Tiger Reserves in India

Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Introduction

Conservation

Census

Management

Archeology

Forests

» Introduction

Bandipur Tiger Reserve situated in Mysore District of Karnataka State of India was among the first nine Tiger Reserves created in India at the launch of Project Tiger in 1973. It is contiguous to Madhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu state to south and Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala state to the south-west.To the north-west lies Nagarhole National Park. The highest peak is Gopalaswamy hill.

The main perennial rivers of the Reserve are Nugu, Kabini and Moyar. The Nugu river flows in the middle of the Reserve. Whereas, the Moyar river forms the southern boundary between this reserve and Madhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. The Kabini river, across which a major irrigation dam has come up at Beechanahalli, forms the boundary between this Reserve and Nagarhole.

National Park of Karnataka. The Kabini reservoir provides water facility and the grazing ground on the foreshore, for hundreds of elephants during severe and prolonged pinch period. Seasonal streams like Wadli, Chammanahalla, Aidasanahattihalla, Hebballa, Warranchi, Chippanahalla and Mavinahalla are also present.

There are a few natural & artificial saltlicks available in the Reserve and are being regularly used by the wild animals. This park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve - the first 'Biosphere Reserve' of India.


» Conservation History

A Sanctuary of 90 sq. km. area was created in Bandipur Reserve Forest in 1931. Venugopala Wildlife Park was constituted in 1941, extending over 800 sq. km. The Park was named after the deity, Venugopala of the shrine atop this hill.
Bandipur Tiger reserve was formed by including most of the forest area of the then Venugopala Wildlife Park and its sanctum sanctorum at Bandipur, in the year 1973 and named Bandipur National Park.

All the forests included in the Reserve are reserved forests notified prior to independence. Notification for proposed Bandipur National Park was issued in 1985.


» Census

CENSUS
Animal	1991	1993	1995	1997
Tiger	58	66	74	75
Panther	51	81	86	88
Elephant	1107	2214	2214	3471
Gaur	1097	1373	1373	2427
Wild Dog	148	181	181	-
Spotted Deer	3333	5858	5858	8204
Sambar	706	1196	1196	2386
Sloth Bear	51	66	66	-
Four horned Antelope	14	-	-	-
Common Langur	1468	1751	1751	-
Wild Boar	148	181	181	-
Barking Deer	72	131	131	-
Mouse Deer	-	-	-	-
Chital	-	-	-	8204
Porcupine	-	-	-	-

» Archeology

Venugopala Swami Temples


» Forest Types

Dry deciduous scrub, Southern tropical/Dry deciduous & Southern Tropical Moist Mixed deciduous forests cover the reserve area.

Major Flora

Main Species : Tectona grandis, Dalbergia latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Adina cordifolia, Grewia tiliaefolia, Amblica officianalis, lagerstroemia lanceolata, Terminalia tomentosa, Anogeisus latifolia, Terminalia chebula, Schleichera trijuga, Odina wodiar, Butea monosperma, Cassia fistula, Dendrcalamus strictus, Bambusa arundinacea,Chloroxylon swetenia, Acacia catechu, Shorea talura, Randia uliginosa.

Major Fauna

Main Species : Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted deer, Sloth bear, Mouse deer, Wild dog, Four horned Antelope.

Endangered Species : Tiger, Four horned Antelope, Gaur, Elephant, Panther, Sloth bear, Crocodiles, Mouse deer, Python, Osprey, Pea fowl.


» Managements

Practices, Achievements and Shortfalls

The protection measures undertaken against cattle grazing, smuggling of forest produce, forest fires and poaching right from the creation of the Reserve have resulted in improvement of vegetation and multiplication of wild animals. The forest which were once hacked by the local villagers have responded extremely well in the form of spectacular natural regeneration of bamboo and other species with significant improvement in the canopy cover. Improvement of the floral composition supports larger number of wild animals. Gradual increase in the density of wild animals in general and the tigers in particular, natural regeneration of vegetation, improvement of water regimes, microclimate, ecology, environment and reduction in loss of soil run-off are major achievements.



Bandipur Tiger Reserve Reservation Form

* Compulsory Fields * Name: Address: * Country: * Tel No. : (with city & country code) * E-mail: Details of Journey: Duration of Travel in India (Approx.): * Intended Month & Year of Visit: No. of People Travelling: 00 01 02 03 04 05 > 05 Adult      00 01 02 03 04 05 > 05 Children * Preferences / Details of Services Required: