Bandipur National Park
Location :
Located 80km south of Mysore, Bandipur Park (865 sq km) is home to
exotic wildlife
About Bandipur National Park :
Bandipur National Park is a beautiful forest reserve located in the
southern Indian state of Karnataka. This national park occupies a
special place in India’s efforts towards natural conservation. It
was created in the 1930s from the local Maharaja Voodiyar’s hunting
lands, and named Venugopal Wildlife Park. Bandipur National Park was
expanded later in 1941 to adjoin the Nagarhole National Park, which lay
towards its northern edge, and Wayanad and Madumulai Sanctuaries, which
lay towards its southern edge in the states of Kerala and Tamilnadu,
respectively. The entire area now constitutes the vast Nilgiri Biosphere
Reserve, one of India's most extensive tracts of protected forest. It
has been a designated tiger reserve in 1973.
With its hilly forest, waterholes and pleasant weather,
Bandipur Sanctuary is an enchanting place to visit. The herds of deer
that graze unconcernedly in between the tourist huts, add to the charm
of the tourist huts.
Bandipur Sanctuary has a significant number of tigers and elephants.
Tame elephants of the Bandipur Sanctuary forest department on which
tourists are taken for elephant safari rides are also present. Herds of
gaur - the Indian wild bull - are to be found here. Many different
species of deer, monkeys, squirrels and birds can also be seen.
Climate :
The region is warm and comfortable for most parts of the year with
temperatures ranging from 24 to 28°C, except for the brief winter
that lasts from October to January when the temperature hovers around
the 19°C mark. Monsoon is erratic, but it generally rains from June
to September.
Fuana :
Bandipur National Park contains one of the largest varieties of animal
species. A lot of these animals move freely between Bandipur national
Park and the surrounding other reserves. It is relatively easy to spot
certain species but at the same time difficult to sight others like the
tiger due to the kind of forest cover. Some of the main animal species
found in the park are Tigers, Leopards, Elephants, Gaurs, Sambar,
Chital, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Black Napped Hare, Sloth Beer, Wild
dog (Dhole), Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Indian Giant Red Squirrel, 4 Horned
Antelope (Chausingha), Porcupines, Slender Loris, Jungle Cat, Leopard
Cat, Rusty Spotted Cat, Small Indian Civet, Palm Civet, Common Otter,
Wild Boar, Jackal, 4 varieties of Mongoose, Flying Squirrels, Pangolin,
Giant Fruit Bats and Striped Hyenas.
The reptile family is represented by Marsh Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards,
Rock Pythons, Russel's Vipers, Cobras, Rat Snakes, Wolf Snakes, Vine
Snakes, Common Kraits, Green Keelbacks, Bamboo Pit Vipers, Turtles,
Flying Lizards and many other varieties of snakes.
Getting There :
Air :
The nearest airport is Bangalore.
Rail :
The nearest railhead is Mysore.
Road :
Motorable roads connect Bandipur to Bangalore 220 km via Mysore.
