In Which State is Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary Located?

The Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in India that was created to save a rare and special kind of squirrel. This sanctuary is known for its thick forests, rich wildlife and peaceful surroundings. It is home to many animals, birds and plants. People visit this place to enjoy nature and learn about wildlife conservation in a quiet and green environment.

Location of Grizzles Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary

GSWS is located in the western part of Tamil Nadu, mainly in Virudhunagar district and partly in Madurai district. It covers a large area of 485 square kilometers. It lies near the Western Ghats and its land includes high hills, valleys, rivers and forests. The highest peak in the sanctuary is Kottamala, which is 2,019 meters high.

Flora in the Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary

The forest here is a mix of different types of forests like:

• Evergreen forests
• Dry deciduous forests
• Grasslands
• Cultivated lands

It also has a Medicinal Plant Conservation Area where many herbs and plants are grown. Local tribal people use 69 types of plants to treat different illnesses.

Fauna in Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary

This sanctuary is home to many wild animals such as:

• Grizzled giant squirrels
• Tigers, elephants, leopards
• Lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs
• Sloth bears, spotted deer, mouse deer
• Nilgiri Tahrs (mountain goats)

There are over 275 kinds of birds, including rare birds like:

• Oriental white-backed vulture
• Nilgiri wood-pigeon
• Great pied hornbill
• Sri Lankan frogmouth

Many snakes, lizards, frogs and over 220 species of butterflies also live here.

Conservation Efforts

To protect the animals and forest, many steps have been taken:

• Stopping cattle from entering the forest
• Stopping fruit collection by outsiders
• Tree planting and water storage projects
• Watching elephant movement using radio collars

Still, some problems remain like forest fires, water storage and human-animal conflicts.