Sharavathy pumped storage project site a biodiversity spot: Report

A recent report has highlighted that the Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project (PSP) site in Karnataka is a significant biodiversity hotspot.

Location: The project is located in the Sharavathy Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) sanctuary.

Biodiversity Survey: A comprehensive survey conducted over three months in 2019 documented a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Flora: The survey identified 362 species of flora, with numbers varying across seasons.

Endangered Species: The site is home to several endangered species, including Szygium travancorium and the rare Sattavari.

Fauna: A total of 51 species of mammals were identified, including Schedule-I species like the Lion Tailed Macaque, tiger, and leopard.

Reptiles and Amphibians: The site also hosts 25 species of reptiles and 23 species of amphibians, many of which are endemic to the Western Ghats. 

Birds and Butterflies: Over 130 species of birds and 55 species of butterflies were documented, with several classified as rare.

About the Sharavathy Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) sanctuary 

The Sharavathy Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM) Sanctuary is located in the Sharavathy Valley in Karnataka's Western Ghats.

Location: The sanctuary is situated in the Western Ghats of Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts. 

Lion Tailed Macaque (LTM): The sanctuary is home to the endangered Lion Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus), also known as the singalika.