areas of forests have been destroyed due to fire. Trees of the dry deciduous parts include Terminalia tomentosa, Terminalia bellerica, Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis, Anogeissus latifolia, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Wrightia tinctoria, Cassia fistula; and Emblica officinalis. In the moist deciduous forest species like Adina cordifolia, Xylia xylocarpa, Grewia tilaefolia, Kydia calycina, Bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus, Bambusa arundinacea. The semi-evergreen forests are represented by Dipterocarpus, Michelia, Hopea, Schleichera, and Bambusa. Plants like Acacia auriculiformis, Tectona grandis, and Grevillea robusta also exist in the sanctuary. Mammals in the sanctuary include Tigers, Leopards, Wild Dogs, Jackals, Gaurs, Elephants; Sloth Bears, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Common Langurs; Bonnet macaques, Common Mongoose, Striped-necked Mongoose, Porcupine, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel, Pangolin. Python, cobra, king cobra, rat snake, marsh crocodile are among the reptiles found in the sanctuary. Birds include Hornbills, Kingfishers, Bulbuls, Parakeets, Doves, Pigeons, babblers, Flycatchers, munias, Swallows, Woodpeckers, Peafowl, Jungle fowl, Partridges. A tiger and lion safari at Tyavarekoppa was created in the northeastern part of the sanctuary in 1988. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary was started in 1951 as Jagara valley game sanctuary covering an area of about . It was combined with the surrounding Lakkavalli forests in 1972 and given its present name of Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. It now spans an area of . Some of the wild animals found in this sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Wild Dog, Jackal, Elephant, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Sambar Deer, Spotted Deer, Monitor Lizard, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Common Langur, bonnet macaque, Slender Loris, the Malabar giant squirrel. Some of the bird species found here are Malabar whistling thrush; species of Bulbuls; Woodpeckers, Hornbills, pigeons, Drongos, Asian paradise flycatcher. The sanctuary has been recently adopted under a tiger-conservation project called Project Tiger which is an initiative from the Indian government. Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary is a sanctuary from Shimoga town on the way to Thirthahalli. This is a small island surrounded by Tunga river. The birds found here are median egret, cormorant, darter, snakebird. Sakrebailu Elephant Camp lies 14 km. from Shimoga town on the way to Thirthahalli. This is a training camp where elephants undergo training from mahouts. Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari lies about from Shimoga town on the way to Sagar. The safari has lions, tigers and deer. Education Shimoga district has a literacy rate of 80.2%. The district has two engineering colleges, two medical colleges, an ayurvedic medical college, dental college, veterinary College and