Bandipur National Park is a beautiful forest reserve located in the southern Indian state of Karnataka. This national park occupies a special place in India’s efforts towards natural conservation. It was created in the 1930s from the local Maharaja Voodiyar’s hunting lands, and named Venugopal Wildlife Park. Bandipur Park was expanded later in 1941 to adjoin the Nagarhole National Park, which lay towards its northern edge, and Wynand and Madumulai Sanctuaries, which lay towards its southern edge in the states of Kerala and Tamilnadu, respectively. The entire area now constitutes the vast Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, one of India’s most extensive tracts of protected forest. It has been a designated tiger reserve in 1973.
About Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park is situated at the intersection of the Deccan Plateau and the Western Ghats. The park has an elevation range of 680 metres (2,230 feet) to 1,454 metres (4,770 ft). Because of such elevations, the park has a diverse range of biomes, such as dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests, and shrublands. A vast range of environments aids the survival of a diverse range of creatures.
Bandipur National Park is considered to be one of India’s most beautiful and well-managed national parks. It is an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which includes Karnataka’s Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole) to the northwest, Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary to the south, and Kerala’s Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary to the southwest. It is located in the picturesque surroundings of the towering Western Ghats on the Mysore-Ooty highway in Karnataka. Bandipur National Park has an area of 872.24 square kilometres. It is split between the Chamarajanagar District’s Gundlupet taluk and the Mysuru District’s H.D. Kote and Nanjangud taluks.
Significance
Bandipur National Park has India’s second-largest tiger population. The Bandipur National Park lies in the Chamarajanagar district’s Gundulpet taluk. The park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, making it the biggest protected region in Southern India and the home to the world’s largest population of wild elephants. In order to reduce the fatality rate of animals, driving is prohibited from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. from dark to dawn.
Flora
Bandipur National Park is home to a large variety of shrubs and timber & flowering trees. Some of the more famous timber trees that constitute the flora in Bandipur National Park include teak, sandalwood, rosewood, and multiple varieties of bamboo, among others. The flowering trees and shrubs include Indian gooseberry (commonly known as amla), crape-myrtle, satinwood, black clutch, and many others. There are innumerable plant species growing throughout the park, including medicinal and flowering varieties.
Fauna
Bandipur wildlife is known for its staggering variety. The National Park is home to an impressive mixture of mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. Some of the highly celebrated mammalian residents of Bandipur National Park include the Bengal tiger, Indian elephant, gaur, and the chital and sambar deer species.
Birdwatching is a common pastime around the park, with peafowl and vultures being among its most-commonly sighted birds. The reptile inhabitants of the park include the Indian rock python, flying lizards, vipers, and more. There is a multitude of other species including butterflies, ants, beetles and amphibians that make up the rest of the fauna in Bandipur National Park.
Conclusion
Bandipur National Park aids in the conservation of various endangered species of India’s biodiversity, as well as providing a safe haven for other threatened and fragile flora and animals. Bandipur National Park is a national park in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, India, covering 868.63 km2 (335.38 sq mi). The Kadam tree, Indian gooseberry, crape-myrtle, axlewood, and black myrobalan are among the famous blooming and fruiting plants and shrubs found in the park. Chital, grey langurs, Indian giant squirrels, and elephants are among the species regularly observed along the park’s public access routes. Tourists should visit this place in the monsoon season to witness the lush green terrains in their utmost beauty.
FAQs about Bandipur National Park
A. Bandipur National Park is well-connected by road. The nearest major city is Mysore, which is about 80 kilometers away. You can reach Mysore by air, train, or bus, and then take a taxi or bus to Bandipur National Park.
A. The best time to visit Bandipur National Park is during the dry season, which is from October to March. The weather is pleasant, and you have a higher chance of spotting wildlife. However, the park remains open throughout the year.
A. Yes, safari rides are available in Bandipur National Park. The park offers both jeep safaris and elephant safaris, which allow visitors to explore the park and observe its wildlife up close. It is advisable to book your safari in advance.
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