Located in
Shimoga District, Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary spans over 431 sq km. Apart from the area occupied by the Liganamakki Reservoir or
Honnemaradu, the sanctuary is divided into core zone, buffer zone and tourism zone. The sanctuary is nourished by the Sharavathi River.
The Sharavathi Sanctuary is cloaked in evergreen, semi-green and moist deciduous forests of the
Western Ghats and is contiguous with the
Mookambika Sanctuary. These comprise flora species that yield spices, soapnuts, natural dyes, medicines, fruits, oil seeds, cane and bamboo, dhupa, gum, and honey. Besides gaur and several groups of lion-tailed macaque, the sanctuary is home to a variety of species including tiger, leopard (black panther), wild dog, jackal, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar, barking deer,
mouse deer, wild pig, common langur, bonnet macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel, porcupine, otter and
pangolin. Reptiles include
king cobra, python, rat snake (some almost black), crocodile and monitor lizard. Three species of hornbill,
paradise flycatcher, racket tailed drongo, blue-throated barbet and Indian lorikeet are the avian fauna here.
The best time to visit is from November to May. Accommodation is available in the vicinity.
