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Bandipur |
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Terrain |
| Bandipur Tiger Reserve, situated in the Mysore
district of Karnataka, lies adjacent to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu
and Wynaad in Kerala. The terrain is punctuated with hills and
small hillocks. The normal topography consists of an elevation
of about 850 m throughout the region. The Gopalaswamy hill (1,454.5
m) is one of the highest peaks and Kannegals at 680m is the
lowest. Soil texture ranges from the clayey, moist variety in
the west to rocky barren land in the east. The Nugu in the centre,
Moyar towards the south and the Kabini between Bandipur and
Nagarahole are the rivers that feed this area perennially. Numerous
natural and artificial pools are found in Bandipur. Besides
the natural salt licks, the pools also contain salt and minerals
beneficial to animals. |
| Waterholes
and Trails |
| Forest department buses take the routes along
water bodies and forest clearings that will allow you maximum
visibility. Elephants, Gaur and wildboar can often be seen drinking,
bathing or feeding at waterholes that the locals call 'kattey'.
In the evenings, you can spot mammals as well as birds like
the Spotbill and Whistling Teal at the large tank at Tavarakattey.
If you take an elephant ride near Mysore Lodge and the Eeranamunti
hills you should be able to sight chital. This is open canopy
and short grasses along with abundant water are just what the
deer need. |
| Vegetation
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| Dry deciduous scrub (predominant), moist deciduous
and mixed forests are present in Bandipur. The canopy is low
and the trees are not densely clustered. The open land area
is covered with grasses. Short, crooked stumps and thorny scrub
are common.
The moist deciduous forests on the western edge of the park
have rosewood and teak. Trees like teak stand stark against
a landscape of Shorea talura and the swampy areas. Other species
found here are: math, hand, honne, axlewood, sandalwood, jamun
and silk cotton. February to May is a lean period when most
of the vegetation dries up. During March, though the grasslands
dry up, the trees are laden with fruit, which the animals
relish. T
he bamboo, which flowered in 1916, is now regenerating. Natural
herbs grow wild on the hillside, a veritable undiscovered
pharmacoepia. Lantana, Indigofera and Eupatorium are weeds
that grow in profusion and provide shelter to animals.
Aquatic weeds flourish as water is released from the Kabini
reservoir in summer. |
| Take a Break
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| The Mysore Ditch is the phenomenal 260 m deep
Moyar Gorge in the Nilgiri mountains, that has been eroded by
the Moyar river. Boulders roll down into the water when the
Kekkanalla waters are in full flood during the monsoons, which
gives the spot its name -- Rolling Rocks. Located at the southern
end of the Park, the place offers a splendid view of the Mysore
Ditch.
Located 20 km from Bandipur, Gopalaswamy Betta, the highest
peak at 1454 m, is an hour's drive. Well known for its temple
and fort ruins, a special attraction is the beautiful temple
atop the hill, dedicated to Lord Venugopala. The view of the
Mysore plateau and its surrounding hills is breathtaking.
Balle is noted for the government-run elephant resting camp,
which is worth a visit.
Visit the rustic Mastigudi khedda in Karapura.
The historical town of Srirangapatnam is located 13 km from
Mysore. This was the capital of Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of
Mysore, who was defeated by the British in 1799. |
| Contacts |
Official
The Field Director,
Bandipur Tiger Reserve,
Mysore,
Karnataka.
Tel.: (08229) 7622/7621.
The Field Director (Project Tiger),
Vanasree,
Govt. Sandalkoti Premises,
Asokapuram, Mysore.
Karnataka.
Tel: 0821-480 901.
Chief Wildlife Warden,
Aranya Bhavan,
18th Cross Road,
Malleswaram,
Bangalore,
Karnataka.
Tel: 080-334 1993.
NGO
Dr R Balasubramaniam,
Swami Vivekanand Youth Movement
N Begur
Post Haggadadevanakote Taluk,
Mysore District - 571 116. |
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