Maidenahalli Blackbuck Reserve

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Maidenahalli Blackbuck Reserve or Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve neighbours Maidenahalli, a small village in Madhugiri Taluk, at the north-eastern tip of Tumkur district of Karnataka state, India. This area is a part of the plains of Deccan plateau and borders Anantpur District of Andhra Pradesh. It is a 839 acre patch of grassland with Eucalyptus and Acacia auriculiformis. It has the largest population of Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) in Karnataka, apart from Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary, is found at Jayamangali Blackbuck reserve.

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[edit] Location

This area is located 23 km to the north east of Madhuguri town (Karnataka) and about 20 km to the west of Hindupur town (Andhra Pradesh).

[edit] Climate and vegetation

The climate varies greatly according to the seasons. The temperature varies between a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius in winter to a maximum of 43 degrees Celsius in summer. The rainy season is from late June to mid-October. The average rainfall is approximately 300 to 350 mm.

The vegetation is mainly plains grassland.

[edit] Flora and fauna

More than 80 species of plants have been recorded from this area. Many of these plants have medicinal value.

[edit] Butterflies

Sixty-seven species of butterflies belonging to seven families have been sighted in the area. Most of the species recorded are common throughout the Indian Peninsula and some are typical of the arid regions.

[edit] Mammals

Maidenahalli (Jayamangali) Blackbuck Reserve is the second largest population of Blackbuck in Karnataka, after Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary. In total, 19 species of mammals belonging to 11 families have been recorded in the area, including the highly endangered Blackbuck. The first ever census of Jayamangali Blackbuck reserve was jointly conducted by the members of WANC and Karnataka Forest Department in the area on 15 November–16 November 1997, during which a population of 408 Blackbuck was recorded.

Apart from the blackbuck, other mammals present in the area include Bonnet macaque, Jungle cat, Small Indian Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose, two species of bats, and six species of rodents.

[edit] Avifauna

About 125 species of birds belonging to 37 families have been recorded in the area, of which 22 are migratory. As expected of grasslands, the area is rich in ground birds, shrikes, larks and raptors. This is the only habitat in Tumkur District where the Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus) and Painted Sandgrouse (Pterocles indicus indicus) have been seen. Some of the surrounding villagers claim to have seen the Great Indian Bustard in the past. Although none of the authors nor any birdwatchers have the bird in the area, efforts are on to sight this highly threatened species.

[edit] Reptiles

Since it is a grassland, it has quite a number of reptiles typical of dry areas/plains. About 26 species have been recorded in the area, including 14 different species of snakes.

[edit] References

  • Ameen Ahmed, Manjunath, K.R, U.V. Singh, IFS, A status survey report of the proposed Mydenahalli Blackbuck Sanctuary, 1997, Wildife Aware Nature Club, Tumkur.

[edit] External links