NEWS – The recommendations of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to notify the entire Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary as a core and critical area of Bandipur Tiger Reserve are yet to be implemented.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Mysore district, Karnataka.
• It spans an area of 30.32 sq km, making it small but ecologically significant.
• Notified as a wildlife sanctuary on 9 March 1998.

Recommendations for Core Status

• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recommended notifying the sanctuary as a core and critical area of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
• Implementation of these recommendations is still pending.

GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES

• Location:
  • Situated in Heggadadevanakote Taluk of Mysore district.
  • Approximately 60 km from Mysore city and 30 km from Nanjanagud town.
  • Lies north of the Bandipur National Park.
• Boundaries:
  • Western boundary: Nugu reservoir.
  • Southern boundary: Alaganchi State Forest (part of Bandipur National Park).
• Accessibility:
  • Connected by all-weather roads from Mysore and Gundlupet.
  • Nearest railhead: Nanjanagud.
• Habitat: Range from open dry deciduous forests to tropical mixed deciduous forests.
• Biogeographic Zone: Part of the Western Ghats.
• Grasslands and Migration:
  • During summer, grasslands emerge due to receding reservoir levels.
  • This attracts migrating elephants from the Bandipur forests.