Kudremukh National Park

Kudremukh National Park is one of India’s most ecologically significant protected areas, located in the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka. It is known for its rich biodiversity, shola-grassland ecosystem, watershed functions and ecological importance.

Location and Geographical Features

Kudremukh National Park is situated at the tri-junction of Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts of Karnataka and forms an important part of the Central Western Ghats. The park covers an area of about 600.32 sq. km, with elevations ranging from nearly 100 metres to 1,894 metres.

The park derives its name from Kudremukh Peak, which rises to 1,894 metres and is the second-highest peak in Karnataka after Mullayanagiri. The mountain resembles the face of a horse, giving rise to the name Kudremukh, meaning “Horse Face.” It was historically known as Samseparvata.

Legal Status and Conservation Significance

The region was notified as a Reserved Forest in 1916 and was subsequently declared a National Park in 1987 following biodiversity surveys that highlighted its exceptional ecological importance, particularly its population of the Lion-tailed Macaque.

Kudremukh forms part of the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot and is also recognised within a Global Tiger Conservation Priority-I Landscape, reflecting its importance for the conservation of globally threatened species and habitats.

Geographical and Hydrological Importance

Kudremukh is one of the most important watershed landscapes of Peninsular India and is often described as the “Water Tower of Karnataka.” Its forests play a crucial role in water retention, groundwater recharge, stream-flow regulation and maintaining perennial river systems.

The Gangamoola Hills within the Kudremukh landscape are the source of three major rivers—the Tunga, Bhadra and Netravathi. The Tunga and Bhadra flow eastwards and eventually merge to form the Tungabhadra River, an important tributary of the Krishna River. In contrast, the Netravathi River flows westwards and drains into the Arabian Sea.

Several other important rivers and streams, including the Gurupura, Swarna, Seethanadhi and Yenehole, also originate from the region. Therefore, Kudremukh supports both east-flowing Deccan drainage systems and west-flowing coastal river systems, making it important for the water security of Karnataka.

Forest Ecosystem

The park contains a diverse mosaic of tropical wet evergreen forests, shola forests, montane grasslands and moist deciduous forests. The combination of high rainfall, mountainous terrain and varied elevation creates a range of habitats that support exceptional floral and faunal diversity.

The shola-grassland ecosystem is particularly important because the forest patches and montane grasslands regulate water flow, soil moisture and local climate, while also providing habitats for numerous endemic Western Ghats species.

Biodiversity

Kudremukh is one of the important biodiversity landscapes of the Western Ghats and provides habitat to several endemic, endangered and threatened species. It is particularly significant for the Lion-tailed Macaque, an endangered primate endemic to the Western Ghats.

The park also supports important mammals such as tigers, leopards, dholes, gaurs, sloth bears, Malabar Giant Squirrels and sambar deer. Its bird diversity is also significant, with nearly 200 bird species recorded, including the Malabar Trogon, Malabar Whistling Thrush and Imperial Pigeon.

Wildlife Corridor

Kudremukh plays an important role as a wildlife corridor connecting the Bhadra Tiger Reserve with protected areas such as Someshwara, Mookambika, Pushpagiri, Talacauvery, Brahmagiri and Nagarahole.