Meera Bhardwaj @ Ganeshgudi:
A global biodiversity hotspot, Dandeli Sanctuary, on the banks of River Kali, is a magical forest with diverse wildlife, endemic species and varied habitat. Home to endemic species like Malabar Pied hornbill, Malabar giant squirrel and 300 other bird species, the sanctuary attracts people and bird lovers.
Covering an area of 475 square kilometres, Dandeli Sanctuary is part of the larger Kali Tiger Reserve along with Anshi National Park (340 sq kms) in Uttar Kannada district, Karnataka, India. The forests here are primarily moist deciduous and semi-evergreen, with exceptional patches of evergreen forests in the western most parts as well as in the deep valleys.
The evergreen wet patches in the Dandeli Sanctuary are home to many floral and faunal species. The forest is dense, verdant and moist even during the summer months. It is home to myriad species of trees, shrubs, herbs, wildflowers, various types of ferns (in the undergrowth of the forests), fungi, and algae.
However, it is not possible to see and absorb the rich biodiversity at one go. The dancing play of colours ranging from green to orange to red to yellow is mesmerizing depending on the season one is visiting. I was there before the onset of south west monsoon.
The forest floor is littered with a multitude of coloured leaves, twigs, branches, fallen, decaying trees and flowers. Added to this, one can observe many rare, endangered and threatened (RET) species that is found only in the Western Ghats.
But, without a guide – it is not possible to identify and observe such a rich floral and faunal variety ranging from a variety of insects including semi-aquatic spiders to amphibians like frogs, toads & worm-like amphibians, reptiles like marsh crocodiles, king cobras, flying lizards and of course, mammals like Malabar Giant Squirrels, tigers, panthers and elephants.
FUNNEL WEB SPIDERS
In moist spots of Dandeli, one can sight the Funnel Web Spiders profusely even as we walk on the edge of the dense forests amidst the distinctive calls of the Malabar Pied hornbills and other bird species.
Often spotted in nature trails, Dandeli sanctuary is an ideal habitat for the funnel web spiders which have a glossy black or brown body. We found them amidst dense shrub and identified them for their distinctive webs with characteristic funnel shaped webs.
In fact, the Western Ghats have been a site of discovery for new spider species, including funnel web spiders, with ongoing research highlighting the region’s unique arachnid diversity.
But beware of them as the funnel web spiders are said to be poisonous but the spiders are not aggressive in nature. It is better to see them from a safe distance and do not poke or provoke them.
The species (specifically Hippasa genus) found in the Western Ghats have been found to be venomous and toxic and causes severe reactions in humans if bitten by them. They are known for building a sheet of web with a funnel in the centre.
The Funnel Web Spiders weave distinctive unique funnel-shaped webs very close to the ground. Expert hunters, the funnel web spiders hide and wait for their prey very patiently. Once the insects are caught in their unique web, they quickly emerge to capture their prey.
KARWAR LARGE BURROWING TARANTULAS
We sighted ground burrowing Indian tarantulas in the Dandeli Sanctuary. They are known to build silk lined burrows which are very large-sized and are clearly visible in bundhs that are covered with ferns and grasses in the Western Ghats.
The Karwar Large Burrowing Tarantulas are medium to large sized and live in colonies. They are native and endemic to Karwar and Goa. They create silk lined burrows in the ground below high canopies in a very distinctive style.
The burrows of these tarantulas are shaped like a trumpet bell with the rim splattered with wet mud all round and its unique spider silk.
The Karwar Large Burrowing Tarantulas feed on insects, reptiles and small mammals. Although, this species is poisonous but their bite only causes itching in humans.
BRACKET FUNGI
Even as we left the world of Arachnids, we went on a trail that took us on the mesmerizing world of fungus. We were fortunate to sight Bracket Fungi which was visible on dry branches.
The Bracket Fungi play a very important role in decomposing and breaking down dead and decaying organic matter. The presence of bracket fungi indicates a healthy forest ecosystem which means that decomposition is actively taking place.
Bracket fungi have unique shape, colour and texture. Ochre coloured, the bracket fungi was visible in different colours ranging from dark black to a mixture of red.
They are common in the forests of Dandeli and bracket fungi are usually found growing on branches and trunks of dead and living trees, and also decaying wood and fallen logs.
We walked further in the early morning to see the traces of big mammal species that had left its trail in the form of pug marks and scats.
The discovery of fresh scat of a leopard and the scratch mark on the forest floor was indeed satisfying – demonstrating the success of conservation in this part of Uttar Kannada district in Karnataka.
Further, we encountered a termite mound in the forest which showed the clear scratch marks of a sloth bear. These are tell tale marks left by a sloth bear in search of termites in the mounds of Dandeli forests. This habitat has a good population of sloth bears.
Naturalist Pavan Patil informed us that we have to be very careful as there have been cases of bear attacks on humans around a 50-kilometre radius.
Patil added, “Maximum cases are reported from March-July as it is the fruiting season as the sloth bears enter villages to eat jackfruits. Every year, about four-five cases of bear attacks are reported in this range.”
The flagship species of the Western Ghats – hornbills, we were able to sight them easily. Not just at the place, we were staying (Hornbill River Resort) but also in the Dandeli range, the Malabar Pied hornbill and the adorable Malabar Giant Squirrel were easily sighted.
Even as we are walking along a forest trail, there is a tingling sensation, be careful of forest ticks in these jungles. It is better to cover your arms and feet properly otherwise you will sustain painful bites.
The Dandeli Sanctuary is a mixture of deciduous and evergreen trees and the lush forests are home to teak and bamboo plantations and also diverse floral species that are rare and endemic. The fruit bearing trees provide food for the large number of bird species.
The profusion of fruit bearing Ficus trees are indeed an attraction for Malabar Pied hornbills that forms a significant part of their diet and they further play a vital role in the natural regeneration of forests in the Dandeli Sanctuary of Uttar Kannada district.
Concluding our forest walk in the Dandeli forests, we climbed to a beautiful view point to catch a glimpse of the Kali River nestling amidst dense reserve forests of the Western Ghats. Returning exhausted from the forest trail, I hoped the Sanctuary remains protected in all its pristine biodiversity and varied wildlife forms.
(PHOTO CREDIT: ALL IMAGES BY MEERA BHARDWAJ @ DANDELI SANCTUARY, GANESHGUDI)