Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

GS 3 – Environment

A recent four-day faunal survey at the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary has provided valuable additions to the sanctuary’s biodiversity records, enhancing the understanding of its rich fauna.

About Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: Situated in the southern part of the Western Ghats, in Kollam district, Kerala.
• Area: Approximately 172 sq.km., part of the larger Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
• Topography: The sanctuary is primarily hilly, with ravines scattered throughout.
• Drainage System: Major rivers within the sanctuary include Shendurney, Kazhuthuruthy, and Kulathupuzha, which converge to form the Kallada River.

Flora:

The sanctuary is home to a variety of forest types:

• Tropical evergreen forests
• Semi-evergreen forests
• Moist deciduous forests

The name “Shendurney” is derived from the Gluta travancorica tree, locally called ‘Chenkurunji’, which is endemic to the region and abundant within the sanctuary.

Fauna:

• Mammals: The sanctuary houses a diverse range of mammals, including elephants, tigers, leopards, gaurs (Indian bison), sambar deer, barking deer, wild boars, and bonnet macaques.
• Endemic Species: It supports a significant population of Nilgiri langurs and lion-tailed macaques, both of which are endemic to the Western Ghats.
• Birds: Over 200 species of birds are recorded, with notable species including:
  • Great Indian Hornbill
  • Malabar Pied Hornbill
  • Grey-headed Bulbul
  • White-bellied Treepie
  • Various species of woodpeckers, flycatchers, and raptors.

Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary remains a crucial habitat for biodiversity conservation, particularly for endemic species in the Western Ghats.