Bandipur National Park

The Bandipur National Park is one of the most engaging wildlife reserves nestling in the southern Indian State of Karnataka. The Maharajah of Mysore established the park in 1930's and was used as Maharaja's private hunting reserve. Later in 1941, it was expanded to adjoin the Nagarhole wildlife reserves, Kerala's Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary of Tamil Nadu. Niligiri Biosphere Reserve is the new name given to the three united parks, one of India's most extensive tracts of protected forest.

Bordering on the Mysore - Ooty highway the Bandipur National Park covers an area of 874.2 square kilometers. The park observes the most moderate climate, the temperature ranges from 10 degrees and 30.5 degrees that make it an all season favorite.

The region is well dotted with deciduous and evergreen forest covers along with open grassy woodlands. The Moyar River is the center of attraction as it plays a major role in forest irrigation along with other two minor streams. Bandipur is also one of the foremost and most accessible habitats of the Asiatic elephant. Its vast open tracks make it a most preferred elephant-siting zone for its visitors also making it a idle destination for photography sfari


¤ Launch of Project Tiger Scheme

It has been declared as a tiger reserve in 1973. It became one of the sanctuaries selected across India for Project Tiger Scheme by the World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature. The main aim of the project is to preserve and regenerate these endangered species in their natural habitat. In 1974, the Bandipur was declared as a National Park under the Wildlife Protection Act.


¤ The Vegetation

The park has densely populated forest cover with vegetation dotted with Teak, Honne, Nandi, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Bamboo, Dindalu, making up a major portion of the forest. The entire park is well irrigated by four rivers.


¤ Wild Life Attractions

Some of the main mammal species found in the park are tigers, leopards, elephants, gaurs, sambar, chital, barking deer, sloth beer, wild dog, langur, Indian giant red squirrel, 4 horned antelope, porcupines, jungle cat, leopard cat, jackal, 4 varieties of mongoose, flying squirrels, and striped hyenas.
Siting a wild life is not a problem, as many can be easily seen near the accommodations available in the park. One can also take up jeep safari or book a 'Machan' (raised tower to watch animals) near the watering hole to have a close encounter of these majestic creatures.


¤ Aerial Attractions In The Park

Over 230 species of birds have been identified in the park. Some of the most notable ones are the Serpent Eagles, Shaheen Falcons, Gray Headed Firhings, Honey Buzzards, Malabar Pied Hornbills, Stork, Egret, Kite, King Vultures, Gray Partridges, Black Woodpeckers, Indian Pittas, Ducks, Gray Jungle Fowl, Blue Bearded Bee-Eaters, Fairy Blue Birds, Malabar Whistling Thrushes, Owls, Green Imperial Pigeons, and lot more.


¤ Reptile Population

The park is also the home to diverse variety of Reptile family, rock pythons, cobras, crocodiles, monitor lizards, wolf snakes, russel's vipers, rat snakes, Indian python, vines snakes, common kraits, turtles, flying lizards and many other varieties of snakes.