Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole National Park

Bandipur's northern neighbour, Nagarhole ("Snake River") National Park, extends 640 sq km north from the Kabini River, dammed in 1974 to form a picturesque artificial lake. Nagarhole National Park is an all weather park located 80 km away from Mysore. The area contains the habitat of several rare and endangered species, notably the tiger. Much of it has been protected from the ill effects of development because Indian royalty used the area as a hunting park. Nagarhole is part of the protected area complex that includes Bandipur National Park, Wynad Sanctuary and Mudumalai Sanctuary. Situated within the Koodogu (Coorg) and Mysore districts of Karnataka, the sanctuary borders the Kerala State. It was originally designated as a game sanctuary in 1955 that centered on the Nagarhole settlement. The sanctuary was later extended to its present size in 1974 by combining the Mysore forests and Nagarhole Sanctuary.

Stay There State-owned forest resthouses, private lodges and cottages are among the accommodation options in Nagarhole. Reservations for the forest resthouses must be made at least 15 days in advance by contacting the warden’s office in Bangalore or Mysore. There is also a posh river lodge (state-run) at the Kabini River, which, though it comes for a high-end price, also offers a great experience Venture Into The Nagarhole Nagarhole is best visited at the height of the dry season, when its muddy river banks and grassy swamps, or hadlus, offer better chances of sighting its flora & fauna. The predominant vegetation in the Nagarhole is of southern tropical, moist, mixed deciduous type with a substantial eastern portion intergrading into dry deciduous type. The upper tree canopy is dotted with Terminalia tomentosa is association with Tectonia grandis, Dalbergia latifolia, Pterocarpus marsupium, Lagerstroemia lanceolata, Anogeissus latifolia, Adina cordifolia, Boambax malabaricum, Schleichera trijuga, Ficus sp. and others. The lower canopy possesses Kydia calycina, Emblica officinalis, Gmelina arborea etc. Several shrubs belonging to Solanum, Desmodium and Helicteres sp. etc. are abundantly found but weedy shrubs like Eupatorium and Lantana now dominate the forest area. The Fauna The faunas found in this sanctuary are - Four horned antelopa, sloth bear, civet cat, barking deer, mouse deer, spotted deer, wild dog, elephant, jackal, common langur, slender loris, bonnet macaque, common mangoose, small Indian mangoose, striped-necked mangoose, Otter, Pangoline, panther, wild pig, porcupine, sambhar, giant squirrel, flying squirrel, malakar squirrel, threestriped palm squirrel tiger.The Avifauna Birds you will come across here are - Pea fowl, common babbler, scinaitar babbler, bea eater, red whiskered bulbul, red vented bulbul, little brown dove, ring dove, spotted dove, crested hawk eagle, crested serpent eagle, tawny eagle, malabar pied hornbill, malabar grey hornbill, loriekeet, minivet, biyth's myna, Alexandrine parakeet, blue winged parakeet, blossom-headed and rose ringed parakeets, southern treepie, green imperial pigeon, adjutant stork, balabar trogon, great Indian Warbler, reed warbler, wood-peckers.Reptiles Common cobra, marsh crocodile (in Kabini river) Krait, Monitor Lizard, rock python, Indian python, bamboo viper, pit viper, Russell's viper, several species of gecko, skink and agamid lizaards, etc. Additional Punch Go to other parts of Karnataka and add some extra punch to your tour itinerary. After you have finished with the Bandipur National Park, go to the temple city of Mysore and transmit some spiritual atmosphere. Also visit Ooty (297 km), this peaceful destination is the exact place for you to relax. If you keep interest in lazing under the sun, then head towards Malpe or the Karwar Beaches lying on the coasts of Karnataka. Or else you can also visit the historical city of Hassan (187 km) and Hampi (350 km). Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka is another attraction near the Bandipur National Park