary.

9.      Significant man- induced processes influenced by the habitat: The Karnataka Forest Department has given total protection to the habitat by stopping illicit felling, grazing, poaching of animals and ensnaring of birds. This has resulted in fast improvement of the vegetation to reach successional climax of Deccan flora.

10.  Interacting individuals and institutions (Local): No interaction of individuals and institutions.

11.  Activities: No activities within the sanctuary.

c.       History of important habitat patches over 10-15/40-50 years

1.      Type and name of the habitat patch: Thorny scrub and deciduous forests, interspersed by rocky outcrops

2.      Change in

i.                    Area: No change.

ii.                 Vegetation strata: Transformation of scrub jungle to thickets.

3.      Aquatic habitat change in

i.                    Catchment area: No change.

ii.                 Aquatic fauna: NA.

iii.               Aquatic flora: Infestation of the tanks by Aquatic weeds like Eichornia, Ipomoea fistula.

4.      Significant ecological processes influencing the habitat patch: Little change

5.      Significant man induced processes influencing the habitat patch:

v     Improvement of forest cover due to protection given to the flora and fauna.

v     Afforestation program and water conservation measures taken by the forest department.

6.      Productivity of Goods and Services: Little change.

7.      Extent of Bads and Disservices: Mining activities at the peripheral areas have influenced more on the environment.

8.      Reasons for ongoing changes:

Hospet and Bellary are very rich in iron and manganese ores, which has attracted number of major, minor mining and manufacturing industries in the above area that has greatly influenced the environment of the peripheral areas of the sanctuary.

9.      Gainers: The local and the outsiders are benefited due to the extraction of iron and manganese ores.

10.  Losers: People depending on the local biodiversity

11.  Desired changes/Desired future:

Mining should be banned at the peripheral areas of the sanctuary and the pollutants entering the water bodies need regulated. The sanctuary promotes conservation of the Deccan flora and fauna, which was destroyed so far. Local people’s participation in the decision making along with the forest department would be enhance the conservation of flora and fauna.

12.  Desired management system: The present ongoing management of protecting the natural flora and fauna should continue.

13.  Suggested component for a feasible management plant for that habitat patch: Afforestation with native fruit yielding species favouring the sloth bears and other wild animals and birds should be taken up along with water conservation programs like desilting of existing tanks, building new tanks and water-bodies and gully plugging etc. Further steps should be taken to reduce man-animal conflict. Adding up more adjoining areas to the sanctuary for proper management and protection to the sloth bears and other wild animals and their habitats.

a.      Naturally occurring species of significance

1.                  Flowering plants:

1.      Acacia leucophloea

2.      Acacia catechu

3.      Acacia nilotica

4.      Acacia sp.

5.      Achyranthes aspera

6.      Aerua lanata

7.      Alangium lamarkii

8.      Albizzia odoratissima

9.      Albizzia amara

10.  Anogeissus latifolia

11.  Aristida ringens

12.  Asparagus racemosus

13.  Calotropis gigantea

14.  Canthium sp.

15.  Capparis divaricata

16.  Capparis horrida

17.  Capparis zeylanica

18.  Cardiospermum halicacabum

19.  Carissa caranda

20.  Cassia absus

21.  Cassia fistula

22.  Cocculus hirsutus

23.  Cochliospermum religiosum

24.  Crotalaria sp.

25.  Cryptolepis buchananii

26.  Cuscuta reflexa

27.  Cymbopogon sp.

28.  Daemia pergularia

29.  Diospyros paniculata

30.  Evolvulus alsinoides

31.  Ficus arnottiana

32.  Ficus benghalensis

33.  Ficus glomerata

34.  Ficus racemosa

35.  Ficus tomentosa

36.  Givotea rottleriformis

37.  Grewia damine

38.  Grewia sp.

39.  Grewia tiliaefolia

40.  Hemidesmus indicus

41.  Holoptelia integrifolia

42.  Indigofera tinctoria

43.  Ipomoea sp.

44.  Lepidagathes cuspidate

45.  Leucas aspera

46.  Melia dubea

47.  Merremia tridentate

48.  Morinda tinctoria

49.  Morinda tomentosa

50.  Ocimum sp.

51.  Parkinsonia digitata

52.  Pavetta indica

53.  Phoenix sylvatica

54.  Pupalia lappacea

55.  Randia uliginosa

56.  Sapindus trifoliatus

57.  Syzygium cumini

58.  Tephrosia purpurea

59.  Triumpheta sp.

60.  Witharia somnifera

61.  Wrightia tinctoria

62.  Ximenia spp

63.  Zizyphus jujuba

64.  Zizyphus oocarpa

2.                  Lichens: Crustose and foliose lichens

3.                  Annelida: Earthworms

4.                  Insects:

v     Butterfly

5.                        Crustacea: Crab

6.                        Other Arthropods: Not observed.

7.                        Other invertebrates: Not observed.

8.                        Fishes:

(Source: Mr. Chandrashekariah & Mr. Rahman)

9.                        Amphibians: Rana tigrina.

10.                    Reptiles:

v     Lizards

v     Snakes

v     Tortoises

q       Starred tortoise (Geochelone elegans)

q       Indian Flap Shell (Lissemys punctata)

11.  Birds:

12. Mammals:

b.     Additional information on species of significance

1.      Most common local name of the species (Language):

2.      Scientific name of the species: See the table above.

3.      Habitat favoured: Scrub forest.

4.      Value to local community: NA.

5.      Major uses/ill effects: NA.

6.      Value of global relevance (as rare, threatened or endangered):

c.       Inventory of significant varieties of domestic plants/animals

1.      Local name of Species: NA.

2.      Scientific name of species: NA.

3.      Local name of variety: NA.

4.      Language employed: NA.

5.      Distinctive features of the species/varieties: NA.

6.      Value to local community: NA.

7.      Major uses: NA.

8.      Value of global relevance (as rare, threatened or endemic etc.): NA.

d.     History of significant species/varieties

1.      Most common name of the species: NA.

2.      Scientific name: NA.

3.      Most common local name of variety: NA.

4.      Existing management authority: NA.

5.      Fish breeding season: NA.

6.      Fishing methods (Types of nets used): NA.

7.      Existing management authority: NA.

8.      Current level of abundance: NA.

9.      Trend in abundance in last 10-15/40-50 years: NA.

10.  Significant ecological processes influencing the species/varieties: NA.

11.  Significance man induced processes influencing the species/variety: NA.

12.  Reasons for the ongoing change: NA.

13.  Gainers (Internal/External): NA.

14.  Losers (Internal/External): NA.

15.  Desired changes/Desired future: NA.

16.  Desired management system: NA.

17.  Suggested component for a feasible management plan for the species/variety: NA.

a.      Perspectives of others

1.      Desired response (options of different members of local or outside communities/institutions/government agencies/industrial or mining undertaking etc. to be recorded):

Local villagers are happy with the management as the man and sloth bear conflict is reduced now. On account of the food bearing plants available in the sanctuary, the bears have reduced raiding of the crops.

2.      Significance of management issues and response options: Conservation of Deccan flora and fauna.

3.      Management issues pertaining to:                      

a.      Habitat and/or: Due to protection given to the local flora, the Deccan Plateau forest is re-establishing.

b.     Species/variety: Due to protection given to the local flora, the Deccan fauna and avifauna are re-establishing.

4.      Customary/Administrative:                                              

Customary: Customary hunting during the festivals like Sankranthi needs to be discouraged.

Administrative: The present administrative set up is more than a decade old. Staff needs reinforcement and upgradation.

5.      Since how long the arrangements have been in practice:

Customary practices are age-old. The Administrative practices are over a decade old.

6.      Changes if any in management pattern over last 10-15/40-50 years:

In the past the natural vegetation was destroyed for fuel and due to constant wars during the empire of Vijayanagara kings. Now Deccan flora and fauna are re-establishing due to the protection given.

7.      Desired changes/Desired future: The present forest management actions to be continued.

8.      Desired management system: The present forest management actions to be continued.

b.     Perspectives of Investigators:

v     The area of the sanctuary is to be increased by adding the adjoining areas to the protected area.

v     Present management system to conserve flora and fauna should be continued.

c.       Desired and feasible pattern of management that should be promoted in the opinion of the investigators:

v     Make cattle proof trenches to prevent the cattle entering protected area and wild animals straying outside the sanctuary.

v     To increase the potential food for the sloth bear and other wild herbivores and birds by planting fodder/fruit yielding local trees in the protected area.

v     Promote apiculture inside the protected area that will supplement the sloth bears’ diet.

v     The present management practices of the Forest Department in protecting the local flora and fauna to be continued.

v     Exotic plants should not be planted inside/near the protected area.

d.     Suggested strategy for promoting these desired patterns of management and the communication needs for the purpose:

i.        Present protection strategies followed by the Forest Department to be continued.

ii.     Walkie-Talkie, Arms, Wireless and Vehicles to be provided to the forest personnel.

iii.   Photographic documentation to be done.

e.      Cultural, religious, recreational, scenic, tourist significance of the hotspot:

              i.                                                      Local villagers respect sloth bears as avatar of Jaambavantha and Kurubas feel the wolves lifting sheep ushers in prosperity for them.

           ii.                                                      The sanctuary is attracting many tourists both domestic and foreign, and ecologists too, thus fast developing into a tourist spot.

f.       Ecological evaluation of the hotspot:

Unique and endangered Deccan flora and fauna with focal species such as Sloth Bear, Wolf, Painted Spurfowl, Yellow Throated Bulbul, Morinda tomentosa, Grewia daminae are re-establishing.

g.      Suggested follow up investigations:

v     Periodic census of animals and birds to be conducted.

v     Nature interpretation centres to be established.

v     Education and awareness to be taken in local communities.

h.     Any other suggested follow up:

v      Management plan is to be written immediately.

v      Behaviour, breeding, food of Sloth Bear, Wolf to be studied.

v      Helmets to be provided, and made mandatory to be worn on duty to all the forest personnel.

v      Spotting scope to be installed at strategic locations, thus enabling the tourists to see the wildlife easily.

v      A depiction of the caves to be made on a board of reasonable dimension, which would help the tourists in locating the caves from which the bears emerge.