Bandipur National Park Tiger Reserve

Bandipur National Park Tiger Reserve at an altitude of 1022 to 1450 meter on Nilgiri Hills covered by sandal, mehagani, ablus, teak, bamboo and deodar trees sprawling over 874.20 sq km on Mysore-Ooty highway. This Park is adjacent to Mudumalai of Tamilnadu and Wynad of Kerala. The river Mayar demarcates the boundary between the two. Old Venugopal Wildlife Park has been divided by the dam on Kabini river. To the south of Kabini is Bandipur and to the north is Nagharhole National Park. Bandipur was the hunting ground of the Mysore kings and in 1931 it was developed covering an area of 90 sq km. In 1941, it was named as Venugopal Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary was also expanded from 90 to 800 sq km. In 1973 according to the plan of WWF it was crowned as an Indian Tiger Project. Bandipur is also a member of the earliest Tiger-9 Project. According to the 1997 Census, there were 75 tigers in Bandipur. Approximately 2000 elephants, leopards, sambar, bison, four-horned antelope, gaur and different species of deer; panther, bear and wild dogs are also inhabitant this place. Several varieties of peacocks, maina, dhanesh and other birds make their homes among the teaks, shimul, sandal, jamun and rosewood trees.This article is originally published in Travel India and India Study Channel

How to reach Bandipur national park:

Bandipur is on the Mysore-Ooty highway, 76 km to the south of Mysore and 82 km to the north of Ooty. It takes 2 ½ hours to reach here from both Mysore or, Ooty. Nearly a dozen buses are going to Mysore-Ooty-Mysore via Bandipur Forest Reception Centre. On the way, sitting in the bus you may come across herd of elephants.

When to visit Bandipur National Park:

Though Nov to May is the tourist season, Jan-Feb is better. Temperature: 30°C in summer and around 18°C in winter. Average rainfall: 1000 mm.
This article is originally published in Travel India and India Study Channel

Tour arrangement to Bandipur Sanctuary:

For touring Bandipur Sanctuary, and booking of cars from the forest department and their seven cottages, write 10 days in advance to Field Director, Project Tiger, Aranya Bhavan, Ashokpuram, Mysore-570008 Ph: (0821) 2520901.or else, while in Mysore you can go to the Forest Office which is at the south suburban area of the city, by rickshaw or by bus of Rt 61. You can also write to Assistant Director, Bandipur NP, Bandipur—571318. For taking photographs permission from the authorities has to be obtained beforehand.

Similarly, for the booking of two cottages or for information about any forest in Karnataka, you have to write to the Chief Warden, Wildlife, Aranya Bhavan, 18th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore— 560003. Ph: 23341993 or, Jungle Lodges & Resorts Ltd, 2nd floor, Shrungar Shopping Centre, M G Rd, Bangalore—560001, Ph: 25597025, Fax : 080-25586163.

For accommodation, there are nine cottages of forest department with 18 rooms and dormitory. Their names are Gajendra, Harini, Chittal, Papeeha, Kokila, Vanashree, Yanasuma, Kuteera and Mayura Lodge. Foods are also available at these lodges. This article is originally published in Travel India and India Study Channel

You can see deer or other wild animals from the window of these cottages. Documentary films on wildlife are shown at the Interpretation centre.

Forest department organize trips to the Tiger Project by jeep, bus or on elephants' back between 6-00 am 9-00 am and 4-00 pm 6-30 pm.

Photographs of wild beasts can be taken from the watch tower. Beware of monkeys while you observe the vast landscape from Gopal Swami Betta.

Venu Vihar Lodge on Himavat Gopalaswami Hill 20 km from here is also nice place to stay.

Nearby, there is KSTDC's Hotel Mayura Prakruti, Melkamanahalli, Post: Hangala, Gundlupet Taluk, near Bandipur, Ph: (0821) 2633001.

It is possible to travel Bandipur National Park and come back in one day either from Mysore or Ooty.

This article is originally published in Travel India and India Study Channel