Bandipur

From Wild India

Table of contents

1 Introduction 2 Geography 3 Tourism 4 Conservation History 5 Archaeological Richness 6 Forest Types 7 Main Flora 8 Main Fauna 9 Management 10 Census

Introduction

Bandipur Tiger Reserve is situated in Mysore District of the Indian State of Karnataka. The Reserve was among the first nine Tiger Reserves created in India at the launch of Project Tiger in 1973.

It is contiguous to the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu to its south and to the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Indian state of Kerala to its south-west. To its north lies a vast stretch of cultivated lands. To its west lies cultivated land and habitation of the state of Kerala at a distance of eight kilometres separated by the Kannegala stream. To its northwest lies the Nagarahole National Park.

The topography of the Reserve is gently undulating, broken by chains of hills, flat topped hillocks, and stream and rivulets. The highest peak is the Gopalaswamy hill.

The Reserve receives rainfall from both southwest monsoon and in the months of October-November from the northeast monsoon. The highest precipitation is in its western portion in Banugadde and the lowest is in the eastern portion at Moyar.

The main rivers of the Reserve are Nugu, Kabini and Moyar. These rivers are perennial. The Nugu river flows in the middle of the Reserve, whereas the Moyar river forms its southern boundary with the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The Kabini River, across which a major irrigation dam has come up at Beechanahalli, forms the boundary between this Reserve and the Nagarahole National Park of Karnataka. The Kabini reservoir provides water facility and grazing ground on the foreshore for hundreds of elephants during the severe and prolonged pinch period. There are several seasonal streams viz., Wadli, Chammanahalla, Aidasanahattihalla, Hebballa, Warranchi, Chippanahalla and Mavinahalla. In addition, there are hundreds of ponds and small tanks well distributed all over the area.

This Reserve is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the first 'Biosphere Reserve' in India.

Geography

Core area: 523 sq. km.

Buffer area: 357 sq. km.

Total area: 880 sq. km.

Longitude: 75° 12' 17" E to 76° 51' 32" E

Latitude: 11° 35' 34" N to 11° 57' 02" N

Altitude: 780 m - 1454.5 m above msl.

Rainfall: 625 mm. to 1250 mm.

Temperature: Maximum: 29° C Minimum: 10° C

Tourism

Reaching there: Bandipur National Park is located on the highway connecting Mysore and the hill station of Ootacamund (Ooty). It takes 2½ hours to reach Bandipur forest from Mysore and about 3 hours from Ooty. The nearest rail junction is Mysore (65 km) and the nearest international airport is the software Mecca of Bangalore (204 km).

Staying there: The forest department provides reasonably priced lodges, rest houses, forest lodges and cottages. Sprawling deluxe bungalows are also available. Contact

Field Director Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Govt. of Karnataka Sandalkopti-Premises, Aranya Bhavan, Ashokpuram Mysore-577101 Phone : 0821-480901 484980(R)

Other Information: The nearest town from Bandipur forest is Gundulpet, which is about 20 km away. All medical and communication (post, telegraph, phone and fax) facilities are available at Gundulpet. E-mail/Internet facilities are available at Mysore.

Places nearby: Nagarhole, Madumulai and Wynad National parks all lie in the vicinity of Bandipur forest. A reservoir and a dam that separates Bandipur from Nagarhole reserve is an interesting place as well.

Conservation History

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. 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. All the forests included in the Reserve are reserved forests notified prior to independence. Notification for proposed Bandipur National Park was issued in 1985.

Archaeological Richness

The Park was named after the deity, Venugopala of the shrine atop the Gopalaswamy hill.

Forest Types

Dry deciduous scrub, Southern tropical/Dry deciduous & Southern Tropical Moist Mixed deciduous forests cover the reserve area.

Main Flora

Tectona grandis, Dalbergia latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Adina cordifolia, Grewia tiliaefolia, Amblica officianalis, lagerstroemia lanceolata, Terminalia tomentosa, Anogeisus latifolia, Terminalia chebula, Schleichera trijuga, Odina wodiar, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula, Dendrcalamus strictus, Bambusa arundinacea,Chloroxylon swetenia, Acacia catechu, Shorea talura, Randia uliginosa

Main Fauna

Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted deer, Sloth bear, Mouse deer, Wild dog, Four-horned Antelope.

Endangered Species

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

Management

Practices, Achievements and Shortfalls

The protection measures undertaken against cattle grazing, smuggling of forest produce, forest fires and poaching right from the creation of the Reserve have resulted in improvement of vegetation and multiplication of wild animals. The forest which were once hacked by the local villagers have responded extremely well in the form of spectacular natural regeneration of bamboo and other species with significant improvement in the canopy cover. Improvement of the floral composition supports larger number of wild animals. Gradual increase in the density of wild animals in general and the tigers in particular, natural regeneration of vegetation, improvement of water regimes, microclimate, ecology, environment and reduction in loss of soil run-off are major achievements.

Special Projects

Salim Ali Institute of Ornithology (SICON), Comibatore : Habitat changes in the Reserve.

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore : Man-Animal Conflicts

University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore : Mites.

New Initiatives

Eco-development

To reduce the pressure on the Reserve by the people living adjacent to the park, eco-development works are being carried out in and around the villages situated on the periphery of the Reserve.

Protection Squads / Patrolling

14 patrolling camps have been established to check the poaching of wild animals.

Education and Awareness

Environmental awareness camps for school children and teachers are being conducted regularly.

Census