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Nearly 60 acres of forest were affected by a major fire, ostensibly triggered by some unidentified miscreants, at Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve, in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka.
The fire was first noticed around 9.30 a.m. Extreme heat and wind were fanning the flames, according to authorities.
Authorities said the miscreants had lit the fire to the ridge line near a dam in the Bylur wildlife range.
A case has been registered under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
The Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Tiger Reserve, also known as BRT Wildlife Sanctuary.
It is a protected area located in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, India.
Location: Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, India
Area: 539.52 sq km
Significance: Wildlife corridor connecting the Eastern Ghats to the Western Ghats, facilitating gene flow between animal populations
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, semi-evergreen forests, evergreen forests, and shola patches
BRT Tiger Reserve
The BRT Tiger Reserve is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna.
Wildlife species found in the reserve include:
Tigers
Elephants
Leopards
Wild dogs
Gaur (Indian bison)
Sambar deer
Spotted deer etc
The Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is located on the edge of a precipice within the reserve.
The reserve is also home to the Soliga tribe, an indigenous people who have lived in the Biligiriranga Hills for centuries.
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