Biodiversity Heritage Site

The Kasampatty Veera Koil sacred grove represents a special fusion of socio-ecological, eco-theological and revered beliefs and is rich in biodiversity. The Kasampatty BHS encompass substantial regions safeguarded by the local community and are noteworthy for their significance, distinctiveness and biodiversity. And the local people of Kasampatty village exhibit extreme discipline by not taking out even a twig or leaf and prohibiting the use of footwear even while crossing or entering this sacred grove.

It is popularly believed to be a relic of the Chola Dynasty that ruled nearly 800 years ago, is spectacle of awesome wonder and a freakish site. This BHS spread over 54 acres comprising a population of nearly 300 trees, is a picture of dynamic pattern of plant diversity. The significant component of this popular structure is a group of old plants standing like ageless sentinels, firmly rooted to the ground with their gigantic trunks, along with large picturesque crowns spread very high and aloft like open wings.

terrain of 1700 feet deep valley and ecosystem of estimated age of 6 Million years and species of rare flora and fauna including rare Bryophytes and Pteridopytes;

This lake is a natural habitat of Critically Endangered freshwater ‘Black Softshell turtle’ Nilssonia nigricans and Endangered ‘Indian Peacock Softshell turtle’ Nilssonia hurum besides other major flora and fauna. This site also harbour the threatened species like Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Vulnerable Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), Leopard (Panthera pardus), Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus), Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), Capped Langur (Trachypithecus pileatus), Wreathed Hornbill (Rhyticeros undulatus) etc.

The site has an area of 1494.38 acres and it is present in Mamadapura village of Vijayapura taluk in Vijayapura district. It belongs to deciduous and dry deciduous forest category and comprises of Indian fox, leopard, hyaena and many other species of animals. The forest here plays a vital role in replenishing the ground water, soil stabilization and supporting the livelihoods of local communities. The surrounding waterbodies add natural beauty and aesthetic value to the site. The site is named after Sri Siddeshwara Swamiji, a deeply revered spiritual teacher, who was committed towards protecting the environment and for upliftment of the community, he also believed that the health of environment is directly linked to the well-being of people.

The area has unique Shola vegetation and grass land with number of floral species which are unique and having lot of medicinal value. Hogrekan is moderately wooded land and its vegetation is of dry deciduous type and has a link with Bababudanagiri and Kemmangundi, adjoining Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary and Yemmedode Tiger Reserve and serving as "Wildlife Corridor" between Kudremukha and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

The BHS hosts a unique diversity of Mangrove species with diverse flora and fauna. The area harbours 15 sp. of true mangroves, 22 sp. of mangroves associated. 122 sp. of plants, 34 sp. of edible fish and about 62 sp. of birds. Most importantly, the site has the rare and endangered heritage trees of Syzygium travancoricum which is listed as critically endangered in IUCN Red List.

This BHS has a good population of wild species of rice -Oryza rufipogon. The wetland located at 26.810888 N, 92.623559 E having area of 0.41 ha harbour a viable population of wild rice. This is a unique site due to population richness of this species, but both are vulnerable to climate change and anthropogenic activities. The species (O. rufipogon) possess genes for disease and pest resistance, tolerance to submergence and salinity, thus, important resource in breeding and improvement of rice crop and many of our current varieties derive many genes from this species. Its in-situ conservation for evolutionary process and adaptation to changing climate is important. 

This will be wealth for posterity not only for India but for the whole world. Oryza rufipogon, the progenitor of present-day cultivated rice, O. sativa, is one of the most studied wild species of rice. It is a perennial plant commonly found in a marsh or aquatic habitats of eastern and southern Asia. O. rufipogon is photosensitive in nature and flowers during short days during the months of November and December. The seeds have a tendency to shatter as soon as they mature. It is tolerant of flooding and acidic soils.

The Inland Mangrove Ecosystem near Guneri in Lakhpat of Kachchh is a rare and ecologically significant landscape. Unlike typical coastal mangroves, this inland site sustains mangrove vegetation like Avicennia marina through subsurface saline water and periodic tidal influences from the nearby Kori Creek. It stands out as an exceptional example of ecological adaptation and resilience in an arid zone. The area supports a range of biodiversity, including migratory birds, reptiles, and invertebrates, and contributes to groundwater recharge and soil stabilization. Its unique inland mangrove formation offers high ecological, scientific and conservation value

The GKVK campus is considered one of the greenest areas in Bengaluru. Biological diversity of this campus constitutes a critical repository of various forms of flora and fauna (including 13 sp of mammals, 10 sp of reptiles, 165 sp of birds and 530 sp of plants) which needs to be protected nurtured to posterity.

These are known to be the remnants of primeval forests of the Western Ghats with a history of over 140 million years. In addition, there are giant climbers, medicinal plants, edible fruits and wild vegetables. The wild gene pool of Myristica fatua (wild nutmeg), an economically important spice, is also preserved here.

This BHS has rich biological and historical significance with the presence of around 250 bird species including 3 flagship Raptor species - Laggar Falcon, Shaheen Falcon, Bonelli's Eagle and wildlife like Indan Pangolin, Python and Slender Loris.

This area has a unique ecosystem with traditional, cultural and rich heritage values coupled with critical habitat and ecosystem services to its rich diverse of flora and fauna. Elathur lake is one of the important bird habitats for wintering grounds and breeding grounds for resident & migratory birds and almost 5000 birds roost in this lake during peak migratory period.

It is a revenue land located between Sharavathi Wild Life Sanctuary and Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary. It has Shola vegetation which is primitive vegetation in the Western Ghat and also has grasslands.

The area holds a total of 610 germplasms of 49 crops including high economic value plants. There are number of plant types developed through genetic breeding programme within the garden. The site also has 165 wild plant species including 48 medicinal varieties, rare and endangered plant species. The garden has high density of Swietenia macrophylla (planted in 1874 with seeds obtained from Royal Botanical Garden, UK) and Ficus bengalensis with ideal conditions for their natural regeneration.

Mahendragiri hill is situated at an elevation between 700-1501 m above mean sea level in Gajapati district of Odisha. With increase altitude, the hill complex demonstrates several micro climatic conditions like tropical shola, tropical semievergreen, tropical moist-deciduous & tropical dry deciduous. The diversified vegetation with rich floral diversity representing 40% of the reported flora of Odisha. A total of 1,358 species of plants including 1,042 species of angiosperms under 122 families, 60 species of pteridophytes, 104 species of bryophytes, 53 species of lichens and 72 species of macro-fungi and 2 species of gymnosperms occurring in the hill ecosystem.The ancient temples of Kunti, Shima, Arjuna and Yudhisthir at Mahendragiri have been declared as protected monuments under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological sites and Remains Act 1958 by the State Government. These monuments provide a sacred and holy background for receiving about one lakh devotees annually every year to worship the deities of the hill

This area has a unique ecosystem with hillock covered by native vegetation with dry deciduous, thorny and scrub forest type with sporadic grassland ecosystem which supports rich diverse of flora and fauna and breeding centre for migratory birds. Nagamalai hillock area holds 138 plant species, 118 bird species and 94 faunal species besides traditional, cultural and heritage values and render service to local community as a form of local tradition worshipping deity-Sacred grove.

It is a reserved forest being preserved as natural forest having biological, ethinical and historical values.

The site is habitat of wild animals & rare species of plants and grass. More than 150 species of birds, 24 species of mammals, have been recorded in this area. The natural plantation of Bori (Zizyphus jujube) tree is unique and survived since old ages.

Rich Heritage of indigenous germplasm of horticulture and medicinal plants. It provides good habitat for good number of avifauna, butterflies and other insects