Bandipur National Park is one of India 's best known sanctuaries, and is an important Project Tiger reserve. It is located in the Chamarajanagar district of southern Karnataka in south India , and is contiguous with the Mudumalai National Park in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu , the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala , and the Nagarhole National Park to the northwest. It is home to around seventy tigers and over three thousand Asian elephants (as per the 1997 census ), along with leopards , dholes , gaur and sloth bears . Bandipur is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve .

The Western Ghats , Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (6,000 + km²), including all of Bandipur National Park , is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for selection as a World Heritage Site .


History:-

A sanctuary of 90 km² was created at this site in the Bandipur Reserve Forest in 1931. As it was realised that this was too small for effective wildlife conservation, leading to the instituting of the Venugopala Wildlife Park at this site, extending over 800 km². The Bandipur Tiger Reserve was constituted in 1973 by carving out 880 km² from the Wildlife Park. Recognised under Project Tiger in 1973 this park has boasted constant rise in Tiger population. Also famous for Sandalwood trees and rare species of Flora .


Major flora

Teak (Tectona grandis) , Dalbergia latifolia , Pterocarpus marsupium , Adina cordifolia , Grewia tiliaefolia , Emblica officinalis , Lagerstroemia lanceolata , Terminalia tomentosa , Anogeissus latifolia , Terminalia chebula , Schleichera trijuga , Odina wodiar , Butea monosperma , Cassia fistula , Dendrocalamus strictus , Bambusa arundinacea , Chloroxylon swetenia , Acacia catechu , Shorea talura , Randia uliginosa

CENSUS FIGURES FOR BANDIPUR:-

Major fauna

Tiger , Leopard , Elephant , Gaur , Sambar (deer) , Chital , Sloth bear, Mouse deer, Wild dog, Wild boar, Barking deer, Four horned Antelope, Hyena.

Endangered species : Tiger, Four horned Antelope, Gaur, Elephant, Panther, Sloth bear, Crocodiles, Mouse deer, Python, Osprey, Indian Peafowl .

Birds: Grey Junglefowl , Pompadour Green Pigeon , Honey Buzzard , Red-headed Vulture , Grey-headed Fish Eagle , Brown Hawk Owl , Bay Owl , Malabar Trogon , Nilgiri Flycatcher , Malabar Pied Hornbill , Little Spiderhunter , Plain Flowerpecker .

Reptiles: King Cobra, Common Cobra, Python, Adder, Viper, Rat Snake, Water Snake, Marsh Crocodile, Lizard, Chameleon, Monitor Lizard, Frog, Tree frog, Toad and Tortoise.

Geography

Bandipur National Park's altitude between 680-1454 metres and is situated south of the Kabini river at the foothills of the Western Ghats .The rivers of Kabini, Nagur and Moyar flow through the reserve. Climate - Winter minimum 10, Summer maximum 28 degrees, Monsoon from June to September and best time to visit is open throughout the year but preferably in monsoon when wildlife is plenty and forest is green. Greenery is quite lean when viewed from road but gets thicker as we proceed into the forest.

Around Bandipur

Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta in the core zone can be accessed by a small road through the village of Hangala north of the national park. Gopalaswamy Betta ( betta is hill in Kannada ) located inside the forest is a popular trekking spot. There is also a motorable road to the summit of the hill. The area is also frequented by herds of wild elephants. The hill gets its name Himavad ( fog in Kannada) due to the fog during most parts of the year. Atop the hill is a temple of Lord Venugopala Swamy built centuries ago and a travellers' bungalow which remains locked now and belonged to the Ruler of Mysore. Nobody is allowed to stay beyond 5:30 PM. These hills are covered with grass and classified as shola forests.