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Karnataka Wildlife |
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Bandipur National
Park (Project Tiger) The 874.20 sq. kms. Bandipur
National Park, situated in the Mysore district which is also a Tiger
Reserve with its open grassy woodland, lies to the south of the Kabini
River while Nagarhole, 643.39 sq. km. in area, to the north of the
river, has taller and denser forests. Bandipur, lying in the shadow of
the Western Ghats, is one of the finest habitats of the Asian
elephant. Drained by the Moyar River, its open forest makes it easy
for visitors to see the elephant and gaur in natural surroundings.
When to visit : March to August.
Where to stay : Hotel Mayura Prakruti, (KSTDC), M.C.Resorts,
Bush Betta, Tusker Trails. Also, the Forest Department of Govt. of
Karnataka provides accommodation in the sanctuary.
How to get there :
Air : The nearest airport is Bangalore (220 kms.)
Rail : The nearest railhead is Mysore (80 kms.).
Road : It is 220 kms. from Bangalore and 80 kms. from Mysore.
›› Bhadra Wildlife
Sanctuary
The Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in the Chikmagalur and Shimoga
districts, is one of the most fascinating sanctuaries. The jungles
shelter some exquisite flora and fauna. The great Indian gaur, barking
deer, flying fox, mongoose, elephant, panther, babbler, barbet all
have their home in the forests of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.
When to visit : November to March.
Where to stay : Forest Department of Govt. of Karnataka
provides guest houses at the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.
How to get there :
Air : Mangalore is the nearest airport.150 kms.
Rail :The nearest railheads are Kadur, 50 kms,. and Mangalore,
150 kms.
Road : The road distance of the major cities: Bangalore-257 kms.,
Chikmagalur – 60 kms., and Hassan – 120 kms.
›› Bheemeshwari Wildlife Sanctuary
It is a perfect picnic spot, where nature has created a natural
habitat for the Mahseer fish and variety of exciting animals. The lush
forest sheltered by steep valley and scattered by little streams,
invite large groups of animals and birds including elephants, deer,
wild boars, monkeys, Jackals, crocodiles, otter and leopards.
There are plenty of birds too. Heron, ibis, cormorant, kingfishers
have all made their home here.
Angling is an exciting option here as there is a fishing camp nearby.
The river Cauvery abounds with Mahseer-the finest game fish (weighing
100 lbs.).
When to visit : December to March.
Where to stay : Jungle Lodges & Resorts provides tented
accommodation and Log Huts near the Cauvery river, with the fishing
facility.
How to get there :
Air : Bangalore is the nearest airport. 120 kms.
Rail : The nearest railhead is Mandya, 60 kms.
Road : The road-distance of the nearby cities:
Bangalore (100 kms.), Kanakapura (56 kms.).
›› Dandeli Wildlife
Sanctuary
In the Uttara Kannada district lies the largest wildlife sanctuary
in Karnataka. Nestling some very rare animals and birds, it is an
unspoilt, untouched and unexplored treasure of wildlife spread over
475 sq. kms. Amongst the animals found are sloth bear, bush grail,
deer, elephant, sambar, tiger, gaur, panther and partridge. The
sanctuary offers wildlife safaris in jeeps nature walks, bird
watching, crocodile sighting trips, fishing, boat rides and trekking
in the jungles of Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.
When to visit : October to May.
Where to stay : Jungle Lodges & Resorts, a Govt. of Karnataka
undertaking provides tent accommodation and deluxe rooms on the banks
of the river Kali in Dandeli on Jungle Plan which includes
accommodation, all meals and wildlife rides etc.
How to get there:
Air : The nearest airport is Goa. 130 kms.
Rail : The nearest railhead is Dharwad, 60 kms.
Road : Dandeli to Bangalore is 540 kms.. Dharwad is 60 kms.
›› Nagarhole National
Park
Once an exclusive hunting preserve of the erstwhile rulers of
Mysore, the terrain of this Park is gently undulating with lush green
vegetation, swamps and numerous water resources, rendering it an ideal
habitat for a wide variety of wildlife. The forest is home to animals
like the four-horned antelope, sloth bear, jungle cat, civet, spotted
deer, elephant, wild dog, flying fox, tiger, panther, gaur (Indian
bison), sambar, wild boar, black-naped hare, bonnet macaque and
pangolin. Cobras, crocodiles, kraits, pythons, vipers, and several
species of lizards are also found here. Among the 250 bird species
found here, the prominent ones are the common babbler, bee - eater,
bulbul, dove, crested serpent, hornbill, Malabar pied, alexandrine,
peacock, woodpecker, warbler, great Indian reed, eagle, crested hawk,
golden-back parakeet and the Southern tree pie.
Where to stay : Kabini. River Lodge. Nagarhole.
How to get there :
Air : Bangalore (220 kms.) is the nearest airport. Rail :
Mysore. 80 kms. away is the nearest railhead.
Road : It is 220 kms. from Bangalore and 80 kms. from Mysore.
›› Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary
The sanctuary situated in the Mysore district abounds in various
species of avi fauna. The flying fox, otter, python, tortoise,
crocodile, cormorant, darter, egrets, heron, ibis, kingfisher, plover,
parakeet, spoonbill, whistling teal and peregrine are some of the main
species of birds that inhabit the sanctuary.
When to visit : June to October.
Where to stay : There are river-view, cottages run by Karnataka
State Tourism Development Corporation at Srirangapatna which is 10 kms.,
away from the Bird Sanctuary.
How to get there :
Air : Bangalore is the nearest airport. 125 kms.
Rail : Mysore is nearest railhead. 18 kms.
Road : Bangalore is 125 kms. Mysore is 18 kms.
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Tamil Nadu Wildlife |
›› Anamalai Wildlife
Sanctuary (Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuaiy)
An ecological paradise, covering an area of 108 sq. kms., this hill
forest boasts of thick growth of trees, folds of terrain with
evergreen sholas. About 800 species out of 2000 South Indian flora are
distributed here.
This sanctuary is home to animals like lion - tailed macaque, bonnet
macaque, common langur, Nilgiris langur, Malabar giant squirrel and
grizzled giant squirrel. Other animals are: tiger, panther, elephant,
gaur, pangolin, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, wild
boar, dhole, sloth bear, porcupine, Nilgiri tahr, civet cat and Toddy
cat. It also includes avi-fauna like the racket- tailed drongo, black
headed oriole, paradise flycatcher, whistling thrush, emerald dove,
green pigeon, Tickell's flower pecker, rutus woodpecker, rose-winged
parakeet, black eagle, great Indian Malabar pied hornbill, fairy
bluebird and green-billed malkhoha etc.
When to visit : Throughout the year except February to April.
Where to stay : Forest Guest Houses at Topslip, Varagalayar,
Amaravathi, Sethumadai PWD Guest House. Amaravathi EB Guest House at
Attakatti.
How to get there : The nearest railhead and nearest town is at
Pollachi (35 kms.). Nearest airport is Coimbatore (75 kms).
›› Mudumalai Wildlife
Sanctuary And National Park
About 65 kms. away from Ooty (Now known as Udhagamandalam). This
sanctuary is spread over 521 sq. kms.
The vegetation is varied and the fauna includes elephants, gaur,
bonnet macaque, common langur, tigers and leopards, chital, dhole,
panther, sloth bear, python, barking deer, four-horned antelope,
otter, crocodiles (mugger), giant flying squirrel, sambar, hyena, wild
dog, wild boar, mouse beer, spotted deer, jackal, hare, porcupine and
mongoose.
The birds listed in the sanctuary are peacock, grey jungle fowl, red
spur fowl, grey partridge quail, goggle-eyed plover, Malabar whistling
thrush, large racket tailed drongo, shama, magpie-robin, spotted
babbler, small green barbet, green pigeons, little brown dove, Malabar
grey hornbill, bulbuls, mynahs etc. Among birds of prey, eagles,
hawks, buzzards, harriers, falcons and king vultures are predominant
besides some migratory waterbirds.
When to visit : September to May.
Where to stay : Hotel Tamilnadu (TTDC Ltd.), Forest Guest
House,. Abhayaranyam, Kargudi, Masinagudi and Theppakkadu with
catering arrangements.
How to get there :
Air : Coimbatore (160 kins.) is the nearest airport.
Rail : Ooty 65 kms.) and Mysore (95 kms.) are the nearest
stations.
Road : NH passes through the sanctuary, one has to stop at
Theppakkadu. From Ooty (base camp at Parson's Valley), you can trek to
this sanctuary and the Mukkurthi National Park.
›› Mukkurthi National
Park
This Park, a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, situated 40 kms. from
Udhagamandalam, contains a viable population of Nilgiri tahr (Hamitragus
Hilocrius), sambar, barking deer, Nilgiri marten, otter, jungle cat,
jackal etc. Avi fauna consists of hill birds viz. laughing and
whistling thrushes, woodcock, wild pigeon and black eagle. Butterflies
with Himalayan affinity like the blue admiral, Indian red admiral,
Indian cabbage white, hedge blues and rainbow trouts can also be seen.
When to visit : February to May & September to November.
Where to stay : Accommodation is available at Forest Rest House at
Avalanche, Pykara and trekking sheds.
How to get there : The nearest airport is at Coimbatore (140 kms.)
and the nearest railhead is Udagamandalam (45 kms).
›› Kalakkadu Wildlife
Sanctuary (Project Tiger)
Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in an area of 225 sq. kms.
all in the Tirunelveli District. The flora ranges from forests of
tropical wet evergreen to tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests.
Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque and common langur,
Nilgiri tahr, sambar, sloth bear, gaur, elephant, tiger, flying
squirrel, panther, wild dog, pangolin are some of the wild life seen
in the sanctuary. Besides, a wide range of birds and reptiles can be
seen. This sanctuary is situated in an extensive preserve declared as
a "Project Tiger Reserve".
When to visit : September to March
Where to stay : Forest Rest House at Sengaltheri
How to get there :
The nearest airports are Madurai (200 kms.) and Thiruvananthapuram
(140 kms.) The nearest railhead is at Cheranmahadevi (20 kms.). The
sanctuary is well connected by State buses.
›› Mundanthurai
There is nothing to differentiate this sanctuary from that of
Kalakkadu, except the absence of the elephant and the gaur. Situated
in the Tirunelveli district, this 567 sq. kms. sanctuary boasts of dry
deciduous to tropical wet evergreen forests and patches of pure reeds.
Animal wealth includes tiger, bonnet macaque, langurs, slender loris,
sloth bear, sambar, chital and wild dog. Excellent for various species
of avi fauna and varieties of reptiles and insects. Trekking with
prior permission from the Forest (Wildlife) Department along trekking
trails can be undertaken.
When to visit : October to January.
Where to stay : Forest Rest House, at Mundanthurai, PWD Rest
House at Ambasamudram and E. B. Rest House at Papanasam Camp.
How to get there :
The nearest airport is Madurai (200 kms.) and the nearest railway
station is at Ambasamudram (6 kms.).
›› Point Calimere
Wildlife Sanctuary
Sprawling on a 17.26 sq. kms. area surrounded by sea and shore,
comprising forests of tidal swamps, dry evergreen forests and
mangroves, this sanctuary is situated in the Nagapattinam district. It
is bestowed with populations of varied wildlife such as chital, wild
boar, bonnet macaque, black buck, flamingoes, teals, gulls, terns,
plovers, and stilts. Special attractions are close encounters with
dolphins and turtles, which often come quite close to the shore.
When to visit : Year round. For migratory water birds: November
to February
Where to stay : Accommodation: Forest Rest House at Point
Calimere with catering arrangements.
Other facilities: Boats for cruising.
How to get there :
The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli (225 kms.) and the nearest
railhead is at Thiruthuraipoondi (42 kms.).
›› Srivilliputhur
Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary
This sanctuary is located in the Virudhunagar District, 45 kms. off
Virudhunagar Town. The sanctuary has a composition of dry deciduous
forests with patterns of tropical evergreen, semi evergreen forests,
moist mixed deciduous forests and grasslands. Grizzled giant squirrels
abound here. Other interesting species are flying squirrel, tree
shrew, elephant, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri tahr, mouse deer,
barking deer and many a species of birds.
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