Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary

With a contiguous wildlife habitat area of 1027 km, the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary interspread in the taluks that dot three districts of Ramnagar (Kanakapura), Chamrajnagar (Kollegala) and Mandya (Malavalli) of Karnataka. It is an area that has the ecotourism zones of Bheemeshwari Nature Camp (part of Jungle Lodges and Resorts), Hogenekkal Falls, Mekedatu (Goats Leap), Sangam, and the Gopinatham Mystery Trails. Tucked away amidst mountains, valleys, a mighty river, jungle sounds, and lush greenery, the sanctuary is an idyllic getaway where anglers and nature enthusiasts can get a whiff of raw adventure and a view of the majestic Cauvery as it bounces over jagged rocks.

Here, you can trek to the top of the hill to get a panoramic view of the Cauvery flowing through the picturesque valley below. You could also visit the ruins of the magnificent sculpted Shiva temple, a place of worship for the local Soliga tribes, raft down the rapids of the Cauvery, or even indulge in a game of fishing/angling for the endangered Masheer which one can angle, take a picture and leave it back to nature. The fauna that one can see besides the Asian Elephants are tiger, leopard, wild dog, striped hyena, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, chital and the four-horned antelope.

Declared as a wildlife sanctuary on January 14, 1987, since then Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary has never failed to catch the attention of a plethora of travellers. Sprawling over a large area, bounded by the beautiful river Cauvery, the place is worth a visit. You will be pleased to know that the Cauvery Wildlife sanctuary claims itself to be one of the last few places where the highly endangered grizzled giant squirrel species are given protection in the entire state of Karnataka.