Facts & Figures :
| Area |
: |
874.20 sq km |
| Languages |
: |
English, Kannada, Hindi |
| Best Time to Visit |
: |
March–July and September–November |
About Bandipur....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 Wynad
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.
The
Lush Green Biosphere Apart from being home to the Asiatic
elephant, Bandipur also has a sizable number of tigers. According to a
census conducted in 1993, there are 66 tigers. The park is one of the 15
sanctuaries selected across India for Project Tiger, a scheme launched in
1973, by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature in conjunction with the Indian
Government. The project is designed to save the tiger and its natural
habitat from potential dangers. The best time to spot elephants in large
herds is the rainy season, although they may be spotted anytime of the year
as their numerical strength in the forest approximately stands close to a
healthy 1,900. Other natural inhabitants of this lovely forest are gaur (a
type of bull), sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild boar,
jackal, sloth bear, panther, Malabar squirrel, porcupines and the
black-knapped hare. Birds like jungle fowl and green pigeon are also found
here.
This forest reserve also has pleasant scenery to offer.
Gopalaswamy Betta, near the park forest office base, provides a view of
Mysore plateau and its adjoining hills from a an elevated ridge, while the "Rolling
Rocks," to the south of the forest, offer panoramic views of the
weather-beaten 260-meter-deep "Mysore Ditch" and the entire Moyar
gorge. Places such as these are a photographer’s delight.
ClimateThe region is
warm and comfortable for most parts of the year with temperatures ranging
from 24 to 28°C, except for the brief winter that lasts from October to
January when the temperature hovers around the 19°C mark. Monsoon is
erratic, but it generally rains from June to September.
Outside
World 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.
Getting there
Bandipur National Park is located on the highway connecting
Mysore and the hill station of Ootacamund (Ooty). Reaching Bandipur by bus
is very convenient. All regular and express state transport buses plying
between Ooty and Mysore pass through the park fringes and the Forest
Department Center is a designated bus stop. 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).
Where to
StayThe forest department maintains reasonably priced
lodges, rest houses and cottages. Sprawling deluxe bungalows are also
available.
Travel Tips Light
cotton clothing is recommended for summers whereas light woolen garments are
recommended for the brief winters. During rainy season, it is advisable to
carry raincoats, as the rain is accompanied by a light breeze that renders
umbrellas useless.
