Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary:
Sewage from commercial activities related to religious tourism in Kollur has emerged as a threat to the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary in Udupi district, with the depleted Souparnika river carrying sewage and sludge to the core area in summer.
- It is located in the Udupi district of Karnataka.
- The sanctuary is named after the presiding deity of the Kollur Mookambika Temple, which is located within its boundaries.
- It forms a vital connecting link between Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary located on the southern side and Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary located on the northern side.
- At the heart of the sanctuary lies the revered Kodachadri Peak, often referred to as a “botanical paradise.”
- The sanctuary boasts two significant rivers – River Chakra and River Souparnika.
- It is home to many beautiful waterfalls such as Koosalli waterfalls and Belkal Theertha waterfalls.
- The vegetation type is a mix of evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests covering the steep slopes typical of the Western Ghats Mountains.
- Some of the eminent tree species are found in this region, including trees like Dipterocarpus Indicus, Calophyllum Tomentosum, and Hopea Parviflora.
- A rare species of the climber, Coscinium Fenestratum, is found here.
- Small patches of teak plantations are also there.
- It is known for the presence of rare animals like the slender loris and lion-tailed macaque, alongside larger wildlife such as tiger, leopard, sloth bear, sambar deer, chital, wild pig, barking deer, gaur, porcupine, and otter.
