Kudremukh


Geography

The park is adjoining Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary on the western side and is linked to Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary through a narrow stretch of Reserved Forests on the southern edge. The southern & western sides of the Park form the steep slope of the Western Ghat ridge line, with the altitude varying from 100m - 1892m (peak). The northern, central and the eastern portions of the Park form a chain of rolling hills with a mosaic of natural grassland and shola forest. Kudremukh receives an average annual rainfall of 7000mm, which has evolved forest types of mainly evergreen or semi-evergreen climax forests in the region.

History

The Government declared Kudremukh region as Reserved Forest in 1916, to stop rampant slash and burn cultivation practices from penetrating deeper into the Ghats.

K. Ullas Karanth, undertook a detailed and systematic survey of the distribution of the endangered Lion Tailed Macaque in Karnataka during 1983-84 with support from Government of Karnataka. He observed that suitable and extensive rainforest habitat for Lion-tailed Macaque existed in Kudremukh and that the tract probably harbored the largest contiguous population of lion tailed macaques in the Western Ghats. He further suggested that Lion Tailed Macaques could be effectively used as a 'flagship' species to conserve the entire biotic community in the region and prepared a conservation plan for survival of wild population of Lion Tailed Macaques in the region delineating the present national park area as a proposed nature reserve. Based on his report, the Karnataka State Wildlife Advisory Board suggested to the Government that Kudremukh National Park be created. Subsequently, the first notification of the Kudremukh National Park was issued.

In 1987, the Government of Karnataka declared these Reserved Forests as a National Park based on the above suggestion.
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The Horse-Face Hill Station 95 kms south-west of Chikmaglur town is the Kudremukh (Horse Face) range, so named because of the unique shape of the Kudremukh Peak.

Overlooking the Arabian Sea, the broad hills are chained to one another with deep valleys and steep precipices. As yet 'undiscovered' by tourists, Kudremukh is a secluded hill station, which retains much of its pristine, natural beauty.

And a holiday here can be truly delightful. Lush green forests interspersed with rivers, grassy slopes, captivating cascades and rare orchids providing an idyllic background for trekking.

Kudremukh is trekker's territory with the richness of its flora and fauna waiting to be discovered. Situated 1,894.3 m above sea level, Kudremukh is rich in iron ore deposits.

The Kudremukh Iron Ore Company conducts mining operations and transportation of the ore as slurry, through a pipeline to the port at Panambur near Mangalore.

This has given new life to the region and converted this isolated tract into a humming modern township without taking away its natural beauty.

As yet "undiscovered" by tourists, Kudremukh is a secluded hill station, which retains much of its pristine, natural beauty. And a holiday here can be truly delightful. Lush green forests interspersed with rivers, grassy slopes, captivating cascades and rare orchids. What an idyllic background for trekking!!

Gangamoola

In Samse taluk of Chikmagalore district, this hill is surrounded by thick forests. Three important rivers, the Tunga, the Bhadra and the Nethravathi have their origin here. A Goddess Bhagavathi shrine and a Varaha image 1.8 m within a cave are the chief attractions. This cave is inaccessible during the monsoons.

Jamalabad Fort

Jamalabad is famous for its fort built by Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore in 1794. The fort was renamed after his mother Jamalbee.

Distance:-	351 km West of Bangalore
By Rail:-	Nearest rail head is Mangalore.
By Road:-	Kudremukh is connected by road to Chikmaglur, Mangalore and Sringeri.
Location:-	95 Kms South-West Of Chikmagalur, Karnataka.
Altitude:-	1,894.3 M Above Sea Level.
Route:-	Take NH4 to Nelamangala then NH48 to Sakleshpur via Channarayapatna and Hassan, state road to Kudremukh via Mudigere and Kalasa.
When to go:-	Cool climate around the year Dec - Feb
Tourist offices:-	KSTDC(bookings and info) Badami House, NR Square, Bangalore Tel: 080-2275869, Fax: 2352626 Email: kstdc@vsnl.in
Where to stay :-	Horticulture Department Guest Houses. Forest Guest House. PWD Guest Houses, Chikmagalur. Iron Ore Guest House, Kudremukh. Ph: 08262 54148 Silent Valley Resorts, Kalasa. Ph: 08262 2214628 Naveen Lodge, Indira Gandhi Road, Chikmagalore. Ph: 08262 21647 Planter's Court. Ph: 08262 35881 Fax: 08262 31169 Quality Inn, Indira Gandhi Road, Chikmagalore. Ph: 08262 21257 Woodlands, Chikmagalore. Ph: 08262 21897 Hotel Malnad Paradise, Chikmagalore. Ph: 08262 34531 & 34532 Taj Garden Retreat, Kadur Road, Chikmagalore. Ph: 08262 20202, 20404 & 20821. Fax: 08262 20222.