Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS): Preserving Biodiversity in the Western Ghats

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sanctuary is located in the southern trenches of the Western Ghats and is ranked 8th in the list of the World's Biodiversity Hotspots.

1. The recent fire in the Sultan Bathery forest area destroyed about 100 hectares of forest, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Sanctuary Overview:

1. Location: Located in the Wayanad district of Kerala, at the southern end of the Western Ghats.
2. Area: Spread over approximately 344.44 square kilometers, the sanctuary is an integral part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
3. Boundaries: The sanctuary is bounded by the protected areas of Nagarhole and Bandipur in Karnataka on the north-eastern side and Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu on the south-eastern side, forming a wide expanse of protected forest.

Tribal Communities:

1. The forests of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary are home to several scheduled adivasi tribes, including the Paniyas, Kattunaikkans, Kurumas, Ooralis, Adiyans, and Kurichiyas.
2. These communities have a deep understanding of the forest ecosystem and play an important role in its conservation.

Flora and Fauna:

1. Vegetation: The sanctuary showcases significant Western Ghats vegetation types, ranging from moist deciduous to dry deciduous and semi-evergreen.
2. Plantations: Teak, rosewood, eucalyptus, and silver oak plantations cover roughly one-third of the sanctuary.
3. Marshy Lands: The presence of marshy lands within the sanctuary provides unique habitats for various aquatic species.
4. Animal Life: The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is renowned for its diverse fauna, including elephants, panthers, tigers, jungle cats, civet cats, monkeys, wild dogs, bisons, deer, and bears.
5. Tiger Population: It is known for having the largest population of tigers in Kerala, making it a crucial habitat for the conservation of this magnificent species.

FAQs:

Q1: What is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

1. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a cultural or natural site that is considered to have "Outstanding Universal Value".
2. These sites are important across countries and generations and are thought to represent unique examples of the world's cultural and/or natural heritage.
3. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) seeks to protect and preserve these sites through the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

There are 42 World Heritage Sites in India. Out of these, 34 are cultural, 7 are natural, and 1, Khangchendzonga National Park, is of mixed type. India has the 6th-most sites worldwide. The first sites to be listed were the Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Agra Fort, and Taj Mahal, all of which were inscribed in the 1983 session of the World Heritage Committee. The most recent sites listed were Santiniketan and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas, in 2023.

Must Check: Best IAS Coaching In Delhi