Bandipur National Park
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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 [1]), along with leopards, dholes, gaur and sloth bears. Bandipur is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
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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.
Flora and fauna
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
1991 1993 1995 1997
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Tiger 58 66 74 75
Leopard 51 81 86 88
Elephant 1107 2214 2214 3471
Gaur 1097 1373 1373 2427
Dhole 148 181 181
Chital 3333 5858 5858 8204
Sambar 706 1196 1196 2386
Slothbear 51 66 66
Chousingha 14
Langur 1468 1751 1751
Pig 148 181 181
Muntjac 72 131 131
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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: Warbler,Common Vabbler, Wood Pecker, Weaverbird, King fisher, Drongo, Hornbill,Jungle fowl, Jungle dove and Parakeet.
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.
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta in the core zone can be accessed by a small road through the village of Angala 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 bunglaow which remains locked now and belonged to Ruler of Mysore. Nobody is allowed to stay beyond 5:30 PM.These hills are covered with grass and classified as shola forests.
Conflicts and threats
For farmers in the 200 villages along the Bandipur forest periphery, the National Park is a vast pasture for grazing cattle and for collection of firewood and other forest produce. The reserve holds nearly 1.50 lakh cattle. The Nugu wildlife sanctuary and Himavad Gopalaswamy range located in the north-west of the park are the most cattle infested. There are fears of possible transmission of diseases from cattle to wildlife. In 1968, large numbers of gaur were killed in an outbreak of rinderpest. Lantana bush introduced by British in 19th century in tea gardens has spread rapidly at the cost of other valuable herbs and saplings. This bush is thorny, attracts mosquitoes,is not eaten by any herbivores and rapid spread has caused other species of fauna to vanish which is staple food for wild life. Rapid spread of Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus) has severely damaged bio-diversity and typical landscapes of this beautiful jungle is making way for this demonish weed.
Elephants which traditionally migrate from dry to moist zones now increasingly come into contact with human habitations and farms are often damaged. Sugarcane crops are particularly attractive to them. Off-lately road has been a major concern as speeding vehicles have killed many wild animals inspite of frequent warnings to travellers from Forest department officials. There should be an alternative road developed to Ooty if we desire to see Bandipur full of animals , state highway should be closed as it also makes job easier for poachers and a diffrent road be laid far east of Bandipur to reach Tamilnadu and other deviation to Kerala from Gundulpet thus isolating Bandipur completely from heavy traffic. This not only protects Bandipur but Mudumalai park too as the road passes through these two forests.