The ‘Kappat Gudda’ which known as the Sahyadri of the North Karnataka region of Southern India now becomes a place of attraction for green lovers, environmentalists, trekkers as the rich flora in these hills are turning greener more and more. Thanks to the rains that even lashed before some days in the summer season before the arrival of Monsoon.
‘Kappat Gudda’ a hilly forest is covered in the Shirahatti, Mundaragi, and Gadag taluks of Gadag district. It is spread over in total 32,346, 534-hectare area land. The small grass and low height trees are commonly seen in the forests of these regions. The new leaves in the trees have started growing and the bed of green grass has created a celebratory mood in the people, visitors.
According to the report penned by journalist Khalil Ahmed Shaikh of Prajavani a leading newspaper in the Kannada language, It is the only wildlife reserve forest of Karnataka declared in the year 2019 by the government of India. ‘Kappat Gudda’ has more than 300 varieties of medicinal plants comprising Aswagandha, Chadurang, Amrut Balli, Bettadavare, Chitramulana, Kaddi, Kaki Hannu, Kadu Badami, Kadu Nimbe, Nelabevu, Madaganaki, Shivani, Shankapushpi, Hanumana Hasti, Bangarkaddi. It is the age-old tradition by some ‘Vaidya’s’ in the nearby villages to collect the medicinal herbs from this forest and give treatment to various diseases to the people.
‘Kappatagudda’ has known for its fauna. Leopard, Heina, Porcupine, Pangolin, Peacock, Rabit, blackbuck, Neel Gay, and many types of reptiles. Now these ‘Kappat Gudda’ forests are flourishing further under the observation of the forest department. The officials have appealed to the citizens to join hands with the forest officials to conserve and protect the rich flora and fauna of this forest.
