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Site description (2004 baseline):

This IBA site is composed of a series of spectacular domed outcrops bordering the plateau on which Bangalore is located, with typical tropical dry deciduous forest and thorn scrub vegetation dominating the landscape, along with areas of millet cultivations including Finger Millet and sorghum, coconut plantations and Eucalyptus jungles.

AVIFAUNA: The bird life is similar to that encountered in any scrub forest with a good, scattered population of the restricted range peninsular endemic, Yellow-throated Bulbul Pycnonotus xantholaemus. Two species of the Critically Endangered Gyps vultures have been recorded from here. This site could be very important for the Yellow-throated Bulbul, a Vulnerable species, according to BirdLife International (2001). Therefore, we are including it in IBA list. We need more information about the general bird life and also about the abundance and distribution of Yellow-throated Bulbul. In drier parts of Karnataka, wherever boulder-strewn scrub forests survive, this bulbul is found. We need to find out the areas that have significant populations. Ramanagara Reserve Forest could be one of them, but we need more information.

OTHER KEY FAUNA: Large mammals found in the IBA include Leopard Panthera pardus, Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus, Wild boar Sus Scrofa, Bonnet Macaque Macoca radiata, Golden Jackal Canis aureus, Jungle Cat Felis chaus and Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis.

MAIN THREATS: Encroachments for agriculture; Mining of the hills for granite; Felling of trees.

The hills are famous for a type of good-quality granite called Closepet granite. This used to be in great demand for export but nowadays caters mainly to the domestic market. Hills located closed to villages are denuded. Loss of vegetation due to fuel wood collection, mainly to supply the growing town of Ramanagara nearby, is a big conservation problem, which can be solved only with the cooperation of people and providing cheaper alternative fuel.

Key contributor: S. Subramanya.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ramanagara Reserve Forest (India). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ramanagara-reserve-forest-iba-india on 26/12/2024.