Preface
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 National 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. Bandipur National Park lies in the Indian Deccan
plateau area, thus being totally in the shadow of the Western Ghats. The
region is well endowed in terms of vegetation and flora that ranges from
deciduous and evergreen forest covers to open grassy woodlands. Valuable
hardwoods including rosewood and teak are also found here. The lifeline of
the forest is the Moyar River, which irrigates the area along with two minor
rivulets. The river also acts as a boundary between the Park and the
Madumulai Sanctuary. Bandipur is one of the finest and most accessible
habitats of the Asiatic elephant. Its vast open spaces make it a pleasant
and convenient outing for visitors to see the elephant in its natural
surroundings.
Mammals
at Bandipur National park
Bonner Macaque Nilgiri Langur (adjoining areas) Dhole Smooth-coated Otter
Common Palm Civet Stripe-necked Mongoose Jungle Cat Tiger Wild Boar Chital
Gaur Indian Palm Squirrel Grizzled Indian Squirrel Liontail Macaque Golden
Jackal Sloth Bear Indian Grey Mongoose Striped Hyaena Rusty-spotted Cat
Ratel Indian Spotted Chevrotain Sambar Nilgiri Tahr (adjoining areas) Indian
Porcupine Hanuman Langur Bengal Fox Eurasian Otter Small Indian Civet Ruddy
Mongoose Leopard Cat Leopard Indian Elephant Indian Muntjac Four-horned
Antelope Indian Pangolin Indian Hare Red Giant Flying squirrel Indian Giant
Squirrel
Climate
The 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.
How to Reach Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary
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 Stay in Bandipur
The forest department maintains reasonably priced lodges, rest houses and
cottages.
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.
