Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary: Its just a scrub forest ( downgraded ) with ZERO wildlife
I went to this place, and ventured for half a day. I went through three different routes to this place. 1) Through Punganur Road, 2) Through Aravatla village, 3) Through Pernampet to Venkatagirikota State Highway.
Through Punganur Road: The roads were in very very bad shape, In-fact there was no road, it’s just a mud path… for half the way there is no forest in this route, full of villages and cultivation area. The roads didn’t bother me, I continued on... forest area just started, but there was no motor-able road available it’s a very narrow muddy road. I had to abort the mission and return. I went at 6.15 AM in the morning, couldn’t spot any wildlife, and not even a monitor lizard. Totally upset. Returned quickly and started to explore other route.
Route through Aravatla: Roads were excellent, 5 hair pin bends and you are on top of hill. Nice green view, here too I didn’t spot any wildlife, only cows, goat, and dogs blocking the road. Reached Aravatla village a very small village with lot of cultivation area, we passed the village and reached forest area. Could see any wildlife except one eagle, few weaver birds and pigeons. Forest ended quickly and cultivation area started again. It’s the end of KWLS. Quickly returned and started to press on the other route.
Route through SH (Pernampet to Venkatagirikota): Roads were in good shape. We drove for around 9 kms through the forest, it’s a tropical scrub forest, heavily downgraded by human exploitation. You could spot any tree that is more than 5 or 6 feet high.. all are just thorn bushes. My hope of spotting wildlife in KWLS turned to ZERO.
It’s not a WLS by any standard. After the trip, I came across a research paper which shows KWLS as a case study for how a forest could be exploited and downgraded, and vanishing of animals from forest.
