G U H A N A G A R I

 

A Book on Urban Wildlife

at  CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru

 

Researched and compiled by

 

Pradeep Hegde and

Sathya Chandra Sagar H S

(Batch 2012 – 15)

BSc. Department of Life Sciences

CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru.

 

Published by the Centre for Publications,

CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Hosur Road, Bengaluru 560029, India

publications@christuniversity.in

2016

 

ISBN: 978-93-82305-93-4

 

Introduction

 

CHRIST (Deemed to be University) Campus is situated in the Deccan plateau of Southern Indian state of Karnataka. Spread over an area of 25 acres, at an elevation 863.7m above sea level, the campus lies in the heart of Bengaluru, known as the Silicon Valley of India. With a population of 8.52 million, it is the third most populous city and the fifth most populous urban agglomeration in India. Despite being one of the fastest growing cities in the world, Bengaluru is known for its numerous beautiful gardens and lakes, giving it the name, Garden city of India.

 

Urban wildlife does prevail in Bengaluru in spite of the constant pressure. However, species have adapted by becoming more elusive. This is not to say that species numbers have remained the same over time. Mammals, reptiles, and certain birds of prey among others have witnessed a drastic decline. This is most likely due to rapid increase in the infrastructure and decrease in the green cover, lakes and agricultural land for the past 50 years.

 

Urban biodiversity has always received very little attention, both from naturalists and your everyday citizen. This is probably because of the myth that wildlife is found only in the thick forest, lush grasslands and undisturbed core areas of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. I do not deny that the diversity of life inside such areas might be comparatively more than urban areas, but it would be inaccurate and even ignorant to think that there is no wildlife in urban and suburban human dominated ecosystems. However, even these small habitats are being lost due to various reasons.

 

Personally we think it could be because we are becoming apathetic towards fellow life. However there is still hope. All those who truly enjoy being outdoors, observing wildlife and taking long walks, listening to the harmony of nature, would agree that it is impossible to predict what one will bump into when observing nature.

 

This book is an attempt to show the unbelievable diversity of life that we have come across during our three years of undergraduate life in CHRIST (Deemed to be University). From the migratory fluttering butterflies capturing our imagination to the members of the macro world, hidden from our eyes, this book attempts to unfold the treasures found in one such urban habitat. ‘Guhanagari’ takes us on a journey through a hidden and mysterious world in the middle of the city.

 

                        Contents

 

Acknowledgements                                                         

Preface                                                                            

Foreword                                                                          

Introduction                                                                     

Map                                                                                     

Biodiversity Profile                                                         

The Plants                                                                          

The Animals                                                                       

Spiders                                                                             

Butterflies                                                                           

Migration                                                                            

Dragonflies and Damselflies                                           

Other Insects                                                                     

Ants                                                                                      

Toads                                                                                   

Reptiles                                                                             

Birds                                                                                 

Mammals                                                                            

References                                                                          

Contributors