Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary: An Oasis of Eco-Tourism in Arid Kalyana Karnataka

The Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary in Kalyana Karnataka, spanning seven districts, boasts rich biodiversity, including medicinal herbs, rare trees, and diverse fauna. It’s South India’s first dry-land wildlife sanctuary, with potential for tourism development. With proper infrastructure, it could offer trekking, bird watching, cycling, and more. Ganapati B. Sinnoor, a professor at the Central University of Karnataka, suggests involving local stakeholders, including gram panchayats, NGOs, and artisans, in a government-led roadmap for development. This aligns with the World Tourism Day theme of “Tourism and Green Investments,” promoting community-based tourism for sustainable livelihoods and eco-tourism in the region.