Conservation History on B R Hills

The B R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the connector between Western and Eastern Ghats nestles in rich flora and fauna. The forests were established in June 27, 1974 and are presently under the supervision of Karnataka Forest Department.

A tribal community called the Soligas are among the oldest inhabitants of these forests. There are still 4500 survivors of the tribe living in the forests scattered in 25 settlements. The chief occupation of this community was hunting, shifting cultivation, and collection of NTPF. Traditionally they used to collect wild products for existence but later that changed into their trade.Presently an Non Governmental Organization, LAMPS (large-scale Adivasi multi-purpose cooperative societies) control their collection of wild items and its selling.

The forest protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1973 abodes to a huge variety of flora and fauna. The geographical position of the forest i.e. in the confluence of the Eastern and Western Ghats, makes it a unique habitat for the vegetation common to both the ranges. As a matter of fact from a long time this forest has served as a migratory path for butterflies to travel.

B R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary has been preserving almost all major types of vegetation which includes scrub, deciduous, riparian, evergreen, sholas and grasslands. This forest also nurtures around 800 species of plants from various families. Interestingly enough the vegetation shows close affinity to the Western Ghats.

The B R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary also shelters a number of species of animals as well. the famous ones being Gaur, Chital.