[UNESCO, World Heritage sites, Tentative lists, Western Ghats sub cluster, Niligiris. retrieved 4/20/2007 [http://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/2103/ World Heritage sites, Tentative lists] ] ] History
A sanctuary of 90 km² was created at this site in the Bandipur Reserve Forest in 1931. As it was realised that this was too small for effective wildlife conservation, leading to the instituting of the Venugopala Wildlife Park at this site, extending over 800 km². The Bandipur Tiger Reserve was constituted in 1973 by carving out 880 km² from the Wildlife Park. Recognised under Project Tiger in 1973 this park has boasted constant rise in Tiger population. Also famous for Sandalwood trees and rare species of Flora
Flora and fauna
Major flora
Teak "(Tectona grandis)", "Dalbergia latifolia", "Pterocarpus marsupium", "Adina cordifolia", "Grewia tiliaefolia", "Emblica officinalis", "Lagerstroemia lanceolata", "Terminalia tomentosa", "Anogeissus latifolia", "Terminalia chebula", "Schleichera trijuga", "Odina wodiar", "Butea monosperma", "Cassia fistula", "Dendrocalamus strictus", "Bambusa arundinacea" , "Chloroxylon swetenia", "Acacia catechu", "Shorea talura", "Randia uliginosa"
CENSUS FIGURES FOR BANDIPUR 1991 1993 1995 1997----Tiger 58 66 74 75Leopard 51 81 86 88Elephant 1107 2214 2214 3471Gaur 1097 1373 1373 2427Dhole 148 181 181Chital 3333 5858 5858 8204Sambar 706 1196 1196 2386Slothbear 51 66 66Chousingha 14Langur 1468 1751 1751Pig 148 181 181Muntjac 72 131 131----
Major fauna
Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar (deer), Chital, Sloth Bear, Mouse deer, Wild dog, Wild boar, Barking deer, Four horned Antelope, Hyena.
Endangered species:Tiger, Four horned Antelope, Gaur, Elephant, Panther, Sloth Bear, Crocodiles, Mouse deer, Python, Osprey,
Birds: Grey Junglefowl, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Honey Buzzard, Red-headed Vulture, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Brown Hawk Owl, Bay Owl, Malabar Trogon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Little Spiderhunter, Plain Flowerpecker.
Reptiles: King Cobra, Common Cobra, Python, Adder, Viper, Rat Snake, Water Snake, Marsh Crocodile, Lizard, Chameleon, Monitor Lizard, Frog, Tree frog, Toad and Tortoise.
Geography
Bandipur National Park's altitude between 680-1454 metres and is situated south of the Kabini river at the foothills of the Western Ghats.The rivers of Kabini, Nagur and Moyar flow through the reserve. Climate - Winter minimum 10, Summer maximum 28 degrees, Monsoon from June to September and best time to visit is open throughout the year but preferably in monsoon when wildlife is plenty and forest is green. Greenery is quite lean when viewed from road but gets thicker as we proceed into the forest.
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta
Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta in the core zone can be accessed by a small road through the village of "Hangala" north of the national park. "Gopalaswamy Betta" ("betta" is hill in Kannada) located inside the forest is a popular trekking spot. There is also a motorable road to the summit of the hill. The area is also frequented by herds of wild elephants. The hill gets its name "Himavad" ("fog" in Kannada) due to the fog during most parts of the year. Atop the hill is a temple of Lord Venugopala Swamy built centuries ago and a travellers' bungalow which remains locked now and belonged to the Ruler of Mysore. Nobody is allowed to stay beyond 5:30 PM. These hills are covered with grass and classified as shola forests.
Accommodation In Bandipur
The government of Karnataka provides spacious and comfortable accommodation at Bandipur National Park. The rates charged are quite reasonable, but frequently all rooms are booked well in advance. There are many resorts near Bandipur including the Country Club, Tusker Trails, and [http://www.junglelodges.com/ Jungle Lodges] etc. These are luxurious resorts with relatively high prices.Mudumalai is the Tamil Nadu part of the forest where accommodation is available at lower prices. Mudumalai is 20 km from Bandipur, and there are many resorts at Mudumalai. To name a few; Jungle Hut, Green Park, Jungle Retreat, Bear Mountain, Casa Deepwoods etc. [http://www.wildlifesanctuaryindia.com/ Jungle home] is near [http://www.bandipur.net/ Bandipur] on Mudumalai to Gudalur road in the crucial elephant habitat zone. It is a cottage near the forest which offers comfortable, clean accommodation at low rates. Elephant spottings are very common in this area. Leopards are also seen frequently; almost once a week. Jungle home also has a river attached campus surrounded by forest on three sides, making it especially suited for activities such as fishing and bird watching.
Conflicts and threats
For farmers in the 200 villages along the Bandipur forest periphery, the National Park is a vast pasture for grazing cattle and for collection of firewood and other forest produce. The reserve holds nearly 1.50 lakh cattle. The Nugu wildlife sanctuary and Himavad Gopalaswamy range located in the north-west of the park are the most cattle infested.There are fears of possible transmission of diseases from cattle to wildlife. In 1968, large numbers of gaur were killed in an outbreak of rinderpest. Lantana bush introduced by British in 19th century in tea gardens has spread rapidly at the cost of other valuable herbs and saplings. This bush is thorny, attracts mosquitoes, is not eaten by any herbivores and rapid spread has caused other species of fauna to vanish which is staple food for wild life. Rapid spread of Parthenium ("Parthenium hysterophorus") has severely damaged bio-diversity and typical landscapes of this beautiful jungle is making way for this invasive weed.
Elephants which traditionally migrate from dry to moist zones now increasingly come into contact with human habitations and farms are often damaged. Sugarcane crops are particularly attractive to them. Off-lately road has been a major concern as speeding vehicles have killed many wild animals in spite of frequent warnings to travellers from forest department officials.
References
[http://www.wildlifetimes.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=search&search=bandipur Bandipur Wildlife Photos]
* [http://www.wildlifeindia.co.uk/national-parks-india/bandipur-national-park.html Wildlife India]
* [http://www.wildlifetimes.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=134&highlight=bandipur Trip to Bandipur]
* [http://www.wildlifetimes.com Wildlife photography]
* [http://wildlifesanctuaryindia.com/wildlife/ Bandipur Wildlife Bird photography]
* [http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/pa/1037v.htm]
* [http://elephantsindia.blogspot.com/2006/10/elephantine-problem-in-bandipur.html news: October 7, 2006 Elephantine problem in Bandipur Reserve]
