Ecology and Biodiversity
- Sathyamangalam Forest Division is the second largest division in the state having 1.45 lakh ha of forest area, out of which 524 Sq Km area of lower plains and mountain slopes have been declared as Wildlife Sanctuary in the past and now declared as Tiger Reserve.
- Part of 7 th Elephant reserve (Nilgiris Eastern Ghats Elephant Reserve) and facilitates annual migration between Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats. It has got 6 Elephant corridors.
- The Tiger reserve is known for rich biodiversity. 13% of Indian mammal diversity is found in Sathyamangalam. About 40 species of larger mammals, over 225 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles, 85 species of butterflies, 15 species of amphibians, and 10 species of fishes are recorded in the region. For the same rich biodiversity, the area is part of India’s 1st heritage “Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve” which was declared as early as, during Sep 1986 for its rich biodiversity and conservation value.
- Good population of black buck is confined to this area.
- Hyena, a scavenging carnivore is well distributed in this Sanctuary.
- White backed Vulture Colonies are found here.
- The region has 5 forest types which include Riparian Forests along Moyar River, the lifeline and it is the region for high biodiversity and endemism. More than 700 species of flora is documented in STR and more than 60 are endemic.
- It is a potential Tiger Habitat which is in contiguous with other Tiger Reserves and is home to more than 50 Tigers.