Wednesday 30 January 2013
Bandipur National Park
The Bandipur National Park is situated in the district of Chamarajanaga, located in the southern part of a south Indian state Karnataka. The national park is one of the well-known tiger reserves located in India and a preeminent protected area in India.
The park is covering a total area of around 874 kilometres square or 337 square miles. The reserve was established with the aim to protect the wild life of the state of Karnataka. It is one of the largest protected area in south India including Mudumalai National Park (320 km2 or 120 sq miles), Nagarhole National Park (643 km2 or 248 sq miles) and Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary(344 km2 or 133 sq miles). The total area included in the protected area is around 2,183 km2 or 843 sq miles. Bnadipur is also a segment of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The entire area contains around 70 Bengal Tigers and near about 3000 Indian elephants.
The UNESCOWorld Heritage Committee has taken into consideration the area of Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (6,000+ km²) along with Bandiupr National Park and Western Ghats to select it as a World Heritage Site.
The entire region comes under the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which is one of the most wide spread territories in India protected forests. The location of the Bandipur National park is in the area covered by the Indian Deccan Plateau. The whole area is gifted with a wide range of flora and other vegetation ranging from the open grassy woodlands to the evergreen and deciduous forests. Valued hard woods like teak and rosewood are found in abundance here. River Moyal is said to be the life line of the forest. There are two other minor streams flowing through the region and the entire area is irrigated by river Moyar and these two rivulets. The Moyar river separates the Madumulai Sanctuary and the Bandipur National park. This park is one of the mostly visited natural habitat by the adventure lovers. As it is the finest habitat of India elephants one can comfortably spot elephants roaming in the open spaces.
General Information
| State | Karnatka |
| District(s) | Chamarajanagar |
| Established | 1931 |
| Nearest city | Mysore |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area | 874.2 square kilometres (337.5 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,454 metres (4,770 ft) |
| Climate | |
| Precipitation | 2000 mm (79 inches) |
| Temperature | |
| Summer | 28 degree C |
| Winter | 10 degree C |
History
The history of the national park began when a sanctuary covering an area of 90 km2 or 35 sq mi was formed at the location of the Bandipur Resreve forest in the year 1931. But later it was realized that the area was not very large enough to conserve the wildlife effectively. Hence the Venugopala Wildlife Park was instituted at this site which was extended up to an area of 800 km2 or 310 square miles. In the year 1973, under the Project tiger, the The Bandipur Tiger Reserve was established by taking an area of 880 km2 or 340 sq miles out of the total area of the national park. Since the establishment of the tiger reserve in this region there has been a remarkable increase in the population of tigers. The place also boasts for the sandalwood trees and many unique species of flora are also found here.
Best Time to Visit
The beauty of the park is at its peak during the monsoons which lasts from the month of June to September. Although the park is open all the year round but one can enjoy the lush green beauty of the thick forests during the monsoons.
Distance From - National Park
The park is located at a distance of 220 kilometers from Bengaluru. It is around 65 kilometers away from the city of Mysore. The main railway station that is nerest to the Bandipur national park is the Mysore railway station. The Bengaluru airport is located at a distance of 220 kilometers from the national park. It is also near to the famous hill station Ooty (around 80 kilometres) as it falls on the Mysore- Ooty highway.
How To Get There
- Road: The park is located at a distance of 220 kilometers from Bengaluru. It is around 80 kilometers away from the city of Mysore. The national park is well connected via road and falls on the highway connecting Mysore and the famous hill station of Ooty which is just 80 km away from the park. Regular state transport buses, private tour buses and taxis are available to take the tourists to the national park.
- Rail: The nearest main railway station to the Bandipur National park is the Mysore Railway station. Nankungund railway station is the closest railway station to bandipur national park but the major rail head connecting it to all the main parts of the country is the Mysore railway station. From these stations one can get buses or taxis very easily to reach the national park.
- Air: The closest airport is the software Mecca airport of Bengaluru. It is located at a distance of 204 kilometer from the national park.
Things To Do In - National Park
One can enjoy the activities like Horse Riding, Jungle Safari, Trekking, Stream play and Camp Fire in the park.
Location Map
Safari
Open jeeps are provided to enjoy the jungle safari. These can be hired inside the park and the tremendous experience of exploring the jungle can be benefitted. The safari can be enjoyed in open vans too along with the guides. The other most sought after feature of the national park is the elephant safari. The tour of the park on resting on the back of the elephant is really very enjoyable.
- The van safari at the bandipur National park is a drive for 30 minute which is offered in a 25 seater van and cost involved per person is Rs.75 . It can be done on particular timings: 6.30 AM to 9AM in the morning and 3.30 PM to 6PM during evening.
- Maximum six people can avail Jeep safari at a time. A jeep can be hired for Rs 1750 and for rs 2000 for the foreign nationals. Two trips are made by the jeep in the morning and two in the evening each day. Its timings are:
Morning
First tripis from 6.30AM to 8AM and second trip at: 8am to 9.30am
Evening: First trip is from 3.30PM to 5PM and second from 5PM to 6.30PM
- The elephant safari at the Bandipur Mudumalai is a ten minutes ride on the elephant costing rs %0 per person. The tickets for the elephant safari are sold at Mudumalai Theppakadu reception counter and half at the Ooty forest office. One can get the tickets on first come first serve basis and at a time four persons can sit on an elephant. Advance bookings for the same are also done.
Accommodation
Lodges, rest houses and cottages are provided by the forest department at very reasonable prices.
- Various types of accommodationare available at Bandipur. These are according to the budget and one can chose the accommodation according to the preference.
- There are accommodation facilities in various guest houses resorts or rest houses at Hangala, Mangala.
- The stay in the forest rest houses, guest houses and beautiful resorts is very enjoyable.
- It is advised to book in advance to get the accommodation of one’s own choice.
- Following is the list of some premium luxury hotels and resorts where one can get comfortable and luxurious stay:
Hotels / Resorts in Bandipur
Premium / Five Star Resorts
- Jungle Lodges and resorts, Bandipur
- Tusker Trails, Mangala
- Cicada Resorts, Bandipur
Luxury / Budget Accommodation
- Jungle Home Guest House, Mudumalai: It is a beautiful resort which is located very near to Bandipur National Park and Mudumalai. Staying here is a wonderful experience as all the luxuries are enjoyed along with the close proximity with the nature.
The other guest houses or resorts are:
- Country Club, Bush Betta, Mangala
- Forest guest House, Bandipur
- MC Resorts, Hangala
- Nilgiris Resort, Hangala.
- Tiger Ranch, Mangala
Weather
The temperature during the summers rises up to 28 degrees maximum whiles the minimum temperature during the winter drops down to 10 degrees C. The weather is very suitable for vacation and having a lovely holiday time. During the monsoons the wildlife is in abundance and the greenery is at its peak. The pleasant weather makes the stay in the lap of nature very memorable. During the summers that last from the month of March to May, the animal can be spotted at the watering holes. Monsoons last from the month of June to October. During the summers light cotton clothes should be worn and for winters it is recommended to carry light cotton clothes. It is recommended to carry raincoats during the rainy season as umbrellas can be blown by the breezes that blow during the rain.
Photo Gallery
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Nice Blog Post this is very informative post.The Bandipur National park is one of the biggest wild life reserves in India.The park was established with the aim of conserving the natural beauty of the region.
ReplyDeletehie every one.this was so recent that i went to bandipur resorts with my friends n cheers to say that we did have a great fun there.hope with u the same.go n have a wonderful experince.also check this out friends B R Hills
ReplyDeletehiee..frndzz..really dis is the best blog to share my feeling..i visited bandipur resorts last weekend.It is very interesting,enjoyable place with families..Another interestng thing in that is Wildlife Safari ,i enjoyed a lot a lot..u 2 visit and njoy d weekend.
ReplyDeleteHii...Informative post.Thanks for sharing with us.I liked the way you put up the information.I am panning to visit br hills resort and also bandipur resorts this weekend with my family. because their facilites,sevices offered at low cost,Wildlife Safari really really awesome..
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