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Site description (2004 baseline):

Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 35,760 ha in Kuppam and Palmaner Ranges of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh. It is the only Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh known for harbouring a population of Asian elephants, which reportedly reappeared in 1984 after 200 years (Prasad and Reddy 2002). The Sanctuary has Dry Deciduous forests, with thorny scrub interspersed with trees providing a good habitat for Asian Elephants. These forests have small ponds, tanks and the Kaundinya and Kaigal tributaries of Palar River, which provide the main sources of water for the animals. The Sanctuary is situated 50 km from Chittoor and 120 km from Bangalore.

AVIFAUNA: No detailed study on avifauna has been conducted at this site, but the Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus is found here.

OTHER KEY FAUNA: Since the reappearance in Kaundinya in 1984 of seven elephants and then in 1986 of 22, the population has increased to 78 (Prasad and Reddy 2002). Besides the elephant, the major wildlife includes Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus, Leopard Panthera pardus, Cheetal Axis axis, Sambar Cervus unicolor, Porcupine Hystrix indica, Wild Boar Sus scrofa, Jungle Cat Felis chaus, Golden Jackal Canis aureus and Slender Loris Loris tardigradus.

MAIN THREATS: Man-animal conflict; Over-grazing; Illegal wood collection.

Since the Asian Elephants reappeared in Kaundinya WLS, it has become the focus of conservation action. Seven villages are situated inside the Sanctuary. Insufficient fodder in the forest due to severe over-grazing by livestock, and the availability of crops such as sugarcane, sorghum and ragi attract elephants to them, resulting in man-animal conflict. Sadly, till 2002, 42 people have been killed by elephants (Prasad and Reddy 2002). At the same time, 12 elephants were electrocuted to death by the angry villagers. Kalyani dam in Chamala Valley near Thirupathi is found to be a good habitat for elephants. The Chamala Valley is included in Sri Venkateswara National Park (also an IBA). A corridor for elephants is planned between Koundinya and Sri Venkateswara under Project Elephant (Prasad and Reddy 2002). With better habitat protection under Project Elephant, the Yellow-throated Bulbul would also benefit, along with other dry land bird species.

Key contributors: Workshop participants and the IBA Team.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary (India). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kaundinya-wildlife-sanctuary-iba-india on 23/11/2024.