Chamundi Hills Reserve Forest Area (613.51 hectares) serves as a critical "green island" and a microcosm of the regional
biodiversity, with its strong influence on the
Microclimate of the Mysore urban area. The hill is home to over 440 species of flowering plants, 193 species of birds, 153 species of butterflies, 20 species of mammals and 10 species of reptiles. Long-term avian research conducted between 1996 and 2006, has documented 193 bird species in the reserve forest, representing ~34% of
birds of Karnataka (570) and ~14% of
India's total bird diversity (1,396). The unique positioning of the hill allows it to act as a
watershed and a corridor for birds moving between local water bodies such as
Kukkarahalli Lake,
Lingambudhi Lake, and
Karanji Lake. •
Resident species: 96 species (69%) are year-round residents, with 63 species confirmed to be breeding within the hills, including the
Bonelli's eagle and
Franklin's prinia. The peacock population has also thrived since 2020. •
Migratory species: 41 species (29%) are winter migrants, including the
vulnerable Lesser kestrel. •
Conservation status: The
critically endangered Indian white-backed vulture has been recorded in the area. However, endemic
yellow-throated bulbul completely disappeared from the hills during the survey period (last seen in August 2003).The "Big Four" venomous snakes of India can be found here are the
spectacled cobra,
Russell's viper,
common krait, and
saw-scaled viper. Non-venomous species such as the
Oriental rat snake and
common trinket snake are also frequently documented by local naturalists. Other reptiles seen on the hill include the
peninsular rock agama ,
Mysore day gecko,
Bengal monitor, the
Indian chameleon and the
Oriental garden lizard. More than 150 species of butterflies are found here (~10% of
India), and the hill is a documented waypoint for the mass migration of
Nymphalidae between the
Western Ghats and
Eastern Ghats. Other species include
Blue Tiger,
Common Crows,
Scarce Shot Silverline (2012) and
Emigrants The primate population of Chamundi Hills is primarily represented by the
bonnet macaque and the
tufted gray langur. The population of bonnet macaques has remained stable (240 in 2004) even as the species faces sharp declines elsewhere in Southern India due to habitat loss. These macaques are highly habituated to high-traffic tourist areas. In contrast, the
Hanuman langurs are typically more shy and reside in the deeper forest patches. The hill supports mammals including the
Indian leopard,
Jungle cat,
Black-naped hare,
Pangolin and
Common palm civet.
Ropeway proposal and environmental controversy Since the late 1990s, successive state governments have proposed the installation of a commercial
ropeway to the summit of Chamundi Hills to boost tourism. The project has faced sustained opposition from environmentalists, heritage experts, and civil society groups such as the Mysuru Grahakara Parishat and the
Chamundi Betta Ulisi Samithi (Save Chamundi Hill Committee). Nature conversationalists argue that the construction of pillars and the clearing of forest land (estimated at a 1.4-km long and 10-m wide strip) would impact the hill's ecological fragility, which has already been evidenced by multiple landslides in recent years. Scientific assessments highlight that the ropeway would disrupt the nesting sites of 139 bird species and threaten the habitat of local fauna, including
leopards and
white-backed vultures. In July 2022, the Karnataka government officially shelved the project following widespread protests and opposition from the erstwhile Royal Family of Mysore, who emphasized the hill's status as a sacred pilgrimage site rather than a tourist destination. However, the proposal resurfaced in 2024 with a fresh allocation of ₹114 crore ($11M) for a "solar ropeway," sparking a renewed wave of environmental activism. == See also ==