Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Bandipur Tiger Reserve, situated in Mysore District of Karnataka State, was among the first nine Tiger Reserves created in India at the launch of Project Tiger in 1973. The Bandipur National park is one of the most fascinating wild-life centres established in 1930’s by the Mysore Maharajas. It was their private hunting park. Late in 1941, it was expanded to adjoin the Rajiv Gandhi National Park- Nagarhole in the north-west, Kerala’s Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in the south-west and Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai wildlife Sanctuary in the South which now together constitute the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve- the first ‘Biosphere Reserve’ of India.. This park has boasted a constant rise in Tiger population since then. It is also famous for Sandalwood trees and rare species of Flora. The highest peak is Gopalaswamy hill. The temperature in Bandipur ranges between 10 degrees and 35 degrees Celsius. The park has an average rain fall of 1200 mm.

The main perennial rivers of the Reserve are Nugu, Kabini and Moyar. The Nugu river flows in the middle of the reserve, whereas, the Moyar river forms the southern boundary between this reserve and Madumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The Kabini River, across which a major irrigation dam has come up at Beechanahalli, forms the boundary between this Reserve and Nagarhole.

The Kabini reservoir provides water facility and the grazing ground on the foreshore, for hundreds of elephants during severe and prolonged pinch period. Seasonal streams like Wadli, Chammanahalla, Aidasanahattihalla, Hebballa, Warranchi, Chippanahalla and Mavinahalla are also present. There are a few natural and artificial saltlicks available in the Reserve and are being regularly used by the wild animals.

Bandipur Tiger reserve was formed by including most of the forest area of the then Venugopala Wildlife Park and its sanctum sanctorum at Bandipur, in the year 1973 and named Bandipur National Park. A Sanctuary of 90 sq. km. Area was created in Bandipur Reserve Forest in 1931. Venugopala Wildlife park was constituted in 1941 extending over 800 sq. km. The park was named after the deity, Venugopala of the shrine atop this hill.All the forests included in the Reserve are reserved forests notified prior to independence.

This reserve is covered with a mix of evergreen forests, variety of animal species and rivers. It mainly consists of medium sized hills with gentle slopes and shallow, heavily forested valleys with a remarkable variety of flora and fauna.The forest cover is very dense with vegetation like Teak, Honne, Tadasalu, Mathi, Nandi, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Bamboo, Nelli, Kooli, Kadu Tega, Dindalu, Bende, Randia and Flame of the Forest making up a major portion of the variety. Forest types are Dry deciduous scrub, Southern tropical/Dry deciduous and Southern Tropical Moist Mixed deciduous forests.

There are several species of valuable timber trees including: Teak - Tectona grandis, Rosewood- Dalbergia latifolia, Indian Kino Tree- Pterocarpus marsupium, Sandlewood (Santalum album), Pterocarpus marsupium, Grewia tiliaefolia, Amblica officianalis, Indian- laurel Terminalia tomentosa, Schleichera trijuga, Odina woliar, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula, Dendrcalamus strictus, clumping bamboo- Bambusa arundinacea, Chloroxylon swetenia, Acacia catechu, Shorea talura , Randia uliginosa.

There are also several notable flowering and fruiting trees and shrubs including: Kadam tree Adina cordifolia, Indian gooseberry Emblica officinalis, Crape-myrtle Lagerstroemia lanceolata, axlewood Anogeissus latifolia, Black Myrobalan Terminalia chebula, Schleichera trijuga, Odina wodiar, Flame of the Forest Butea monosperma, Golden Shower Tree Cassia fistula, satinwood Chloroxylon swetenia, Black Cutch Acacia catechu, Shorea talura (E), indigoberry Randia uliginosa Major Fauna

There is large population of Elephants in BNP. Significant numbers of Predator species of Mammals live in BNP. Main Species include Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Hyena, spotted deer, Sloth bear, Mouse deer, Wild dog, four horned Antelope chevrotian, Dhole. Among them Tiger, Four horned Antelope, Gaur, Elephant, panther, sloth bear, crocodiles, Mouse deer, python, osprey, pea fowl are Endangered Species. Reptiles

King Cobra, Common Cobra, Python, Python Adder, Viper, Rat Snake, Water Snake, marsh Crocodile, Lizard, Chameleon, Monitor Lizard, Frog, Tree frog, Toad and Tortoise Brids

Grey Junglefowl, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Honey Buzzard, Red-headed Valuture, Grey-headed Fish Eafle, Brown Hawk Owl, Bay Owl, Malabar Trogon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Little Spiderhunter, Peacock, Plain Flowerpecker and Woolly-necked Stork can be seen at this reserve. It has reach population of butterflies.85 different types of Butterflies and 67 types of ants are found here.