Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary

Male Mahadeshwara Hills (MM Hills) Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Cauvery basin of Karnataka, forming a critical wildlife corridor between the BR Hills biosphere and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary is centered around the ancient Male Mahadeshwara Temple, a major pilgrimage site perched atop the hills. This creates a unique overlap of wildlife habitat and religious tourism. The forests here are dry deciduous, supporting elephant herds that move through the corridor, along with tigers, leopards, and gaur. The sanctuary is less commercialized than its neighbors, offering a more raw forest experience. Anti-poaching camps have strengthened wildlife protection in recent years, and tiger numbers are believed to be growing. The drive through the sanctuary to reach the temple passes through thick forest with good wildlife spotting potential.