The Shalmala river valley is a treasure trove of rare plant species, birds and wild animals and the State government has announced this place as a conserved reserve under sub-section 36(A) of the Wild Life Protection Act 1972 amended in 2006.
The valley is a global bio-diversity hot-spot and a treasure trove of biological diversity.
It harbours many endemic species of flowering plants, endemic fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals and invertebrates. Some rare plant species such as Myristica fatua (wild nutmeg) and Myristica swamps grow on flat-topped lateritic plateaus, wetland and river-line eco-systems, said Ramakant Vanalli, secretary of Shalmala Kanive Samrakshana Samiti, speaking to The Hindu here.
Though Kare Power Resources Pvt. Ltd., has, in its report, said that there is no forest and no wild life, the samiti has urged the government to carry out a survey of animals and birds and bio-diversity in this region.
The samiti has said that there is a need to upgrade these lush green forest areas as protected areas.
Shalmala valley has a number of pre-historic rock carvings. A study report of these carvings of the pre-historic period was submitted to the Archaeological Department in 1990 by late H.R. Raghunath Bhat, formerly Head of Department of History of Karnatak University.
But no action has been taken so far, Mr. Vanalli said. He urged the authority concerned to consider the river valley as a world heritage spot.
Govt. urged to carry out a survey of animals and birds and bio-diversity in the Shalmala valley
