a part of Shimoga District. The cooking in the Malnad region of Shimoga district includes items like midigayi-uppinakai (tender-mango pickle), sandige (similar to pappadum), avalakki (beaten rice) and akki rotti. Havyaka people have their own cuisine consisting of such varied items like genesale (sweet made of jaggery, rice and coconut), thotadevvu (sweet made of rice and sugarcane juice) and thambli (a curd preparation containing other ingredients like ginger, turmeric root, jasmine and rose sprouts). Flora and fauna The Malnad region is a biodiversity hotspot with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The region has protected areas classified as wildlife sanctuaries to ensure the protection of these species: Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is in Sorab Taluk. The sanctuary is spread over an area of There are many species of flora found here: Vitex leucoxylon, Phyllanthus polyphyllus, Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia paniculata, Terminalia chebula, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Dalbergia latifolia, Haldina cordifolia, Xylia xylocarpa, Caryota urens, Ficus bengalensis, Ficus religiosa, Butea monosperma, Santalum album, Diospyros melanoxylon; Madhuca longifolia, Kirganelia reticulata. 191 species of fauna have been recorded here: 63 are water-dependent; 20 species are known to breed here. Water birds in the sanctuary include black-headed ibis, Darters, Little Cormorant, Indian shag, Cattle Egret, Little Egret, Large Egret, Spoonbill, Grey Heron, Purple Heron, Pond Heron, night heron, Coot, Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Purple Swamphen, Common Sandpiper, Little ringed plover, Little Grebe, Cotton Teal. An average of about 8000 White Ibis visit the sanctuary every year. Sharavathi Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is in Sagar Taluk. It has evergreen and semi-evergreen forests with its eastern portion adjoining the Linganamakki reservoir. The species of flora found here: Dipterocarpus indicus, Calophyllum tomentosum, Persea macrantha, Caryota urens, Aporosa lindleyana, Calycopteris floribunda, Entada scandens, Acacia concinna, Gnetum scandens. In the semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, common species include: Lagerstroemia microcarpa, Hopea parviflora, Dalbergia latifolia, Dillenia pentagyna, Careya arborea, Emblica officinalis, Randia, Terminalia, Vitex altissima. The animals found here: gaurs, Lion-tailed Macaque, Tiger, leopard (black panther), Wild Dog, jackal, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, sambar deer, barking deer, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, common langur, bonnet macaque, Malabar giant squirrel, giant flying squirrel, Porcupine, Otters; Pangolins. Reptiles include King Cobra, python, rat snake, Crocodile, Monitor Lizard. Avian species found here: three species of hornbills; Asian paradise flycatcher; Racket-tailed Drongo; lories and lorikeets. Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary lies adjacent to Shimoga city and has forests ranging from dry deciduous to semi-evergreen and is spread over an area of . Large