Bandipur National Park was once the hunting reserve for the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore. Established in the year 1974 as a forest tiger reserve under the Project Tiger, Bandipur is the most prominent national park located in the south Indian state of Karnataka and is best known for its varied wildlife boasting different biomes in the dry deciduous forest. It is considered as one of the best managed parks of India.
The park stretches across an area of 874 sq km with a great objective of protecting the endangered species like tigers and elephants in this region along with protecting and restricting the over-usages of the sandalwood trees in the reserve area. Around 80 kms of distance from the city of Mysore on the way towards Ooty, one of the major hotspots of the area, Bandipur National Park brings a warm and comfortable climate throughout the year with a normal temperature range of 24 to 28°C to enjoy the tourists for a marvelous wildlife tour. Monsoon is erratic here but it generally rains from June to September to bring more lushly varieties around the reserve areas.
One can salubriously enjoy lodging and camping in the area while enjoying for the safari tours in Bandipur.
History of Bandipur National Park
The Bandipur Sanctuary was created by the Maharaja of the kingdom of Mysore in the year 1931. It was during that period when only 90 sq km of the area was being used and was named as Venugopala Wildlife Park. In the year 1973 around 800 sq kms of area was introduced to the Venugopala Wildlife Park and was established as Bandipur Tiger Reserve under the tiger project.
Later Bandipur National Park joined its hands with its other neighboring parks, the Nagarhole National Park (643 sq km), Madumalai National Park (320 sq km) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (344 sq km) together to form the essential part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve making the area as the largest wildlife protected zone.
Wildlife in Bandipur
The Bandipur National Park is the region always accosted with tremendous counts of wildlife species including varied mammals and vulnerable kinds of species like:
- Bonner Macaque Nilgiri Langur (adjoining areas)
- Dhole, Common Palm
- Civet, Smooth-coated Otter
- Stripe-necked Mongoose
- Jungle Cat
- Tiger
- Wild Boar
- Chital, Gaur
- Grizzled Indian Squirrel
- Liontail Macaque
- Indian Palm
- Giant Flying squirrel
- Golden Jackal
- Sloth Bear
- Indian Grey Mongoose
- Striped Hyaena
- Ratel
- Indian Spotted Chevrotain
- Rusty-spotted Cat
- Sambar
- Nilgiri Tahr (adjoining areas)
- Indian Porcupine
- Hanuman Langur
- Bengal Fox
- Eurasian
- Otter Small Indian Civet
- Ruddy
- Leopard
- Cat Leopard
- Indian Elephant
- Four-horned Antelope
- Indian Muntjac
- Indian Pangolin
- Mongoose
- Indian Hare Red
- Indian Giant Squirrel
Flora in Bandipur Reserve
Apart from grand varieties of wildlife in the area Bandipur National Park claims greenery all around the vicinity. The area is blooming with great varieties of timber trees including:
- Teak (Tectona grandis)
- Sandalwood (Santalum album V)
- Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)
- Indian Kino Tree (Pterocarpus marsupium)
- Giant clumping bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus)
- Indian-laurel (Terminalia tomentosa)
- Clumping bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea)
- Grewia tiliaefolia
Apart from such variety, there are also several notable flowering and fruiting trees and shrubs holding the arena like:
- Indian Gooseberry (Emblica Officinalis)
- Kadam Tree (Adina Cordifolia), 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)
- Black Cutch (Acacia catechu)
- Shorea Talura (E)
- Indigo Berry (Randia uliginosa)
- Satinwood (Chloroxylon Swietenia)
Popular Tourist Places Near Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Wayanad : It is the most outstanding location near Bandipur area which is basically considered as the land of paddy fields and is snuggled between the western ghat mountains. Wayanad is one of the most exquisite hill stations in Kerala which is also a perfect place to find the trading of different products along with the presence of wildlife sanctuaries around the area.
Mysore : The second largest city of Karnataka, Mysore is also called the cultural capital of the state with the presence of many palaces around the city which brings the name Mysore as the city of palaces. A must watch destination for the architectural lovers. The most famous attraction of Mysore is the Mysore Palace, which is best visited during the evening, when the whole palace is lit up with sparkling lights.
Ooty : Also known as Ootacamund, the capital of Nilgiris district, Ooty is called as the Queen of the hill stations. This is the most picturesque picnic spots of the area and is preferred for the summer and weekend gateway. Ooty has got the most blooming vegetation, lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens.
Kabini : Quite naturally, this area is defined as the region alongside the River Kabini and is the perfect host for the Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary. The Kabini area is promptly being mentioned as Kabini forests due to the dense lushly regions which are a mix of tropical, moist and dry deciduous types. The area of Kabini is perfectly meant for the people who love hanging around the pristine and virgin natural areas for some solicitation and freshness.
Nagarhole : The area of Kabini also highlights the regions of the Nagarhole National Park. The area of Nagarhole which means the "Snake River" in Kannada is a picture perfect tourist spot for most of the travelers. Nagarhole derives its name from the winding course of the river like a snake that flows through the forests.
Coorg : Yet another fascinating hill station of the area, Coorg advances for the natural splendors and the exotic scenic environment. The area is best recognized as the "Scotland of India" as Coorg defines itself through the majestic beauty and cool ambience of the hill station at an altitude in the range of 3500 ft above sea level.
Bangalore : The main IT hub of India, Bangalore is the prettiest city of India which is embarked with many sobriquets like Garden City, Silicon Valley of India, Pub City and so on. The city is best known for its salubrious climate and is bestowed with tall tree lined streets & several parks adding to its greenery to rightly being called as the 'Garden City'.
Thekkady : Lying at the district of Idukki district, Thekkady one of the most popular destinations of India, located 160 miles from Trivandrum. It is the most unique and abundantly rich with flora, fauna with a wide range of birds. The presence of a man-made lake in the area also attracts tremendous attentions along with other attractions like trekking, wildlife train, bamboo rafting, border hiking and rock climbing.
Chennai : The capital of Tamil Nadu, Chennai brings tremendous coastal attractions to the tourist for a never-ending mystical charm South India. Chennai is best known for long expansion of sandy beaches, parks, sculptures and historic landmarks, charismatic monuments, temples, mosques and churches.
How to Reach Bandipur?
By Air : The nearest airport is at Bangalore which is 220 km from Bandipur.
By Rail : Mysore is nearest railhead, at a distance of 80-kms.
By Road : 220 km from Bangalore; 80 km from Mysore and 80 kms from Ooty.
Hotels & Resorts in Bandipur National Park
At Bandipur National Park, different types of accommodative options are available to bring the wildlife experience more blessed and nurtured with exotic luxury services under the laps of natural beauty. The available hotels and resorts in the vicinity are being designed so as to match your necessities and preferences.
