Chapter I

introduction
introduction

K arnataka has a rich heritage, inspiring its

people to create a bright future. With its
special geographical location full of variety-its
With an antiquity that dates to the Paleolithic,
Karnataka has also been home to some of the most
powerful empires of ancient and medieval India.
rivers, hills, valleys, plains, forests and resources- The philosophers and musical bards patronized by
the State is known for its tourist and industrial these empires launched socio-religious and literary
potential. Its long history of over 2,000 years movements which have endured to the present
has left many beautiful forts, tanks, temples, day. Karnataka has contributed significantly to
mosques and towns of historical importance to both forms of Indian classical music, the Carnatic
the posterity. These old towns have grown to be (Karnataka Music) and Hindustani traditions.
industrial, commercial and educational centres. Writers in the Kannada language have received
They are provided with all modern facilities. the most number of Jnanapith awards(Eight)in
Bordered by the Western Ghats with tall peaks India. Bengaluru is the capital city of the State
and lush greenery in the west, the tableland is and is at the forefront of the rapid economic
fertile because of its black soil and river and tank and technological development that India is
irrigation facilities. The coastal strip to the west of experiencing.
the Ghats is renowned for its silvery beaches and Karnataka’s pre-history goes back to a
rich green paddy fields. paleolithic hand-axe culture evidenced by
Karnataka has rich religious and artistic discoveries of, among other things, hand axes
traditions. The land has been described by a poet and cleavers in the region. Evidence of neolithic
in a stone record in the 15th Century in following and megalithic cultures have also been found
words: in the state. Gold discovered in Harappa was
A mine of good discipline, found to be imported from mines in Karnataka,
prompting scholars to hypothesize about contacts
The dwelling place of Brahma, between ancient Karnataka and the Indus Valley
The land which had acquired great fortune, Civilization. Prior to the third Century BC, most
The birthplace of learning and wealth, of Karnataka formed part of the Nanda Empire
before coming under the Mauryan Empire of
The true home of unequalled splendid
Emperor Ashoka. Four centuries of Satavahana
earnestness
rule followed, allowing them to control large areas
Thus distinguished in many ways of Karnataka. The decline of Satavahana power
Shone the lovely Karnataka Country. led to the rise of the earliest native kingdoms, the
Kadambas and the Western Gangas, marking the
The temples of antiquity speak of the piety of
region’s emergence as an independent political
their devotees. The agraharas and mathas spread
entity. The Kadamba Dynasty, founded by
all over vouch to the scholarly pursuits to which
Mayurasharma, had its capital at Banavasi; the
people were attached. The hero stones strewing
Western Ganga Dynasty was formed with Talakad
the land speak of the heroic traits of the warrior
as its capital.
race of antiquity. Long traditions of growing cotton
are clear evidence to once flourishing rich textile These were also the first kingdoms to use
industry. The ports along the coast remind one of Kannada in administration, as evidenced by the
the rich overseas trades that flourished through Halmidi inscription and a fifth-Century copper
them. The State’s human resources with racial and coin discovered at Banavasi. These dynasties were
religious varieties and professional skills promise followed by imperial Kannada empires such as the
to make it a hub of industriousness. Badami Chalukyas, the Rashtrakuta Empire of 1
 a HAND BOOK OF

2
KARNATAKA
Manyakheta and the Western Chalukya Empire, With the death of Krishnaraja Wodeyar II, Hyder
which ruled over large parts of the Deccan and Ali, the commander-in-chief of the Mysuru army,
had their capitals in what is now Karnataka. The gained control of the region. After his death, the

introduction
Western Chalukyas patronised a unique style kingdom was inherited by his son Tippu Sultan. To
of architecture and Kannada literature which contain European expansion in South India, Hyder
became a precursor to the Hoysala art of 12th Ali and later Tipu Sultan fought four significant
Century. Parts of modern-day Southern Karnataka Anglo-Mysuru Wars, the last of which resulted
(Gangavadi) were occupied by the Chola Empire in Tipu Sultan’s death and the incorporation of
at the turn of 11th Century. The Cholas and Mysuru into the British Raj in 1799. The Kingdom
the Hoysalas fought over the region in the 12th of Mysuru was restored to the Wodeyars and
Century before it eventually came under Hoysala Mysuru remained a princely state under the
rule. British Raj.
At the turn of the first millennium, the Hoysalas As the “doctrine of lapse” gave way to dissent
gained power in the region. Literature flourished and resistance from princely states across the
during this time, which led to the distinctive country, Kittur Chennamma, Sangolli Rayanna
Kannada literary metres and the construction of and others spearheaded rebellions in Karnataka
temples and sculptures adhering to the Vesara in 1830. Other uprisings followed, such as the
style of architecture. The expansion of the Hoysala ones at Supa, Bagalkot, Shorapur, Nargund and
Empire brought minor parts of modern Andhra Dandeli. These rebellions, which coincided with the
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu under its rule. In the 1857 war of independence, were led by Mundargi
early 14th Century, Harihara and Bukka Raya Bhimarao, Bhaskar Rao Bhave, the Halagali Bedas,
established the Vijayanagara Empire with its Raja Venkatappa Nayaka and others. By the late
capital, Hosapattana (later named Vijayanagara), 19th Century, the freedom movement had gained
on the banks of the Tungabhadra River in the momentum; Karnad Sadashiva Rao, Aluru Venkata
modern Ballari district. The empire rose as a Raya, S. Nijalingappa, Kengal Hanumanthaiah,
bulwark against Muslim advances into South Nittoor Srinivasa Rau and others carried on the
India, which it completely controlled for over two struggle into the early 20th Century.
Centuries. After India’s independence, the Maharaja,
In 1565, Karnataka and the rest of South Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, allowed his
India experienced a major geopolitical shift when kingdom’s accession to India. In 1950, Mysuru
the Vijayanagara Empire fell to a confederation became an Indian state of the same name; the
of Islamic sultanates in the Battle of Talikota. former Maharaja served as its Rajpramukh (head
The Vijayapura Sultanate, which had risen after of state) until 1975. Following the long-standing
the demise of the Bahmani Sultanate of Bidar, demand of the Ekikarana Movement, Kodagu and
soon took control of the Deccan; it was defeated Kannada speaking regions from the adjoining
by the Moghuls in the late 17th Century. The states of Madras, Hyderabad and Bombay were
Bahamani and Vijayapura rulers encouraged incorporated into the Mysuru state, under the
Urdu and Persian literature and Indo-Saracenic States Reorganization Act of 1956. The thus
architecture, the Gol Gumbaz being one of the expanded State was renamed Karnataka in 1973.
high points of this style. During the sixteenth In the early 1900s through the post-independence
Century, Konkani Hindus migrated to Karnataka, era, industrial visionaries such as Sir M
mostly from Salcette, Goa, and while during the Visvesvarayya played an important role in the
17th and 18th Century, Goan Catholics migrated development of Karnataka’s strong manufacturing
to Dakshina Kannada, especially from Bardes, and industrial base.
Goa, as a result of food shortages, epidemics and Karnataka is the manufacturing hub for some of
heavy taxation imposed by the Portuguese. the largest public sector industries in India. Many
In the period that followed, parts of northern of India’s premier science and technology research
Karnataka were ruled by the Nizam of Hyderabad, centers are also headquartered in Karnataka.
the British, and other powers. In the south, Mangaluru Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited
the Mysuru Kingdom, former vassals of the is an oil refinery located in Mangaluru. Since the
Vijayanagara Empire, was briefly independent. 1980s, Karnataka has emerged as the pan-Indian
3
 KARNATAKA
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

A Aurad
!

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS 2011 R !

Bhalki
T ! BIDAR P
Basava- Bidar
H kalyan !
KILOMET RES Homnabad
20 0 20 40 60 80 100 S !
Aland
A Gulbarga Chincholi
!

A
P
Afzalpur
R !
!
GULBARGA
!
Indi
A !
Sedam

N
Chitapur
!
Jevargi
H Sindgi
!

D
A
P BIJAPUR
Bijapur P
! ! Yadgir
M Athni YADGIR Shahpur

H
! !
! Basavana Shorapur
!
Jamkhandi Bagevadi
! Raybag !
Chikodi ! ! Devadurga
Muddebihal

R
!
Mudhol Bilgi Raichur
Gokak Bagalkot
!
P Lingsugur P
Hukeri !
Hungund
BAGALKOT
!
RAICHUR

A
BELGAUM Ramdurg !
! Badami Manvi !
Belgaum (Bail Parasgad !

P Hongal) (Saundatti- Kushtagi

!
Yellama) ! !
Sampgaon !
Sindhnur
! Nargund !
!
Navalgund Ron ! !

P
Khanapur ! (Gadag- Yelbarga
P Betigeri) KOPPAL Gangawati Sirugu-
Dharwad !
ppa
O A

P
Hubli Gadag

R
! !
P
! Haliyal ! GADAG Koppal ! Hospet
Bellary
! DHARWAD
Supa !
!

Shirhatti Mundargi
G

Kalghatgi Kundgol ! P
UTTARA KANNADA
!

A
! ! Hagari- Sandur
! Shi- bomma- BELLARY
! !
Mund- ggaon Savanur Hadagalli nahalli !
Karwar Yellapur god
Haveri
P (Karwar) Kudligi

D
P
ARABIAN HAVERI
!
!
Hangal Harapanahalli !
! Molakalmuru
!
Ankola Byadgi
SEA
! !
Sirsi

E
Ranibennur Jagalur
Hirekerur ! P
!
!
Kumta !
Hari-
Siddapur !
har Davanagere Challakere

S
! Sorab DAVANAGERE Chitradurga !
! !
Shikarpur T
Honavar !
Channa- P
! Honnali Pavagada
giri Holalkere CHITRADURGA

H
Bhatkal Sagar !

SHIMOGA
!
! !
Shimoga Hiriyur
Hosanagara Bhadravati
! P !
!
Hosdurga
Kundapura
!
Bagepalli
Tirthahalli Tarikere ! ! Madhugiri
Narasim- ! Sira ! Gudibanda
L A

! !
!
!
harajapura Gauri- CHIKKABALLAPURA
UDUPI ! Chiknaya- ! bidanur Chikkaballapura
Korata-
Koppa CHIKMAGALUR Kadur kanhalli TUMKUR
! !
gere Dod- P Chintamani
Udupi ! Tumkur ! Srinivaspur
Chikmagalur Arsikere Gubbi Ballapur !
K S

P !
Sidla- !
Sringeri P !
P BANGALORE RURAL
!

Karkal
! ! ghatta Mulbagal
Devanahalli
!
Tiptur Nela- Kolar !
mangala Bangalore Hosa- P
!
KOLAR
! !
Mangalore Mudigere Belur HASSAN Turuvekere ! North ! kote
H A

Beltangadi Channa- Magadi BANGALORE !

(Mangalore)
Bangalore Malur Bangarapet
! P ! !

P !
! ! Hassan rayapatna Naga-
Kunigal !
RAMA- Bangalore East ^
Alur mangala NAGARA South Anekal
!
Bantval !
DAKSHINA KANNADAleshpur Sak-
Ramanagara
D W

!
! Krishna-
! Puttur Hole rajpet MANDYA Maddur
! !
P
Narsipur !
Sulya Arkalgud ! Mandya ! Channa- !
! ! Krishnara- Pandava- patna
Somvar- janagara pura P Kanakapura
K
E E

pet Shriranga-
U

!
Madikeri P Piriyapatna ! !
pattana !Malavalli
(Madikeri) ! P Tirumakudal-
E

!
KODAGU Hunsur
D

Mysore Narsipur
MYSORE ! Kollegal
P

R !
Virajpet !
!
A

Nanjangud
! !
Yelandur
BOUNDARIES: A Heggada- P Chamrajanagar
devankote
CHAMARAJANAGAR
N
S E

STATE............................ T - TUMKUR
L Gundlupet
!
DISTRICT.......................
A L
TALUK............................ I
A

A M
T
HEADQUARTERS:
STATE............................ ^ State/District headquarters are also taluk headquarters.
DISTRICT....................... P Where the district/taluk name differs from its headquarters name,
TALUK............................ !
the latter is given within brackets.

Bangalore is the headquarters for Bangalore North,Bangalore

4 South & Bangalore East taluks and also for Bangalore and
Bangalore Rural districts.
leader in the field of Information Technology(IT). As vessels during the year 2006-07. The inland water
of 2007, there were nearly 2,000 firms operating transport within the State is not well developed.
out of Karnataka. Many of them, including two of
The total length of National Highways and State

introduction
India’s biggest software firms, Infosys and Wipro
Highways in Karnataka are 3,973 km and 9,829
are also headquartered in the State. Exports from
km, respectively. The KSRTC, the State public
these firms exceeded 50,000 crores in 2006-07,
transport corporation, transports an average of
accounting for nearly 38 per cent of all IT exports
2.2 million passengers daily and employs about
from India. . All this has earned the state capital,
25,000 people. In the late nineties, KSRTC was
Bengaluru, the sobriquet Silicon Valley of India.
split into three corporations, viz., The Bengaluru
Karnataka also leads the nation in biotechnology. Metropolitan Transport Corporation, The North-
It is home to India’s largest biocluster, with 158 of West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation
the country’s 320 biotechnology firms being based and The North-East Karnataka Road Transport
here. The state accounts for 75 per cent of India’s Corporation with their headquarters in Bengaluru,
floriculture, an upcoming industry which supplies Hubballi and Kalaburgi respectively.
flowers and ornamental plants worldwide. Seven
The diverse linguistic and religious ethnicities
of India’s leading banks, Canara Bank, Syndicate
that are native to Karnataka combined with their
Bank, Corporation Bank, Vijaya Bank, Karnataka
long histories have contributed immensely to the
Bank, Vysya Bank and the State Bank of Mysuru
varied cultural heritage of the State. Apart from
originated in this state. A majority of the silk
Kannadigas, Karnataka is home to Tuluvas,
industry in India is headquartered in Karnataka
Kodavas and Konkanis. Minor populations of
State.
Tibetan Buddhists and tribes like the Soligas,
Air transport in Karnataka, as in the rest of Yeravas, Todas and Siddhis also live in Karnataka.
the Country, is still a fledgling but fast expanding The traditional folk arts cover the entire gamut
sector. Karnataka has airports at Bengaluru, of music, dance, drama, storytelling by itinerant
Mangaluru, Hubli, Belagavi, Hampi, Ballari troupes, etc. Yakshagana of Malnad and coastal
and Mysuru with international operations from Karnataka, a classical dance drama, is one of the
Bengaluru and Mangaluru airports. Major airlines major theatrical forms of Karnataka. Contemporary
such as Kingfisher Airlines and Kingfisher red are theatre culture in Karnataka remains vibrant with
based in Bengaluru. organizations like Ninasam, Ranga Shankara,
Karnataka has a railway network with a total Rangayana and Prabhat Kalavidaru continuing to
length of approximately 3,089 kilometres. Until the build on the foundations laid by Gubbi Veeranna,
creation of the South Western Zone headquartered T. P. Kailasam, B. V. Karanth, K V Subbanna,
at Hubballi in 2003, the railway network in the Prasanna and others. Veeragase, Kamsale, Kolata
state was in the Southern and Western railway and Dollu Kunitha are popular dance forms. The
zones. Several parts of the state now come under Mysuru style of Bharatanatya nurtured and
the South Western Zone, with the remainder popularised by the likes of the legendary Jatti
under the Southern Railways. Coastal Karnataka Tayamma continues to hold sway in Karnataka
is covered under the Konkan railway network and Bengaluru also enjoys an eminent place as
which was considered India’s biggest railway one of the foremost centers of Bharatanatya.
project of the Century. Bengaluru is extensively Karnataka also has a special place in the world
connected with Inter-State destinations while of Indian classical music with both Karnataka
other important cities and towns in the state are (Carnatic) and Hindustani styles finding place in
not so well-connected. the State and Karnataka has produced a number
Karnataka has 11 ports, including the New of stalwarts in both styles. While referring to music
Mangaluru Port, a major port and ten other minor the word ‘Karnataka’, the original name given to
ports. The New Mangaluru port was incorporated the South Indian classical music does not mean
as the ninth major port in India on 4 May 1974. the State of Karnataka. The Haridasa movement
This port handled 32.04 million tonnes of traffic in of the 16th Century contributed seminally to
the fiscal year 2006-07 with 17.92 million tonnes the development of Karnataka (Carnatic) music
of imports and 14.12 million tonnes of exports. The as a performing art form. Purandara Dasa, one
of the most revered Haridasas, is known as the
5
port also handled 1015 vessels including 18 cruise
 Karnataka Sangeeta Pitamaha (Father Carnatic saints and mystics helped shape the culture,
music). Celebrated Hindustani musicians like philosophy and art of South India and Karnataka
Gangubai Hangal, Mallikarjun Mansur, Bhimsen in particular by exerting considerable spiritual
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

Joshi, Basavaraja Rajaguru, Sawai Gandharva influence over the masses and kingdoms that
and several others hail from Karnataka and ruled South India.This movement was ushered
some of them have been recipients of the Kalidas in by the Haridasas and took shape in the 13th
Samman, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan to 14th Century period, prior to and during the
awards. early rule of the Vijayanagara empire. The main
Gamaka is another classical music genre objective of this movement was to propagate the
based on Carnatic music that is practiced in Dvaita philosophy of Madhvacharya (Madhva
Karnataka. Kannada Bhavageete is a genre of Siddhanta) to the masses through a literary
popular music that draws inspiration from the medium known as Dasa Sahitya (literature of the
expressionist poetry of modern poets. The Mysuru servants of the Lord). Purandaradasa is widely
school of painting has produced painters like recognized as the Pithamaha of Carnatic Music
Sundarayya, Tanjavur Kondayya, B.Venkatappa for his immense contribution. Ramanujacharya,
and Keshavayya. Chitrakala Parishat is an the leading expounder of Vishishtadvaitha, spent
organisation in Karnataka dedicated to promoting many years in Melukote. He came to Karnataka
painting, mainly in the Mysuru painting style. in 1098 AD and lived here until 1122 AD. He first
lived in Tondanur and then moved to Melkote
Saree is the traditional dress of women in
where the Cheluvanarayana Temple and a well
Karnataka. Women in Kodagu have a distinct
organised Matha were built. He was patronized by
style of wearing the saree, different from the rest of
the Hoysala king, Vishnuvardhana.
Karnataka. Dhoti, known as Panche in Karnataka
is the traditional attire of men. Shirt, Trousers In the 12th Century, Veerashaivism emerged
and Salwar kameez are widely worn in urban in northern Karnataka. Leading names of this
areas. Mysuru Peta is the traditional headgear of movement were Basava, Akka Mahadevi and
southern Karnataka, while the pagadi or pataga Allama Prabhu, who established the Anubhava
is preferred in the northern areas of the State. Mantapa which was the center of all religious and
philosophical thoughts and discussions pertaining
Jowar is staple to Northern Karnataka and
to Lingayats. These three social reformers did so
Ragi to Southern Karnataka. Bisi bele bath,
by the literary means of ‘Vachana Sahitya’ which
Jolada rotti, Ragi mudde, Uppittu, Masala Dose
is very famous for its simple, straight forward
and Maddur Vade are some of the popular food
and easily understandable Kannada language.
items in Karnataka. Among sweets, Mysuru Pak,
Veerashaivism preached women equality by
Karadantu of Gokak and Amingad, Belagavi Kunda
letting women wear Ishtalinga i.e. Symbol of god
and Dharwad pedha are popular. Apart from this,
around their neck. Basava shunned the sharp
coastal Karnataka and Kodagu have distinctive
hierarchical divisions that existed and sought to
cuisines of their own. Udupi cuisine of coastal
remove all distinctions between the hierarchically
Karnataka is popular all over India.
superior master class and the subordinate, servile
Adi Shankaracharya chose Sringeri in class. He also supported inter-caste marriages
Karnataka to establish the first of his four mathas and Kaayaka Tatva of Basavanna. This was the
(monastery). Shri Madhvacharya (1238–1317) was basis of the Lingayath faith which today counts
the chief proponent of Tattvavāda (Philosophy of millions among its followers.The Jain philosophy
Reality), popularly known as Dvaita or Dualistic and literature have contributed immensely to the
school of Hindu philosophy - one of the three most religious and cultural landscape of Karnataka.
influential Vedānta philosophies. Madhva was one
Islam, which had an early presence on the
of the important philosophers during the Bhakti
west coast of India as early as the 10th Century,
movement. He was a pioneer in many ways, going
gained a foothold in Karnataka with the rise of
against standard conventions and norms. The
the Bahamani and Vijayapura sultanates that
Haridasa devotional movement is considered as
ruled parts of Karnataka. Christianity reached
one of the turning points in the cultural history of
Karnataka in the sixteenth Century with the arrival
6 India. Over a span of nearly six Centuries, several
of the Portuguese and St. Francis Xavier in 1545.
Buddhism was popular in Karnataka during the has received considerable acknowledgement in
first millennium in places such as Kalaburgi and the arena of Indian literature, with Eight Kannada
Banavasi. A chance discovery of edicts and several writers winning India’s highest literary honour,

introduction
Mauryan relics at Sannati in Kalaburgi district the Jnanpith award - the highest tally for any
in 1986 has proven that the Krishna River basin language in India.
was once home to both Mahayana and Hinayana
Buddhism.
Tulu is spoken mainly in the coastal districts of
Mysuru Dasara is celebrated as the Nada Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. Tulu Mahabharato,
habba (state festival) and this is marked by major written by Arunabja in Tulu script, is the oldest
festivities at Mysuru. Ugadi (Kannada New Year), surviving Tulu text. The Tulu language now uses
Makara Sankranti (the harvest festival), Ganesh the Kannada script due to the gradual decline
Chaturthi, Nagapanchami, Basava Jayanthi, of the Tulu script, which was in use until a few
Deepavali and Ramzan are the other major centuries ago. The Kodavas who mainly reside
festivals of Karnataka. in the Kodagu district, speak Kodava Takk.
The Kannada language serves as the official Two regional variations of the language exist,
language of the state of Karnataka, as the native the northern Mendale Takka and the southern
language of approximately 65 per cent of its Kiggaati Takka. Konkani is mostly spoken in the
population and as one of the classical languages of Uttara Kannada district and in some parts of the
India. Kannada played a crucial role in the creation Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. Both
of Karnataka: linguistic demographics played Kodava Takk and Konkani use the Kannada script
a major role in defining the new state in 1956. for writing. English is the medium of education
Tulu, Kodava and Konkani are other minor native in many schools and widely used for business
languages that share a long history in the state. communication in most private companies.
Urdu is spoken widely by the Muslim population. All of the State’s languages are patronised
Less widely spoken languages include Beary bashe and promoted by Governmental and quasi-
and certain dialects such as Sankethi. governmental bodies. The Kannada Sahitya
Kannada features a rich and ancient body of Parishat and the Kannada Sahitya Akademi are
literature covering topics as diverse as Jainism, responsible for the promotion of Kannada while
Veerashaivism (such as Vachanas), Vaishnavism the Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Akademi, The
(such as Haridasa Sahitya) and modern literature. Tulu Sahitya Akademi and the Kodava Sahitya
Evidence from edicts during the time of Ashoka Akademi promote their respective languages.
the Great suggest that Buddhist literature
influenced the Kannada script and its literature.
The Halmidi inscription, the earliest attested Location and Boundaries
full-length inscription in the Kannada language The State of Karnataka, confined roughly
and script, dates from 450 CE, while the earliest within 11035’ North and 18030’ North latitudes
available literary work, the Kavirajamarga, has and 7405’ East and 78035’ East longitudes, is
been dated to 850 CE. References made in the situated on a tableland where the Western and
Kavirajamarga, however, prove that Kannada Eastern Ghat ranges converge into the Nilgiri hill
literature flourished in the native composition complex. Karnataka is a State in the southern
meters such as Chattana, Beddande and Melvadu part of India. It was created on November 1, 1956,
during earlier centuries. The classic refers to with the passing of the States Reorganization
several earlier greats (purvacharyar) of Kannada Act. Originally known as the State of Mysuru,
poetry and prose. it was renamed Karnataka in 1973. Karnataka
is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, Goa
Kuvempu, the renowned Kannada poet
State to the northwest, Maharashtra State to the
and writer who wrote Jaya Bharata Jananiya
north, Telangana State and Andhra Pradesh State
Tanujate, the state anthem of Karnataka was the
to the east, Tamil Nadu State to the southeast, and
first recipient of the “Karnataka Ratna” award, the
Kerala State to the southwest. The State extends
highest civilian award bestowed by the Government
to about 750 km from North to South and about
of Karnataka. Contemporary Kannada literature 7
400 km from East to West.
 KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

Karnataka Profile
Population size 61095297 Sex ratio, 0 - 6 yrs (Females per 1000 males) 948

Population size (Males) 30966657 Sex ratio, 0 - 6 yrs (Rural) 950

Population size (Females) 30128640 Sex ratio, 0 - 6 yrs (Urban) 946

Population size (Rural) 37469335 Literates, 7+ yrs 40647322

Population size (Urban) 23625962 Literates, 7+ yrs (Males) 22508471

Population size (Rural Males) 18929354 Literates, 7+ yrs (Females) 18138851

Population size (Rural Females) 18539981 Literates, 7+ yrs (Rural) 22649176

Population size (Urban Males) 12037303 Literates, 7+ yrs (Urban) 17998146

Population size (Urban Females) 11588659 Literates, 7+ yrs (Rural Males) 12893437

Population density (Total, Persons per sq km) 319 Literates, 7+ yrs (Rural Females) 9755739

Sex ratio (Females per 1000 males) 973 Literates, 7+ yrs (Urban Males) 9615034

Sex ratio (Rural) 979 Literates, 7+ yrs (Urban Females) 8383112

Sex ratio (Urban) 963 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Persons, Per cent) 75.36

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs 7161033 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Males, Per cent) 82.47

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Males) 3675291 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Females, Per cent) 68.08

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Females) 3485742 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Rural, Per cent) 68.73

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Rural) 4517645 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Urban, Per cent) 85.78

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Urban) 2643388 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Rural Males, Per cent) 77.61

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Rural Males) 2317069 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Rural Females, Per cent) 59.71

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Rural Females) 2200576 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Urban Males, Per cent) 90.04

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Urban Males) 1358222 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Urban Females, Per cent) 81.36

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Urban Females) 1285166

Population size Total Rural Urban

Number
80,000,000 40,000,000 25,000,000

20,000,000
60,000,000 30,000,000 23,625,962
37,469,335

15,000,000
34,889,033
61,095,297

40,000,000
17,961,529

20,000,000
52,850,562

26,898,918

25,951,644

30,966,657

30,128,640

11,588,659
12,037,303
17,648,958

17,240,075

18,929,354

18,539,981

10,000,000
9,249,960

8,711,569

20,000,000 10,000,000
5,000,000

0 0 0
2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females

Population size, 0-6 yrs Total Rural Urban

Number
8,000,000 6,000,000 3,000,000

5,000,000 2,500,000
6,000,000
4,000,000 2,000,000
2,643,388
7,161,033
7,182,100

4,935,380

1,500,000
2,246,720

3,000,000
4,517,645

4,000,000
1,158,401

1,088,319

1,358,222

1,285,166
2,532,557

2,402,823

2,317,069

2,200,576
3,690,958

3,675,291
3,491,142

3,485,742

2,000,000 1,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000 500,000

0 0 0
2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

8 Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females

Source: Census of India 2011

 Source: Census of India 2011

introduction
Karnataka Profile
Population density Sex ratio Sex ratio, 0-6 yrs
Persons per sq km Females per 1000 males Females per 1000 males
350 1,100 1,100
300 1,000 1,000
250
900 900
200
800 800
319

150
276

979
977

973
965

963

950
949

948
946

946
940
942
100 700 700

50 600 600
0 500 500
2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

Total Total Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban

Literates, 7+ yrs Total Rural Urban

Number

50,000,000 25,000,000 20,000,000

40,000,000 20,000,000 15,000,000

17,998,146
15,000,000
22,649,176

30,000,000
40,647,322

10,000,000
17,772,112

12,662,850
30,434,962

12,893,437
10,649,091

10,000,000
12,773,751

22,508,471
17,661,211

18,138,851

20,000,000

7,012,120

5,650,730

9,615,034

8,383,112
7,123,021

9,755,739
5,000,000
10,000,000 5,000,000

0 0 0
2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females

Literacy rate, 7+ yrs Total Rural Urban

Percent
100.00 100.00 100.00

80.00 80.00 80.00

60.00 60.00 60.00

90.04
86.66

85.78

81.36
80.58
82.47

77.61

74.12
76.10

75.36

40.00 40.00
70.45

40.00
68.73
68.08
66.64

59.71
59.33
56.87

48.01

20.00 20.00 20.00

0.00 0.00 0.00

2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females

General Notes:
The figures for India and Manipur, include by sex, the estimated population, 0-6 population and literates of Paomata, Mao Maram and Purul sub-divisions of Senapati district of
Manipur for Census 2001 and 2011.
For working out density of India and the State of Jammu & Kashmir, the entire area and population of those portions of Jammu & Kashmir which are under illegal occupation of
Pakistan and China have not been taken into account.
For Census 2011, the population of “Others” has been clubbed with the “Males” for working out population, 0-6 population, literates and related rates and ratios.
Rural Urban Areas: The data in the table on Provisional Population Totals are presented separately for rural and urban areas. The unit of classification in this regard is 'town' for
urban areas and 'village' for rural areas. In the Census of India 2011, the definition of urban area adopted is as follows: (a) All statutory places with a municipality, corporation,
cantonment board or notified town area committee, etc. (b) A place satisfying the following three criteria simultaneously:
i) a minimum population of 5,000;
ii) at least 75 per cent of male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits; and
iii) a density of population of at least 400 per sq. km. (1,000 per sq. mile).
For identification of places which would qualify to be classified as 'urban' all villages, which, as per the 2001 Census had a population of 4,000 and above, a population density of
400 persons per sq. km. and having at least 75 per cent of male working population engaged in non-agricultural activity were considered. An area is considered 'Rural' if it is not
classified as 'Urban' as per the above definition.
* The area figure exclude 78,114 sq. km. under the illegal occupation of Pakistan, 5,180 sq. km. Illegally handed over by Pakistan to China and 37,555
sq.km. under the illegal occupation of China in Ladakh district.
9

Source: Census of India 2011

 KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

India Profile
Population size 1210569573 Sex ratio, 0 - 6 yrs (Females per 1000 males) 919

Population size (Males) 623121843 Sex ratio, 0 - 6 yrs (Rural) 923

Population size (Females) 587447730 Sex ratio, 0 - 6 yrs (Urban) 905

Population size (Rural) 833463448 Literates, 7+ yrs 763498517

Population size (Urban) 377106125 Literates, 7+ yrs (Males) 434683779

Population size (Rural Males) 427632643 Literates, 7+ yrs (Females) 328814738

Population size (Rural Females) 405830805 Literates, 7+ yrs (Rural) 482653540

Population size (Urban Males) 195489200 Literates, 7+ yrs (Urban) 280844977

Population size (Urban Females) 181616925 Literates, 7+ yrs (Rural Males) 281281531

Population density (Total, Persons per sq km) 382 Literates, 7+ yrs (Rural Females) 201372009

Sex ratio (Females per 1000 males) 943 Literates, 7+ yrs (Urban Males) 153402248

Sex ratio (Rural) 949 Literates, 7+ yrs (Urban Females) 127442729

Sex ratio (Urban) 929 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Persons, Per cent) 72.99

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs 164478150 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Males, Per cent) 80.89

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Males) 85732470 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Females, Per cent) 64.64

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Females) 78745680 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Rural, Per cent) 67.77

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Rural) 121285762 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Urban, Per cent) 84.11

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Urban) 43192388 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Rural Males, Per cent) 77.15

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Rural Males) 63064665 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Rural Females, Per cent) 57.93

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Rural Females) 58221097 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Urban Males, Per cent) 88.76

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Urban Males) 22667805 Literacy rate, 7+ yrs (Urban Females, Per cent) 79.11

Population size, 0 - 6 yrs (Urban Females) 20524583

Population size Total Rural Urban

Number
1,500,000,000 1,000,000,000 400,000,000

800,000,000 300,000,000
1,000,000,000
377,106,125
1,210,569,573

600,000,000
833,463,448
1,028,610,328

742,490,639

286,119,689

200,000,000
532,156,772

496,453,556

623,121,843

587,447,730

181,616,925
150,554,098

135,565,591

195,489,200
427,632,643
381,602,674
360,887,965

405,830,805

400,000,000
500,000,000
100,000,000
200,000,000

0 0 0
2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females

Population size, 0-6 yrs Total Rural Urban

Number
200,000,000 140,000,000 50,000,000
120,000,000 40,000,000
150,000,000 100,000,000
126,470,497

30,000,000
121,285,762

43,192,388

80,000,000
163,819,614

164,478,150

37,349,117

100,000,000
60,000,000
20,524,583
19,591,555

17,757,562

22,667,805
61,062,849
65,407,648

63,064,665

58,221,097

20,000,000
84,999,203

78,820,411

85,732,470

78,745,680

40,000,000
50,000,000 10,000,000
20,000,000
0 0 0
2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

10 Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females

Source: Census of India 2011

 Source: Census of India 2011

introduction
India Profile
Population density Sex ratio Sex ratio, 0-6 yrs
Persons per sq km Females per 1000 males Females per 1000 males
500 1,100 1,100

400 1,000 1,000

900 900
300
800 800
200
382

949
946

934
943

927
933

923
929

919
906
325

905
700

900
700
100
600 600
0 500 500
2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

Total Total Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban

Literates, 7+ yrs Total Rural Urban

Number

1,000,000,000 600,000,000 300,000,000

500,000,000 250,000,000
800,000,000
400,000,000 200,000,000

280,844,977
600,000,000
482,653,540
763,498,517

150,000,000

198,816,980
300,000,000

112,982,075

153,402,248

127,442,729
361,870,817

138,319,176
223,551,641

281,281,531

201,372,009
328,814,738
560,687,797

336,533,716

224,154,081

434,683,779

85,834,905
400,000,000 100,000,000
200,000,000
200,000,000 100,000,000 50,000,000

0 0 0
2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females

Literacy rate, 7+ yrs Total Rural Urban

Percent
100.00 100.00 100.00

80.00 80.00 80.00

60.00 60.00 60.00

88.76
86.27

84.11
79.92

79.11
80.89

77.15

72.86
75.26

40.00 40.00
72.99

70.70

40.00
67.77
64.84

64.64

58.74

57.93
53.67

46.13

20.00 20.00 20.00

0.00 0.00 0.00

2001 2011 2001 2011 2001 2011

Persons Males Females Persons Males Females Persons Males Females

General Notes:
The figures for India and Manipur, include by sex, the estimated population, 0-6 population and literates of Paomata, Mao Maram and Purul sub-divisions of Senapati district of
Manipur for Census 2001 and 2011.
For working out density of India and the State of Jammu & Kashmir, the entire area and population of those portions of Jammu & Kashmir which are under illegal occupation of
Pakistan and China have not been taken into account.
For Census 2011, the population of “Others” has been clubbed with the “Males” for working out population, 0-6 population, literates and related rates and ratios.
Rural Urban Areas: The data in the table on Provisional Population Totals are presented separately for rural and urban areas. The unit of classification in this regard is 'town' for
urban areas and 'village' for rural areas. In the Census of India 2011, the definition of urban area adopted is as follows: (a) All statutory places with a municipality, corporation,
cantonment board or notified town area committee, etc. (b) A place satisfying the following three criteria simultaneously:
i) a minimum population of 5,000;
ii) at least 75 per cent of male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits; and
iii) a density of population of at least 400 per sq. km. (1,000 per sq. mile).
For identification of places which would qualify to be classified as 'urban' all villages, which, as per the 2001 Census had a population of 4,000 and above, a population density of
400 persons per sq. km. and having at least 75 per cent of male working population engaged in non-agricultural activity were considered. An area is considered 'Rural' if it is not
classified as 'Urban' as per the above definition.
* The area figure exclude 78,114 sq. km. under the illegal occupation of Pakistan, 5,180 sq. km. Illegally handed over by Pakistan to China and 37,555
sq.km. under the illegal occupation of China in Ladakh district. 11

Source: Census of India 2011

 Area and Population their jurisdiction, which is a factor for them to
The State covers an area of 191,791 Sq.km, have more population. Kodagu with a population
(74,122 sq miles) or 5.83 per cent of the total of just 0.55 million is the least populous district
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

geographical area of India. It is the eighth largest in the State, preceded by Bengaluru Rural district
Indian State by area, the ninth largest by population with 0.98 million. Except for these two districts in
and comprises 30 districts. Kannada is the official the State, all other districts have more than one
and most widely spoken language. Though several million population. In terms of ranking, Bengaluru
etymologies have been suggested for the name district with a share of 15.69 per cent ranks
Karnataka, the generally accepted one is that first, followed by Belagavi district (7.82 per cent),
Karnataka is derived from the Kannada words karu Kodagu district with 0.91 per cent share occupies
and nadu,meaning elevated land. Karunadu may the last rank preceded by Bengaluru Rural district
also be read as Karu (black) and nadu (Region), (1.61per cent ). The percentage decadal growth of
as a reference to the black cotton soil found in population in the inter-censal period 2001-2011
the Bayaluseeme region of Karnataka. The British varied from a negative rate of -0.28 per cent in
used the word Carnatic (sometimes Karnatak) to Chikkamagaluru district to the highest of 46.68
describe both sides of Peninsular India, south of per cent in Bengaluru district. The average decadal
the Krishna River. growth rate for the State stands at15.67.

The provisional results for the Census of India In Karnataka, the proportion of children in
2011, reveals that population of Karnataka at the age group 0-6 decreased from 13.59 per cent
the reference point of time is 6,11,30,704 with in 2001 to 11.21 per cent in 2011. Incase of
3,10,57,742 males and 3,00,72,962 females. males, the percentage dropped by 2.36 per cent
In absolute terms, the population of Karnataka age points and for the females by 2.38 percentage
has in creased by 82,80,142 persons during the points. Among the disticts the highest proportion
decade 2001-2011 and in terms of per cent age of child population (0-6) is found in Yadagiri
it has registered adecadal growth rate of 15.67 district (15.83 per cent ) which incidentally had
per cent, which is below the national average the highest proportion of child population (0-6)in
of 17.64. The net addition in population over 2001 also. The least proportion of child population
the decade consistently increased from1901to (0-6) is recorded in Udupi district (8.54 per cent)
2011, except in the decade 1911-1921. However, which also had the lowest proportion in 2001
from1981-1991onwards the decadal growth rates Census. The proportion of child population (0-6)
have shown a declining trend, which implies that is above the State average of 11.21 per cent in only
even though the population of the State is steadily 12 districts of the State.
growing, the pace of its growth is on the decline. One of the important indices of population
The total progressive growth rate of the State concentration is the density of population. It
population since 1901 to 2011 is 368.26 per cent. is defined as the number of persons per square
In absolute terms, the population of the State kilometre. The population density of Karnataka
which stood at 1,30,54,754 in 1901 has in creased in 2011 was 319 persons per square kilometre
to 6,11,30,704 over the last 110 years with a net an increase from 276 in 2001. It means that, on
increase of 4,80,75,950 that Bengaluru district, an average 43 more people inhabit every square
home to the State head-quarters, with its share kilometre area in the State than the numbers
of 15.69 per cent population is the most populous that lived a decade ago. At the begining of the
district in the State. twentieth Century, the density of Karnataka was
In other words, for every six person in the State as low as 68 and this has steadily increased from
one belongs to Bengaluru district. Belagavi with a one decade to another to reach 319 in 2011. The
share of 7.82 per cent occupies the second place, percentage increase in 2011 is 15.58 per cent
followed by Mysuru (4.90), Tumakuru (4.39), compared to 17.45 per cent in 2001. Bengaluru
Kalaburgi (4.20)and Ballari (4.14) districts. All these district with 4,378 persons per square kilometre
five districts have more than 2.5 million population is the most densely populated and ranks first in
each and together contribute one fourth to the the State. Bengaluru district which includes the
State’s total population. Among these five districts, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike limits in
12 four districts have Municipal Corporations with in its jurisdiction has increased its habitants by
1,393 per square kilometre during the decade. Gadag district the female literacy is at 17th place
Kodagu is the least populated district in the where as the male literacy is ranked at 10th place.
State with the density of 135 persons per square

introduction
kilometre. Kodagu which ranked at the 29th place
Territorial Changes
in 2001 Census has slipped to the last position.
Kerala is the most densely populated State in the The erstwhile princely State of Mysuru came
Southern Region,which ranks at 8th place. From into existence after the Fourth Anglo-Mysuru
the statement it can be seen that Karnataka which war in 1799 A.D. and it formed the Nucleus State
ranked 20th in 2001 has moved up to19th rank in for the New State of Mysuru under the States’
2011 Census. Reorganization Act of 1956. The area reported
corresponding to the unit was 75,412 sq.km. In
As per the provisional figures of Census of India
1881 this unit consisted of only seven districts
2011, the sex ratio for the country as a whole is
namely Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Kolar, Kadur,
940 as against 933 in 2001. On the other hand, the
Mysuru, Chitradurga and Shivamogga . In 1886,
sex ratio for Karnataka has witnessed a marginal
Hassan district was carved out as eighth district
increase of three points during the decade. The
and in 1939, Mandya district was created as the
sex ratio for the State as per provisional figures
ninth district and in 1953, the Ballari district of
of Census 2011 is 968 compared to 965 in 2001
Madras State (excluding Adoni, Alur and Rayadurga
Census. The State figures are however more than
taluks) was transferred to Mysuru State when the
the national average. Among the Southern States,
State of Andhra Pradesh was formed, resulting in
Karnataka and Goa’s sex ratio are identical and
an addition of 9,897 sq. km. to the area of the
are the second lowest next to Maharashtra which
State.
has recorded 925 females per 1,000 males. The
sex ratio in the State ranges from 1,093 inUdupi Political movements for the creation of new,
district to 908 in Bengaluru district. Though linguistic-based states developed around India in
Udupi district has registered the highest sex ratio the years after independence. The movement to
of 1,093, the ratioin facthasdeclinedfrom1,130 create a Telugu speaking State out of the northern
in2001.A similiar trend is observed in Dakshina portion of Madras State gathered strength in the
Kannada district. Bengaluru district has recorded years after independence, and in 1953, the 16
the lowest sex ratio in the state. northern, Telugu speaking districts of Madras
State became the new State of Andhra. In
As per Census 2011 Provisional Population
December 1953, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
Totals, the literacy rate of the State stands at
appointed the States Reorganization Commission
75.60 per cent , the male literacy rate at 82.85
to workout the modality for the creation of states
per cent and the female literacy rate at 68.13 per
on linguistic lines. This was headed by Justice
cent . Out of the 10,594,361 added to the literate
Fazal Ali and the commission itself was also
population during 2001-2011Census, 5,147,257
known as the Fazal Ali Commission. The efforts
were males and 5,447,104 were females. Further,
of this commission were overseen by Govind
during this period the contribution of the total
Ballabh pant, who served as Home Minister from
decrease of 1,987,920 among illiterates is
December 1954. The commission created a report
dominated by females (1,162,601) as compared to
in 1955 recommending the reorganization of
males (825,319).
India’s States.
When the districts arranged in descending
The States Reorganization Act of 1956, which
order according to 2011 literacy rates, Dakshina
went into effect on November 1st, eliminated
Kannada tops the rank list in respect of over
the distinction between part A, B, and C States.
all literacy and male literacy rate followed by
It also reorganized the State boundaries and
Bengaluru district. In respect of female lite rates,
created or dissolved States and union territories.
Bengaluru ranks first followed by Dakshina
On November 1st, 1956, India was divided into
Kannada. Yadagiri which has returned less than
states and union territories. The Mysuru State
60 per cent literacy ranks last among the districts
was enlarged by the addition of Kodagu State and
in the State.Ten districts have the same rank for
the Kannada speaking districts from southern
both the sexes. Mysuru ranks at 13th place in
female literacy and 20th in male literacy rate. In
Bombay State and western Hyderabad State. 13
 The State of Mysuru (rechristened as Karnataka Bengaluru Rural and Kolar District districts.
with effect from 1.11.1973) with its territorial Yadagiri forms the youngest district carved out
content as it exists now was formed on 1st of Kalaburgi district on 10th April, 2010 and was
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

November, 1956 under the States’ Reorganization officially declared as 30th district of Karnataka.
Act. It comprised of a) the old Mysuru State There have been a few jurisdictional changes in
including Ballari district; b) Vijayapura, Dharwad the boundaries of the districts after 2001 Census
and Uttara Kannada district and Belagavi district due to the creation of three new districts. The
excluding Chandgad taluk with an area of 54, 347 boundaries of the following three districts and
sq. km. c) Kalaburgi (Except Kodangal and Tandur change in the number of taluks in these districts
taluks)- 17,274 sq. km; Raichur (except Alampur are given at the end of this page.
and Gadwal taluks)-14,078 sq. km; and Bidar
Administrative Divisions
district (except Ahmedpur, Nilanga and Udgir
taluks, Nayalkar Circle of Bidar taluk, Zahirabad Karnataka State has been divided into four
taluk except Nirna circle and three villages of Revenue divisions, 52 sub-divisions, 30 districts,
Humnabad taluk and Narayankhed taluk) with an 177 taluks including the recently formed Kittur
area of 5,363 sq. km. from former Hyderabad State; Taluk and 747 hoblies/Revenue Circles for
d) Dakshina Kannada (except Kasargod taluk and administrative purposes. The district-wise
Amindivi islands) with an area of 8,385 sq.km; and area, population and administrative divisions
Kollegal taluk of Coimbatore district with an area of Karnataka State are given in Table 1.1 The
of 2,786 sq.km. from former Madras State; and e) Bengaluru Division comprises of Bengaluru,
former part C State of Coorg (Kodagu) district with Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, Kolar,
an area of 4,131 sq.km. In 1969, Savanur taluk Chikkaballapura, Chitradurga, Shivamogga
was created and in 1974, Haghari bommanahalli and Davanagere districts with headquarters
taluk was created by the abolition of the former at Bengaluru. The Mysuru Division consists
Mallapuram taluk of Ballari district. During of the districts of Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan,
1986, Bengaluru Rural district was carved out Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu,
of the former Bengaluru district. The jurisdiction Udupi and Chamarajanagara districts with
of Karnataka state extends over portions land- headquarters at Mysuru. The Belagavi Division has
locked within Maharashtra i.e. Dhamne S. Bailur Belagavi, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri,
and Kudrimani of Belagavi taluk land Mukhed of Uttara Kannada and Bagalkot districts under its
Aurad taluk of Bidar district. jurisdiction with headquarters at Belagavi, and
Kalaburgi division with headquarters at Kalaburgi
In August 1997, seven more districts were
covers the districts of Bidar, Kalaburgi, Yadagiri,
newly formed raising the number of district in the
Ballari, Raichur and Koppal districts. The State
State to 27. During August 2007, Ramanagara
has 29,340 villages, 220 Statutory towns and 127
and Chikkaballapur districts were created
Census towns as per 2011 Census.

Number of
Number of
Sl No District Taluks in Reasons for the difference
Taluks in 2001
2011

Bengaluru Four taluks were transferred to

1 8 4
Rural newly created Ramanagara District

Six taluks were transferred to newly

2 Kolar 11 5
created Chikkaballapura District

Three taluks were transferred to

3 Kalaburgi 10 7
newly created Yadgiri District

14
 Area and Administrative Divisions (Numbers)
villages
Area in villages Cities and
Sl.No. Year Taluks Hoblies un-

introduction
Sq.km inhabited Towns
inhabited
1 1961 1,91,757 175 662 26,377 NA 231
2 1971 1,91,773 175 739 26,826 2,707 245
3 1981 1,91,791 175 745 27,024 2,362 281
4 1991 1,91,791 175 745 27,066 2,127 254
5 2001 1,91,791 176 745 27,481 1,925 270
6 2011 1,91,791 176 747 27,397 1,943 347

Table 1.1 :Area, Provisional Population and Administrative Divisions of Karnataka

Area per cent Population per centof Density No. of No. of
District
(Sq.km) of State (2011) State (2011) Taluks Hoblies
Bengaluru 2,196 1.14 95,88,910 15.69 4,378 4 17
Bengaluru Rural 2,298 1.20 9,87,257 1.61 441 4 17
Ramanagara 3,516 1.83 10,82,739 1.77 303 4 18
Chitradurga 8,436 4.40 16,60,378 2.72 197 6 22
Davangere 5,924 3.09 19,46,905 3.18 329 6 24
Kolar 3,979 2.07 15,40,231 2.52 384 5 27
Chikkaballapura 4,244 2.21 12,54,377 2.05 298 6 26
Shivamogga 8,478 4.42 17,55,512 2.87 207 7 40
Tumakuru 10,597 5.53 26,81,449 4.39 253 10 50
Chikkamagaluru 7,202 3.76 11,37,753 1.86 158 7 34
Dakshiuna Kannada 4,861 2.53 20,83,625 3.41 457 5 17
Udupi 3,582 1.87 11,77,908 1.93 304 3 9
Hassan 6,814 3.55 17,76,221 2.91 261 8 38
Kodagu 4,102 2.14 5,54,762 0.91 135 3 16
Mandya 4,962 2.59 18,08,680 2.96 365 7 31
Mysuru 6,307 3.29 29,94,744 4.90 437 7 33
Chamaraja nagar 5,648 2.94 10,20,962 1.67 200 4 16
Belagavi 13,433 7.00 47,78,439 7.82 356 10 35
Vijayapura 10,498 5.47 21,75,102 3.56 207 5 18
Bagalkot 6,552 3.42 18,90,826 3.09 288 6 18
Dharwad 4,260 2.22 18,46,993 3.02 434 5 14
Gadag 4,657 2.43 10,65,235 1.74 229 5 11
Haveri 4,823 2.51 15,98,506 2.61 331 7 19
Uttara Kannada 10,277 5.36 14,36,847 2.35 140 11 35
Ballari 8,461 4.41 25,32,383 4.14 300 7 27
Bidar 5,448 2.84 17,00,018 2.78 312 5 30
Kalaburgi 10,954 5.71 25,64,892 4.20 233 7 32
Raichur 8,442 4.40 19,24,773 3.15 228 5 37
Koppal 5,570 2.90 13,91,292 2.28 250 4 20
Yadagiri 5,270 2.75 1172985 1.92 224 3 16
State 1,91,791 100 611,30,704 100 319 176 747
15
 Table 1.1: Area –Population and Administrative Divisions of Karnataka
KARNATAKA

Cities/ Urban Inha- Uninha- No. of Number

a HAND BOOK OF

Gram
Towns/ Local bited ted V.A of Nada
District panchayats
Urban Bodies villages villages Circles Offices
2012-13
2001 2013 2001 2001 2013 2013
Bengaluru 86 19 2 669 30 223 31
Bengaluru Rural 98 6 5 949 101 182 17
Ramanagara 130 4 4 770 53 242 18
Chitradurga 185 6 6 946 113 314 22
Davangere 230 6 6 810 113 865 84
Kolar 156 6 6 1,598 199 261 27
Chikkaballapura 151 6 6 1,321 193 250 26
Shivamogga 260 9 9 1,443 87 359 37
Tumakuru 321 11 10 2,574 134 572 50
Chikkamagaluru 226 9 9 1,034 83 238 34
Dakshina 203 20 8 354 - 264 17
Kannada
Udupi 146 6 4 248 - 203 10
Hassan 258 9 8 2,394 165 411 38
Kodagu 98 5 4 291 5 110 16
Mandya 232 8 7 1,369 110 435 45
Mysuru 235 11 9 1,216 124 450 34
Chamarajanagar 120 4 5 424 85 232 16
Belagavi 485 22 17 1,255 15 817 36
Vijayapura 199 6 6 660 17 237 18
Bagalkot 161 12 12 623 4 251 18
Dharwad 127 6 6 361 18 221 15
Gadag 106 9 9 329 8 180 10
Haveri 208 9 8 691 7 272 19
Uttara Kannada 207 13 11 1,246 43 358 38
Ballari 189 11 10 524 30 310 27
Bidar 175 6 6 599 22 322 29
Kalaburagi 220 17 10 873 45 377 32
Raichur 164 9 7 830 53 280 37
Koppal 134 5 4 594 35 164 20
Yadagiri 117 - 5 487 32 173 16
State 5,627 270 219 27,482 1,924 9,573 777
16
Census of India 2011

CENSUS OF INDIA 2011

introduction
PRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT
FIGURES AT A GLANCE
KARNATAKA
2001 2011 Increase
No. of Districts 27 30 3
No. of Sub districts 175 176 1
No. of Towns 270 347 77
No. of Statutory Towns 226 220 -6
No. of Census Towns 44 127 83
No. of Villages 29,406 29,340 -66
No. of inhabited villages 27,481 27,397 -84
No. of Un-inhabited villages 1,925 1,943 18
Absolute Percentage
Total population
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 6,10,95,297 3,74,69,335 2,36,25,962 100.0 61.3 38.7
Males 3,09,66,657 1,89,29,354 1,20,37,303 100.0 61.1 38.9
Females 3,01,28,640 1,85,39,981 1,15,88,659 100.0 61.5 38.5
Absolute Percentage
Decadal change 2001-2011
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 82,44,735 25,80,302 56,64,433 15.6 7.4 31.5
Males 40,67,739 12,80,396 27,87,343 15.1 7.3 30.1
Females 41,76,996 12,99,906 28,77,090 16.1 7.5 33.0
Sex Ratio 973 979 963
Child Population in the age Absolute Percentage to total population
group 0-6 years Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 71,61,033 45,17,645 2,643,388 11.7 12.1 11.2
Males 36,75,291 23,17,069 13,58,222 11.9 12.2 11.3
Females 34,85,742 22,00,576 12,85,166 11.6 11.9 11.1
Child Sex Ratio 948 950 946
Absolute Literacy rate
Literates
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 4,06,47,322 2,26,49,176 1,79,98,146 75.4 68.7 85.8
Males 2,25,08,471 1,28,93,437 96,15,034 82.5 77.6 90.0
Females 1,81,38,851 97,55,739 83,83,112 68.1 59.7 81.4
Absolute Percentage to total population
Scheduled Caste population
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 1,04,74,992 74,95,763 29,79,229 17.1 20.0 12.6
Males 52,64,545 37,71,506 14,93,039 17.0 19.9 12.4
Females 52,10,447 37,24,257 14,86,190 17.3 20.1 12.8
Absolute Percentage to total population
Scheduled Tribe population
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 42,48,987 34,29,791 8,19,196 7.0 9.2 3.5
Males 21,34,754 17,23,762 4,10,992 6.9 9.1 3.4
Females 21,14,233 17,06,029 4,08,204 7.0 9.2 3.5 17

16
 Primary Census Abstract — Data Highlights

Absolute Work Participation Rate

Total Workers
KARNATAKA

Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban

a HAND BOOK OF

Persons 2,78,72,597 1,85,02,230 93,70,367 45.6 49.4 39.7

Males 1,82,70,116 1,13,11,426 69,58,690 59.0 59.8 57.8
Females 96,02,481 71,90,804 24,11,677 31.9 38.8 20.8
Absolute Percentage to total workers
Main Workers
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 2,33,97,181 1,50,60,905 83,36,276 83.9 81.4 89.0
Males 1,63,49,837 1,00,03,021 6,346,816 89.5 88.4 91.2
Females 70,47,344 50,57,884 1,989,460 73.4 70.3 82.5
Absolute Percentage to total workers
Marginal Workers
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 44,75,416 34,41,325 10,34,091 16.1 18.6 11.0
Males 19,20,279 13,08,405 6,11,874 10.5 11.6 8.8
Females 25,55,137 21,32,920 4,22,217 26.6 29.7 17.5
Marginal Workers Absolute Percentage to total marginal workers
(3-6 months) Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 39,31,647 30,36,548 8,95,099 87.8 88.2 86.6
Males 16,68,094 11,40,372 5,27,722 86.9 87.2 86.2
Females 22,63,553 18,96,176 3,67,377 88.6 88.9 87.0
Marginal Workers Absolute Percentage to total marginal workers
(Less than 3 months) Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 5,43,769 4,04,777 1,38,992 12.2 11.8 13.4
Males 2,52,185 1,68,033 84,152 13.1 12.8 13.8
Females 2,91,584 2,36,744 54,840 11.4 11.1 13.0
Absolute Percentage to total workers
Total Cultivators
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 65,80,649 63,40,930 2,39,719 23.6 34.3 2.6
Males 47,53,708 45,65,677 1,88,031 26.0 40.4 2.7
Females 18,26,941 17,75,253 51,688 19.0 24.7 2.1
Total Agricultural Absolute Percentage to total workers
Labourers Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 71,55,963 67,37,213 4,18,750 25.7 36.4 4.5
Males 32,83,279 30,47,116 2,36,163 18.0 26.9 3.4
Females 38,72,684 36,90,097 1,82,587 40.3 51.3 7.6
Total Household Industry Absolute Percentage to total workers
workers Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 9,13,227 5,22,600 3,90,627 3.3 2.8 4.2
Males 4,38,983 2,30,486 2,08,497 2.4 2.0 3.0
Females 4,74,244 2,92,114 1,82,130 4.9 4.1 7.6
Absolute Percentage to total workers
Total Other Workers
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 1,32,22,758 49,01,487 83,21,271 47.4 26.5 88.8
Males 97,94,146 34,68,147 63,25,999 53.6 30.7 90.9
18 Females 34,28,612 14,33,340 19,95,272 35.7 19.9 82.7

17
Census of India 2011

CENSUS OF INDIA 2011

PRIMARY CENSUS ABSTRACT

introduction
FIGURES AT A GLANCE
INDIA
2001 2011 Increase
No. of States/UTs 35 35 -
No. of Districts 593 640 47
No. of Sub districts 5,463 5,924 461
No. of Towns 5,161 7,933 2,772
No. of Statutory Towns 3,799 4,041 242
No. of Census Towns 1,362 3,892 2,530
No. of Villages 638,588 640,930 2,342
Absolute Percentage
Total population
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 1,21,05,69,573 83,34,63,448 37,71,06,125 100.0 68.8 31.2

Males 62,31,21,843 42,76,32643 19,54,89,200 100.0 68.6 31.4

Females 58,74,47,730 40,58,30,805 18,16,16,925 100.0 69.1 30.9

Decadal change Absolute Percentage
2001-2011 Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 18,19,59,458 9,09,73,022 9,09,86,436 17.7 12.3 31.8

Males 9,09,65,182 4,60,30,080 4,49,35,102 17.1 12.1 29.9

Females 9,09,94,276 4,49,42,942 4,60,51,334 18.3 12.5 34.0

Sex Ratio 943 949 929
Child Population in the Absolute Percentage to total population
age group 0-6 years Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 16,44,78,150 12,12,85,762 4,31,92,388 13.6 14.6 11.5

Males 8,57,32,470 6,30,64,665 2,26,67,805 13.8 14.7 11.6

Females 7,87,45,680 5,82,21,097 2,05,24,583 13.4 14.3 11.3

Child Sex Ratio 919 923 905
Absolute Literacy rate
Literates
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 76,34,98,517 48,26,53,540 28,08,44,977 73.0 67.8 84.1

Males 43,46,83,779 28,12,81,531 153,402,248 80.9 77.2 88.8

Females 32,88,14,738 20,13,72,009 12,74,42,729 64.6 57.9 79.1

Scheduled Caste Absolute Percentage to total population
population Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 20,13,78,086 15,38,50,562 4,75,27,524 16.6 18.5 12.6

Males 10,35,35,165 7,91,18,138 2,44,17,027 16.6 18.5 12.5

Females 9,78,42,921 7,47,32,424 2,31,10,497 16.7 18.4 12.7

Scheduled Tribe Absolute Percentage to total population
population Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 10,42,81,034 9,38,19,162 1,04,61,872 8.6 11.3 2.8

Males 5,24,09,823 4,71,26,341 52,83,482 8.4 11.0 2.7

Females 5,18,71,211 4,66,92,821 51,78,390 8.8 11.5 2.9 19

14
 Primary Census Abstract — Data Highlights

Absolute Work Participation Rate

Total Workers
KARNATAKA

Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban

a HAND BOOK OF

Persons 48,17,43,311 34,85,97,535 13,31,45,776 39.8 41.8 35.3

Males 33,18,65,930 22,67,63,068 10,51,02,862 53.3 53.0 53.8
Females 14,98,77,381 12,18,34,467 2,80,42,914 25.5 30.0 15.4
Absolute Percentage to total workers
Main Workers
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 36,24,46,420 24,57,49,270 11,66,97,150 75.2 70.5 87.6
Males 27,31,49,359 17,80,34,713 9,51,14,646 82.3 78.5 90.5
Females 8,92,97,061 6,77,14,557 2,15,82,504 59.6 55.6 77.0
Absolute Percentage to total workers
Marginal Workers
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 11,92,96,891 10,28,48,265 1,64,48,626 24.8 29.5 12.4
Males 5,87,16,571 4,87,28,355 99,88,216 17.7 21.5 9.5
Females 6,05,80,320 5,41,19,910 64,60,410 40.4 44.4 23.0
Marginal Workers Absolute Percentage to total marginal workers
(3-6 months) Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 9,70,44,107 8,30,31,670 1,40,12,437 81.3 80.7 85.2
Males 4,85,79,387 4,00,34,385 85,45,002 82.7 82.2 85.6
Females 4,84,64,720 4,29,97,285 54,67,435 80.0 79.4 84.6
Marginal Workers Absolute Percentage to total marginal workers
(Less than 3 months) Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 2,22,52,784 1,98,16,595 24,36,189 18.7 19.3 14.8
Males 1,01,37,184 86,93,970 14,43,214 17.3 17.8 14.4
Females 1,21,15,600 1,11,22,625 9,92,975 20.0 20.6 15.4
Absolute Percentage to total workers
Total Cultivators
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 11,86,92,640 11,49,68,498 37,24,142 24.6 33.0 2.8
Males 8,27,06,724 7,98,39,098 28,67,626 24.9 35.2 2.7
Females 3,59,85,916 3,51,29,400 8,56,516 24.0 28.8 3.1
Total Agricultural Absolute Percentage to total workers
Labourers Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 14,43,29,833 13,69,94,451 73,35,382 30.0 39.3 5.5
Males 8,27,40,351 7,79,30,236 48,10,115 24.9 34.4 4.6
Females 6,15,89,482 5,90,64,215 25,25,267 41.1 48.5 9.0
Total Household Absolute Percentage to total workers
Industry workers Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 1,83,36,307 1,19,47,619 63,88,688 3.8 3.4 4.8
Males 97,75,635 58,63,891 39,11,744 2.9 2.6 3.7
Females 85,60,672 60,83,728 24,76,944 5.7 5.0 8.8
Absolute Percentage to total workers
Total Other Workers
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
Persons 20,03,84,531 8,46,86,967 11,56,97,564 41.6 24.3 86.9
Males 15,66,43,220 6,31,29,843 9,35,13,377 47.2 27.8 89.0
20 Females 4,37,41,311 2,15,57,124 2,21,84,187 29.2 17.7 79.1

15
 21
introduction
 Physiography to 1,750 metres are found in the Biligirirangan
Physiographically Karnataka State forms part hills of Mysuru district and the Brahmagiri range
of two well defined macro regions of Indian Union; of Kodagu district.
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

the Deccan Plateau and the Coastal plains and Karnataka Coastal Region: The Karnataka
Islands. The State has four physiographic regions Coastal Region, which extends between the Western
which are as follows: Ghats edge of the Karnataka Plateau in the east
Northern Karnataka Plateau: Northern and the Arabian Sea in the west, covers Dakshina
Karnataka Plateau comprises of the districts of Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.
Belagavi, Bidar, Vijayapura, Bagalkot Kalaburgi This region is traversed by several ridges and spurs
and Yadgir. It is largely composed of Deccan Trap. of Western Ghats. It is a difficult terrain with full
It represents a monotonous treeless extensive of rivers, creeks, water falls, peaks and ranges
plateau landscape with a general elevation of 300 of hills. The coastal region consists of two broad
to 600 metres from the mean sea level. However, physical units, the plains and the Western Ghats.
the river plains of the Krishna, the Bhima, the The Coastal plains, represent a narrow stretch of
Ghataprabha and the Malaprabha with the estuarine and marine plains. The abrupt rise at
intervening watersheds, the step like landscapes, the eastern flanks forms the Western Ghats. The
lateritic escarpments, residual hills and ridges northern parts of the Ghats are of lower elevation
break the monotony of this extensive plateau. The (450-600 metres) as compared to the Southern
general slope is towards east and this region is parts (900-1,500 metres). The coastal belt with an
largely covered with rich black cotton soils. average width of 50 to 80 km covers a distance
of about 267 km. from north to south. At certain
Central Karnataka Plateau: Central
places the crest of adjoining Western Ghats reach
Karnataka Plateau covers the districts of Ballari,
the sea as close as 13 km near Karwar. The average
Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, Davanagere,
height is generally 75 metres from the mean sea
Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Raichur, Koppal and
level.
Shivamogga . The region represents the transitional
surface between the Northern Karnataka Plateau
of Deccan Trap and Southern Karantaka Plateau Topography
with relatively higher surface. By and large, this Karnataka has representatives of all types
region represents the area of Tungabhadra basin. of variation in topography – high mountains,
The general elevation varies between 450 and plateaus, residual hills and coastal plains. The
700 metres. However, this transitional ground is State is enclosed by chains of mountains to its
broken by several sets of parallel ridges mainly west, east and south. It consists mainly of plateau
made up of Dharwar system of rocks. The height of which has higher elevation of 600 to 900 metres
such residual hills is about 900 metres above sea above mean sea level. The entire landscape is
level. The general slope of this region is towards undulating broken up by mountains and deep
the east. ravines.
Southern Karnataka Plateau: The Southern Plain land of elevation less than 300 metres
Karnataka Plateau covers the districts of Bengaluru, above mean sea level is to be found only in the
Bengaluru Rural, Hassan, Kodagu, Kolar, Mandya, narrow coastal belt, facing the Arabian Sea. There
Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Tumakuru. This are quite a few high peaks both in Western and
region largely covers the area of the Cauvery river Eastern Ghat systems with altitudes more than
basin lying in Karnataka. It is bounded by 600 1500 meters. A series of cross-sections drawn from
metres contour and is characterized by a higher west to east across the Western Ghat generally
degree of slope. In the west and south it is enclosed exhibit, a narrow coastal plain followed to the east
by the ranges of Western Ghats and the northern by small and short plateaus at different altitudes,
part is an interrupted but clearly identifiable high then suddenly rising upto great heights. Then
plateau. In the east, the valleys of the Cauvery and follows the gentle east and east-north-west sloping
its tributaries open out to form undulating plains. plateau. Among the tallest peaks of Karnataka
The general elevation of the region varies from 600 are the Mullayyanagiri (1,925 m), Bababudangiri
22 to 900 metres. However, residual heights of 1,500 (Chandradrona Parvata 1,894 m.) and the
Kudremukh (1,895 m) all in Chikkamagaluru Nagamangala, Hadanur, Nuggehalli, Karighatta
district and the Pushpagiri (1,908 m) in Kodagu and other minor belts, which are made up of
district. There are a dozen peaks which rise above diverse lithological assemblages ranging from

introduction
the height of 1,500 metres. The per cent age of mafic to ultramafic rocks, aluminous sediments,
area coming under different elevations is as follows most of which show high grade metamorphism.
: less than 150 metres -5.16; 150 to 300 metres- Rocks belonging to this group are rich in deposits of
1.95; 300to 600 metres -43.51; 600 to 1,350 gold, chromite and vanadium bearing titaniferous
meters -48.81 and more than 1,350 metres -0.57. magnetite, besides other economically important
non-metallic minerals like asbestos, barites,
corundum, kyanite, sillimanite and garnet.
GEOLOGY
Peninsular Gneissic Complex (2,500 million
Karnataka is one of the five major Archaean
years – 2,400 million years) : The larger part of
Cratons of the Indian shield preserving within it
the Karnataka State is composed of granite,
rocks ranging in age from 3.4 billion years to 2.6
granodiorite and gneissic granite along with
billion years. In geological literature, this craton is
banded gneiss and migmatite which are collectively
referred to as the Dharwar Craton which extends
known by the name Peninsular Gneissic Complex.
beyond the geographical boundary of the state.
The variations shown by Peninsular gneisses are
In general, the geological formations of the state
the results of the intimate mixing and interaction
are grouped under these categories: The Archean
of tonolitic materials with pre existing mafic –
complex consisting of both older and younger schist
ultramafic components and associated sedimentary
belts, granitic gneiss, the Proterozoic sedimentary
rocks of earlier greenstone belts. Peninsular gneiss
formations, the Deccan Traps, the Tertiary and
is believed to be the basement for the Dharwar
Recent formations. Of these, the major part (
Supergroup. The term is now restricted to the
about 60 per cent) of the State is composed of the
gneisses occurring west of Closepet granite.
Archean complex consisting of gneisses, granites
and high grade rocks. Dharwar Supergroup: (2,500 to 2,000 million
years) Dharwar Supergroup consists of volcanic
Division of Dharwar Craton : Dharwar Craton
and sedimentary sequences accumulating in
is divided into two major blocks designated as
geosynclinals basin extending in north north west
The Western Dharwar Craton and The Eastern
direction and are traceable continuously along
Dharwar Craton, considering the regional changes,
the strike for over more than 300 km. Dharwar
lithological variations, differences in volcano
supergroup is sub divided into two main groups,
sedimentary environment, magmatism and grade
lower is designated as the Bababudan Group
of metamorphism. The western Dharwar craton
named after the Bababudan range and consist
is characterized by large schist belts showing
mainly of quartzite, banded iron formation and
evidences of being accumulated in distinct
volcanic flows resting on the eroded edges of the
sedimentary basins, while, the Eastern Dharwar
gneissic complex.
craton is characterized by voluminous juvenile
granites and remobilized gneiss along with the Economically, this group is important for its
remnants of schist belts. The north-south trending rich accumulations of iron ore. Reserves run
Closepet Granite demarcates the boundary into several billion tonnes. The rich iron ores of
between the two blocks. In the latest classification, Ballari district have contributed substantially
the term Peninsular Gneiss is restricted to the grey to the export trade in iron ore. The magnetite
gneiss complex of the Western Dharwar Craton, quartzites of Kudremukh were earlier mined on a
while, the dominantly gneissic terrain to the east large scale, but, now considering the importance
of the Eastern Dharwar Craton is designated as of bio-diversity of Western Ghats, the mining has
the Dharwar Batholith. been abandoned. The conglomerate at the base of
the Bababudan Group carries values of gold and
Western Dharwar Craton: the Western
copper and also shows high radio activity. In this
Dharwar Craton contains three major components
respect, these conglomerates show similarities
namely, the schist belonging to the older Sargur
to the famous Witwatersrand conglomerates of
Group (3,100 to 3,300 million years) under which
South Africa. 23
are included Sargur, Holenarsipur, Krishnarajpet,
 The upper Chitradurga Group overlies the Eastern Dharwar Craton :Unlike the western
Bababudan Group and represents geosynclinals Dharwar Craton, where the basement-cover
pile with sedimentary rocks dominating over the relationship could clearly be established, the
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

volcanics. The greater part of the Shivamogga schistose belts of Eastern Dharwar Craton are
schists belt is made up of rocks belonging to made up of almost a thick pile of basalt with
Chitradurga Group. The unconformity at the base subordinate clastic and chemical sediments with
of the Dharwar Supergroup is well demonstrated no clear indication of gneissic basement. Similarly,
at many places. Rocks belonging to the Group are the tectonic settings of Eastern Dharwar Craton
economically important, being the host rocks for seems to be in contrast with the Western Dharwar
rich accumulations of iron and manganese. The Craton. The gneissic rocks, mostly of granodioritic
limestones of Hosadurga, Chikkanayakanahalli, and granitic composition represent remobilised
Banasandra, Kudrekanive and Bhadigund are parts of an older crust with large-scale addition
exploited for production of cement., The basic of newer granitic material (2500-2600 m.y).
volcanic rocks and their differentiates contain This has been largely referred to as Dharwar
economic concentration of gold, as at Bellara, Batholith. The distinguishing feature of the schist
Ajjanahalli, Kudurekonda, Palavanahalli and belt occurring to the east of Closepet Granite are
Nyamti and of copper at Ingaldhal. Ranibennur the absence of ultramafic rocks and the layered
sequence is considered as a sub group and is complex, large scale mafic volcanism, high grade
presently classified as the top most formation metamorphism and predominance of potash-rich
within the Chitradurga Group. granitic intrusion.
High grade terrain:The high-grade granulite The schist belts of Eastern Dharwar Craton
terrain is confined to the southern extremity of belonging to Dharwar Supergroup include the
the State. Structural and metamorphic continuity Kolar Schist belt, Siruguppa Schist belt, Hutti-
is observed between the low-grade and the high- Maski schist belt, Mangalur schist belt, Hunagund-
grade terrain which extends further south into Kustagi schist belt, Deodurga schist belt. Of these,
Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The high-grade terrain is the Kolar and Hutti schist belts are well known for
considered to represent a laterally situated but more their gold mineralisation and have been extensively
deeply eroded level of the crust. The commonest mined. Sometimes, these two belts are called gold-
rocks are granulite to upper amphibolites gneisses. bearing schist belts of Eastern Karnataka and the
Remnants of some of the earliest sediments and province is called Eastern Gold Field Province.
volcanics and also layered anorthosite complexes Most Archaean gold mineralisation is found in
are found within the gneisses. rocks which are 2700-2600 m.y. old and perhaps
Closepet granite (2,600 million years) Closepet this corresponds to a period of crustal thickening
Granite (after the town of Closepet, named for and stabilisation.
Major Close, a British Army officer) is the name Darwar Batholith: The terrain east of Closepet
given to a younger set of coarse-grained potassic Granite is made up of granite, granodiorite,
granites which form a chain of rounded bosses monzonite, diorite and older migmatitic gneiss and
and domes running north-south, right through extends over hundreds of kilometer parallel to the
the middle of the State from near Sivasamudram green schist belts. The term `Peninsular Gneiss’
in the south to past Ballari in the north, a length now is restricted to the older gneisses of Western
of over 400 km. These coarse-grained granites are Dharwar Craton.
confined to a belt of about 10-20 km. wide. The The plutonic belts of Eastern Dharwar Craton
magnificent hill masses of Savanadurga, Magadi, have been grouped under Dharwar Batholith. The
Closepet (present Ramanagaram), Shivaganga, Dharwar Batholith, in contrast to the tonolitic
Devarayanadurga, Madhugiri, Molakalmuru and and trondhjemitic gneissic complex, is mainly
Pavagada are formed of these granites. granodioritic and granitic in composition. It is a
Closepet granite is believed to be a major product of remobilisation of the crust during late
geosuture joining the Western Dharwar Craton Archaean and early Proterozoic time with abundant
and the Eastern Dharwar Craton, the two distinct addition of juvenile granitic material around 2600
crustal blocks of late Archean age. my.
24
 Proterozoic Basins Vijayapura, Bidar and Kalaburgi are covered over
(1,600 to 542 million years) by extensive spreads of Deccan Trap. The episode
Kaladgi basin : The basin covers over 8,300 coincided with the uplift of Western Ghats. Deccan

introduction
sq.km. extending from Belagavi on the west, traps occur mainly as volcanic piles forming a
to Bagalkot and beyond to the east. The rock gently rolling country presenting a monotonous
assemblages include quartzite, limestone and landscape with very little vegetation. However,
shale. These formations are least affected by these rocks have given rise to the extensive
subsequent metamorphism. The sediments of the development of black cotton soil.
Kaladgi basin is covered by overlying Deccan traps Laterite :Laterite is a peculiar type of residual
on the west as well on the north. Though Kaladgi porous clayey rock full of worm-like tubes,
sediments were considered as unfossiliferous, made up mainly of hydrated oxides of iron and
nevertheless stromatolites have been reported aluminum, formed as the end product of the
indicating the beginning of life in the early part of weathering of underlying rocks. The rock was
earth’s history. first recognised along the west coast of India by
Badami Group : Badami Group occupies Buchanan in 1807, who appropriately named it
an area of about 2,600 sq.km. in Bagalkot and as laterite from `latera’ which, in Latin, means
Belagavi districts. The red coloured quartzite brick. It is formed under special climatic condition
is characteristic of this group. The rocks are of alternating wet and dry seasons. Much of the
confined to the southern part of the Kaladgi basin. silica in the original rock is dissolved and carried
The renowned rock cut temples of Badami and away, leaving the weathered product rich in oxides
Aihole are carved out of the red coloured Badami of iron and aluminum. The laterite-cappings over
sandstone. bed-rock range in thickness from 15 to 60 m. The
best development of laterite is seen in the Bidar,
Bhima Group: Rocks of this group are exposed
Humnabad and Basavakalyan taluks of Bidar
on either side of the Bhima river covering the
district. The entire coastal belt from Kasargod
districts of Vijayapura, Kalaburgi and partly Yadgir
right upto Karwar is covered by thick cappings
and is covered by the Deccan Trap on the north.
of laterite. Cappings are common over the Deccan
The rock assemblages include conglomerate,
Traps in Belagavi and Uttara Kannada districts.
sandstone, shale and limestone. The Bhima Group
of rocks show evidences of having been deposited Recent Deposits and Alluvium: The coastal
in a shallow marine environment. plain bordering the Arabian Sea for a length of
over 300 km. from Mangaluru in the south up to
The limestone deposits of the proterozoic basins
Goa border in the north and over a width of 10
in the northern part of Karnataka have supported
to 20 km inland is covered by laterite. There is
large scale cement factories.
no continuous exposure of recent sediments and
Deccan Volcanics: (63 to 68 million years) alluvium as along the East Coast. Alluvium is
Deccan volcanism occurred at the close of the exposed mostly along the river banks and estuaries.
Cretaceous and dawn of the Tertiary period in Blown sands occur along the coastal beaches. Thin
earth’s history. The northern part of Karnataka beds of shell lime are seen in parts of Mangaluru,
and more particularly the districts of Belagavi, Udupi, Kundapur, Tadri and Karwar.

Mineral Output Quantity

Minerals Unit 2010-11

1. Metallic Miners:
a) Ferrous
1) Chromite Tonnes 3152.00

2) Iron Ore Tonnes 29958458.00

3) Manganese Ore Tonnes 108222.00
25
 1 2 3
b) Non Ferrous: Tonnes 62325.00
KARNATAKA

1) Bauxite
a HAND BOOK OF

2) Copper Ore Tonnes 34330.00

3) Gold gms 2598294.26
4) Silver gms 205980.01
II Non-Metallic Minerals
1) Asbestos Tonnes -
2) Ochre (Red) Tonnes -
3) China Clay/Clay Tonnes 36528.00
4) Corrundum Kgs 10.00
5) Felsite Tonnes 1063.00
6) Fire Clay Tonnes -
7) Kaolin Tonnes 2,917.00
8) Kyanite Tonnes 1,535.00
9) Magnesite Tonnes 8558.00
10) Ochre (Yellow) Tonnes -
11) Quartz Tonnes 20012.00
12) Steatite/Soap Stone Tonnes -
13) Selica Sand Tonnes 123111.00
14) Shale Tonnes 446568.00
I ii Building Materials
1. Dolomite Tonnes 87001.00
2. Lime Shell Tonnes 6044.00
3. Lime Stone Tonnes 18970794.00
4. Moulding Sand Tonnes 6181.00
5 Red Oxide Tonnes -
Source : Department of Mines and Geology

Output of Selected Minerals by District

Minerals District Unit/Quantity 2010-11

1 2 3 4
1. Asbestos Hassan Tonnes =
Mandya Tonnes -
Total 0
2. Bauxite Benlaum Tonnes 31163
D.Kannada Tonnes -
Udupi “ 31162
Total “ 62325
3. Chromite Hassan “ 3152
4. Dolomite Belagavi “ 50012
Vijayapura “ -
26
Mysuru “ -
 Tumakuru “ 2090
Bagalkot “ 34,899
Total “ 90153

introduction
5. Gold Kolar gms -
Raichur gms 2598294.26
Total gma 2598294.26
6. Iron Ore Ballari Tonnes 363336
Vijayapura “ -
Chikkamagaluru “ -
Hospet ‘‘ 22143364
Koppal ‘’ 327260
Chitradurga “ 5488407
Dharwad “ 496
Tumakuru “ 1272737
Uttara Kannada : 1166
Bagalkote “ 306748
Shivamogga “ 11500
Gadag “ 22870
Haveri “ 484
Davanagere “ 20000
Total “ 29958458
7. Lime stone Belagavi “ 449163
Vijayapura “ -
Kalaburgi “ 16251900
Tumakuru “ 209419
Uttara kannada “ -
Shivamogga “ 28000
Chitradurga “ 155136
Mysuru “ -
Bagalkote “ 2277176
Total; “ 18970794
8. Manganese Ore Belagavi Tonnes -
Ballari “ -
Chitradurga “ 10468
Shivamogga “ -
Tumakuru “ 12798
Uttara Kannada “ -
Chikkamagaluru “ -
Haveri “ 110
Davanagere “ 84846
Total “ 108222
9. Magnasite Mysuru “ 8558
Total “ 8558
Source : Department of Mines and Geology
27
 a HAND BOOK OF

28
KARNATAKA

SLOPE
KARNATAKA
KARNATAKA

introduction
GEOLOGY

29
 Water Resources
Karnataka accounts for about six per cent of the Country’s surface water resources of 17 lakh million
cubic meters (M.cum). About 40 per cent of this is available in the east flowing rivers and the remaining
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

from the west flowing rivers.There are seven river basins which with their tributaries drain the State. The
names of river system and the area drained by them are as follows:

River System Drainage area Estimated average Yield

No. 000 sq.km Per Cent Mcum TMC Per Cent

1 Krishna 111.74 58.56 27,451 969.44 28.20
2 Cauvery 36.13 18.97 10,980 387.76 11.28
3 Godavari 4.43 2.32 1,415 49.97 1.45
4 West Flowing rivers 24.53 12.88 56,600 1,998.83 58.14
5 North Pennar 6.91 3.64
6 South Pennar 3.76 1.97 906 32 0.93
7 Palar 2.97 1.56
190.50 100 97,352 3,438.00 100

Karnataka is blessed with water wealth in its Cauvery, the Tungabhadra, the North Pennar, the
numerous rivers and streams and to a limited Palar and the South Pennar of which the first two
extent in its groundwater. The development of water rise in the Western Ghats while the rest rise in
resources forms the very backbone of economic Nandidurga hill ranges in Kolar district. All these
prosperity fof the State, especially of its rural rivers flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal.
areas. The rivers and river systems conform to the
physiographic divisions, the principal water-divide
being the Western Ghats stretching north-south, Krishna Basin
giving rise to west-flowing and east-flowing river The river Krishna is an Inter-State river in
systems. Nandidurg in the east is another source Southern India. It is the second largest river
in which three river systems have their origin. in Peninsular India, rises in the Western Ghats
The rivers of Karnataka swell in monsoons and at an altitude of 1337 m. near Mahabaleshwar
many of them thin out thereafter to a mere trickle. in Maharashtra State. It flows across the whole
The streams of the maidan are generally dry, but width of the peninsula, from west to east, for a
flow in flashy floods occasionally. The rivers of length of about 1400 km, through Maharashtra,
the coastal belt are west-flowing. The Sharavati, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The Krishna
the Kalinadi, the Netravati, the Varahi, the Bedti Basin extending over 2,58,948 sq km is spread
(Gangavali) and the Aghanashini are the more over three states viz., Maharashtra ( 69,425 sq km),
important rivers all of which have considerable Karnataka (113,271sq km)and Andhra Pradesh
hydro-electric potential. They rise in the west of (76,252). About 43.74 per cent of the basin area
the Ghats and flow into the Arabian sea. It is an lies in Karnataka, 26.81 per cent in Maharashtra
area of forests and hills with a rugged topography, and 29.45 per cent in Andlira Pradesh. The
characterised by deep ravines and steep hills Krishna’s course for 483 km lies in Karnataka
rising to heights of 1,250 to 1,890 m which are State. Its major tributaries are the Bhima, the
the source of all the east-and west-flowing rivers Koyna, and Panchganga, the Dudhganga, the
of the State. The northern maidan, drained by the Tungabbadra, the Hiranyakeshi, the Ghataprabha
Krishna, the Ghataprabha, the Malaprabha, the and the Malaprabha. Except for the Koyna and
Bhima and the Tungabhadra rivers is an extensive the Panchganga (barring 3 km along the State
plateau with an average elevation of 610 m above boundary), all these tributary rivers flow through
mean sea level. The Krishna is the economic Karnataka State. The Tungabhadra which has a
life-blood of the northern maidan. The southern drainage area of 66,237 sq km is the largest and
30 maidan has a rolling topography, drained by the the most important of the Krishna’s tributaries.
Nearly 60 per cent of the area of the State lies in before joining the Krishna about 35 km north-
the Krishna basin. The high rainfall zone along east of Kaladgi, at an elevation of 500 m. The river
the Western Ghats forms the western boundary flows for about 59 km in Ratnagiri and Kolhapur

introduction
of the Krishna basin for a distance of about 528 districts of Maharashtra before entering Belagavi
km. The width of this high rainfall zone, with an district of Karnataka. Two of its tributaries, the
annual rainfall from about 300 cm to about 100 Hiranyakeshi and the Markandeya, also rise in
cm within the Krishna basin varies from almost the Western Ghats and flow through Maharashtra
nil to a maximum of about 56 km. At the east of and Karnataka. The river debouches by 53 metres
the Western Ghats the annual rainfall decreases at Gokak Falls (10 km from Gokak), a beauty spot
rapidly until it is less than 60 cm. of Belagavi district. The total catchment area of
The Krishna : The river Krishna rises in the the river and its tributaries is 8,829 sq km in
Western Ghats, at an altitude of 1,336.5 m just Maharashtra and Karnataka,
north of Mahabaleshwar, about 64 km from the The Malaprabha: The river Malaprabba rises
Arabian Sea, and flows across the whole width of in the Western Ghats, at an altitude of 792.4
the peninsula, from west to east, for a length of m, 16 km west of Jamboti in Belagavi district
about 1,400 km through Maharashtra, Karnataka of Karnataka. The river flows first in an easterly
and Andhra Pradesh. About 136 km from its and then in north easterly direction and joins the
source, the Krishna receives the waters of the river Krishna at Kudalasangama at an elevation of about
Koyna from the western side of the Mahabaleshwar 488 m, about 304 km from its source. The reach
Hills. Lower down, the Yerla falls into the Krishna near Saundatti is through a deep gorge known as
from the left and then the Verna, the Panchganga Navil Teertha or the Peacockgorge which is across
and the Dudhganga from the right, the last three colourful sandstone. Its principal tributaries are
draining about 144 km length of the Western the Bennihalla, the Hirehalla and the Tas Nadi,
Ghats. Just near its confluence with Dudhganga all drain an area of relatively low rainfall. The
and 299 km from its source, the Krishna enters total catchment area of the Malaprabha and its
Karnataka. At this point the river has come down tributaries is 11,549 sq km wholly in Karnataka.
to an altitude of about 533 m and has emerged Its principal source of supply is, however, only
from the heavy rainfall zone along and near the about 32 km length of the Western Ghats and a
Western Ghats. After entering Karnataka, there is small area east of it, drained by the Malaprabha
no major contribution to river flow for nearly 200 itself.
km until the Krishna receives from its right, the The Bhima: The river Bhima rises in the
waters of the river Ghataprabha and 35 km lower Western Ghats, at an altitude of about 945 m and
down the waters of the river Malaprabha, both of flows south-eastwards through Maharashtra and
which rise in the Western Ghats. Karnataka. It has a total length of 861 km and falls
A short distance below the junction of the into the Krishna about 26 km north of Raichur
Malaprabha, the Krishna drops from the tableland at an altitude of about 343 m. About 136 km at
of the Deccan proper, about 122 m down, to the the source, the Bhima receives, from its right the
alluvial lands of Raichur. The Chaya Bhagavati combined waters of the Mula and the Mutha from
Falls in this reach is picturesque. Before the river Pune and, about 29 km lower the Ghod joins the
enters Andhra Pradesh, at an altitude of about Bhima from the left. At this point the Bhima flows
343 m, it receives from its left at 782 km from its at an elevation of about 513.6 m and is well out
source, the waters of the river Bhima which brings of the heavy rainfall zone along near the Western
down the drainage of Ahmadnagar, Pune, Sholapur Ghats. Lower down, it is joined on its right bank
and Kalaburgi. The Tungabhadra River falls into by the Nira, which also rises in the Western
the Krishna about 128 km further down, near Ghats, and then by the Man. For a length of 83
Kurnool. Both the Bhima and the Tungabhadra km the Bhima runs along the boundary between
drain large areas of the Western Ghats and each Maharashtra and Karnataka. In this reach it
is a major river in its own right. receives the waters of the Sinal which rises near
The Ghataprabha : The river Ghataprabha Ahmednagar. For the last 298 km of its course,
rises in the Western Ghats at an altitude of 884 the Bhima flows in Karnataka. No major tributary
m and flows eastwards for a length of 283 km flows into the Bhima in this reach. The Bhima 31
 has a drainage area of 70,614 sq km out of which basin in Karnataka State is 34,273 sq km and
18,315 sq km lies in Karnataka. its average annual flows are 11,000 M cum. The
The Tungabhadra: The Tungabhadra, an major contributions coming are from catchment
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

important tributary of the Krishna, is formed north areas in the districts of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru
sf Shivamogga, at an elevation of about 610 m by and Hassan.
the union of the twin rivers, the Tunga and the The Cauvery:The Cauvery is famous alike for
Bhadra, which rise together inthe Western Ghats its traditional sanctity, its picturesque scenery and
at Gangamula at an elevation of about 1,197.8 m, its utility for irrigation. It is known as Dakshina
the united river Tungabhadra flows for nearly 531 Gariga or the “Ganges of the South” and the whole
km in a general north-easterly direction, through of its course is holy ground. The river rises in
Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and joins Krishna, the Kodagu district of Karnataka, high up amid
beyond Kurnool, at an elevation of about 264 m. the Western Ghats. It flows in a generally south-
Among the tributaries of the Tungabhadra may be east direction across the plateau of Karnataka
mentioned the Varada river which drains a large and finally pours itself into the Bay of Bengal in
area of the western Ghats and falls into the Tunga, Tamilnadu. The course of the Cauvery in Kodagu
at an elevation of about 160 km. Another important is tortuous; its bed is rocky; its banks are high
tributary is the Hagari, called the Vedavati in and covered with luxuriant vegetation. In the dry
its upper reach joining the Tungabhadra about season it is fordable almost anywhere, but during
168 km above its junction with the Krishna. The the rains it swells into a torrent 6 or 9 m deep.
Tungabhdra has a drainage area of 71,417 sq km Before its confluence with the Kabini, a major
out of which the catchment area in the State is tributary also rising in the Western Ghats, the
57,671 sq km and like the Bhima, drains about Cauvery widens to an average breadth of from
206 km length of the Western Ghats. 300 to 400 m. From this point it swells to a much
The Vedavati: The river Vedavati known as the broader stream. Its bed continuos rocky.
Hagari in lower reaches rises near Mullaiyyanagiri There are a number of falls in the bed of the
in the Western Ghats. It flows in the districts of river and it forms three well-known islands-
Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga and Ballari of Srirangapatna, Shivasamudram and Srirangam.
Karnataka and Anantapur district of Andhra The first two are in Karnataka, the third at the head
Pradesh covering a total catchment area of 23,498 of the delta near Tiruchira- pally. Shivasamudram
sq km. It bas a total length of 391 km and of is famous as the site of the first major hydro-
which the length in the State is 293 km and forms electric project constructed in Asia (1902). Not far
the common boundary between Karnataka and from Srirangapatna, and up-stream of it, is the
Andhra Pradesh for 26 km. Kannambadi or Krishnarajasagara Dam (built
in 1931) with the beautiful Brindavan gardens.
From about 50 km below the power house at
Cauvery Basin
Shivasamudram, the Cauvery river forms the
The Cauvery basin extending over, 81,155 sq boundary between Karnataka and Tamilnadu
km is spread over three States viz., Karnataka, for 64 km at the end of which the Cauvery
Kerala and Tamilnadu. A basin area of 42.2 per enters Tamilnadu at the upstream of the Mettur
cent lies in Karnataka, 3.5 per cent in Kerala and reservoir. Three insportant falls along the course
54.3 per cent in Tamilnadu. The river Cauvery has of the river are the Chunchana- katte Falls, the
its origin in the Western Ghats in Kodagu district. Shivasamudram Falls and the Hogenakal Falls.
Before it empties itself into the Bay of Bengal, it The Chunchanakatte Falls (about 20 m) is 60
flows for a length of 804 km through the States km upstream of the Krishna- rajasagara Dam. At
of Karnataka and Tamilnadu. The river forms the Shivasamudram, the river branches into two and
boundary between these States for a length of 64 each branch has a fall of more than 100 metres
km. Of its total length, 320 km lies in Karnataka -the western fall is hown as Gaganachukki and
State. Its major tributaries in Karnataka are the the eastern fall as Bharachukki. The two branches
Hemavati, the Lakshmanathirtha, the Harangi, then meet to pass through the Mekedatu gorge
the Kabini, the Suvarnavati, the Lokapavani, before the river forms the common boundary
32 the Shimsha and the Arkavati. The area of the between Karnataka and Tamilnadu. In this reach
are the Hogenakal Falls (about 25 m) 60 km above Karnataka and Tamilnadu in Mysuru district and
the Mettur Dam. Coimbatore district respectively.
The Hemavati : The Hemavati is one of the

introduction
chief tributaries of the Cauvery. It rim on the Godavari Basin
Western Ghats at an elevation of 1,219 metres
and runs south-east. After it is joined by some A major part of the Bidar district lies in the
streams from the west, it turns east. Receiving basin of the Manjra, a tributary of the Godavari,
the Yagachi from the north, it then winds round Its catchment area in Karnetaka State, i.e 4,405 sq
to Holenarasipur and runs south to the Cauvery km. LikeKrishna basin, the Godavari also receives
near Krishnarajanagar. The catchment area is high rainfall in the Western Ghats. But only a
about 5,410 sq km. The approximate length of the small part of Godavari basin lies in Karnataka in
river is 245 km. Bidar district, in Manjra river sub-basin.

The Kabini: The Kabini, a tributary of the The Manjra: The river Manjra is one of the
Cauvery, rises in the Western Ghats at an elevation major tributaries of the Godavari river. It rises
of 2,140 m in North Wynaad, as two streams, the from Balaghat range of hills in Bhir district of
Manantoddypuzha and the Panamrampuzha. Maharashtra State at an altitude of 823 m. The
About 16 km below their confluence, the Kabini river flows through the Osmanabad district of
forms the border between Kerala and Karnataka Maharashtra, the Bidar district of Karnataka,
for nearly 12 km bofore entering the latter State. Medak and Nizamabad districts of Andhra
It turns east at 8 km above Kakanakote from Pradesh. The length of the river from source to
where it receives the Nugu and at Nanjangud, the its confluence with the Godavari, at an altitude of
Gundal, both from the south. It joins the Cauvery 323 m is about 723 km of which 155 km lies in the
at Tirumakudal Narasipur, the confluence being Bidar district of Karnatalia. The Manjra river has
esteemed a spot of great sanctity. The Kabini is a a total catchment of 30,464 sq km in which 4,405
fine perennial river, 137 m to 183 m wide and has sq km lies in Karnataka.
a total course of about 230km. Its catchment area The Karanja : The Karanja river is one of the
is about 7,040 sq km. principal tributaries of the Manjra, flowing in
The Arkavati: The Arkavati in the Nandidurga Bidar district of Karnataka State, It rises near Khir
hills is at an elevation of 1,480 m and joins the village in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh at an
Cauvery after traversing 161 km. On it is built the altitude of about 670 m. After flowing in Andhra
Chamarajasagar reservoir for water supply to a Pradesh, it forms the boundary between Andhra
part of Bengaluru City. Tt has got a drainage area Pradesh and Karnataka for nearly 16 km. It flows
of 4,351 sq km. The annual rainfall varies from in Karnataka and joins Manjra at Naradasangam.
70 cm in the upper reaches to 80 cm in the lower It has a drainage area of about 2,839 sq km. The
reaches. length of the river in Karnataka is 74 km, out of a
total of 117 km from its source to confluence with
The Shimsha: The Shimsha rises in Tiptur the river Manjra.
taluk of Tumakuru district at an elevation of
914m. This is a tributary of the Cauvery joining Pennar and Palar Basins: The North Pennar,
on its left after traversing for 215 km. Its drainage the South Pennar and the Palar rivers drain about
area is about 8,470 sq km, The western half of the onefifth of Tumakuru district, nearly one-third of
sub-basin receives an annual rainfall of Iess than Bengaluru district and the whole of Kolar district.
70 cm, while the eastern half gets 70 to 80 cm. The aggregate basin area of all these rivers in the
Before joining the Cauvery, the Shimsha makes a State is 13,610 sq km and their average annual
descent of 94 m known as the Shimsha Falls. flow is 900 M cum. The basins of Palar and North
and South.
The Moyar : The Moyar river forms the common
boundary between Karnataka and Tamilnadu in The Uttara Pinakini : An inter-State river, the
Mysuru and Nilgiri districts respectively. It joins Uttara Pinakini, flowing in Karnataka and Andhra
the Bhavani in Tamilnadu. Pradesh rises in theChennakesha hills of the
Nandidurga range in Karnataka. It is known as
The Palar: The Palar river, a tributary to the ‘Pennar’ in its lower reaches and is the fourth largest
Cauvery, forms the the common boundary between 33
river of the Peninsula and next to the Cauvery.
 DRAINAGE &
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

RIVER BASINS

34
Flowing through the Kolar, Chikkaballapura and The Netravati : The Netravati is the biggest
Tumakuru districts for a distance of 48 km it enters river in the Dakshina Kannada district with a total
Andhra Pradesh in Hindupur taluk of Anantapur length of 96km and catchment area of 3,355 sq km.

introduction
district. After flowing for 67 km through the It takes its birth near Same in Charmadi range of
Hindupur and Penukonda taluks of Anantapur hills legendarily known as Varaha Parvata and is
district the river re-enters Karnataka and cuts supposed to have originated from the Netra or eyes
across the Pavagada taluk of Tumakuru district for of Varaha, an avatara of Lord Vishnu, The main
a distance of 13 km to emerge into Kalyanadurga tributaries of the Netravati are the Neriyahole,
taluk of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh. the Kumaradhara, the Belthangadihole and the
The total length of the river from its source to the Shishilahole. It joins the Arabian Sea in the vicinity
Bay of Bengal is 597 km out of which 61 km are of Mangaluru.
in Karnataka. The principal tributaries of the river The Kali : The Kali, a major west-flowing
in Karnataka are the Jayamangali in Tumakuru river takes origin in the Western Ghats in Uttara
district, the Chitravati and Papaghni in Kolar Kannada district, with a catchment area of 4,841
District. Out of the total drainage area of 55,213 sq km. It joins the Arabian Sea at Karwar after
sq km it drains 6,937 sq km in Karnataka. covering a total length of 184 km. As the river
The Dakshina Pinakini : Another inter-State flows through black rocks, the river appears
river, the Dakshina Pinakini flowing in Karnataka black and the name of Kali (Black) is derived. The
and Tamilnadu and Union Territory of Pondicherry, major tributaries of this river are the Pandari,
rises near Harvashettyhalli village in Kolar district the Tattihala, the Kaneri and the Vaki. A gigantic
at an elevation of about 900 m in the hill ranges of hydro-electric complex is under construction on
Nandidurga. After flowing for a distance of 79 km the river Kali and its tributaries.
in Kolar and Bengaluru districts it enters Tamil The Sharavati : The river Sharavati takes its
nadu where it is known as ‘Ponnaiyar’. It joins the origin in the Western Ghats near Ambutirtha in
Bay of Bengal near Cuddalore. Tirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district. This is
The Palar:Flowing in Karnataka, Andhra supposed to have originated by the hitting of Lord
Pradesb and Tamilnadu, the Palar rises beyond Sri Rama’s shara meaning arrow. Its length is
Talagvara village in Kolar district at an elevation about 128 km and has a drainage area of 2,771 sq
of 900 m in the hill ranges of Nandidurga. After km. The river drops to a vertical fall of about 253
flowing in a generally south-easterly direction for a m near Jog which is world famous. The Sharavati
length of 93 km in Kolar district, it enters Andhra Hydro-Electric Project has the major contribution
Pradesh and joins the Bay of Bengal near Sadras in the power generated in Karnataka. It joins the
in Tamilnadu. Arabian sea at Honavar in Uttara Kannada.
The Bedti:The river Bedti known as Gangavali
West-Flowing Rivers in its lower reaches, takes its origin in the range of
hills round about Dharwad-Hubli at an elevation
There are numerous west-flowing rivers, chief
of 700 m above the mean sea-level. The river has a
among which are Sharavati, the Kali, the Gangavali
length of about 161 km and a drainage area of 4,446
(Bedti), the Aghanashini and the Netravati which
sq km. It joins the Arabian Sea near Gangavali
rise on the western side of the Ghats and drain
Village in Ankola taluk of Uttara Kannada district.
into the Arabian Sea through the districts of
The river drops with a clear fall of 137 m near
Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada. A small
Magod, popularly known as Magod Falls at a
part of the catchment area of these rivers however
distance of about 72 km from the source.
lies in Dharwad, Shivamogga , Chikkamagaluru,
Hassan, Belagavi and Kodagu districts also. The The Mahadayi : The Mahadayi river takes its
total catchment area of all west-flowing rivers is origin near Degaon village in Khanapur taluk of
26,214 sq km and their average annual flow is Belagavi district. It is an interatate river flowing
57,000 M cum. The basin of these rivers comes in Karnataka and Goa. The length of the river in
under the direct influence of the south-west Karnataka is 35 km and in Goa 45 km. The total
monsoon and receives heavy and assured rainfall catchment area of the river is 2,008 sq km; 455
between June and August. sq km in Karnataka and 1,553 sq krn in Goa. It 35
 joins the Arabian Sea near Panjim in Goa where slope of the underlying fresh rock. Groundwater
the river is known as the Mandavi, tends to accumulate in the valley areas. If the rate
The Aghanashini : The river Aghanashini of extraction exceeds recharge, ground water is
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

(meaning destroyer of sins) originates in Sirsi said to be mined. Mining cannot be sustained for
taluk of Uttara Kannada district at an elevation long as it empties the ground water store.
of 732 m above mean sea level. It flows entirely About 4.4 per cent of India’s ground water
in Karnataka State for a length of 121 km before resources ( 2.7 lakh mcum) lies in Karnataka. The
joining the Arabian Sea. The catchment area is total annual recharge of ground water estimated
1,470sq km, in the State is about 17,99,591 hectare metres
The Varahi : The Varahi river known as the (ham). Net annual utilization is estimated at
Halady river in lower reaches takes its origin near 5,76,921 ham as on 31-3-1991.
Guddekoppa in Hosanagar taluk of Shivamogga In the Malnad region, the annual recharge is
district at an altitude of 762 m above the mean estimated to be 10per cent of the annual rainfall.
sea level. The bed level of the river drops suddenly In the region where the rainfall is less than 700
in cascades by 457 m in a short distance and mm, the evapotranspiration is also high, and the
is known as Kunchical Falls. The river joins the re-charge is less than 5per cent, for the rest of
Arabian Sea near Kundapur in Dakshina Kannada the State, the recharge is estimated to be between
District, 5per cent and 10per cent.
The Barapole: The Barapole, an inter-State As per Minor Irrigation Census 1986-87, there
river flowing in Karnataka and Kerala, originates were more than 3.5 lakh open dug wells in the
in the Western Ghats in Kodagu district. The name State. The depth to water level in these wells from
Barapole is derived from the word bara which the surface ranges between 2 and 3.5 metres in
means steep and pole means river. This river flows valley regions and in some places the depth goes
in the deep valleys forming either side very steep even upto 18 metres. A large majority of the wells
almost vertical precipice. dry up in summer. Nearly half of the open wells
The total length of the river is about 105 km are in a poor state of maintenance.
and of which about 31 km is in Karnataka, 64 in There were 38,899 shallow and 6,673deep
Kerala the remaining length of 10 km forming the tube wells as per the above Census. During
common boundary. The catchment area of the recent years, borewells are increasingly coming
river is 1,905 sq km (608 sq km in Karnataka and into prominence. These are generally 150 mm
1,297 sq km in Kerala). in diameter and drilled to depth ranging from
The Chakra:The West-flowing Chakra rivel: 30 to 60 metres. The average yield ranges from
passes through Dakshina Kannada district and 60 to 80 litres per minute. In Kolar, Bagalkot
discharges into the Arabian Sea near Kundapur. and Vijayapura districts, nearly all the available
The length of the river is 72 km. The waters of surplus ground water has been exploited. During
this river are being diverted to Sharavathy Valley 1993-94, there were 1,64,728 borewells, 4,70,981
for augmenting the inflow into Lingana- makki wells used for irrigation purpose, 3,03,698 wells
reservoir. used for domestic purpose and 74,730 wells were
not in use.

Ground Water Resources

CLIMATE
Traditionally, groundwater in the State has been
exploited by open dug wells, constructed in the The State enjoys three main types of climates.
weathered mantle. After fast drilling rigs became For meteorological purposes, the State has
available, borewells have been drilled extensively been divided into three sub-divisions namely (a)
tapping the water stored in rock fissures and Coastal Karnataka (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi
fractures. The water stored in the fractures and and Uttara Kannada districts), (b) North Interior
fissures ultimately comes from rainfall infiltrating Karnataka (Belagavi, Bidar, Vijayapura, Bagalkot,
through the weathered mantle. The ground water Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Kalaburgi, Yadgir,
36 in the weathered mantle flows in the direction of the Raichuand Koppal districts), and (c) South Interior
Karnataka (the remaining districts of Bengaluru Sub-Divisions Mean daily temperature 0C
Rural, Bengaluru, Ballari, Chikkamagaluru,k
Maximum Minimum
Chitradurga, Davanagere, Kodagu, Hassan, Kolar,

introduction
Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Shivamogga Interior Karnataka
and Tumakuru districts. The Tropical Monsoon
climate covers the entire coastal belt and adjoining a. North 32.0 20.4
areas. The climate in this region is hot with b. South 29.7 19.2
excessive rainfall during the monsoon season i.e, Coastal Karnataka 30.7 23.3
June to September. The Southern half of the State
experiences hot, seasonally dry tropical savana
climate while most of the northern half experiences Temperature at Selected Centres in
hot, semi-arid, tropical steppe type of climate. Karnataka
The climate of the State varies with the seasons. Sl. Location of the 2010 2010
The winter season from January to February is No. Observatory Highest Lowest
followed by summer season from March to May. 1 2 3 4
The period from October to December forms the
1 Bengaluru C.O. 37.6 12.9
post-monsoon season.
2 Bengaluru AP 37.2 9.4
The period from October to March, covering the
post-monsoon and winter seasons, is generally 3 Sambre 39.1 7.8
pleasant over the entire State, except during a few
4 Ballari 42.0 10.5
spells of rain associated with north-east monsoon
which affects the south-eastern parts of the State 5 Vijayapura 43.0 6.0
during October to December. 6 Bagalkot 40.8 10.4
The months April and May are hot, very dry
7 Balehonnur 36.4 11.5
and generally uncomfortable. Weather tends to be
oppressive during June due to high humidity and 8 Chikkamagaluru 35.5 12.6
temperature. The next three months (July, August 9 Chitradurga 38.8 10.0
and September) are some what comfortable due to
reduced day temperature although the humidities 10 Bajpe 37.9 19.2
continue to be very high.. 11 Gadag 40.3 9.8
Temperature : Both day and night temperatures 12 Kalaburgi 46.1 7.2
are more or less uniform over the State, except at
the coastal region and high elevated plateau. They 13 Hassan 37.8 10.2
generally decrease south-westwards over the State 14 Madikeri 34.0 7.3
due to higher elevation and attain lower values at
15 Mandya 38.2 10.2
high level stations.
April and May are the hottest months. In May, 16 Mysuru 36.9 9.8
mean maximum temperature shoots upto 400 17 Raichur 43.8 7.3
C over the north –eastern corner of the State,
18 Agumbe 35.8 8.8
decreasing south-westwards toward the Western
Ghat region and the Coastal belt. 19 Honnavar 36.9 16.1
The highest temperature recorded at an 20 Karwar 37.7 16.9
individual station in the State is 45.6 o C. at
21 Shirali 36.6 17.00
Raichur on 1928 May 23 which is 60 higher than
the normal for the warmest months. December 22 Chiukkanahalli 39.0 **
and January are the coldest months. The lowest 23 Chintamani 37.6 7.5
temperature at an individual station was 2.80 C
on 1918 December 16 at Bidar. Temperatures at 24 Panambur 35.7 19.6
selected centres are given in next page. ** Data Not Available
Source : India Meteorological department, Bangalaore. 37
 District-wise Monthly and Seasonal Normal Rainfall in mm in Karnataka
(1901-1970)
No. of
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

Name of the District Jan Feb Mar April May Premon June
Taluks
Bengaluru 3 4.70 7.70 7.50 41.90 115.90 177.70 68.90

Bengaluru Rural 8 4.30 6.00 8.10 42.10 107.40 167.80 68.20

Chitradurga 6 3.20 4.10 4.60 21.30 62.70 95.90 48.50

Davanagere 6 2.40 3.50 8.40 34.70 78.00 127.00 65.90

Kolar 11 6.90 5.80 8.90 33.30 80.10 135.10 61.10

Shivamogga 7 1.60 1.70 8.20 44.00 88.80 144.30 310.50

Tumakuru 10 3.10 4.10 6.10 29.60 80.90 123.80 60.60

Bengaluru Division 51 3.74 4.70 7.4O 35.27 87.69 138.8O 97.67

Bagalkot 6 2.10 2.70 5.10 23.90 48.00 81.90 65.10

Belagavi 10 2.00 1.60 7.60 33.20 65.00 109.40 104.60

Vijayapura 5 2.90 4,00 6.10 18.70 35.80 67.50 79.40

Dharwad 5 0.80 3.20 7.00 45.20 84.80 140.90 95.20

Gadag 5 1.60 2.40 4.10 34.80 71.40 114.30 69.60

Haveri 7 1.70 1.60 4.60 39.60 77.40 124.90 95.70

Uttara Kannada 11 1.20 1.10 4.10 28.20 103.10 137.60 680.30

Belagavi Division 49 1.76 2.37 5.51 31.94 69.36 11O.93 169.99
Ballari 7 1.80 3.20 3.70 27.40 64.60 100.70 65.70

Bidar 5 3.30 5.50 10.70 21.80 23.60 64.80 132.30

Kalaburgi 10 2.70 3.90 9.60 18.60 33.00 67.80 108.30

Koppal 4 0.90 0.40 1.90 22.90 50.30 76.30 61.60

Raichur 5 1.00 1.70 5.50 17.20 34.40 59.90 75.50

Kalaburgi Division 31 1.94 2.94 6.28 21.58 41.18 73.90 88.68
Chamarajanagar 4 4.40 4.50 11.20 66.10 139.80 225.90 47.50

Chikmagalur 7 3.10 3.50 9.20 55.40 102.00 173.20 300.50

Dakshina Kannada 5 4.80 2.50 10.40 47.20 172.20 237.10 940.40

Hassan

Kodagu 8 3.80 4.50 8.30 57.60 112.00 186.00 119.60

Mandya 3 5.00 5.60 14.70 73.50 146.70 245.50 486.00

Mysuru 7 2.20 4.50 8.00 49.20 116.10 180.00 42.20

Udupi 7 3.50 5.50 12.50 65.90 138.70 226.20 65.20

3 3.50 1.80 5.10 37.00 169.70 217.10 1055.00

Mysuru Division 44 3.79 4.05 9.93 56.49 137.15 211.38 382.05
State 175 2.81 3.52 7.28 36.32 83.84 133.75 184.60
38 Premon- Pre Monsoon, SWMON- Southwest Monsoon, NEMON- Northeast Monsoon
 July Aug Sep SWMON Oct Nov Dec NEMON ANNUAL

introduction
99.40 122.70 148.70 439.60 168.20 64.30 16.90 249.40 866.80

84.00 111.90 151.20 415.30 157.50 62.60 13.40 233.50 816.60

62.90 67.60 99.40 278.30 123.90 45.80 11.80 181.50 555.70

97.50 79.90 86.70 329.90 119.90 42.40 10.00 172.30 629.10

81.00 100.00 145.60 387.80 135.80 68.20 16.50 220.60 743.50

686.40 352.60 134.30 1483.80 148.40 45.10 10.10 203.60 1,831.70

68.90 85.00 127.70 342.20 142.00 56.00 10.20 208.10 674.20

168.59 131.39 127.66 525.27 142.24 54.91 12.7O 209.86 873.94

72.50 67.40 140.70 345.70 92.80 33.50 7.70 134.00 561.60

206.20 121.40 109.00 541.20 111.90 38.10 8.80 158.80 809.40

79.70 78.20 162.70 400.00 83.70 30.20 8.10 122.00 589.60

151.80 99.80 112.30 459.00 119.60 42.20 9.80 171.60 771.50

68.40 69.80 128.20 336.00 116.30 36.70 9.00 162.00 612.30

172.40 103.30 85.60 457.00 122.20 38.80 10.80 171.80 753.70

1,007.60 555.40 250.20 2,493.40 148.00 48.80 12.10 209.00 2,840.00

251.23 156.47 141.24 718.90 113.5O 38.33 9.47 161.31 991.16

83.10 95.20 144.70 388.70 103.70 32.80 8.40 144.90 634.30

182.50 180.50 194.90 690.30 70.50 18.30 4.90 93.70 848.80

161.20 144.80 192.40 606.70 80.90 16.10 5.20 102.10 776.50

82.60 87.80 135.00 367.00 100.20 19.40 6.60 126.20 569.40

108.00 112.80 152.10 448.40 84.00 22.10 6.70 112.80 621.10

123.48 124.22 163.82 500.22 87.86 21.74 6.36 115.94 690.02

52.80 67.60 99.70 267.50 162.80 75.70 19.10 257.60 751.00

673.40 382.10 159.80 1,515.90 163.90 59.40 15.70 239.10 1,928.10

1,301.20 806.00 321.10 3,368.60 980.10 629.50 18.90 369.30 3,974.90

246.40 140.50 103.90 610.30 158.90 67.80 16.00 242.70 1.039.10

938.30 529.30 218.90 2,172.60 201.70 79.70 18.70 300.00 2.718.20

45.50 62.20 115.60 265.40 161.40 60.70 13.20 235.30 680.70

99.50 76.00 89.00 329.70 151.70 61.20 13.50 226.30 782.20

1.341.60 800.40 383.20 3,580.30 224.10 78.30 19.20 321.60 4,119.00

587.34 358.O1 186.40 1,513.79 275.58 139.O4 16.79 273.99 1,999.15

282.66 192.52 154.78 814.54 154.79 63.51 11.33 190.27 1,138.57
39
 Rainfall 5. Ballari 604 672
The annual rainfall in the State varies roughly 6. Bidar 886 1040
from 50 to 350 cm. In the districts of Vijayapura, 7. Vijayapura 632 588
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

Bagalkot, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, Yadgir and 8.Chamarajanagara 730 867

southern half of Kalaburgi, the rainfall is lowest 9.Chikkaballapur 677 934
varying from 50 to 60 cm. The rainfall increases 10.Chikkamagaluru 2073 1998
significantly in the western part of the State and
11.Chitradurga 495 891
reaches its maximum over the coastal belt. The
12.Dakshina Kannada 3519 4471
south west monsoon is the principal rainy season
during which the State receives 80per cent of its 13.Davanagere 623 969
rainfall. Rainfall in the winter season (January to 14.Dharwad 787 873
February) is lessthan one per cent of the annual 15.Gadag 631 696
total, in the hot weather season (March to May) 16. Kalaburgi 842 881
about 7per cent and in the post-monsoon season 17. Hassan 1148 1676
about 12per cent.South-west monsoon normally 18. Haveri 782 1016
sets in over the extreme southern parts of the 19. Kodagu 2692 2647
State by about 1st June and covers the entire 20. Kolar 614 806
State by about 10th of June. The rainy months 21. Koppal 587 751
July and August account individually to about 22. Mandya 648 864
30per cent and 18per cent of annual rainfall.
23. Mysuru 730 873
There are about 26 rainy days ( with daily rainfall
24. Ramanagara 809 798
of atleast 2.5 mm) in Coastal Karnataka and
25. Raichur 654 653
8 to 11 days in interior Karnataka in each of
these months. The withdrawal of the southwest 26. Shivamogga 2421 2754
monsoon begins from the northern parts of the 27. Tumakuru 585 841
State around 2nd week of October and by the 28. Udupi 4252 5084
15th October monsoon withdraws from the entire 29. Uttara Kannada 2887 2879
State. The retreating monsoon current i.e. the 30 Yadgir 832 830
north-east monsoon (October to December) effects Karnataka 1197 1500
the eastern parts of South Interior Karnataka and Note : Normal 50 years average
accounts for about 30per cent of rainfall in this Source : Directorate of Economics and Statistics
region during the above period.Out of the 14 heavy
rainfall stations in India, with annual rainfall of
more than 500 cm., four stations are located in FAUNA
Karnataka. They are Agumbe in Tirthahalli taluk Wild animals that are found in Karnataka
of Shivamogga district (annual rainfall-828cm) include the elephant, the tiger, the leopard, the
and Bhagamandala ( 603 cm), Pullingoth (594 cm) gaur, the sambar deer, the chital or spotted deer,
and Makut ( 505 cm) in Kodagu district. Agumbe the muntjac, the bonnet macaque, the slender
can be called as the Chirapunji of Southern India. loris, the common palm civet, the small Indian
(Source : Drought Monitoring Cell, Department of civet, the sloth bear, the dhole, the striped hyena
Science and Technology, Bengaluru.) and the golden jackal. Some of the birds found
here are the Great Hornbill, the Malabar Pied
Normal and Actual Average Rainfall
Hornbill, the Ceylon frogmouth, herons, ducks,
by District
kites, eagles, falcons, quails, partridges, lapwings,
(Unit : In millilmetres)
sandpipers, pigeons, doves, parakeets, cuckoos,
Actual
District Normal Average owls, nightjars, swifts, kingfishers, bee-eaters and
2010 munias. Some species of trees found in Karnataka
1. Bagalkote 584 633 are Callophyllum tomentosa, Callophyllum
2 .Bengaluru 832 884 wightianum, Garcina, cambogia, Garcina morealla,
3. Bengaluru Rural 740 782 Alstonia scholaris, Flacourtia montana, Artocarpus
40 4. Belagavi 842 1190 hirsutus, Artocarpus lacoocha, Cinnamomum
zeylanicum, Grewia tilaefolia, Santalum album, elephants are found here. The gaur and sambar
Shorea talura, Emblica officinalis, Vitex altissima are frequently seen while the spotted deer occurs
andWrightia tinctoria. Wildlife in Karnataka is sporadically. Barking deer and sloth bear are also

introduction
threatened by poaching, habitat destruction, reported to be present. Wild pig is omnipresent.
human-wildlife conflict and pollution. The Carnivores – tiger, panther and wild dog are
The State of Karnataka has arich heritage of present but their occurrence rating is very low. This
flora and fauna. The hill chain of Western Ghats is region is a poor habitat for most large herbivores
the only part of the State to retain some semblance and consequently for carnivores.
of its natural biological heritage. This last refuge of Region III – Malnad; This is characterized by
the native fauna is subjected to rapid decimation dry and moist deciduous vegetation. The area is
with the coining up of several hydro-electric and marked by conspicuous hills like Bababudangiri
irrigation projects, mining, the accelerated pace range. This region has one of the best wildlife
of forest exploitation and the increasing demand concentrations only second to Mysuru plateau in
of land for plantation and crop husbandry. The the State, harbouring populations of elephants,
area under forests in Karnataka today amounts gaur, sambar, spotted deer, wild pig etc. The
to 43,356.45 sq.km i.e. 22 per cent of the total anthropogenic pressures over this area are
land area of the State. With the notable exception much less and hence the wildlife is somewhat
of Bonnet Macaque, which is under widespread less molested. The presence of perennial rivers,
religious protection throughout the State, the reservoirs and plenty of bamboos, grass and other
larger wild mammals are almost confined to the fodder species with a moderate rainfall makes this
forest areas. The wildlife bearing forest areas of region an ideal habitat for elephants.
Karnataka are divided into six regions viz, Coastal Region IV – Mysuru Plateau: The western
region, crestline of the Western Ghats, Malnad, edge of Mysuru Plateau, flanked on three sides
Old Mysuru Plateau, Kollegal hills and Maidan. by the southern-most ranges of the Sahyadris,
The natural distribution of animals is largely Nilgiris and eastern spur of hills towards the
determined by vegetation. Biligirirangana Hills, is an undulating plain and is
Region I – Coastal Region: The district of covered by moist and dry deciduous forests. This
Uttara Kannada and parts of Belagavi constitute area has the richest wildlife concentrations in
the northern-most sector of the hill tracts of South India, harbouring large herds of elephants,
Karnataka. These hilly tracts have vegetation spotted deer, wild pig, wild dog, sloth bear, gaur,
ranging from evergreen to dry deciduous types. sambar and occasionally tiger and cats.
Due to Kalinadi hydroelectric project and a great Region V – Kollegal Hills : This hilly area is
deal of Iron and Manganese ore mining, the habitat an eastern spur of the Western Ghats. Apart from
is highly fragmented and the forest cover is greatly the moist deciduous or semi-evergreen forests on
disturbed. In this region, as per observed data, the these hills, the rest of the region is covered by
gaur are scattered, sambar are much more widely dry deciduous forest mostly degraded into scrub.
distributed. Wild pig is most abundant and spotted Elephant, sambar, spotted deer and wild pig occur
deer is seen in majority of areas. Elephants are throughout this region. The wild dogs have fairly
found scattered over a wide region. extensive distribution, though tiger, gaur and
The Carnivores-tiger, panther and wild dog occur panther are much more restricted. Almost all
in low populations. This region was extremely rich the wild life species occur in this region in small
in wild life in the past especially tiger and gaur and numbers except elephants.
today have been recued in number substantially. Region VI Maidan : There is very little forest
Region II – Crestline of Western Ghats: in the Maidan areas on the Deccan Plateau
This region lies south of Uttar Kannada. There and whatever is left is in highly degraded form.
is a narrow belt of forest following this crestline Ranibennur is notable for the occurrence of good
of Ghats. The vegetation ranges from evergreen herds of black bucks. Wolves are becoming rare
to moist deciduous. Most of the major animals but have been reported from several places in this
occur in this region but their population on the plains.
whole is very poor. Only a few isolated herds of 41
 FLORA The secondary moist deciduous forests are better
preserved towards the foothill of the Ghats. The
Karnataka State has a rich and varied vegetation
biotic factor which is high in the vicinity of the
resulting from several lines of plant migration
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

Coastal urban centres is less towards the Ghats.

conditioned by climate, soil and topography.
Biotic factors have in many areas modified the West Coast Tropical Evergreens :The lower
original climaxes evolved through the centuries. slopes and valleys of the Ghats present fine
Considering topography, bio-climate and soil, examples of the West Coast tropical evergreen
the vegetation of Karnataka could be grouped forests. These close canopy forests are nurtured
under the following four categories viz. 1) Littoral by the heavy seasonal precipitation to form a
vegetation, 2) West coast tropical vegetation 3) climax vegetation. Erect buttressed trunks,
Upland deciduous vegetation and 4) Southern unbranched for 20 or more metres fan out to
tropical montane vegetation. meet the contiguous tree tops. There are several
variations in the dominant canopy trees. The
Littoral Vegetation: There are two types
commonest association is of Eupterocarpus
of littoral vegetation in Karnataka. The first is
– Kingiodendron-Vataria between 70 and 600
terrestrial on the sand dunes and the second,
metres above the mean sea level. There are several
halophytic along estuaries. The limitations
other plant forms in these forests. The biological
imposed by the scorching sun, shifting sands and
diversity and its spatial distribution within the
salt-laden winds are overcome by special plants
forest apportions solar energy as effectively in the
called psammophytes. The dunes above the tide
conversion of water and carbon dioxide into life
mark are held down by a number of sand binders.
sustaining organic compounds.
Sundews and bladder worts often form a seasonal
carpet on the wet sands of the rear beach. Upland moist Deciduous Vegetation:The
decreasing rainfall on the leeward side of the
Limited mangrove formations occur in the
mountain gives rise to another climax type – the
riverine estuaries where the salinity gradient
upland moist deciduous vegetation. While in leaf,
rises rapidly towards the sea. The best examples
the canopy of these forests is dense, during the
of halophytic vegetation are near Kundapur and
dry months there is a short period of leaf fall to
Gokarna. It is mostly of the Rhizophora Avicenia
avoid loss of water due to transpiration. Flowering
– Bruguiera type. The trees and shrubs have to
of the trees occurs during the leafless period.
overcome the restrictions of a marshy saline
This moist deciduous belt running from Belagavi
habitat with strong tidal currents and fluctuations
toKodaguis the habitat of the Tectona – Dillenia –
in water level as well as the asphyxiating conditions
Lagerstroemia – Termitinalia series which include
of a slushy soil. These littoral plant formations
teak, matti, kanagalu, nandi, which areessentially
have ecological role in the balance of nature. The
local names. Extensive areas on the eastern fringe
psammophytes help in preventing the sand of
of the Ghats were once covered with clumps of
the beaches from being blown landwards on to
bamboos.
agricultural lands and human habitations. They
also protect the beaches for their recreational Upland dry deciduous vegetation: The
value. Mangroves stabilize the river embankments bioclimate of the eastern part of the Maidan permits
against erosion. They afford breeding ground to a climax dry deciduous vegetation in several
several fishes and other marine animals. protected areas. The canopy is open and the trees
leafless during the driest months. Flowering and
Moist Deciduous Coastal Vegetation: The
fruiting are generally far advanced before the first
natural vegetation in this region immediately to
flush of new leaves appears with the conventional
the east of the coastline is of the secondary moist
showers in April-May.
deciduous type. It is sometimes considered a
degraded stage of an evergreen climax. Upland thorn and scrub:There are several parts
of Chitradurga, Davanagere, Ballari, Racihur,
In the broader coastal low land of Dakishina
Koppal, Kalaburgi, Yadgir and Bidar districts
Kannada, the Hopea – Syzygium – Holigama series
where broad leaved deciduous forests give place
is usually found with dense understorey of shrubs
to armed trees with tiny leaflets. Some remaining
like Grewia, lxora and Psychotria.lianasespecially
patches of these forests are made-up of Acacia,
42 Hugonia mystax and Uvaria riorum are frequent.
Albizia and Hardwickia. (Jali, Bilwara, ennemara
being local names). The Maidan is dotted with with scattered trees. In some areas forests have
numerous irrigation tanks usually supporting an been cleared and low lying areas are converted
interesting aquatic Jlora. into paddy fields while the hilly terrain is often

introduction
Southern Tropical Montane Vegetation: An planted with plantation crops.
altitudinal variation of the tropical evergreens, is
found above 1,500 metres especially at Kudremukh, FORESTS
and in the Bababudan and Biligirirangana Hills.
This vegetation of grassy meadows and low wooded Karnataka State has a geographical area
patches forms the Southern Tropical Montane of 1,91,791 sq. km of which 43356.45 sq. km (
Vegetation. The grassy mountain meadows present 22per cent) is under the control of the Forests
a quick succession of herbs that appear in short Department. The forests are classified as reserved
lived profusion. A good part of the wet forests has (29550.19 sq.km), protected 3585.22 sq.km),
been greatly altered by biotic factors. unclassed (10,117.92 sq.km), village (49.05
sq.km), and private (54.07 sq.km) forests. The
The vegetation dynamics in Karnataka indicate unclassed areas include C and D class lands
several changes in the natural vegetation due which are mostly barren, transferred from the
to biotic factors especially human intervention. Revenue department. The per cent age of forest
Inhabited coastal areas present a thick canopy area to geographical area in the State is less the
of coconut tress. The climax formations of dry all-India average of about 23per cent, and 33per
types of vegetation with a distinct canopy, an cent prescribed in the National Forest Policy. The
understorey of shrubs and a ground cover of area under forests in the neighbouring States is as
herbs are confined to a few inaccessible pockets follows: Andhrapradesh 62 lakh ha ( 9per cent of
or to areas of reserved forests. Felling for fuel and the total area of the Country), Maharashra 54 lakh
grazing especially by goats threatened even these ha (8per cent), Tamilnadu 22 lakh ha (3per cent)
remnants of the original plant cover. The forest and Kerala 11 lakh ha (2per cent).
unless covered, is slowly converted into grasslands

Distribution of Forest area by Legal Status and by Type as on 2010-11

(As per Reconstituted Expert Committee – Report)
(Area in Square Kilometres)
Particulars
1 By Legal Status (A to E)

A State/Reserve Forest 29,550.19

B Minor or Protected Forests 3,585.22
C Unclassified Forest 10,117.92
D Village forests 49.05
E Private Forests 54.07
Total 43,356.45

2 By Type (A to F)

A Ever Green Forests 4,926.02

B Semi Ever Green Forests 1,644.20
C Moist Deciduous Forests 6,545.00
D Dry Deciduous Forests 8,233.22
E Scrub & Thorny Forests 9,264.01
F Unwooded 12,744.00
Total 43,356.45 43
 Districtwise Forest Area By Legal Status As On 2010-11
(As per Reconstituted Expert Committee-I Report)
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

(Area in square Kilometres)

Sl.No. District Reserve Protected Unclassed village Private Total
1 Bengaluru-U 24.92 2.74 94.59-- - - 122.25
2 Bengaluru-R 980.51 83.04 101.30 - - 1,164.85
3 Ramanagara
4 Belagavi 1,890.97 10.30 159.60 2.33 - 2063.20
5 Ballari 947.80 321.69 109.03 - - 1,378.52
6 Bidar 54.67 124.91 274.98 - - 456,16
7 Vijayapura 17.22 0.11 63.78 - - 81.11
8 Bagalkote 790.69 - 48.24 - - 838.93
9 Chikkamagaluru 1,277.01 348.47 1,122.17 8.86 - 2,756.51
10 Chitradurga 765.11 72.59 449.48 - - 1,287.18
11 Davanagere 460.94 27.64 55.76 - - 544.34
12 Dakshina Kannada 1,311.74 0.15 647.82 - 52.47 2,012.18
13 Udupi 951.34 16.87 752.36 - - 1,720.57
14 Dharwad 449.10 2.88 16.54 - - 468.52
15 Gadag 320.93 3.56 8.88 - - 333.37
16 Haveri 346.31 9.88 76.61 - - 432.80
17 Kalaburgi 269.26 230.50 498.00 - - 997.76
18 Yadgir
19 Hassan 412.13 90.18 376.25 0.69 - 879.25
20 Kodagu 1,366.94 105.45 1,398.60 - - 2,870.99
21 Kolar 832.79 84.51 145.80 3.12 - 1,066.22
22 Chikkaballapura
23 Mandya 198.61 20.69 445.31 - - 664.61
24 Mysuru 1,208.75 5.53 235.59 - - 1,449.87
25 Chamarajanagara 2,698.47 63.88 29.11 - - 2,791.46
26 Raichur 186.30 41.75 97.52 - - 325.57
27 Koppal 151.71 55.54 223.41 - - 430.66
28 Shivamogga 3,127.66 1,190.99 2,305.35 7.44 - 6,631.44
29 Tumakuru 780.60 129.24 381.40 0.43 - 1,291.67
30 Uttara Kannada 7,727.71 542.13 0.44 26.18 - 8,296.46

44 Total 29,550.19 3,585.22 10,117.92 49.05 54.07 43,356.45

 Out-Turn Of Major Forest Produce

Sl. No. Type of Production Unit 2010-11

introduction
1 2 3 4
1 Rosewood Cubic Metres 2,305.410
2 Teak Wood Cubic Metres 2,453.761
3 Sawn timber Cubic Metres 1,668.985
4 Other Kinds of timber Cubic Metres 30,214.028
5 Eucalyptus Cubic Metres 4,526.159
6 Pulp wood (and match wood for 2010) 45,016.670
7 Soft Wood Cubic Metres 1,380.523
8 Round poles Cubic Metres 13,289.049
9 Fire wood Cubic Metres 1,18,590.431
10 Sandal wood Kiograms 8,093.809
11 Bamboo Cubic Metres 33,907.213
12 Canes Nos. 2,63,130
Source : Forest Department

Out-Turn Of Minor Forest Produce

Sl.No. item unit 2010-11
1 Charcoal Tonnes 4
2 Cane Tonnes -
3 Rubber Tonnes -
4 Cashewnuts Tonnes -
5 Ivory Kgs 47.04
6 Jpmeu Tonnes -
7 Wax Tonnes 84.16
8 Tamarind Tonnes 2.18
9 Seegekai Tonnes 186.3779.442
10 Gums Tonnes -
11 Antavalakai Tonnes 196.49
12 Halamaddi(Dhoopa) Tonnes 190.70
13 Other seeds Tonnes 2.00
14 Alalekai Tonnes 183.54
15 Beedi leaves Tonnes 8.71
Source : Forest Department

Revenue From Forests

( Unit in Lakhs rupees)
Year Timber Sandalwood Bambaoo Miscellaneous Total
1 2 3 4 5 6
2010-11 5389.323 453.287 230.464 10394.849 16467.923 45
 About two lakh ha. of forest area is lost for non- list of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
forestry purposes since 1956 to 1986-87 and the (WS).There are five National Parks and 25 Wildlife
details are as follows : For hydroelectric purposes sanctuaries covering an extent 8,384.19 sq.km. of
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

: 22,194 ha,. Electricity lines 1,688 ha, roads : the total forest area. They comprise of evergreen
330 ha, tanks – 35,840 ha, townships m- 1,791 to scrub type of forests, thus forming a network of
ha, mining – 42,676 ha, agriculture – 67, 217 ha, representative ecosystem to conserve endangered
rehabilitation – 25,820 ha, other purposes 6,357 species of plants as well as animals and birds.
ha and total 2,03,913 ha. The outturn of major Project Tiger: Karnataka has 300 tiger
forest produce for the year 2010-11 is as follows : population and are distributed in 5 Tiger Reserves,
1) Timber – a) Rosewood 2305.410 M3, b) Teak – viz. Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Rajiv Gandhi National
2459.382 M3 c) Other kinds of timber – 30344.176 Park (Nagarhole) Tiger Reserve, Bhadra Tiger
M3, 2) Pulpwood – 51207.558 M3 3) Firewood – Reserve and Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve. Tigers
120204.543 M3,4) Bambaoo – 33,907.204 M3 and are under Project Tiger Reserves.
5) Sandalwood – 7719.61 M3.
Project Elephant: Karnataka has nearly 5900
Though 22per cent of the land area is classified elephants distributed in 6724.87 sq.km. of area.
as forests (43356.45 sq.km) in the State, only The elephant reserve is consisting of Bengaluru
about 11per cent is well wooded. The remaining Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Chamarajanagar,
area is in different stages of degradation. The Mysuru, Kodagu, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru made
State is facing shortage of fuel wood, fodder and Bhadra districts as MysuruElephant Reserves
timber as the demand has increased considerably under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Project
due to the increase in population of both human Elephant.
and cattle. The forests in the State are managed as
per the prescriptions of the working plans which Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: The Nilgiri Biosphere
are prepared for periods of 10 to 15 years after Reserve development scheme is sponsored by
taking into consideration the type of forests, the Government of India to take up habitat and eco-
condition of the existing crop, the demand for development works. NBR of the State covers part
various forest produce and the requirements of of Nagarahole National Park, Bandipur National
the area for maintenance of ecological balance. Park and Chamarajnagar Wildlife Division.
During the year 2010-11, Rs.23,99,659 has been
Karnataka Government has established many released by Government of India to take up habitat
National Parks and Wild Life Sanctuaries to improvement works.
protect important species. The following is the

The details of 5 National Parks, 25 Wildlife Sanctuaries covering 8,384.19 sq.km. of Forest
area in the State are shown below:
Sl. Area (Sq.
Circle Division National Park/ Wildlife Sanctuaries
No. km.)
1 2 3 4 5
Banneghatta
1 Bengaluru 1. Bannerghatta National Park 260.51
National Park
2. Ramadevarabetta vulture
Ramanagar Division 3.46
Sanctuary
3.Adichunchanagiri Peacock Wildlife
2 Mysuru Mysuru 0.84
Sanctuary
4. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary 0.67

1. Arbithittu Wildlife Sanctuary 13.50

2. Melkote Wildlife Sanctuary 49.82

46 3. Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary 30.32

3 Chamarajanagar 4.Chamarajanagar 4. BRT Wildlife Sanctuary 539.52
5. Cauvery Wildlife,
9. Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary 1,027.53

introduction
Kollegal
4 Kodagu 6. Madikeri 10. Pushpagiri Wildlife sanctuary 102.59

11. Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary 105.59

12. Brahmagiri Wildlife sanctuary 181.29

7 Kudremukh
5 Mangaluru Wildlife Divisio 13 Kudremukh National park 600.57
Karkala
14.Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary 314.25

15. Mookambika Wildlife sanctuary 370.37

6 Kanara Dandeli 16 Dandeli Wildlife sanctuary 886.41

15. Anshi National park 417.34

7 Shivamogga Shivamogga 18 Shettihalli Wildlife sanctuary 395.60

19 Sharavathi Wildlife sanctuary 431.23

20.Gudavi Bird Sanctuary 0.73

8 Chikkamagaluru Chickmagalur 21. Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary 500.16

9 Dharwad Ranebennur 22 Ranebennur Blackbuck sanctuary 119.00

23 Attivery Bird Sanctuary 2.23

CF, Ballari
10 Kamalapura 24 Daroji Bear sanctuary 82.72
Circle
25 Rangayyadurga Four Horned Antelope
Davanagere 77.23
Wildlife sanctuary
Field Director,
11 Project Tiger, Bandipur 26. Bandipur National Park 872.24
Mysoe
Hunsur 27 Nagarahole National park 643.39

12 Belagavi Circle 28. Bhimgad Wildlife sanctuary 190.42

Belgam
Gokak 29 Ghataprabha Bird sanctuary 29.78
Kalaburgi
13 Kalaburgi 30. Chindholi Wilflife Sanctuary 134.88
Circle
Total Area 8,384.19

47
 Karnataka forests support 25per centof the A variety of Bonnet Macaque, deer (barking,
elephant and 10per cent of the river population mouse and spotted), Indian bison, Malabar Civet,
of India. Many regions of Karnataka are yet Malabar giant squired, pangolin and sloth bear
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

unexplored, and hence new species of flora and make their home in the forests of the park.Reptiles
fauna are found periodically. The Western Ghats, spotted in the park include the King Cobra, Krait,
a biodiversity hotspot, includes the western region Python, Rat snake and Viper. Around 200 species
of Karnataka. Two sub-clusters in the Western of birds are recorded in the park. These include
Ghats, viz. Talacauvery and Kudremukh, both the Adjutant Stork, Ashy Woodswallo, Black-
in Karnataka, are on the tentative list of World crested Bulbul, Blue-headed Pitta, Brahminy Kite,
Heritage Sites of UNESCO. The Bangdipur and Broad-billed Roller, Crested Serpent Eagle, Great
Nagarhole National parks, which fall outside these Hornbill, Golden-backed Woodpecker, Malabar
sub-clusters, were included in the Nilgiri Biosphere Pied Hornbill, Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Yellow-g\
Reserve in 1986, a UNESCO designation. The footed Green Pigeon.
Indian roller and Indian elephant are recognized Bandipur National Park: is one of India’s best
as the state bird and animal while sandalwood known sanctuaries, and is an important Project
and the lotus are recognized as the state tree and Tiger reserve. It is located in the Chamarajanagar
flower respectively. district of southern Karnataka in South India, and
Anshi National Park: is located in Uttara is contiguous with the Mudumalai National park in
Kannada district, in the Indian state of Karnataka, the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. The Wynad
bordering the state of Goa. The 417.34 square Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and the Nagarhole
kilometers park adjoins the Dandeli Wildlife National Park to the northwest. It is the home to
Sanctuary, and together with six other protected around seventy tigers and over three thousand
areas in the states of Goa and Maharashtra, Asian elephants (as per the 1997 census), along
forms a protected forest area of over 2200 square with leopards, dholes, gaur and sloth bears.
kilometers. The park is a habitat of melanistic Bandipur is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
leopards, tigers and elephants, amongst other The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-cluster(6,000+
fauna. The forest in the area was declared the km2), including all the Bandipur National park,
Dandeli wildlife sanctuary on 10 May, 1956. is under consideration by the UNESCO World
The state proposed carving out a section of the Heritage Committee for selection as a World
sanctuary to form the Anshi National Park, and Heritage Site. A sanctuary of 90 km2 was created
the proposal was implemented on 2 September, at this site in the Bandipur Reserve Forests in
1987. The initial proposal covered 250 square 1931. As it was realized that this was too small
kilometers. When the final notification of the for effective wildlife conservation, leading to the
partk area was issued in 2002, it was extended by instituting of the Venugopala Wildlife Park at this
another 90 square kilometers. site, extending over 872.24 km2.
Anshi and Dandeli were granted the status The Bandipur Tiger Reserve was constituted in
of Project Tiger sanctuaries in January, 2007. 1973 by carving out 880 km2 from the Wildlife
Located in the Western Ghats range, Anshi’s Park. Recognized under Project Tiger in 1973 this
altitude varies from 200m to 925m above seal level. park has boasted constant rise in Tiger population.
The park is situated in the North Western Ghats Also famous for Sandalwood trees and the rate
montane rain forests and North Western Ghats species of Flora. Bandipur National park’s altitude
moist deciduous forests eco regions, both of which is between 680 and 1454 meters and is situated
are deemed endangered by the World Wildlife south of the Kabini river at the foothills of the
Fund. Anshi National Park and the adjoining Western Ghats. The rivers of Kabini, Nagur and
Dandeli wildlife sanctuary together form the Moyar flow through the reserve. Climate – Winter
Dandeli Wildlife Division of the Karnataka Forest minimum 10, Summer maximum 28 degrees,
Department, headed by a Deputy Conservator of Monsoon from June to September and best time to
Forests.The forests in the area are rich in flora visit is open throughout the year but preferably in
and fauna. Trees and plants that can be found monsoon when wildlife is plenty and forest is green,
here include Bambaoo, Bautinia, Eucalyptus, Greenery is quite lean when viewed from road but
48 Lantana, Silver Oak, Teak and Xylia xylocarpa. gets thicker as we proceed into the forest.
 Major flora: Teak ( Tectonagrandis), Dalbergia enclosure, inside which the living environment
latifolas, Plerocarpus marsupium, Adina cordifolia, has been carefully designed to support over 20
Grewia tiliaefolia, Emblica officinalis, Lagerstroemia species of butterflies. The environment has a

introduction
lanceolata, Terminalia toemntosa, Anogeissus tropical setting – complete with the humid climate,
latifolia, Terminalia chebula, Schleichera trijuga, an artificial waterfall, a narrow walking bridge and
Odina wodiar, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula, host plants and shrubs that attract butterflies. The
Dendrocalamus strictus, Bambusa arundinacea, conservatory leads to the second and third domes,
Chloroxylon swetenai, Acacia catechu, Shortea which house the museum containing dioramas
talura, Randia uliginosa. and exhibits of carefully preserved, exquisite
Major Fauna : Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, butterflies. The collaborative agencies are the Zoo
Sambar ( deer), Chital, Sloth Bear, Mouse deer, Authority of Karnataka, University of Agricultural
Wild dog, Wild boar, Barking deer, Four horned Sciences and the Ashoka Trust for Research in
Antelope, Hyena. Ecology and Environment ATREE).

Endangered species: Tiger, Four horned The Kudremukh National Park: is the second
Antelope, Gaur, Elephant, Panther, Sloth Bear, largest declared Wildlife Protected area (600.57
Crocodiles, Mouse deer, Python, Osprey, km2) of a tropical wet evergreen type of forest in
the Western Ghats. Kudremukh National park is
Birds: Grey Junglefowl, Pompadour Green
located in Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts
Pigeon, Honey Buzzard, Red-headed Vulture, Grey-
of Karnataka state. The Western Ghats is one of
headed Fish Eagle, Brown Hawk Owl, Bay Owl,
the thirty four hot spots identified for bio-diversity
Malabar Trogon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Pied
conservation in the world. Kudremukh National
Hornbill, Little Spiderhunter, Plain Flowerpecker,
park comes under the Global Tiger Conservation
Reptiles; King Cobra, Common Cobra, Python,
Priority-I, under the format developed jointly
Adder, Viper, Rat Snake, Water Snake, Marsh
by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and
Crocodile, Lizard, Chameleon, Monitor Lizard,
World Wide Fund-USA. The British Government
Frog, Tree frog, Toad and Tortoise.
declared Kudremukh region as a Reserved
Bannerghatta National Park: Bannerghatta Forest in 1916, to stop rampant slash and burn
National Park is situated 22 km south of Bengaluru, cultivation practices from penetrating deeper into
Karnataka, India. The journey to the park takes the Ghats. Well known environmentalist and Tiger
nearly half an hour from Bengaluru. This hilly expert Dr. Ullas Karanth, undertook a detailed
place is the home for one of the richest natural, and systematic survey of the distribution of the
zoological reserves. The 260.51 km2 zoological endangered Lion Tailed Macaque in Karnataka
park makes this a major tourist attraction of during 1983-84 with support from Government
Bengaluru. The Bannerghatta Tiger and Lion of Karnataka. He observed that suitable and
Reserve has a reserve of Indian tigers including extensive rainforest habitat for Lion-tailed
white tigers, lions and other mammals. Safaris – Macaque existed in Kudremukh and that the
Tiger and Lion Safari and Grand Safari (including tract probably harbored the largest contiguous
herbivores) – conducted by the KSTDC, and aid in population of lion tailed macaques in the Western
the funding of the reserve. The Tiger Reserve of the Ghats outside the Malabar region. He further
park has been recognized by the Forest Department suggested that Lion Tailed Macaques could be
of India. There is small museum in the zoo which effectively used as a `flagship’ species to conserve
showcases zoological exhibits. The zoo, which is a the entire biotic community in the region and
major attraction in this area, also has reptile park prepared a conservation plan for survival of wild
and a small theatre. The Zoo is closed on Tuesdays population of Lion Tailed Macaques in the region
(Weekly holiday). The country’s first Butterfly Park delineating the present national park area as a
was established at the Bannerghatta Biological proposed nature reserve. Based on his report, the
Park. The Butterfly Park is spread across 7.5 Karnataka State Wildlife Advisory Board suggested
acres (30,000 m2) of land. It comprises a butterfly to the Government that Kudremukh National Park
conservatory, museum and an audio-visual room. be created. Subsequently, the first notification
The butterfly conservatory has a polycarbonate of the Kudremukh National park was issued. In
roof and is a 10,000 sq. ft. ( 1,000 m2). circular 1987, the Government of Karnataka declared 49
 these Reserved Forests as a National Park based park isa part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The
on the above suggestion. Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster(6,000+ km2),
The town of Kudremukh is primarily an iron including all of Nagarhole National Park, is under
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

ore mining town. But now the mining has been consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage
abandoned permanently, where the government Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site.
run Public Sector Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Mostly moist mixed deciduous forest (Tectoria
Ltd. (KIOCL) operates. It is noted for its scenic grndis, Dalbegia latifolia) in the southern parts,
beauty. Owing to the dense forests, sighting dry tropical forest (Wrightia tinctoria, Acacia)
wildlife can be challenging, though the area is towards the east, and Sub mountain hill valley
rich in wildlife. Nonetheless the drive through the swamp forest ( Eugenia) are found in the park.
forest ranges can be enchanting and exhilarating. Mammals: Elephant, Jackal, Tiger, Panther, Gaur,
Three important rivers, the Tunga, the Bhadra and Muntjac, Sambar, Spoptted deer, Mongoose, Civet
the Netravathi are said to have their origin here. A cat, Hyena. Reptiles: King Cobra, Krait, Python,
shrine of goddess Bhagavathi and a Varaha image, Viper, Tortoise, Monitor Lizard, Toads etc. The
1.8 m within a cave are the main attractions. The main trees found are Rosewood, Teak, Sandalwood
Tunga river and Bhadra river flow freely through and Silver oak.
the parklands. Kadambi waterfalls area is the
definite point of interest for anyone who travels to Western Ghats in Karnataka
the spot.
The Nilgiri Biosphere is home to the largest
A diverse assemblage of endangered large population of Asian Elephants and forms an
mammals is found in the park supporting three important Project Elephant and Project Tiger
large mammal predator species Tiger, Leopard and reserve. Brahmagiri and Pushpagiri wildlife
Wild Dogs. The important Tiger prey base found sanctuaries are important elephant habitats.
within the Park is Gaur, Sambar, Wild Pig, Muntjac, Karnataka’s Ghat areas hold over six thousand
Chevrotain, Bonnet macaque, Common Langur elephants ( as 2004) and ten per cent of India’s
and the Lion Tailed Macaque. The wet climate critically endangered tiger population. The largest
and the tremendous water retentive capacity of population of India’s Tigers outside the Sundarbans
the shoal grasslands and forests has led to the is in the unbroken forests bordering Karnataka,
formation of thousands of perennial streams in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The largest numbers and
region converging to form three major rivers of the herds of vulnerable Gaur are found here with the
region. Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi that form Bandipur National park and Nagarahole together
an important lifeline for people of Karnataka and holding over five thousand Gaur. To the west
Andhra Pradesh. Lobo house in an old abandoned the forests of Kodagu hold sizeable populations
house on top of Kudremukha of the endangered Nilgiri Langur. Bhadra
Nagarhole National Park: also known as Rajiv Wildlife Sanctuary and project tiger reserve in
Gandhi National Park’, is located 94 km. from Chikkamagaluru has large populations of Indian
Mysoe. It is spread between Kodagu and Mysuru muntjac. Many Asian Elephant, Gaur, Sambar,
districts. Located to the northwest of Bandipur vulnerable sloth Bears, Leopard, tiger and Wild
National park, Kabini reservoir separates the two. Boars dwell in the forests of Kerala.
The exclusive hunting reserve of the former rulers Banneghatta National Park and Anekal reserve
of Mysuru, the park has rich forest cover, small forest is an important elephant corridor connecting
streams, valleys, and waterfalls. In 1975 its area the forests of Tamil Nadu with those of Karnataka.
stretched to 643.39 km2. The place derives its Dandeli and Anshi National Parks in Uttara
name from Kannada. Naga meaning snake and Kannada district are home to the Black Panther
hole referring to streams. Set up in 1955, it is one and normal variety of leopards and significant
of the best managed parks in the country. populations of Great Indian Hornbill. Bhimgad in
The climate is tropical; summer is hot and Belagavi district is a proposed wildlife sanctuary
winter is pleasant. The park boasts a healthy tiger- and is home to the endemic critically endangered
predator ratio, and tiger, bison, and elephant are Wroughton’s freetailed bat. The Krishnapur caves
50 much more populous here than in Bandipur. The close by are one of only three places in the country
where the little-known Theobald’s tomb bat is seven adjoining areas. The areas within the State
found. Large Lesser False Vampire bats are found of Karnataka are :
in the Talevadi caves. Western Ghats –Talacauvery Sub-cluster (

introduction
• Reptiles – The snake family Uropeltidae of the with six Site Elements); All site elements in the
reptile class is almost entirely restricted to this Talacauvery region are situated in Karnataka state
region. except the Aralam Reserved Forest (RF) in Kerala
• Amphibians – The amphibians of the Western state. Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary (102.59 km2)
Ghats are diverse and unique, with more than has dense evergreen and semi-evergreen vegetation,
80per cent of the 179 amphibian species being with shoal grassland in areas of higher elevation.
endemic to the region. Most of the endemic The steep terrain of the Sanctuary has resulted in
species have their distribution in the rainforests scenic waterfalls along its many mountain streams.
of these mountains. The endangered Purple frog Altitude varies from 160 to 1,712 m. the highest
was discovered in 2003 to be a living fossil. This point being the Pushpagiri Peak in the north of the
species of frog is most closely related to species park. Temperatures ranges from 10-380 C, with
found in the Seychelles. Four new species of annual rainfall exceeding 6,500 mm. Brahmagiri
Anurans belonging to the genus Rhacophorus, Wildlife Sanctuary (181.29 km2) also consists of
Polypedates, Philautus and Bufo have been evergreen and semi evergreen forests in the lower-
described from the Western Ghats. lying areas with shoal grassland habitat in the
higher altitudes. The eastern tip of the Sanctuary
• Fish – 102 species of fish are listed for the
is adjacent to the north-western boundary of Rajiv
Western Ghats water bodies. Western Ghats
Gandhi (Nagarhole) National park, separated by
streams are home to several brilliantly coloured
a narrow strip of coffee plantations. The highest
ornamental fishes like Red line torpedo barb,
point in the Sanctuary is the Brahmagiri Peak
Red-tailed barb, Osteobrama bakeri, Gunther’s
on the south-eastern boundary, while elevation
catfish and freshwater puffer fish Tetraodon
varies between 65m and 1,607 m. Temperatures
tranvancoricus, Carinotetraodon imitator
ranges from 50 – 320 C, and mean annual rainfall
and marine forms like Chelonodon patoca
varies from 2,500 mm to 6,000 mm. Talacauvery
(Buchanan-Hamilton, 1822); mahseers such as
Wildlife Sanctuary ( 105.59 km2) is located in the
Malabar mahseer.
Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka. Its forests
• Birds – There are at least 508 bird species. Most are predominated by tropical evergreen forests.
of Karnataka’s five hundred species of birds are It is named after Talacauvery the origin of the
form the Western Ghats region. Bhadra Wildlife Cauvery river which lies on the eastern edge of the
Sanctuary is located at the northern end of the Sanctuary. Altitudinal and temperature ranges are
Malabar ranges and the southern tip of the 64-1,659 m. and 100 -350 C, respectively. Annual
Sahyadri ranges and bird species from both rainfall is about 6,500 mm. The areas between
ranges can be seen here. Talacauvry and Pushpagiri sanctuaries have been
• Insects – There are roughly 6,000 insect excluded from the proposed area mainly due to the
species from Kerala alone. Of 334 butterfly fragmentation and habitat degradation caused by
species recorded from the Wv estern Ghats, the Mangaluru-Madikeri road. Tehre is no natural
316 species have been reported from the Nilgiri forest cover for about 2 km on either side of this
Biosphere Reserve. road. There are some teak and rubber plantations
near the road.
• Molluscs - Seasonal rainfall patterns of the
Western Ghats necessitate a period of dormancy Western Ghats-Kudremukh Sub-Cluster :
for its land snails, resulting in their high (with Five Site Elements) : The Kudremukh
abundance and diversity including at least 258 National Park, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary,
species of gastropods from 57 genera and 24 and surrounding Reserved Forests of Someshwara,
families. Agumbe and Balahalli of Karnataka state are
situated centrally in the Western Ghats Biodiversity
In 2006, India applied to the UNESCO MAB
Hotspot. Kudremukh National park has one of
for the Western Ghats to be listed as a protected
the most beautiful landscapes in the Western
World Heritage Site. This will be composed of 51
Ghats, encompassing evergreen, semi-evergreen
 and grasslandshola habitat characteristic of high reservoir about 33,000 ha, are either saline or water
altitude Western Ghats regions. Altitude varies logged; 24,455 ha are saline or waterlogged in the
from 120 to 1,892 m. the highest point being the Malaprabha and Ghataprabha (command) area
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

Kudremukh Peak in the south of the Park. The and 16,500 ha, in the Cauvery basin. Remedial
Park has average temperatures ranging between measures are being undertaken in some areas
170 C and 280 C. Annual rainfall varies from at a high cost. Pasture lands in the State have
1,778 mm to 6,350 mm, with an average of 4,000 been steadily decreasing. During 1956 to 1983,
mm and a maximum recorded rainfall of 10,000 pastures came down by 31 per cent while animal
mm in 1994. The topography is mountainous with units increased by 30 per cent. Over grazing is
a central ridge running north-south through the bound to follow together with compacting of the
Park. The park is dotted with crystal-clear streams land cattle paths.
and picturesque waterfalls. Kudremukh National As a result of the expansion of agriculture
Park isflanked by coffee and tea estates on the and its allied activities, the natural vegetation
north and east, whereas, on the west, the land in the plains has suffered the most. In fact, the
drops down to the Arabian Sea. In the northwest characteristic vegetation of this habitat namely
is a forest corridor that connects the Park with the the scrub forest has almost vanished. The wild
Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary, life too has practically been wiped out in this tract
named after the famous Someshwara Temple except in isolated pockets. Similarly in the Western
located within it, and the adjoining 105.3 km2 Ghats, the fragmentation of natural vegetation has
of Reserved Forest are predominantly evergreen already reached alarming proportions and this will
forests, along with semi-evergreen vegetation. have serious consequences on the rate of extinction
These Reserved Forests are in the process of of species. The wild life has been decimated in
being included within the Sanctuary. Elevation many parts of the State and its numbers are
ranges from 75-870 m and the temperature varies rapidly dwindling due to loss of habitat, constant
between 200 C and 300 C, with an average annual fragmentation and illegal killing.
rainfall of 6,000 mm.
The forest areas in the Western Ghats are being
Environment Situation in Karnataka converted into plantations of cardamom, cocoa,
Survival of life on the earth depends on the rubber, coffee and tea. Simultaneously timber and
availability of natural resources. The use of these fuel wood species are replacing the rich tropical
resources has an impact on the environment forests. These plantations while being commercially
around us. Water usage leads to its pollution. remunerative can cause great harm to the bio-
Coal, oil, minerals and metals are being depleted diversity and habitat of the flora and fauna.
by increasing usage. A high level of irrigation, Vast forest areas have been submerged by hydel
unless accompanied by proper drainage, make projects on the west-flowing rivers. Resettlement of
the soil saline or waterlogged. Combustion of fuels the people displaced by development projects has
results in greater accumulation of carbon dioxide further reduced the forest area by honey combing
leading to global warming. This use and depletion the forests with human settlement.
of resources has in impact on our environment. Silting is the most serious problems with tanks
About sixty per cent of the land area in the and reservoirs. The capacity of the tanks goes
States is under one or other type of agriculture. on decreasing every year, the tank irrigating less
This is above the national average of 51 per cent. and less land, ultimately becoming altogether
A portion of this land is marginal for agriculture useless for irrigation when the sluices can no
and requires higher inputs but gives lower yields. longer be opened. The solution proposed for the
As subsistence farming is economically nonviable, silting problem is afforestation of the catchment
this land is soon degraded and the soil is eroded. to the extent possible, banning cultivation in
Land that cannot support agriculture could well the foreshore lands and construction of small
be suitable for forestry and pasture. Irrigated land checkdams upstream to trap the silt.
has been rendered saline or water-logged due The exploitation of renewable and non-
to water use. Thus in the upper Krishna Project renewable natural resources is likely to have an
about 71,000 ha, have become either saline or environmental impact. Increased production of
52 alkaline. In the command area of the Tungabhadra
minerals will vary with the location, method and noise levels. The truth is that they never do, but
magnitude of operations. Area surrounding the silently surrender their functions, with increasing
mines will also be affected by the works as well age of an individual.

introduction
as workers. So the extent and mode of mining More comprehensive legislation to provide
must be regulated by ecological considerations for for the protection and improvement of the
the long term utilization of resources. Pollution environment was Centrally enacted and termed the
is the introduction of extraneous materials into Environment (Protection) Action 23rd May, 1986.
environment adversely affecting its normal use. The Department of Ecology and Environment was
Water pollution is caused mainly by discharge of established in March 1981 to have an integrated
waste waters into natural water courses and water approach to deal with, prevention and control of air
bodies. Water is being polluted by industries and and water pollution, preservation and development
human habitations. Industrial effluents can cause of forest wealth and other natural resources in the
organic, chemical and even hazardous pollution. State. The Environment (Protection) Act came into
In order to control this pollution, effluent force from November 1986 and the existing Water
standards have been prescribed industry- Act and Air Act have been amended over the last
wise. Thermal pollution caused by water with two years.
temperature above the ambient water temperature The new provisions of the environmental laws
is also to be controlled. The Water (Prevention and enable the general public to question the authorities
Control of Pollution) Act was enacted by Parliament involved in the environmental pollution control
on 23rd March, 1974. The greatest water pollution in a court of law. The Ecology and Environment
in the State is caused by Urban Agglomerations. It department is now responsible for the management
is obligatory on the authorities to treat the sewage of hazardous chemicals and control of oil pollution
before discharging it. However 139 of the 172 in coastal waters. In addition beach management
Municipalities do not have functional underground has also been given considerable importance.
drainage or sewage treatment plants.
Department of Ecology and Environment
Air Pollution The Mandate of the department is to preserve
and enhance the quality of the natural environment,
Stack emissions from industries also emits
including water, air and soil quality; conserve and
fumes containing both suspended particles
protect flora, fauna and other natural resources;
and s abnoxious gases. Stack emission are to
enforce environmental Acts and Rules made
be controlled and have to conform to standards
by the Central Government and Government of
devices like cyclones, scrubbers, electrostatic
Karnataka; coordinate various environmental
precipitators and similar devices. The resultant
policies and programs. The Department is under
particulate matter gives a sludge which again has
the Administrative Control of Minister of Cabinet
to be disposed off. The Raichur Thermal Power
rank for Forest, Ecology and Environment. The
plant produces around 3,000 tonnes of ash a
Department is headed by The Principal Secretary,
day. The Mangaluru Super Thermal Power Plant
Forest, Ecology and Environment and Secretary
is estimated to generate 20,000 tonnes of ash a
(Ecology & Environment).
day. A step towards controlling pollution and
protection of our environment was taken by the Secretariat: The Department has a technical
Central enactment of Air (Prevention and Control wing consisting of a Director and seven scientific
Pollution) Act, 1981. officers and also an administrative section
consisting of an Under Secretary and associated
Noise pollution caused by 1) Industrial Noise,
staff. Field: The department has recently
2) Traffic Noise, 3) Cultural Noise is also under
decentralized itself and Six Regional Directors
the purview of this Air ( Prevention and Control
(Environment) are now posted at Kalburgi, Ballari,
of Pollution) Act of 1981. Noise is as harmful to
Belagavi, Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and
the human being as polluted air and water. Noise
Udupi. The Regional Directors posted at Dakshina
pollution associated with urban life is on the
Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi will also
increase. The vast majority of people are under
be looking after the Coastal Zone Regulation
the false impression that ears adapt to increased
aspects.
53
 Activities of the Department: Enforcement diversity of climate, topography and soils. It spans
of various Environment related Acts, Rules, the seacoast with rich aquatic biodiversity and
Notifications etc., including Implementation of mangrove swamps at the mouths of estuaries. It
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, harbours verdant tropical evergreen forests, paddy
1981, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) fields, coconut and arecanut orchards on the
Act, 1974, Environment Protection Act 1986 narrow coast flanked by the hills of Western Ghats.
and notifications issued under the Environment It bears deciduous woods, scrub jungles, fields of
Protection Act., Implementation of : National River sugarcane, cotton, groundnut, ragi and jowar in
Conservation Plan, National Lake Conservation the Deccan plateau. The different environmental
Plan, To accord Environmental Clearances in regimes support their own characteristic set of
respect of certain categories of industries, To take vegetation and animals. Karnataka supports ten
up activities for the protection of Bio-diversity in per cent of total tiger population and 25 per cent
the State, To oversee the activities / functioning of elephant population of the country. The state
of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, To has around 4500 species of flowering plants, 600
oversee Coastal zone management of Karnataka species of birds, 160 species of mammals, 160
Acts and Rules Administered by the Department; species of reptiles (turtles, snakes, lizards and
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) crocodiles), 70 species of frogs, and 800 species
Act, Rules, 1974-75; The Water (Prevention and of fish. These figures give a good account of the
Control of Pollution) Cess Act, Rules, 1977-78; The floral and faunal diversity of the state. The wealth
Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, Rules, of diversity of domesticated plants and animals in
1981-83; The Environment (Protection) Act and farms also holds much promise. The hill chain of
Rules, 1986; The Hazardous Wastes (Management Western Ghats is known to have greater diversity
and Handling) Rules, 1989; Manufacture, Storage of wild relatives of cultivated plants than any other
and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules/ region of comparable size in the world. The aquatic
Amendment Rules, 1989, Amendment 1992 and biodiversity in Karnataka is very rich and harbors
1994; Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and many endemic species.
Storage of hazardous Micro- Organisms, Genetically Biological Diversity Act, 2002: The Biological
Engineered Micro-Organisms or Cell Rules, 1989; Diversity Act, which came into force in February
Coastal Regulation Zone & Regulation of Activity 2003, aims to promote conservation, sustainable
in CRZ, 1991; Environmental Impact Assessment use and equitable sharing of benefits of India’s
for Development Projects Notification, 1994, biodiversity resources. It provides for establishment
Amendment 1997; Bio-medical Waste (Management of a National Biodiversity Authority at national
& Handling) Rules, 1998; Manufacture and Use level, State Biodiversity Boards at state level and
of Recycled Plastics, Carry bags and Containers, Biodiversity Management Committees at the level
1999; Direction for Use of Fly Ash, Bottom Ash or of Panchayats and Municipalities. The National
Pond Ash in the Manufacture of Bricks & other Biodiversity Authority shall play a regulatory role
construction activities, 1999; Municipal Solid with regard to access to biological resources by
Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 2000; foreign citizens and grant of intellectual property
Biological Diversity Act, 2002. rights. It shall play an advisory role in matters
The Department of Ecology and Environment relating to the conservation, sustainable use and
has a network of organisations working on various equitable distribution of biological resources. As
fields of environment. The network consists of per the provisions of the Act, the state has set
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB); up the State Biodiversity Board, with the Hon’ble
Environment Managament Policy Research Minister for Forest, Ecology & Environment as
Institute (EMPRI); Indo Norwegian Environment chairperson, five ex-officio members and five non-
Programme (INEP); Lake Development Authority official members.
(LDA); Karnataka Biodiversity Board (KBB) and The State Biodiversity Board is supposed to
Regional Environment Offices. advice the state government on matters relating
Biodiversity of Karnataka: The state of to conservation of biodiversity, sustainable
Karnataka is a part of the highly biodiversity rich use of its components etc. It shall also regulate
54 regions of India. The state is endowed with great access of biological resources by Indian citizens.
 construction is permitted within this zone except
The Act provides for constitution of Biodiversity for repairs to the existing authorized structures
Management Committees that are to be constituted without exceeding existing FSI, plinth area and
in each local body for the purpose of promoting

introduction
density. Development of vacant plots between
conservation, sustainable use and documentation 200 and 500 mts. of HTL is permitted in CRZ
of biological diversity and chronicling of knowledge III for the purpose of construction of dwelling
relating to biological diversity. The Act also units and hotels/beach resorts subject to certain
envisages setting up of a local biodiversity fund, conditions.
at every area notified by State Government, where
any institution of self-government is functioning. Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management
This fund will include any grants and loans made Plan: Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP)
by the National Biodiversity Authority, grants or of the state was prepared and was approved by
loans made by State Biodiversity Boards, all sums Ministry of Environment and Forest in the year
received by the local committee from other sources 1996. According to this areas covered under
etc. CRZ-I, CRZ-II and CRZ-III were identified using
satellite imagery and prepared maps in the scale
Coastal Zone Management: About the Law:
1:25,000. As the enforcement of the law and the
Central Government have declared the coastal
management of the zone from the point of view
stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers
of protection of environment using this maps was
and back waters which are influenced by tidal
difficult the following steps are taken. Demarcation
action (in the landward side) up to 500 mts. from
of High Tide Line (HTL) and Low Tide Line (LTL) on
the High Tide Line (HTL) and the land between
the ground and fixing reference pillars all along
the Low Tide Line (LTL) and the HTL as “Coastal
the coast and rivers. Preparation of local level
Regulation Zone” (CRZ), on 19.2.1991.
Coastal Regulation Zone Maps on the cadastral
Classification Criteria and Regulatory maps indicating HTL, LTL, 200 mt line, 100 mt
Norms: The coastal regulation zone has been line and other lines required for the purpose of
classified as CRZ-I, CRZ-II and CRZ-II in the State enforcement of the law, the reference pillars and
for the purpose of regulation of the permitted different zones of regulation.
activities. CRZ-I : Ecological sensitive area and The above task has been entrusted to National
the area between High Tide Line (HTL) and Low Hydrographic Office, Dehradun which is an
Tide Line (LTL). No new construction is permitted organization under the Ministry of Defence of
except for a few specified most essential activities Government of India and an agency authorized by
like support activities for Atomic Energy Plants Ministry of Environment of Forest for this purpose
and Defense requirements, facilities required for at an estimated cost of Rs.2.34 crores. This
disposal of treated effluents and other port related project is funded by KUIDFC under KUDCEMP.
water front activities. CRZ-II : The area that have Demarcation and fixing of reference pillars is
been developed up to or close to the shore line completed in Dakshina Kannada District and the
which includes the designated urban areas that work is under progress in the other two districts.
are substantially built up. Buildings permitted Preparation of local level maps for Dakshina
only on the landward side of the existing road (or Kannada District is in the final stage and mapping
roads approved in the coastal zone Management of other two districts has begun.
Plan of the area) or on the landward side of the
Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management
existing authorized structures as defined in the
Authority: Karnataka State Coastal Zone
notification. Reconstruction of the authorized
Management Authority, has been constituted
buildings permitted subject to existing FSI/FAR
vide notification No. S.O.21 (E), dated 04.01.2002
norms without change in the use. CRZ-III : The
by MOEF, GOI as per sub section (1) and (3) of
areas that are relatively undisturbed and those
section 3 of Environment (protection) Act, 1986
which do not belong to either CRZ-I or CRZ-II
for a period of three years. The Authority has
which includes mainly the rural area and those
the following the functions;– 1) The Authority
not substantially built up within designated
has the power to take the following measures
urban areas. The area up to 200 mts. from HTL
for protecting and improving the quality of the
is earmarked as “No Development Zone”. No 55
coastal environment and preventing, abating and
 controlling environmental pollution in the coastal Zone and prepares Integrated Coastal Zone
areas of the State of Karnataka namely: Management Plans for the same. IX. The
I. Examination of proposals for changes Authority submits the plans prepared by it under
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

or modifications in classification of Coastal paragraphs IV, V and VI above and modifications

Regulation Zone areas and in the Coastal Zone thereof to the National Coastal Zone Management
Management Plan (CZMP) received from the Authority for examination and its approval. X.
Karnataka State Government and making specific The Authority examines all projects proposed
recommendations to the National Coastal Zone in Coastal Regulation Zone areas and give their
Management Authority therefor. recommendations before the, project proposals are
referred to the Central Government or the agencies
II. (a) Inquire into cases of alleged violations of
who have been entrusted to clear such projects
the provisions of the said Act or the rules made
under the notification, of the Government of India
thereunder, or under any other law which is
in the Ministry of Environment and Forests vide
related to the objects of the said Act and, if found
number S.O.144(E) dated 19th February, 1991.
necessary in a specific case, issuing directions
under Section 5 of the said Act, insofar as such XI. The Authority ensures compliance of all
directions are not inconsistent with any direction specific conditions that are stipulated and laid
issued in that specific case by the National down in the approved Coastal Zone Management
Coastal Zone Management Authority or by the Plan of Karnataka. XII. The Authority ensures that
Central Government; (b) Review of cases involving at least two-third members of the Authority are
violations of the provisions of the said Act, and present during the meetings. XIII. The Authority
the rules made thereunder, or under any other furnishes report of its activities at least once in six
law which is related to the objects of the said months to the National Coastal Zone Management
Act, and if found necessary referring such cases, Authority. XIV. The foregoing powers and functions
with comments, for review to the National Coastal of the Authority shall be subject to the supervision
Zone Management Authority: Provided that the and control of the Central Government. XV. The
cases under subclauses (a) and (b) of this sub- Authority has its headquarters at Bengaluru. XVI.
paragraph may either be taken up suo-moto or on Any matter specifically not falling within the scope
the basis of complaint made by an individual or a and jurisdiction of the Authority will be dealt with
representative body or an organisation. III. Filing by the statutory authorities concerned.
complaints under Section 19 of the said Act in District Coastal Zone Management Committees:
cases of non-compliance of the directions issued State Government has constituted district Coastal
by it under sub-clause (a) of sub-paragraph (ii) Zone Management Committee (DCZMC) in each
of paragraph 11 of the Order. IV. To take action of the coastal districts under the chairmanship
under Section 10 of the said Act to verify the facts the concerned Deputy Commissioner. A local
concerning the issues arising from sub-paragraphs Non-Government Agency and Chief Executive
(i) and (ii) of paragraph 11 of this Order. officers of the concerned Zilla Panchayath are
V. The Authority deal with environmental issues the members of DCZMC and the concerned DCF,
relating to Coastal Regulation Zone, which may be CRZ is the Member Secretary. The DCZMC assists
referred to it by the Karnataka State Government, the State Coastal Zone Management Authority
the National Coastal Zone Management Authority in discharging the expected duties apart from
or the Central Government. VI. The Authority attending to the local issues concerned with the
identifies ecologically sensitive areas in the Coastal Regulation Zones.
Coastal Regulation Zone and formulates area-
specific management plans for such identified Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
areas. VII. The Authority identifies coastal areas
highly vulnerable to erosion or degradation and The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board
formulates area specific management plans for for Prevention and Control of Water Pollution was
such identified areas. constituted by the Government of Karnataka on
21.9.1974 in pursuance of the Water (Prevention
VIII. The Authority identifies economically & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The Water Act
56 important stretches in Coastal Regulation will provide for the prevention and control of
water pollution and maintaining or restoring of Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Cess
wholesomeness of water. The Air (Prevention & Act, 1977, and as amended from time to time.;The
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 is an enactment Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Cess

introduction
to provide for prevention , control and abatement Rules, 1978.; The following Rules and Notifications
of air pollution. After the enactment of the Air framed under Environment (Protection) Act,
(Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The 1986 : Hazardous Waste (Management, Handling
enforcing responsibility has been entrusted to the and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008.;
Board. Environmental Impact Assessment Notification,
The Board has its Central Office at Bengaluru . 2006.; Bio-Medical Waste (Management &
The enforcement of stated Acts and Rules are being Handling) Rules, 1998, and Amendment Rules
implemented through eighteen Regional Offices. 2000. ;Plastic Waste (Management & Handling)
Five Regional offices are operating in Bengaluru Rules, 2011.; The Noise Pollution (Regulation &
city namely, Bengaluru City Bengaluru–South, Control) Rules, 2000.; Municipal Solid Wastes
Bengaluru-North, Region-VII and Peenya and one (Management & Handling) Rules, 2000.; E-waste
each at Mysuru , Kalaburgi , Dharwad Mangaluru, (Management and Handling) Rules 2011; Batteries
Raichur, Ballari ,Belagavi, Hassan, Bidar, Kolar, (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001; The
Mandya, Davanagere and Tumakuru. Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.

The Central laboratory of the board is located Organisation structure : The Board has its
at Bengaluru. Regional laboratories have been Central Office at Bengaluru. The enforcement
set up along with Regional Offices of Mangaluru, of the above stated Acts and Rules are being
Hasssan, Dharwad, Raichur, Davanagere, Mysuru, implemented through forty four Regional
Kalaburgi and Belagavi. Offices. fourteen Regional offices are operating
in Bengaluru city namely, Bengaluru South,
The Central Office of the Board is responsible
Bengaluru East, Bengaluru West, Bengaluru
for making general policies relating to enforcement
Mahadevapura, Bengaluru Sarjapura, Bengaluru
of the above said Acts and Rules and it also carries
Yelahanka, Bengaluru Bytarayanapura, Bengaluru
out general administration and co-ordination
Dasarahalli, Bengaluru Bommanahalli, Bengaluru
with other agencies. The Central Laboratory of
Anekal,Bengaluru Rajarajeshwarinagar,
the Board is well - equipped and can take up
Bengaluru Peenya, Bengaluru Hoskote, Bengaluru
analysis of water, waste water, stack emission
Doddaballapura, Bengaluru Nelamangala
samples, ambient air samples, bio-assay tests,
and one each at Bagalkot, Ballari, Belagavi-1,
bacteriological analysis, etc.
Belagavi-2 (Chikkodi Centre), Bidar, Vijayapura,
The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board Chamarajanagar, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga,
for Prevention and Control of Water Pollution was Davangere,Dharwad, Kalaburgi, Hassan,
constituted by the Government of Karnataka on The Kolar,Karwar, Koppal, Mandya, Mangaluru,
Twenty First of September Nineteen Seventy Four Mysuru-1(City),Mysuru-2 (Rural area),Raichur,
(21.9.1974) in pursuance of the Water (Prevention Shivamogga,Tumakuru,Udupi, Ramanagara,
& Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 . The Water Yadgiri, Haveri, Chikkaballapura, Kodagu and
Act will provide for the prevention and control of Gadag.
water pollution and maintaining or restoring of
The Central laboratory of the Board is located at
wholesomeness of water. After the enactment of
Bengaluru. Regional laboratories have been set up
the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act,
along with Regional Offices of Mysuru, Mangaluru,
1981 the enforcing responsibility was entrusted
Hasssan, Dharwad, Raichur, Davanagere,
to the above Board. As such, the Board was later
Kalaburgi and Belagavi. The Central Office of the
renamed as the Karnataka State Pollution Control
Board is responsible for making general policies
Board in 1985 . The Air (Prevention & Control of
relating to enforcement of the above said Acts and
Pollution) Act, 1981 is an enactment to provide
Rules and it also carries out general administration
for prevention , control and abatement of air
and co-ordination with other agencies.
pollution.
The Central Laboratory of the Board is well
Apart from the above said Acts, the Board is
- equipped and can take up analysis of water,
also enforcing the following Acts & Rules : The
waste water, stack emission samples, ambient air
57
 samples, bio-assay tests, bacteriological analysis, on account of the predominant conditions of
etc. scant stream flows that do not provide for
Functions: The Important functions of the major part of the year the minimum degree
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

Board under Water (Prevention and Control of of dilution;

Pollution) Act, 1974, and Air (Prevention and (j) To laydown standards of effluents of sewage
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, (Section 17) are: and trade effluents to be discharged into any
a) To plan a comprehensive programme for the particular stream and the tolerance limits
prevention, control or abatement of pollution of pollution permissible in the water of the
of streams and wells in the State and to secure stream, after the discharge of such effluents;
the execution thereof; (k) To make, vary or revoke any order
(b) To advise the State Government on any (i) for the prevention, control or abatement
matter concerning the prevention, control of discharges of waste into streams or wells;
or abatement of water pollution and air (ii) requiring any person concerned to
pollution. construct new systems for the disposal of
(c) To collect and disseminate information sewage and trade effluents or to modify,
relating to water pollution, air pollution and alter or extend any such existing system
the prevention, control or abatement thereof; or to adopt such remedial measures as are
(d) To encourage, conduct and participate necessary to prevent control or abate water
in investigations and research relating to pollution;
problems of water pollution and prevention, (l) To laydown effluent standards to be complied
control or abatement of water pollution; with by persons while causing discharge of
(e) To inspect sewage or trade effluents, works and sewage or sullage or both and to laydown,
plants for the treatment of sewage and trade modify or annul effluent standards for the
effluents and to review plans, specifications sewage and trade effluents;
or other data relating to plants setup for the (m) To advise the State Government with respect
treatment of water, works for the purification to the location of any industry the carrying on
thereof and the system for the disposal of of which is likely to pollute a stream or well.
sewage or trade effluents or in connection (n) To plan a comprehensive programme for
with the grant of any consent as required by the prevention, control or abatement of
this Act; air pollution and to secure the execution
(f) Laydown, modify or annul effluent standards thereof;
for the sewage and trade effluents and for the (o) To inspect, at all reasonable times, any control
quality of receiving waters (not being water equipment, industrial plant or manufacturing
in an inter-State stream) resulting from the process and to give, by order, such directions
discharge of effluents and to classify waters to such persons as it may consider necessary
of the State; to take steps for the prevention, control or
(g) To evolve economical and reliable methods abatement of air pollution;
of treatment of sewage and trade effluents, (p) To inspect air pollution control areas at such
having regard to the peculiar conditions of intervals as it may think necessary, assess
soils, climate and water resources of different the quality of air therein and take steps for
regions and more especially the prevailing the prevention, control or abatement of air
flow characteristics of water in streams and pollution in such areas;
wells which render it impossible to attain
even the minimum degree of dilution; (q) To laydown, in consultation with the Central
Board and having regard to the standards
(h) To evolve methods of utilization of sewage for the quality of air laid down by the Central
and suitable trade effluents in agriculture; Board, standards for emission of air pollutants
(i) To evolve efficient methods of disposal of sewage into the atmosphere from industrial plants
and trade effluents on land, as are necessary and automobiles or for the discharge of any
58
 air pollutant into the atmosphere from any Ghats with special reference to the ‘endemic’ and
other source whatsoever not being a ship or an ‘threatened’ plants in an Arboretum in Pilikula
aircraft; Provided that different standards for Nisarga Dhama, Mangaluru.; Establishment of a

introduction
emission may be laid down under this clause Technology Development and Demonstration Cell
for different industrial plants having regard for iron ore waste tailings based building products
to the quality and composition of emission of at Karnataka Regional Engineering College
air pollutants into the atmosphere from such (KREC), Surathkal.; Bioreactors for Clean Coffee
industrial plants; Effluentsreducing water pollution in Western
(r) To advise the State Government with respect Ghats with appropriate technology solutions.;
to the suitability of any premises or location Biomedical waste management for Kalaburgi
for carrying on any industry which is likely to City.; Eco-development through Urban Forestry
cause air pollution; Programme.; Empowerment of Pourakarmikas in
Bengaluru City.; Cleaner and sustainable industrial
(s) To perform such other functions as may be
development through Cleaner Production.
prescribed or may, from time to time, be
entrusted to it by the Central Board or the
State Government. Lake Development Authority: The Lake
Development Authority is an autonomous
regulatory, planning and policy body for Protection,
Indo Norwegian Environment Programme:
Conservation, Reclamation, Restoration,
Indo Norwegian Environment Programme in
Regeneration and Integrated Development of
Karnataka was commenced in the year 1997 with
Lakes, whether natural or man-made in the
a Norwegian Aid of Rs. 198.00 million , for a period
State of Karnataka. Deeply concerned with the
of 5 years. The main objectives of the programme
unchecked deterioration of lakes in and around
is to contribute towards sustainable management
Bengaluru and conscious of their critical role in
and utilization of natural resources and combat
maintaining healthy environs and recharging of
and reduce air, water and soil pollution. The
ground water, Lake Development Authority was
programme also encompasses enhancement of
created vide Government Order No. FEE/12/
technical and management knowledge including
ENG/02, Bengaluru, Dated. 10th July 2002. It was
institutional capacity - building in the environment
initially registered society under the Karnataka
field to promote technically and financially sound
Societies Registration Act, 1959 and a non-profit
and sustainable solutions. The main aspect of this
organization working solely for the regeneration and
programme is involvement of public participation
conservation of lakes within BMRDA jurisdiction.
during the implementation of programme. All
However, from 30.04.2003 the Lake Development
the pilot projects financed under INEP has a
Authority’s jurisdiction has been extended over
component of public participation either by way
the lakes in the other city municipal corporation of
of cash or kind. A number of pilot projects in the
the State as well as lakes in the city municipalities
environment field have been initiated in the State
which are the main sources for drinking water.
to achieve the objectives.
Since its inspection the Authority has drawn up
The following are the projects taken up for
the plans for the conservation of various lakes in
implementation: Integrated Urban Environment
the State in general and in Bengaluru in particular.
Improvement Programme, Bengaluru.;
This has resulted in getting the Government of
Integrated Development of Madivala, Hebbal
India grant for Nagawara Lake (Rs.5.19 crores).
and Doddabommasandra Lakes, Bengaluru.;
Vengaiahnakere (Rs.2.55 crores), Bellandur lake
Integrated Ecological and Environmental Project
(Rs.5.5. crores), Kottegere Lake, Belagavi (Rs.5.640
for Mysuru (Chamundi Hills).; Demonstration of
crores), Lalbagh (Rs. 1.66 crores) and Bhishma
Decentralized Pico Hydel Power Projects as an eco-
lake, Gagag (Rs. 2.50 crores). These proposals
friendly technology to meet the energy needs of small
have been sent to Government of India for the 10th
communities in hill areas of Karnataka.; Centre
Five-year plan for about Rs.252 crores. Moreover
for Ash Utilisation Technology & Environment
the Authority has also taken up preparation of
Conservation at Raichur thermal Power Station.;
database of lakes in and around Bengaluru after
Ex - Situ conservation of Plants of the Western
physical verification of lakes and update about
59
 the lakes, including the water quality monitoring issues. MoEF has signed an agreement with the
and eviction of encroachment etc. The Authority World Bank for Environmental Management
has also launched public awareness campaign Capacity Building Technical Assistance Project.
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

in order to sensitize people and the citizens of This sub-component aims to strengthen ENVIS by
Bengaluru towards these lakes. The Authority has expanding its reach through networking various
also co-ordinated with Bengaluru Development organizations in the Government, academic, NGO
Authority. Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, and corporate sectors. EMCB-ENVIS Node at the
Karnataka, Forest Department, Minor Irrigation Department of Forest, Environment & Ecology,
Department and other related Department to Government of Karnataka has been setup with the
take up lake conservation works in such lakes as subject area of State Environment Issues.
controlled by them. The developed/undeveloped The activities of the node include: Establishing
lakes in Bengaluru and surroundings are also linkages with users/organisations, Create and
proposed to be maintained through public-private maintain databank on Urban Lakes-Bengaluru,
participation. Lake Development Authority is Launching of website in the subject area allotted
working on the Expression of Interest and Adopt a with regional language interface and develop
lake policy for the same. linkages with ENVIS centres, Information
Karnataka Biodiversity Board: The Karnataka on queries to Departments, Organisations,
Biodiversity Board has started functioning from Scientific Institutions etc., Building up inventory
1-08-2003 as per provisions of Biological Diversity of information material, Supply information to
Act, 2002. The prime objective of the board is to the ENVIS Programme, Identify data gaps and
foster the institutional setup for documentation, knowledge gaps in the subject area and take
sustainable use and development of the rich action to fill the gaps, Collect reports & journals in
biodiversity of the state. The Karnataka State is the subject area for requisite database
rich in Biodiversity of plant and animal species
and bestowed with great diversity in climate,
topography and soil. The major physiographic Directorate of Information Technology &
divisions are coastal plains, hill ranges (Western & Biotechnology (DIT)
Eastern Ghats) and Deccan Plateau. The Karnataka Directorate of Information Technology &
Biodiversity Board has initiated several measures Biotechnology was established vide the Government
to conserve and protect the rich biodiversity of the Order No. ITD 02 PRM 2001 dated 19.09.2001.The
state as per the Act. Directorate was entrusted with the responsibility of
Functions of the Board: Advising the State implementing the various Information Technology
Government on matters concerning conservation, and Biotechnology promotional activities besides
sustainable use, fair and equitable sharing its regular functions. The Directorate of Information
of benefits arising out of the use of Biological Technology and Biotechnology is responsible for
resources and knowledge. Regulation and granting drawing the grants from the Treasury as and
of approvals for commercial utilization of Biological when released by Government on various on-going
resources in consultation with Biodiversity schemes allocated in the Budget and disburses to
Management Committees. Co-ordination and the implementing agencies. The following scientific
Technical assistance to Biodiversity Management institutions come under the Department of Science
Committees. Commissioning and sponsoring of and Technology: 1) Karnataka State Council for
studies, investigations and research related to Science and Technology (KSCST); 2) Karnataka
Biological Resources. Identification and promotion Science and Technology Academy.; 3) Jawaharlal
of Heritage sites of Biodiversity importance. Nehru Planetarium (JNP); 4) Karnataka State
Devising methods for validation and certification Drought Monitoring Cell (KSDMC); 5) Karnataka
of the information collected through Bio surveys. Rajya Vignana Parishat (KRVP); 6) Dharwad
Regional Science Centre, and 7) Mangalore Pilikula
Environmental Information System: The Regional Science Centre
Environmental Information System (ENVIS) is a
project of the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Karnataka Biotechnology and Information
Government of India to facilitate generation & Technology Services (KBITS): The Karnataka
60 dissemination of information on Environmental Information Technology Services (KITS) was
established on 7/12/2000 as a Society under the between Industry and Government.
Karnataka Societies Registration Act, to achieve the Conferences, Exhibitions and Trade Fairs:
objectives contained in the Millennium Information KBITS promotes the growth of IT & Biotech

introduction
Technology Policy. To sustain and maintain companies by way of organizing, sponsoring and
the present pre-eminent position of Karnataka participating in National/International Workshops,
and Bengaluru in the field of Biotechnology, Conferences, Exhibitions etc., KBITS has been
the Government of Karnataka announced the instrumental in organizing the annual tradeshows
Millennium Biotech Policy in the year 2000. viz BengaluruIT.biz (earlier called as BengaluruIT.
Karnataka Information Technology Services in), Bengaluru BIO and Bengaluru Nano.
was renamed as Karnataka Biotechnology and
Information Technology Services (KBITS) vide Govt. BengaluruIT.in, Asia’s premier ICT event,
Order No.ITD 02 PRM 2001, dated.19.09.2001. is initiated by the Department of Information,
Biotechnology and Science & Technology,
This organization helps the Department of Government of Karnataka and STPI Bengaluru,
Information Technology and Biotechnology with the aim of facilitating business between
in facilitating and promoting the Information Information, Communications, Media and
Technology and Biotech sectors in the State by Technology companies across the globe.
organizing as well as participating in Road shows, BengaluruIT.biz is an ideal platform for ICT
Trade shows, Conferences, Symposia, Seminars companies from across the globe to network with
held at National and International levels. This technology leaders in India. Bengaluru Bio the
enables to project the State and its potential flagship Biotechnology Event in India is promoted
for investments, implementation of its policies by the Department of Information, Biotechnology
and programmes, assisting industries in getting and Science & Technology, Government of
quick clearances, administering incentives and Karnataka and the Vision Group on Biotechnology
concessions announced in state policies, etc. Vide has emerged as the largest congregation of India’s
Govt. Order No.ITD 02 PRM 2001, dated.19.09.2001. Biotech community generating tremendous
Karnataka Information Technology Services has interest and response worldwide.Bengaluru Nano
been renamed as”Karnataka Biotechnology and is being organized as an annual event to tap the
Information Technology Services (KBITS)”. emerging potential in the sector and strength of
KBITS provides secretarial services to the Bengaluru as ‘Knowledge Capital’ of the Country.
State Level Single Window Agency and High Level The event is growing from strength to strength over
Committee, for quick clearance of the Information the years under the able and dynamic leadership
Technology and Biotechnology Projects in the of Prof. C.N.R.Rao, Chairman, Vision Group
State. KBITS assists the Directorate of Information on Nanotechnology, Government of Karnataka,
Technology and Biotechnology, for administering Chairman, Scientific Advisory Coucil to the Prime
incentives and concessions to Information Minister, National Research Professor, Linus
Technology and Biotechnology companies. KBITS Pauling Research Professor & Honorary President,
is made single point stop for providing all basic Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advance Scientific
information that facilitates the establishment of IT Research
& Biotech Industries in the State. Karnataka State Electronics Development
KBITS is the Nodal Agency for implementing the Corporation Limited (KEONICS): Karnataka State
decisions of Vision Group on IT and Vision Group Electronics Development Corporation Limited
on Biotechnology. KBITS promotes the growth (KEONICS) was incorporated as a Public Limited
of IT & Biotech companies by way of organizing, Company in September 1976 with the objective of
sponsoring and participating in National/ promoting the development of electronic industry
International Workshops, Conferences, Exhibitions in the State and to create infrastructure for the
etc., KBITS has been instrumental in organizing rapid growth of electronic industries. It was
the annual tradeshows viz BengaluruIT.biz (earlier envisaged to function both as manufacturer and as
called as BengaluruIT.in), Bengaluru BIO and a facilitator as well as catalyst for the development
Bengaluru Nano. KBITS coordinates promotional of electronic industries and accordingly classified
activities undertaken by institutions engaged in as development enterprise. The authorized capital
IT & Biotech area and work as a synergic liaison of the company is Rs. 10.00 crores consisting of
61
 10,00,000 equity shares of Rs. 100 each. The paid Electronics Development Corporation Limited has
up capital as on 31.3.2008 is Rs. 787.20 lakhs. partnered with companies like M/s Tata Telecom,
This entire share capital has been contributed by Pair Cables, Simoco, HP, CMS, Antares, etc.,
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

the Government of Karnataka at various points of

Consultancy Services: Karnataka State
time commencing from 1977.
Electronics Development Corporation Limited
Activities of Karnataka State Electronics has developed in house competence in offering
Development Corporation Limited ( KEONICS) consultancy on project implementation to
: The present activities of Karnataka State various Government Departments in the areas
Electronics Development Corporation Limited are of Networking, Web creation and Software
broadly categorized as under: Training Services: Development and Computerization plans. It has
Karnataka State Electronics Development acquired these skills through re-orientation
Corporation Limited has network of 230 training training programmes as system integrators,
centers throughout Karnataka. The computer certified engineers and software developers.
training and Information Technology enabled Karnataka State Electronics Development
services activities have been awarded with ISO Corporation Limited has also signed Memorandum
9001:2000 certifications. All the training centers of Understanding with various organizations to
are well equipped with latest Hardware and market their products and services. To name a few
Software. Well-experienced faculty members are are e-devalaya , tender wizard, works management
deployed in these centers. These centers will also system, drugs Logistics Smart Card, etc.
act as point of presence for various other activities
Karnataka State Remote Sensing
of Karnataka State Electronics Development
Applications Centre (KSRSAC): Karnataka State
Corporation Limited. Training programmers are
Remote Sensing Applications Centre (KSRSAC) is
also being conducted to staff of various Government
an autonomous organization under the Department
Departments and organizations in addition to
of Information Technology & Biotechnology and
other candidates.
Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka.
Infrastructure Facility Services: Karnataka The Director, Karnataka State Remote Sensing
State Electronics Development Corporation Applications Centre is the head of the Centre.
Limited has set up Electronics City on sprawling The activities of Karnataka State Remote Sensing
332 acres of land on Hosur Road, Bengaluru. This Applications Center (KSRSAC) are guided and
Electronics City is today a major hub of Information monitored by the Executive Committee, which is
Technology activities. With a view to encourage headed by the Principal Secretary or the Secretary
growth of Information Technology and Information to Government, as the case may be, Department
Technology Enable Services industries in northern of Information Technology, Biotechnology and
part of Karnataka, an Information Technology Park Science & Technology.
at Hubli with a total built up area of 3.55 lakh
Karnataka State Remote Sensing Applications
sq.ft. is established Software Technology Parks of
Centre is the Nodal Agency for implementation of GIS
India has already provided high speed connectivity
and Remote Sensing (including Photogrammetry)
at Information Technology Park, Hubli.
for the State. Karnataka State Remote Sensing
Marketing Services: Karnataka State Applications Centre is harnessing the potentials of
Electronics Development Corporation Limited remote sensing and GIS techniques for developing
(KEONICS) is supplying EPABX systems to various the digital database of natural resources and
Defense head Quarters. It has also undertaken urban sprawl in the State. Karnataka State Remote
projects of telecommunication networks by using Sensing Applications Centre has been carrying
Optical Fiber Cables and underground cables and out remote sensing and GIS base programmes for
is also marketing computer hardware, software the Line Departments of the State on non-profit
and electronic equipments to various Government basis. Because of this, many Line Departments
organizations. are coming forward to use remote sensing based
It has also provided e-tendering solution data as an input for drawing up perspective
‘Tender Wizard’ to more than 30 Government management plan for developmental actives in the
organizations. In these projects Karnataka State State.
62
 Science and Technology Wing: Science has awareness campaigns. The Department of Science
occupied the center stage in our lives and technology and Technology, Government of India advocated
is shaping the way we live. The basic knowledge KSCST as a model to all the states.

introduction
of Science and Technology is a pre-requisite for As early as 1977, Karnataka State Council
the over all prosperity of the human being. It is for Science and Technology (KSCST) identified a
necessary to create a scientific temper among the project on “Popularisation of Science”. Prof. M. A.
community for the purpose of attaining a healthy Sethu Rao, the then Joint Secretary of the KSCST
society especially in the matters of environment initiated the project as its convener. The objectives
and conservation of natural resources. The of the project were two fold: To bring together
need of the hour isto educate the common man several individuals and groups in Karnataka
on Science and Technology. Keeping in view of already engaged in tasks of popularisation of
this the Government has created Science and Science, and To publish a science monthly in
Technology Department in 1981. Administrative Kannada (Bala Vijnana). These objectives were
setup of the Science and Technology Unit: Earlier, fulfilled and Karnataka Rajya Vijnana Parishat
the Science and Technology Unit was working (KRVP) was founded in 1980 as an autonomous
under the administrative control of the Planning registered society started with 25 units in the
Department. Subsequently by Government Order beginning and now it is an organisation of about
No. DPAR 72 Sasivi 2003, dated:11/08/2003 this 500 units, 4 large science centres and 42 small
Unit was brought under the administrative control science centres spread across the length and
of Principal Secretary, Information Technology, breadth of Karnataka. Activists and promoters of
Bio Technology, Science and Technology. KRVP include scientists, teachers, administrators,
Karnataka State Council for Science and doctors and other professionals.
Technology (KSCST) was established in the year
1975. It is one of the first State S&T Councils to
be set up in the country. KSCST is an autonomous Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring
S&T organization under Department of Science & Centre
Technology, Government of Karnataka. During the An Autonomous Body, Registered under Society
last three and half decades of its existence, KSCST Registration Act, Affiliated to Department of
has been pro-actively engaging itself to identify Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka.
locale specific needs / problems in the broad Karnataka State has the distinction of being first
areas of Agriculture, Water, Education, Energy, in the Country to establish Drought Monitoring
Ecology and Environment, Habitat, Health, Solid Cell (DMC) in 1988 as an institutional mechanism
and Electronic waste and Infrastructure. In co- to monitor the Drought. Activities broadened to
operation with the Indian Institute of Science and also include monitoring other natural disasters
several other premier R&D institutions in the state, and renamed as Karnataka State Natural Disaster
KSCST executes many projects and programmes, Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) in 2007. Executive
leading to find S&T based solutions such as Committee chaired by Principal Secretary, Dept.,
providing access to energy for cooking and lighting, of IT, BT and S&T with Principal Secretary,
making available potable and safe drinking water, Revenue as Vice Chairperson – Members from
alternate building technologies, which prevail line department and scientific organizations.
as the issues of highest priority even to this day Governing Body headed by the Chief Secretary
thereby improving quality of life of people. Over with Development Commissioner as Vice President
the years, a number of technologies have been – Members comprising line departments and
translated, from research and demonstration Scientific organizations.
phase, to the implementation and operational Natural Disasters Management heavily depends
phase. KSCST has also been providing necessary on inputs from Science and Technology. KSNDMC
support to the Central and State Governments for has been serving as a common platform to the
the formulation S&T based policies and its wider various response players in the field of natural
acceptance by carrying out activities, like scientific disaster management by providing timely proactive
survey, project implementation, co-ordination & science and technology inputs. The Master Control
monitoring, organization of scientific meets and Facility will strengthen the activities of the centre 63
 in providing information, reports, advisories to Forecasting, Early Warning, Advisories And
the community, research organizations and the Preparedness In Management of Natural Disasters:
Government. The Centre provides inputs to the Disaster Management is multidisciplinary and has
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

farming community, agriculture and horticulture complexity of information sharing and reporting
based sector, fisherman, transport sector, power It is common experience that information is not
and electricity sector, State and District level available on real/near real time to the community
Disaster Management Authorities in Karnataka and response players. It takes long time to obtain
through state of the art natural hazards monitoring the information and lot more time to integrate
sensors, information and communication system. and generate information/reports/advisories. A
Natural Hazards in Karnataka: Climate Related study reports that 40per cent of the time is spent
Hazards Drought, Flood, Cloudburst, Hailstorm, on searching for the source for information, 30per
Lightning, Coastal Erosion, Storm Surge, Cyclone, cent of time is spent on waiting for the information
Geological Hazards Earthquake, Landslide, to arrive and another 30per cent of the time is
Tsunami, Hydrological Hazards Groundwater spent in understanding and customizing to the
depletion and Aquifer Salinity, Biological Hazards users requirement. The Disaster Management Act
Plant : Pest and Insect attack, Human: Plague ( 2005, Government of India reiterates paradigm
Kolar under highest risk), SARS, Bird Flu. shift in Disaster Management from rescue, relief
centric approach to preparedness, early warning
Karnataka States Vulnerability to Natural
approach. It is said that one dollar spent on early
Disasters: 80 per cent of the Geographical area
warning and preparedness helps in reducing the
in the state is prone to Drought. 22 per cent of
cost on rescue, relief and rehabilitation by seven
the Geographical area in the State is prone to
dollars.
moderate earthquake risks with possibility of
earthquakes with magnitude of 5 to 6.9. 24 per The investment made on early warning and
cent of the Geographical area in the State is prone preparedness has high cost-benefit ratio. It
to cyclone and heavy winds. Land slides do affects comprises installation of field monitoring sensors
the areas with slops of more than 30 per cent . - weather, geological, hydrological; collection of
The 359 km coastal line is prone to sea-erosion data on real time, transmission of the same to
and Tsunami threat. Hailstorms are experienced a central computational/analysis centre; data
almost every year and causes damages to crops, processing; analysis; alert recognition; simulation
human life’s and livestock’s. All the districts in through appropriate mathematical models,
the state are vulnerable to more than one natural customized report generation ; dissemination
hazards. Thunder storms, cloud burst and of the alerts/reports/advisories to the users.
lightening causes considerable damages and loss This requires Speedy Collaboration and close
to lives and properties. cooperation between stakeholders. What is
needed for implementation: Sensing the pre-
Objectives of KSNDMC: Disaster Management
cursor, Transmission of raw data, Processing of
depends heavily upon the inputs from Science
data, Alert recognition, Dissemination of warning,
and Technology. KSNDMC is providing a formal
Weather forecast & agriculture advisories to
common platform to achieve synergy in the field
farming community.
of disaster management in Karnataka. The main
Objectives are: Hazard mapping and vulnerability Bengaluru Association for Science Education
studies., Strengthening of information technology (BASE) is devoted to science popularisation and
for Natural Disasters Management, Monitoring and non formal science education. In addition to
impact assessment of natural hazards, Human administering Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium,
Resource Development mainly by imparting BASE has established a Science Centre in the
training., Natural Disaster early warning system. Planetarium. The Science Centre serves as a
nucleus for non-formal science education at
Activities of KSNDMC:Core activities towards
all levels. The activities of the Science Centre,
scientific studies related to Natural Hazards with
along with those of the Planetarium, have made
existing monitoring system. Maintenance and
Bengaluru Association for Science Education
strengthening the monitoring system related to
(BASE) a unique institution for dissemination of
64 Natural Disaster in the State.
science with diverse activities ranging from sky-
theatre shows, science exhibitions and lectures and The Indian Peninsula is considered as the
workshops for Science Teachers and Students. remnant of a larger continent which got separated
Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium (Jawaharlal and submerged beneath the Arabian Sea causing

introduction
Nehru Planetarium), Bengaluru, was established profound changes in the distribution of land and
in 1989 by the Bengaluru City Corporation, now sea. The long straight edge of the Western Ghats
known as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike is inferred to be the scar which was left after the
(BBMP). The administration of the planetarium break and drifting away of the western part of the
was entrusted to Bengaluru Association for large continent. The area parallel to the Western
Science Education (BASE) which was formed in Ghats is, for this reason, some what unstable and
1992. BASE is an Autonomous Body which is prone to be affected by earthquake shocks. The
registered under Karnataka Societies’ Registration disastrous earthquake of Koyna on 10th December,
Act. It is principally supported by annual grants 1967 was probably due to slippage along this fault
from the Department of Science and Technology, line. Of the three well-defined zones, two zones run
Government of Karnataka.The BASE Governing approximately parallel to the boundary between
Council consists of eminent scientists and greenstone terrain in the north and high grade
educationists and senior officials of the Government terrain in the south, commencing from Mangaluru
of Karnataka. in the west to Kolar Gold Field in the east. The
third zone almost runs parallel to the western
margin of Closepet Granite. Generally, it is these
Seismicity of Karnataka
week zones which are prone to mild tremors.
Compared to the Extra-Peninsular region,
South eastern Karnataka experienced a
representing the Himalayan Mountain-chain and
major tremor of 4.5 magnitude on Richter scale
the extensive plains at its foot which have been
in 1984 and the epicenter was located close to
the sites of disastrous earthquakes in the past,
Kelamangala near Hosur. The Latur earthquake
the Peninsula, of which Karnataka forms a part,
of 30th September, 1993 was felt severely in parts
has remained comparatively quiet and has been
of Kalaburgi and Vijayapura districts and the after
least affected by earthquakes of great intensity.
shocks reached as far as south of Bengaluru.
Greater part of Karnataka falls within zone I and
Subsequently, Bhabha Atomic Research enter
Zone II which are affected only by mild tremors,
installed Seismographs one each at Kalaburgi,
not causing damage to life or property.
Afzalpur and Jevargi and is continuously
It is generally true that the Peninsula of India monitoring these areas ever since.
being composed of hard crystalline rocks is immune
A powerful earthquake of 8.5 magnitude and a
to major destructive earthquakes. This does not,
giant after shock of 8.2 magnitude struck Aceh,
however, mean that earthquakes are completely
Indonesia on April 11, 2012. The epicenter was
ruled out in this region. No part of the earth’s crust
located off Western part of the Indo Australian
is perfectly stable. The traditional view is that the
subduction zone, about 434 km. south west of
Peninsular shield has remained as a rigid mass
Aceh. Later it was inferred that the earthquake was
unaffected by earth movements. Recent geological,
due to strike-slip movement along the fault which
geomorphological and geophysical evidences do
could not generate any tsunami. The tremors
indicate that the Peninsula too has been affected
were felt in neighboring Malaysia, Thailand, India,
by earth movements somewhat different from
Srilanka and Singapore. A substantial part of
those that have affected the Extra Peninsula. These
Karnataka and more particularly Mangaluru,
movements which have affected the peninsula
Udupi, Mysuru and Kolar districts experienced
are slow, upward and downward movements.
this tremor at about 2.00 p.m. which was followed
Landsat imagery and aerial photographs show
by after shock at 4.11 p.m. which lasted for about
that the Peninsula is traversed by numerous
2 to 5 seconds.
fractures dividing it into a large number of crustal
blocks. These, however, have not caused damage The Bhabha Atomic Research Center installed
to life or property. There is evidence for the uplift an L-shaped array of 20 short-period seismometers
of the Peninsula as a whole by over 1000 m in at Gauribidanur in Chikkaballapur district in
comparatively recent times giving it a plateau collaboration with U.K. Atomic Energy Authority
65
aspect.
 under the guidance of Homi J. Bhabha in 1965. Significant Earthquakes in Karnataka & Goa: The
These record continuously earthquakes of even following list briefly outlines known earthquakes in
low intensity. In addition to 20 short-period this region which either had observed intensities
KARNATAKA
a HAND BOOK OF

sensors in the L-shaped main array, three long- of V or higher (historical events) or had known
period sensors are also deployed. Signals from magnitudes of M4.5 or more (instrumented events).
all the sensors are continuously recorded both General locations are provided for historical events
in analog and digital form. The seismic center at for which “generalized” epicentral co-ordinates are
Gauribidanur can record the nuclear explosions available. Some events which were significant for
also, in addition to earthquakes of even smaller other reasons are also included. This list will be
magnitudes. updated whenever newer information is available.
Earthquake History: In recent years much Please note that Magnitude and Intensity are NOT
of the seismic activity in the State of Karnataka THE SAME. All events are within the state or
has been in the south, in the Mysuru-Bengaluru union territory covered on this page unless stated
region. Historically tremors have occurred in many otherwise. Acronyms Used: D=Depth, OT=Origin
other parts of the state such as Ballari. Recent Time, Mw=Moment Magnitude, Ms=Surface Wave
studies (7) have identified several active faults in magnitude, Mb=Body Wave Magnitude, ML=Local
the region, in particular in the coastal plain near Magnitude, M?=Magnitude Type unknown
the towns of Bhatkal and Udipi, trending in an This listing will be modified without notice.
ESE-WNW direction. Many of the faults continue Please check back for the latest version when
(2, 7) offshore into the Arabian Sea trending in the using it elsewhere. Additionally, please reproduce
same direction. There is also no evidence (7) of the using appropriate CITATIONS/CREDITS.
southward continuation of the West Coast Fault 1) August 1507 A.D. - Billankote area,
in the Konkan regions of the neighbouring state Karnataka (4). Maximum observed intensity
of Maharashtra as previously believed. However, III (4). This is the earliest known earthquake
it must be stated that proximity to faults does in Karnataka. This information comes
not necessarily translate into a higher hazard as from a stone inscription (4) in the village of
compared to areas located further away, as damage Billankote near Bengaluru.
from earthquakes depends on numerous factors
such as subsurface geology as well as adherence 2) 1653-54 A.D. - Vijayapura area, Karnataka
to the building codes. (4). Maximum observed intensity III (4).

Seismic Hazard: The seismic hazard map of 3) 22 August 1828 - Bantwal-Mudbidri area,
India was updated in 2000 (5) by the Bureau of Karnataka. 13.000 N, 75.000 E (2) Maximum
Indian Standards (BIS). According to the new map, observed intensity VII (7). This region lies to
the east of Mangalore.
the state of Karnataka lies in Zones II and III. The
coastal districts as well as the northern interior 4) 12 March 1829 - Mangalore area, Karnataka,
districts along the border with Maharashtra, lie in M? 5.7 (7). 13.000 N, 75.500 E (7) Maximum
Zone III, where a maximum MSK intensity of VII observed intensity VII (7). See also 8, 9. This
can be expected. The remaining districts, as well might be the same event as one listed for 13
as the city of Bengaluru lie in Zone II. Interestingly, March 1829 near Bengaluru (2, 7).
the Ballari region, which experienced a strong 5) 13 March 1829 - Bengaluru area, Karnataka,
earthquake in the 1840’s has been downgraded M? 5.8 (7). 13.000 N, 77.600 E (2) Maximum
to Zone II. The 1984 BIS Zoning map had placed observed intensity V (2). This might be the
it in Zone III. It must be noted that BIS estimates same event as one listed for 12 March 1829
the hazard, based in part, on previous known near Mangalore (7).
earthquakes. Since the earthquake database in
6) 01 April 1843-Ballari - Kolagallu area,
India is still incomplete, especially with regards to
Karnataka, M? 6.0 (3).15.200 N, 76.900 E
earthquakes prior to the historical period (before
(3) Maximum observed intensity VIII (3).
1800 A.D.), these zones offer a rough guide of the
There was some damage to civil structures
earthquake hazard in any particular region and
(13) in the epicentral region. It was felt (13)
need to be regularly updated.
66 in an area with a radius of 300 kilometres.
7) 23 August 1858 - Bengaluru area, Karnataka, (15) was observed at Kelamangalam and
M? 5.8 (7). 13.000 N, 77.600 E (2) Maximum Kowthalam in Karnataka. Cracks were seen
observed intensity V (2). in plaster and utensils were overturned at

introduction
these places. A section of a mud wall also
8) 24 July 1861 - Raichur area, Karnataka. collapsed and a 2-metre tall papaya tree was
16.400 N, 77.300 E (3) Maximum observed uprooted (14).
intensity V (3).
18) 27 November 1984 - Masti-Berikal area,
9) 13 January 1862 - Raichur area, Karnataka, M? 4.5 (7). 12.870 N, 78.000 E
Karnataka.16.400 N, 77.300 E (3)Maximum (7) No comments.
observed intensity V (3).
19) 03 May 1990 - Dharmasthala area,
10) 08 February 1900 - Coimbatore area, Tamil Karnataka, M? 4.6 (7). 13.000 N, 75.500 E
Nadu, M? 6.0 (10) 10.800 N, 76.800 E (1) (7) This region lies between Mangalore and
Known as the Coimbatore earthquake, it Hassan.
was felt over a large section of south India 20) 30 September 1993 - Killari area,
and is the largest event during the historical Maharashtra, Mw 6.2 (12) 18.090 N, 76.470
period. E, OT=22:25:50 UTC (12) Among the deadliest
11) 07 January 1916 - Bengaluru area, intraplate earthquakes on record. Close to
Karnataka, Ms 5.0 (11). 13.000 N, 77.300 E 8,000 people were killed and thousands
(11) Maximum observed intensity V (2). injured in the pre-dawn earthquake. Many
12) 12 February 1970 - Hassan area, Karnataka, villages in the epicentral area, around Killari
Mb 5.0 (2).13.000 N, 76.100 E, OT=17:09:53 were razed to the ground. 55 people were
UTC (2) No comments. killed in the neighbouring state of Karnataka,
in Kalaburgi district. Strong tremors were
13) 16 May 1972 - Malavalli area, Karnataka,
experienced at Hyderabad, Pune and
Ms 4.6 (1).12.400 N, 77.000 E, OT=16:36:42
Mumbai and across much of Maharashtra,
UTC (1) This region lies to the south of
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa.
Mysuru.
Tremors were felt as far as Chennai.
14) 7 May 1972 - Malavalli area, Karnataka, Ms
21) 14 November 1993 - Tallakad-Kollegal area,
4.5 (1).12.400 N, 77.000 E, OT=09:59:53
Karnataka, M? 4.5 (7).12.200 N, 77.050 E
UTC (1) This region lies to the south of
(7) This region lies to the south of Mysuru.
Mysuru.
8,
15) 15 November 1973 - Almel-Sindgi area,
22) 29 January 2001 - Bengalooru (Bengaluru)-
Karnataka, Ms 4.0 (2).17.000 N, 76.300 E
South Karnataka region, ML 4.3 12.595 N,
(2) Maximum observed intensity V (3). this
77.220 E, D=015.0 kms, OT=02:37:47 UTC
earthquake was located in the district of
A light earthquake struck Bengalooru and
Vijayapura in northern Karnataka.
the adjoining areas, on 29 January 2001 at
16) 12 May 1975 - Shivamogga area, Karnataka, 08:07 AM local time causing considerable
Mb 4.7 (2). 13.800 N, 75.300 E, OT=15:09:28 panic and minor damage to property in
UTC (2) Maximum observed intensity V (2). southern Karnataka, India. The earthquake
Felt in Shivamogga and the surrounding had a magnitude of ML=4.3.
areas, within a radius of 140 kilometres.
23) 10 July 2002 - Koppal region, central
This is the first known earthquake in this
Karnataka, ML 3.5 15.340 N, 76.175 E,
region (2).
D=011.0 kms, OT=14:09:06 UTC A mild
17) 20 March 1984 - Denkanikota area, earthquake struck central Karnataka, on 10
Karnataka, Ms 4.6 (1). 12.550 N, 77.770 E, July 2002 at 19:39 PM local time. It had a
T=10:45:22 UTC (2) Felt (14) in southern magnitude of ML=3.5 and was felt in some
Karnataka at Bengaluru and Mysuru and parts of the districts of Ballari (Ballari),
in Tamil Nadu at Krishnagiri. Inteisity VI Koppal and Gadag.

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