The present study involves the biodiversity and distribution of lichens in the Mattavara forest, Chikkamagaluru taluk and district of Karnataka state. This study was promulgated to get some idea about the diversity and distribution pattern of lichens as this area is poorly explored yet. The area exhibits a total 34 species of lichens belongs to 15 genera and 12 families. The foliose lichens showed marked dominance represented by 20 species followed by crustose lichens 10 species and fruticose lichens 4 species. Out of total 34 species among these 29 species are corticolous and remaining 5 species are saxicolous. The members of family Physiaceae exhibit their dominance followed by Parmaliaceae. Pertusaria amara Ach. Shows high density 3.83and Abundance 4.6, Crysothrix candellaris (L) J. R. Laundon. Least density 0.83. Usnea undulata shows least Abundance with 1 and frequency 33.3%, and about 13 species shows the 100% frequency. The present record of number of lichen species may be considered as good and the area may be regarded as lichen rich area.