mle mhdeeshvr arnnydhaam - National forest in Chamarajanagar - Chamarajanagara, India

Awesome place Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary or Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected Wildlife sanctuary in the Eastern Ghats and is located in the state of Karnataka in India Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) wildlife division came into being in 2013 with the declaration of the MM Hills wildlife sanctuary in the same year. Earlier, the division was a territorial division known as Kollegal forest division. It covers an extent of about 906 Km2 and comprises the state forests of MM Hills (part), Yediyarahalli and Hanur. The wildlife division has three sub-divisions, namely, Kollegal, Hanur and MM Hills sub-divisions, and consists of seven ranges, namely, Kollegal buffer, PG Palya, Hanur, Cowdally, Hugyam, Palar and MM Hills wildlife ranges. The forests of MM Hills wildlife sanctuary are principally of dry deciduous type degrading to scrub forest in the fringe areas, and are interspersed with patches of moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen and shola forests occurring at varying altitudes. Animals including tiger, elephant, leopard, wild dog, bison, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear, wild boar, four horned antelope, black naped hare, common langur, bonnet macaque, honey badger (ratel), varieties of reptiles, birds, etc. are found in the wildlife sanctuary. Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over in about 100kms around and along with river Cauvery which traverses along number of low hills, rocky knobs and out crops all along its length. I have seen several waterfalls in its path towards its journey to sea. They are Mekedatu, Sangama, Muthathi and Hogenakal falls that are most often visited tourist dots especially by Bangaloreans. The newly carved Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollegala is part of the already existing sanctuaries. I have passed along the river and dry deciduous forests and some patches of scrub forest looking at Terminalina, Arjuna and other trees that have dominated the vegetation. The leopard, wild pig, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, four-horned antelope, and other animals are wonderful assets here. I am told that this sanctuary is the last refuge for endangered grizzled giant squirrel in Karnataka. It is difficult to cover the names of all birds, animals etc that I saw in this short space permitted for review. But it is interesting and entertaining to spend time in this sanctuary. Wildlife includes all plants, fungi, and other organisms either grown or living in an area without being introduced by humans that are traditionally referred to non-domesticated animal species. A sanctuary is a sacred or sanctified place like a shrine. Sanctuary is used as a safe haven. A sanctuary is the holiest of holy places. There may be human sanctuary, a safe place for humans, like political sanctuary and non-human sanctuary meant for animals or plants sanctuary. It is a place offering protection, safety, food and shelter to displaced persons, refugees, and homeless persons. Normally Animal sanctuary, Plant sanctuary etc are tourists' attraction dots. Kollegala is connected by NH 209 (Bengaluru-Dindukal via Coimbatore, Kollegala) and NH 215 (Kollegala to Calicut, via T.Narasipura, Mysuru). Nearest rail heads are Chamarajanagar 30km and Mysuru 60km. nearest airport is Bangalore 150km and Coimbatore 170km away from Kollegala. From Bengaluru to Kollegala one can go by two routs namely Bengaluru->Maddur->Malavalli->Kollegala on NH 275, and Bengaluru->Kanakapura->Malavalli->Kollegala on NH 209. Food and accommodation are available.

One of the thick forest I have ever seen. Calm place but dangerous too. Not advisable to travel alone. The road is full of potholes since it is a wildlife sanctuary. Hence the travel will consume most of the time.

Beautiful wildlife sanctuary, nice place for trekking also

The sanctuary is going to be a tiger reserve (TR) soon. Once it becomes a TR, Chamarajanagar district will have 3 TRs in it, a rare distinction in the country!

This is where Veerapan used to live

Largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka which have more than 900 sq kms area and covered with dense forest

I think OK most beautiful and places and powerful God

Most hilly area loved it