Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary: Facts and Figures

Area	:	874.20 sq. km
Languages	:	English, Kannada, Hindi
Best Time to Visit	:	March–July and September–November

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary: Introduction

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary 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 Sanctuary. Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary was expanded later in 1941 to adjoin the Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary, 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 Wildlife Sanctuary 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 Wildlife Sanctuary 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.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary: Climate

The region around Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary 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.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary: Biosphere

Apart from being home to the Asiatic elephant, Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary also has a sizable number of tigers. According to a census conducted in 1993, there are 66 tigers. The Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary 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 Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary 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 Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary 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.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary 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.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary: How to Reach

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the highway connecting Mysore and the hill station of Ootacamund (Ooty). It takes 2˝ hours to reach Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary 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).

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary: Where to Stay

For your stay in Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary we provide reasonably priced lodges, rest houses, forest lodges and cottages. Sprawling deluxe bungalows are also available around Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary: Links to outside world

The nearest town from Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary 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.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary: Travel Tips

Light cotton clothing is recommended for summers whereas light woollen garments are recommended for the brief winters at Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary. During rainy season, it is advisable to carry raincoats, as the rain is accompanied by a light breeze that renders umbrellas useless.

Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary: Nearby Places

Nagarhole, Madumulai and Wynad National parks all lie in the vicinity of Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary. A reservoir and a dam that separates Bandipur from Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuaries are interesting places to visit.