Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary (18021)
India, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary
Central coordinates: Latitude: 13.0250, Longitude: 78.6450
System: terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 971.309705
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD’
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 35,760 ha in Kuppam and Palmaner Ranges of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. It is the only Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh known for harbouring a population of Asian elephants, which reportedly reappeared in 1984 after 200 years (Prasad and Reddy 2002). The Sanctuary has Dry Deciduous forests, with thorny scrub interspersed with trees providing a good habitat for Asian Elephants. These forests have small ponds, tanks and the Kaundinya and Kaigal tributaries of Palar River, which provide the main sources of water for the animals. The Sanctuary is situated 50 km from Chittoor and 120 km from Bangalore.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: AVIFAUNA: No detailed study on avifauna has been conducted at this site, but the Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus is found here. OTHER KEY FAUNA: Since the reappearance in Kaundinya in 1984 of seven elephants and then in 1986 of 22, the population has increased to 78 (Prasad and Reddy 2002). Besides the elephant, the major wildlife includes Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus, Leopard Panthera pardus, Cheetal Axis axis, Sambar Cervus unicolor, Porcupine Hystrix indica, Wild Boar Sus scrofa, Jungle Cat Felis chaus, Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Slender Loris Loris tardigradus.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: MAIN THREATS: Man-animal conflict; Over-grazing; Illegal wood collection. Since the Asian Elephants reappeared in Kaundinya WLS, it has become the focus of conservation action. Seven villages are situated inside the Sanctuary. Insufficient fodder in the forest due to severe over-grazing by livestock, and the availability of crops such as sugarcane, sorghum and ragi attract elephants to them, resulting in man-animal conflict. Sadly, till 2002, 42 people have been killed by elephants (Prasad and Reddy 2002). At the same time, 12 elephants were electrocuted to death by the angry villagers. Kalyani dam in Chamala Valley near Thirupathi is found to be a good habitat for elephants. The Chamala Valley is included in Sri Venkateswara National Park (also an IBA). A corridor for elephants is planned between Koundinya and Sri Venkateswara under Project Elephant (Prasad and Reddy 2002). With better habitat protection under Project Elephant, the Yellow-throated Bulbul would also benefit, along with other dry land bird species.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Prasad, N. S. and Reddy, K. S. (2002) Man-elephant conflict and mitigation – Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh. Indian Forester 128 (2): 137-144.