Why Karnataka?

Karnataka is one of India’s most ecologically significant states, home to:

• 2 major biogeographic zones: the Western Ghats and Deccan Plateau

• 5 tiger reserves: Bandipur, Nagarahole, BRT, Dandeli-Anshi (Kali), and Bhadra

• Over 25 wildlife sanctuaries and 6 national parks

• Rich avian diversity: from the Great Indian Bustard,Malabar Trogon to the Great Hornbill

• Threatened ecosystems: grasslands, scrub jungles, various types of forests, sacred groves, riverine forests, marine wildlife etc.

However, the state faces challenges like habitat fragmentation, habitat destruction, urban encroachment, human-wildlife conflict, and declining native species. Vanamitra Foundation works to address these issues at the community, ecological, and policy levels.

What We Do

• Founders of Vanamitra Foundation has experience of more than 30 years for collaborating with the Karnataka Forest Department.

• Successfully lobbied in formation of 3 Protected Areas in undivided Ballari district.

• Identified previously unrecorded habitat of Great Indian Bustard in the remote corner of Ballari and Andhra Pradesh border.

• Developed habit of Bird Watching and wildlife photography among the people of North Karnataka.

• Collaborating with Forest Department in Research and documentation of wildlife and its habitat for long term conservation.

Wildlife Conservation in Karnataka

We focus on flagship and lesser-known species of the region:

• Indian Sloth Bear, Indian Leopard, Grey Wolf, Four-horned Antelope, Indian Black Buk.

• Royal Bengal Tigers in Bandipur and Nagarahole.

• Asian Elephants, Indian Gaur, Slender Loris and many more Mammals.

• King Cobras in the Western Ghats.

Otters and Crocodiles along the Cauvery and Tungabhadra Rivers.

We collaborate with forest department, local communities, and researchers to create awareness and to implement conservation strategies and reduce human-wildlife conflict.