KARNATAKA: The forests of southern Karnataka in what was once Mysore State have long been famous for their rich and distinctive wildlife and magnificent forests. The great tracts of forest that remain today as a legacy of the management and concern shown by the Mysore rulers are noted for elephant, gaur and other large mammals. In the northern part of the state the dry thorn forests and scrub are home to different species. In the dry deciduous scrub of Ranibennur, the blackbuck and an increasing number of great Indian bustard are found. The bustard has also returned to the scrub areas north of Bijapur, near the Maharashtra border.
Bandipur N.P. and Tiger Reserve
Established in the early 1930s with an area of 23 sq miles (60 sq km), the area was expanded to 266 sq miles (690 sq km) with a core area of 129 sq miles (335 sq km) in 1974. A further extension is p
roposed to the northeast. It is bounded on the northwest, west and south by the Nagarahole, Wynad and Mudumalai parks respectively. It has one of the best-planned road systems among Indian parks which provides excellent opportunities for game viewing, especially for elephant. The gaur population is on the increase after the 1968 rinderpest epidemic. The park is bisected north-south by the Mysore Ootacamund road. The hilly landscape in the shadow of the Western Ghats is intersected by rivers and streams. Forest vehicles are available. Best time to visit: Mar.—July, Sept., Oct. Accommodation: forest lodges, cottages; forest resthouses at Kakanhalla, Mulehole. Kalkere and Gopalaswamy (Betta). Permission: Field Director—Project Tiger. Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Mysore 570004 Nearest town: Gundulpet (12.5 milesf20km ) Rail: Nanjungud (34 milesf55 km) Air: Mysore (50 milesf80 km)
Bannerghatta N.P
Established in 1974 with 40 sq miles (104 sq km) of undulating terrain with valleys and hills; only 17 miles (28 km) south of Bangalore. Mammal life is poor although the occasional leopard is seen, and also chiral , wild boar and sloth bear. A few elephants still migrate through the area. Interesting scenery and good birdlife. Heavily visited, especially during weekends. Best time to visit: Sept.—June (open all the year round) Accommodation: forest resthouse Permission: ACF, Bannerghatta N.P., Bangalore 83 Nearest town: Arekal (12 miles/19 km) Rail & Air: Bangalore (17 miles/28 km)
Bhadra Sanctuary
Established in 1974 over 189 sq miles (490 sq km) of the Bhadra river valley and ringed by the Bababudan range. Most of the valley is covered with moist deciduous forest. Roads are in poor condition and jeeps are needed. Large gaur population, a few elephant, tiger, chiral and sambar. Vehicles and forest guides available at Muthodi. Best time to visit: Oct.—May Accommodation: forest resthouse at Sigekhan and Kesave Permission: ACF Wildlife Preservation, 50 Jayanagar 1st Cross, Shimoga, Karnataka 577 201 Nearest town: Shimoga (19 miles/30 km) Rail: Tarikere (12.5 miles/20 km) Air: Bangalore (158 miles/255 km), Mangalore (135 miles/218 km) .
Biligiri Rangasamy Sanctuary
Established in 1974 south of Mysore over 125 sq miles (324 sq km). Facilities are limited. Elephant are occasionally seen (migratory), and chital, sambar and an occasional tiger. Best time to visit: Oct.—May Accommodation: 2 resthouses Permission: ACF Wildlife Preservation, SD, Mysore 4 (Te1:21159) Nearest town and Rail: Chamarajanagar (37 miles/60 km) Air: Mysore (75 miles/120 km)
Brahmagiri Sanctuary
Established in 1974 in southern Coorg near the border with Kerala. Borders Nagarahole National Park to the east. Hill country with moist and mixed deciduous forest. Elephant, gaur, tiger, mouse deer, chital and sambar are seen. Best time to visit: Oct.—May Accommodation: none Permission: ACF Wildlife Preservation, SD, Vanivilas Road, Mysore 4 (Te1:21159) Nearest town: Virajpat (24 miles/39 km) Rail: Cannanore (Kerala) (47 miles/75 km) Air: Mysore (84 miles/135 km)
Dandeli Sanctuary
Established in 1975 and now covering 220 sq miles (572 sq km) of mostly moist deciduous forest; some teak and bamboo. Fair road system. Large mammals including elephant, tiger, sambar, chital and occasional wolf seen. Best time to visit: Dec.—May Accommodation: 6 resthouses Permission: ACF Wildlife Preservation. SD. Dharwad, Karnataka Nearest town: Dandeli (1.25 mBes/2 km) Rail: Dharwad (25 miles/40 km) Air: Belgaum (51 miles/82 km)
Ghataprabha Sanctuary
Established in 1974, a small bird sanctuary of 11 sq miles (29 sq km). Mostly wetland next to the Ghataprabha river north of Belgaum. Best time to visit: Oct.—Jan. Accommodation: 4 small resthouses Permission: ACF Wildlife Preservation, SD, Dharwad, Karnataka Nearest town & Rail: Gokak Falls Air: Belgaum (37 miles/60 km)
Mookambika Sanctuary
Established in 1974 on the edge of the Western Ghats with a mixed semi-evergreen forest and tropical evergreen forest at the highest elevations. High rainfall from early June. Tiger, sloth bear, lion-tailed macaque and chital seen. Best time to visit: Nov.—Apr. Accommodation: 2 bungalows (10 beds) Permission: ACF Wildlife Preservation, SD, Jayanagar 1st cross, Shimoga, Karnataka 577201 Nearest town: Bindur (15 miles/25 km) Air & Rail: Mangalore (56 miles/90 km)
Nagarahole N.P
Established in 1955 and expanded to its present size of 221 se miles (573 se km) in 1975. Extremely attractive situation with the Brahmagiri hills in the distance. The Kabini river has been dammed to form a large and attractive reservoir which separates the park from Bandipur National Park to the southeast. The game viewing is excellent and well organized by the K
abini River Lodge. Large groups of gaur, elephant, the occasional tiger and leopard, chital and sambar are seen. Over 250 species of bird recorded. Park vehicles available. Best time to visit: Oct.—Apr. ccommodation: 2 forest resthouses (contact ACF-Mysore): Kabini Jungle Lodge, 14 rooms (double), with excellent facilities. Good food and bar. Trained naturalists and staff. Contact: Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd., Brooklands, 348/349, 13th Main Road, Raj Mahal Vilas Extn., Bangalore 560080 (Tel: 362820). Permission: ACF, Wildlife Preservation, SD, Vanivilas Road, Mysore 4 (Te1:21 ) Nearest town: Kutta (2.5 miles/7 km) Rail & Air: Mysore (60 miles/96 km)
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Established in 1940 near Tippu Sultan’s capital of Srirangapatnam on tiny islands in the kaveri river 10 miles (16 km) north of Mysore. Boats available for hire. Nesting starts as early as June for many species. Scenically beautiful. A few crocodiles and flying foxes (fruit bats) seen. Best time to visit: June—Oct. Accommodation:1 guesthouse Permission: ACF, Wildlife Preservation, SD, Vanivilas Road, Mysore 4 (Te1:21159159) Nearest town, Rail & Air: Mysore (10 miles)
Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary
Established in 1974 to check the rapid decline of blackbuck in northern Karnataka. The wolf and great Indian bustard are also found. Mostly dry scrub and open ground. Best time to visit: Open throughout the year. Accommodation: 2 resthouses Permission: ACF, Wildlife Preservation SD, Dharwad, Karnataka Nearest town: Ranibennur (2.5 miles/4 km) Rail: Bennur Air: Bangalore (185 miles/298 km)
Sharavathi Valley Sanctuary
Established in 1974 over 166 ‘se miles (431 se km) of the Western Ghats with wet tropical evergreen forest and semi-evergreen forest. Has high rainfall from June. Chital, sloth bear, macaques and the occasional tiger seen. Best time to visit: Nov.—May Accommodation: 4 resthouses (34 beds) Permission: ACF, Wildlife Preservation SD. Jayanagar 1st Cross, Shimoga, Karnataka 577201 Nearest town: Kagal (0.5 mile/l km) Rail: Talguppa Air: Mangalore (112 miles/180 km)
Shettihally Sanctuary
Established in 1974 on 152 se miles (395 se km) of mixed deciduous and semi-evergreen forest. Tiger, elephant, chital and sambar seen. Best time to visit: Nov.—May Accommodation: 4 resthouses (20 beds) Permission: ACF, Wildlife Preservation SD, Jayanagar 1st Cross, Shimoga, Karnataka 577201 Nearest town & Rail: Shimoga (3 miles) Air: Mangalore (118 miles/190 km)
Other sanctuaries in Karnataka include
Adichuncha Nagiri (Mysore Dist.), Arabithittu; Melkota Temple (Mandya Dist.); Nugu (Mysore dist.); Someswara (South Kanara Dist.) and Tungabhadra (Bellary Dist.). Information on these and other protected areas can be obtained from: The Chief Wildlife Warden, Aranya Bahaman, 18th Cross, Malleshwaram, Bangalore 560003 (Tel: 31993).
