The Wildlife Wing is headed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief wildlife warden of the state manages 17% of the forest area of the State designated as Protected Area comprising National Parks and Sanctuaries.

Karnataka has 5 National Parks and 30 Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Activities of the Wildlife wing:

Karnataka Forest Department’s Wildlife wing has two major functions. The main function is protection and management of 5 National Parks and 30 Sanctuaries, and 15 Conservation Reserve 1 Community Reserve. Further the wildlife wing performs, protection and conservation of all wildlife listed in the schedules of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 in the State (including wild animals occupying non-forest areas).

The Management of National Parks and Sanctuaries is done mainly under the Centrally Sponsored and Central Plan Schemes including State Plan Schemes. The activities undertaken under the various Schemes are as follows.

1. Habitat improvement of National Parks and Sanctuaries by taking up creation of water holes and fodder development, besides taking up fire protection and vaccination.
2. Protection through Anti Poaching camps, patrolling and camps.
3. Eco-development activities, to reduce cattle / human presence in the Protected areas by providing alternative resources.
4. Reduction of man-animal conflict by taking up barriers such as Elephant Proof Trenches, Solar or Battery powered fences, erecting dry rubble stone walls and creating corridors across areas of Wildlife habitats.
5. Payment of Ex-Gratia / compensation for death of human, compensation for crop and cattle damages by wildlife damage.
6. Education, Training and Research activities, publication, Monitoring, etc.,

Wildlife Preservation:

The details of 5 National Parks, 30 Wildlife Sanctuaries covering 10,238.386 sq. kms. of Forest area in the State are shown below:

Schemes:

1. Project Tiger

This scheme is being implemented from 1973 and the Government of India provides 50% share for recurring items and 100 percent for non-recurring items. Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarahole) Tiger Reserve, Bhadra Tiger Reserve and Anshi-Dandeli Tigers are covered under the Project Tiger Scheme. The works carried out under this scheme, are establishment of Tiger Protection Force, monsoon patrolling squads, construction & maintenance of staff quarters, prevention of poaching by organizing anti-poaching camps, formation & maintenance of roads, maintenance of wireless sets, vehicles, fire protection work, formation of water holes to provide drinking water to the animals, publicity activities, Habitat Improvement works and Eco-developmental works etc.

In the State 5 Tiger Reserves has a large number of Tigers in the Country and number one State in Tiger Population. As per 2010 Tiger estimation, state has 300 tigers. As per 2013 Tiger estimation,state has 406 tigers

2. Project Elephant

This scheme envisages protection and development of elephant habitat in National Parks/Sanctuaries. Presently this scheme covering Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural, Mandya, Mysore, Hunsur, Chamarajnagr, Kollegal, Madikeri, Virajpet, Hassan and Chikmagalur Districts. The works taken under this scheme Excavation of new elephant proof trench and erection of new solar fencing and maintenance/Establishment of Rapid Response Teams, anti poaching capms, anti depredation camps and maintenance/capturing and translocation rouge elephants/ procurement of tranquilization equipments and drugs, training of staff/enforcement techniques, training of veterinary doctors in treating sick and injured elephants and conducting post mortem, publicity and awareness programme in and around Elephant Reserves etc., State has got 25% of the country’s Elephant population. As per 2012 population estimation, there are 6072 elephants.

3. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve scheme is sponsored by the Government of India to take up habitat and ecodevelopment works. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of the State covers part of Nagarahole National Park, Bandipur National Park and Chamarajnagar Wildlife Division.

4. State Plan Schemes
   • 2406-02-1100-01-Nature Conservation (State Plan)
   • 2406-02-1100-49 Kudremukh National Park for Rehabilitation
   • 2406-01-8000-15-Long Term Measures to mitigate Man-Animal Conflict-059-Major Works
   • 2406-02-1100-50-Development Newly Declared Sanctuary-059 Major Works
   • 2406-01-8000-14-Voluntry Rehabilitation of families from From TR and NPs-059- Other Expenses
   • 2406-01-8000-14-Voluntry Rehabilitation of families from From TR and NPs-422Speciap Component Plan(SCP)
   • 2406-01-8000-14-Voluntry Rehabilitation of families from From TR and NPs-423-Tribal Special Plan (TSP)


5. Centrally Sponsored Schemes
   • 2406-02-1100-02-CSS Project Tiger
   • 2406-02-1100-47-CSS Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats


6. Central Plan Schemes
   • 2406-02-1100-23-CSS Project Elephant
   • 2406-02-1100-20-CSS Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve


7. Non Plan Schemes
   • 2406-02-1100-01-Nature Conservation (Non-Plan)
   • 2406-02-1100-46-Protected Area Development Fund
   • 2406-02-1100-01- Nature Conservation 059-other Expenditure (Feed& Fodder)
   • 2406-02-1100-01- Nature Conservation 015 Supplementary Expenditure (Compensation)