Area 82.72 km² Established 1994 | Phone 080 3017 8146 | |
 | ||
Location Ballari district, Karnataka, India Nearest city Ballari, Ballari district Governing body Kamalapura Wildlife Subdivision, Karnataka Forest Department Address Seetharama Tanda, Karnataka 583215 Hours Open today · 2–5PMSaturday2–5PMSunday2–5PMMonday2–5PMTuesday2–5PMWednesday2–5PMThursday2–5PMFriday2–5PM Similar Matanga Hill, Virupaksha Temple, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Hemakuta Hill Temple, Badavilinga Temple | ||
Hampi daroji sloth bear sanctuary
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is located in Ballari district in Karnataka. It is spread over 82.72 km2 (31.94 sq mi). The sanctuary was created exclusively for the preservation of Indian Sloth Bear. It is about 50 km from Ballari and about 15 km from the World heritage site Hampi. The area between Daroji in Sandur taluk and Ramasagar of Hospet Taluk is host to numerous Indian Sloth Bears.
Contents
- Hampi daroji sloth bear sanctuary
- Sloth bears cuddling daroji sloth bear sanctuary
- Mythology
- Flora Fauna
- Man and Animal Conflicts
- References
In October 1994, Government of Karnataka vide notification "Apaji-159-FWL-91, dated 17-10-1994", declared 5587.30 hectares of the Bilikallu reserve forest as Daroji Bear Sanctuary. Subsequently in October 2009, the government added 2685.50 hectares of the Bukkasagara Reserve Forest to the sanctuary, vide notification "No.FEE-119.FW/2008-09, dated: 03-10-2009". This resulted in the overall area to increase from 5587.30 hectares to 8272.80 hectares.
The sanctuary is open between 4 PM to 6 PM on all days. There is a watch tower within the sanctuary, opposite Karadikallu Gudda, that provides a vantage point to view the bears descending from the adjacent hillocks during evening hours.
Sloth bears cuddling daroji sloth bear sanctuary
Mythology
Ramayana's mythical Kishkinda (Anegundi) is believed to be located on the bank of the Tungabhadra river. In the war against Ravana, Kishkinda the monkey kingdom of Sugriva, was Rama’s ally. When Rama’s army crossed Hampi en route to Sri Lanka they met Jambavantha, the bear, who joined the army.
Flora & Fauna
The flora of this sanctuary is primarily dry deciduous scrub and Southern thorn forests. At the time of declaration of the sanctuary, it was a large area of barren hillocks. But persistent efforts from Karnataka Forest Department has transformed the area into lush green forest, filled with local species of flora.
The sanctuary's flagship species is the Indian Sloth Bear / Melursus ursinus. It has a very stable population of Sloth bears and they reside in the numerous caves found in the hillocks within the sanctuary. Tiger, Leopard, Spotted Deer, Monitor Lizard, Mongoose, Pangolins, Star Tortoise etc. are some of the other animals that abound in the sanctuary.
Man and Animal Conflicts
The bears are threatened due to illegal mining in fragmented areas of the adjoining forests. The forest department and NGOs have also rescued many domestic bears from Daroji and surrounding areas. The age old practice of capturing a bear cub (claws are pulled out and male cubs are castrated) and domestication by Kalandars has reduced to a great extent, due to laws declaring them illegal. The domesticated bears were taken from home to home across villages and made to dance according to the direction of the Kalandars.