Forest in Karnataka

Forest in Karnataka

 1.Bandipur National park in Chamarajanagar

Bandipur National Park, established in 1974 as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger, is a national park located in the Indian state of Karnataka, which is the state with the second highest tiger population in India. Along with adjacent Nagarhole National Park, it is one of the Premier Tiger Reserves in the country. It was once a private hunting reserve for the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore but has now been upgraded to Bandipur Tiger Reserve.Bandipur is known for its wildlife and has many types of biomes, but dry deciduous forest is dominant.

The park spans an area of 874 square kilometers (337 sq mi), protecting several species of India's endangered wildlife. Together with the adjoining Nagarhole National Park (643 km2 (248 sq mi)), Mudumalai National Park (320 km2 (120 sq mi)) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (344 km2 (133 sq mi)), it is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve totaling 2,183 km2 (843 sq mi) making it the largest protected area in southern India and largest habitat of wild elephants in south Asia.

Bandipur is located in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district. It is about 80 kilometers (50 mi) from the city of Mysore on the route to a major tourist destination of Ooty. As a result, Bandipur sees many tourists; many wildlife fatalities caused by speeding vehicles are reported each year. There is a ban on traffic from 9 pm to 6 am of dusk to dawn to help bring down the death rate of wildlife.

The Maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore created a sanctuary of 90 km2 (35 sq mi) in 1931 and named it the Venugopala Wildlife Park. The Bandipur Tiger Reserve was established under Project Tiger in 1973 by adding nearly 800 km2 (310 sq mi) to the Venugopala Wildlife park.

Bandipur National Park is located between 75° 12’ 17" E to 76° 51’ 32" E and 11° 35’ 34" N to 11° 57’ 02" N where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats, and the altitude of the park ranges from 680 meters (2,230 ft) to 1,454 meters (4,770 ft). As a result, the park has a variety of biomes including dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests and shrublands. The wide range of habitats help support a diverse range of organisms. The park is flanked by the Kabini river in the north and the Moyar river in the south. The Nugu river runs through the park. The highest point in the park is on a hill called Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, where there is a Hindu temple at the summit. Bandipur has typical tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The dry and hot period usually begins in early March and can last till the arrival of the monsoon rains in June.

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 the 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.

The National Highways NH-181 and NH-766 pass through Bandipur national park. This road has been a major concern as speeding vehicles have killed many wild animals in spite of frequent warnings to travelers from the forest department officials and restriction on movement of vehicles in some stretches between 6 P.M to 6 A.M. This has raised fears of extinction of habitat of wild animals exclusively found in this national park.

On October 9, 2018 the National Park lost one of its prized possession, a tusker named 'Rowdy Ranga' was hit by a bus in the night after which the government of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka agreed to ban night traffic in the forest. However, Kerala condemns the 'Night Ban' and has asked for the ban to be lifted to save a reroute that increases the distance by 45 km.

Bandipur National Park is regarded as one of the most beautiful and better-managed national parks of India. Located amidst the picturesque surroundings of the towering Western Ghats on the Mysore-Ooty highway in Karnataka, it is an important part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve that constitutes Karnataka’s Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarahole) to its Northwest, Tamil Nadu’s Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary to its South, and Kerala’s Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary to its Southwest. The total extent of Bandipur National Park is 872.24 sq km. It is located partly in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar District and partly in H.D.Kote and Nanjangud taluks of Mysuru District.

2. Bannerghatta National park in banglore

Bannerghatta National Park is a national park in India, located near Bangalore, Karnataka. It was founded in 1970 and declared as a national park in 1974.In 2002, a small portion of the park became a zoological garden, the Bannerghatta Biological Park.

There are ancient temples in the park for worship and it is a destination for trekking and hiking. Within the national park area are six rural villages enclosed within three large enclosures for sheep and cattle farming.This park offers a wide range of diverse wildlife to the exploradoras. Coming from the finest of Bengaluru, Karnataka, this park offers a guided bus tour all along the 6 km safari roads, which is specially made for safarists and foreign tourist gatherers.

The 65,127.5 acre (260.51 km2) national park is located about 22 km south of Bangalore in the hills of the Anekal range with an elevation of 1245 - 1634m.The park has a hilly terrain of granite sheets under moist deciduous forest valleys and scrubland on higher areas.Sixteen villages border the park. Most of the national park consists of artificial forest, and some animals have been introduced.The park is part of a wildlife corridor for elephants which connects the BR Hills and the Sathyamangalam forest. The park is contiguous with Talli reserve forest in the southeast and Bilikal forest in the south.

Located on the outskirts of Bangalore, and usually known as BBBP, the Bengaluru Bannerghatta Biological Park is amongst the most popular and frequently visited destinations in the city. Catering to nature and wildlife enthusiasts, it is an integral part of the magnificent Bannerghatta National Park and is spread across a massive area. 

It was declared a biological reserve in 2002 and is also one of the only places in the world where one can experience wilderness in such a close proximity to the city. In addition to a zoo and jungle safari, the Bannerghatta Biological Park also has a butterfly park and a rescue centre where the animals who were in captivity are conserved and protected. 

The Bannerghatta Biological Park is also the first biological park in all of India, which has a fenced forested elephant sanctuary. Covering an expanse of 122 acres, this sanctuary is sponsored by PETA India.

The biological park is also home to a large variety of butterfly species. On a safari here, you can catch a glimpse of various animals, including tigers, bears, deer, elephants as well as monkeys.

Additionally, you can also get to see many beneficial herbs and plants here, such as neem, tamarind, eucalyptus and sandalwood, amongst others. The park is also a complete retreat for people, with different safaris, along with locations for short trekking and hiking expeditions. 

Many people also visit the park due to the presence of several ancient temples in its premises. Additionally, the park is also a haven for those who wish to get away from the busy city limits and spend some time rejuvenating and relaxing amidst the calm of nature. 

3. Kudremukh National park in chikmagaluru

Kudremukha(ಕುದುರೆ ಮುಖ) is a mountain range and name of a peak located in Chikkamagaluru district, in Karnataka, India. It is also the name of a small hill station cum mining town situated near the mountain, about 20 kilometres from Kalasa. The name Kuduremukha literally means 'horse-faced (Kannada) and refers to a particular picturesque view of a side of the mountain that resembles a horse's face. It was also referred to as 'Samseparvata', historically since it was approached from Samse village. Kuduremukha is Karnataka's 2nd highest peak after Mullayanagiri. The nearest International Airport is at Mangalore which is at a distance of 99 kilometres.

The Kudremukh National Park (latitude 13°01'00" to 13°29'17" N, longitude 75°00'55' to 75°25'00" E) is the second-largest Wildlife Protected Area (600.32 km2) belonging to a tropical wet evergreen type of forest in the Western Ghats. Kudremukh National Park is located in Chikkamagaluru district of the State of Karnataka. The Western Ghats is one of the thirty-four hotspots identified for biodiversity conservation in the world. Kudremukh National Park comes under the Global Tiger Conservation Priority-I, under the format developed jointly by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and World Wide Fund-USA.

The southern and western sides of the park form the steep slope of the Western Ghats ridgeline, with the altitude varying from 100 m - 1892 m (peak). The northern, central, and eastern portions of the park constitute a chain of rolling hills with a mosaic of natural grassland and shola forests. Kudremukh receives an average annual rainfall of 7000 mm[citation needed], largely due to the forest types of mainly evergreen vegetation that can be found here.

Well known environmentalist and tiger expert, Dr K Ullas Karanth undertook a detailed and systematic survey of the distribution of the endangered lion-tailed macaque in Karnataka during 1983-84 with support from the Government of Karnataka. He observed that suitable and extensive rainforest habitat for the lion-tailed macaque existed in Kudremukh and that the tract probably harboured the largest contiguous population of lion-tailed macaques in the Western Ghats, outside the Malabar region. He further suggested that lion-tailed macaques could be effectively used as a 'flagship' species to conserve the entire biotic community in the region and prepared a conservation plan for the survival of wild populations of lion-tailed macaques in the region delineating the present national park area as a proposed nature reserve. Based on his report, the Karnataka State Wildlife Advisory Board suggested to the government that Kudremukh National Park be created.

Kudremukh National Park is spread partly over the thick hilly forests near the coastal plains on the western portion and the shola vegetation on the Western Ghats uplands, covering parts of three districts, viz., Chikmagalur, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. The Kudremukh peak, by which the national park derives its name, is the highest spot at 1892 meters.[citation needed] The hills, which bear the brunt of the severe monsoon winds, preclude any tree growth added to that the region is known for its rich low-grade magnetite soil which primarily inhibits plant growth. As a result, the landscape is covered with grass. The valleys which are tucked in, have reasonable protection from wind and a deep soil profile, as a result of which stunted evergreen forests exist creating a unique microclimate, rich with mosses, orchids, etc. The whole scenery of grassland interspersed with narrow strips of forests provides a fantastic vista.

Three important rivers, the Tunga, the Bhadra and the Nethravathi are said to have their origin here. A shrine of goddess Bhagavathi and a Varaha image, 1.8 m within a cave are the main attractions. The Tunga River and Bhadra River flow freely through the parklands. The area of the Kadambi waterfalls is a definite point of interest for anyone who travels to the spot. The animals found there include malabar civets, wild dogs, sloth bears and spotted deer.

Opposition to national park .

People residing inside the national park did not welcome the idea of such a concept, as it involves eviction and Kudremukh Rashtriya Udyana Virodhi Okoota, an NGO, fights on behalf of people residing inside the forest and opposes the formation of the national park.[2] To curb the supposed Naxalite activity inside the premises, police opened fire on activists and killed five suspected Naxalites on 10 July 2007.

Conservation

The Kudremukh range was declared a tiger reserve, as part of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary by the Union Environmental Minister, Government of India.

Ecology

A diverse assemblage of endangered large mammals is found in the park supporting three large mammal predator species such as the tiger, leopard and wild dog. The important tiger prey base found within the park is gaur, sambar, wild pig, muntjac, chevrotain, bonnet macaque, common langur and the lion-tailed macaque.

The wet climate and the tremendous water retentive capacity of the shola grasslands and forests have led to the formation of thousands of perennial streams in the region converging to form three major rivers of the region, Tunga, Bhadra and Nethravathi which form an important lifeline for the people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Lobo's house is an old abandoned farm on the upper reaches of Kuduremukha.

4. Anshi National park in Uttar kannada

Anshi National Park or Anshi Tiger Reserve is wild life protected reserve forest area declared by government of India. It was recently renamed as Kali Tiger Reserve. The Anshi national park lies in the Uttara Kannada ( North Kanara ) district of Karnataka state. The forest area mostly surrounding river Kali in Uttara Kannada district comes under this reserve. Dandeli wild life sanctuary adjoins this park along with Netravali and Bhagwan Mahaveer wild life sanctuaries of Goa state.Karnataka state highway 34 cuts through Anshi tiger reserve. SH-34 starts from Sadashivagad near Karwar and ends in Aurad going through Anshi, Joida, Ganeshgudi, Dharwad and many other places.

Anshi National Park or Anshi Tiger Reserve is in the western ghat geographical region of India. These western ghats form a part of Nilgiri biosphere. As part of western ghats, It has some rich flora and fauna fed by river Kali and its tributaries. The river basin of Kali has some of the lush evergreen forests of India even though large parts have been submerged by back waters of many dams built across river Kali and its tributaries. Wild animals ranging from Tiger to wild buffalo are seen in these forests. However it takes luck to spot for an ordinary tourist.

Anshi National Park is Karnataka In the district of Uttar Kannada Anshi National Park is located. The scenic beauty of this park is non-parallel. An animal lover will definitely fall in love with Anshi National Park. The flora of this place has been blessed with plants like eucalyptus, bamboo, teak, xylia xylocarpa, silver oak, bauhinia and others. This 340 square kilometer park is located in the Western Ghats. The mountain forms the beautiful backdrop of the park. The altitude of the place varies from 27-927 meters. Although the rainfall is heavy but the laterite soil fails to retain water. To fight this problem the park has set up bore well pumps.

an area of 340 square kilometers. It was made into a national park in the year 1956. The national park is an important nesting place for various species of birds and insects. In addition, there are also diverse species of mammals and reptiles in the forest.The Anshi National Park, Karnataka is set amidst the Western Ghat range. The vegetation of the forest consists of rain forests and deciduous forest.

 wide range of flora and fauna are found in the Anshi National Park. The forest is an ideal habitat for species like black panthers, elephants, tigers, deer, wild boars and other animals. In addition, there are various types of reptiles in the forest.Bird watching is a popular activity in Anshi National Park in Karnataka. The forest has an array of bird species. The ideal time to watch birds is in the spring season when the trees are at full bloom.

5. Dandeli wildlife sanctuary in uttar kannada

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 15°30′23″N 74°23′30″E in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka state in India. The sanctuary covers an area of 866.41 km2 (334.52 sq mi).

Along with neighboring Anshi National Park (339.87 square kilometres (83,980 acres)), the sanctuary was declared part of the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve in 2006. Karnataka state government has officially notified the Dandeli Elephant Reserve under Project Elephant on 4 June 2015. The elephant reserve is spread over 2,321 km2, including 475 km2 as core and the remaining as buffer areas. This is the second elephant reserve in Karnataka after Mysuru Elephant Reserve, which was declared in 2002.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is a birdwatchers paradise, housing nearly 200 species of birds,[3] most famous for the great hornbill (great Indian hornbill or great pied hornbill) and the Malabar pied hornbill. It is also the only known tiger reserve in India to report frequent sightings of the elusive black panther. It is also known to house the Indian sloth bear, the Indian pangolin, the giant Malabar squirrel, dhole, the Indian jackal and the muntjac (barking deer). Sightings of the Indian elephant and the Indian peafowl are pretty common. The king cobra and the mugger crocodile (Indian crocodile) are the prime reptilians in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

The forests in Dandeli are a mixture of dense deciduous trees interspersed with bamboo and teak plantations. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. Crocodiles are major wildlife attraction in this sanctuary. It offers a unique experience of bird watching and crocodile spotting. You can walk through the forest or enjoy bird watching. There are a variety of reptilian and amphibian species in and around the wildlife sanctuary.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Uttara Kannada and covers an area of 334.52 sq mi. It is an ideal holiday destination for nature lovers. The sanctuary is easily accessible by road, rail and air. It lies at a distance of 57 kms from Dharwad which is the closest location to reach the sanctuary.

The Dandeli wildlife sanctuary is the second largest sanctuary in Karnataka and is located on the banks of River Kali. It is surrounded by thick forests and hills of the Kannada District. It has a rich diversity of the plants and animals.

Places with beaches, mountains, and deserts usually remain at the top of our holiday list. But, have you ever wondered about escaping to a lush green forest, living nearby a river, feeling young & free while literally spotting a variety of flora and fauna? Well, if you haven’t, you’re in for a surprise because the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary situated in Karnataka is a hidden gem, and is absolutely perfect for your next holiday! (Also, we’re impressed if you have, but we would still want you to read further & tick this place off your list.)

And before we get down to everything from the top Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary tourist places to the best accommodation, know that it’s not a place to be mistaken as a destination only for wildlife enthusiasts. It’s as much as a paradise for nature admirers, as it is for offbeat backpack travelers and adventure seekers.

The park stays open from 1st October to 30th June. However, safaris can be availed within the national park and is permissible in the buffer zone area from 1st July to 30th September every year. The timings of the sanctuary for tourists is 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and a visit duration of 7 to 8 hours is recommended if you wish to explore the sanctuary properly and at your own pace.

The entry fees for Indians is INR 40 and for foreigners is INR 80. If you wish to carry your camera along and use it for photography, a ticket for INR 100 is also to be bought.

The Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary safari is a pulsating experience you must have while you’re here. Through the dense vegetation, one is taken in an open jeep to the rugged forests where bison and malabar giant squirrels are more commonly spotted than any other animals. It is the perfect activity to indulge in for feeling young and free.

6. Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuary in kodagu

This sanctuary is located in Somwarpet taluk of the Kodagu district. It is home to rare and endangered birdlife.The Kadamakkal reserve forest is a part of the sanctuary. Pushpagiri (Kumara Parvatha) is the highest peak in it. The sanctuary adjoins Bisle reserve forest to the north and Kukke Subramanya forest range to the west.

Mandalpatti peak, Kote betta and Makkalagudi betta are mountains fall in the sanctuary. Mallalli falls and Kote abbe waterfalls (also called as Mukkodlu falls) are located inside the sanctuary. The Pushpagiri Wildlife Sancutuary has been proposed as one of the World Heritage Site.

The popular Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is amongst the 21 Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka. The sanctuary is located near Mandalpatti in Somwarpet taluk of Coorg district. The area is enveloped by dense forest area making it a favourite amongst trekkers and nature lovers.

The forest is of semi-evergreen and dense evergreen trees in nature attracting several species of exotic plants and animals. Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is recognized as an area exclusive to rare and exotic birds along with other species of flora and fauna specific to this region.

The Kadamakal Reserve Forest is an integral part of the sanctuary with Pushpagiri being the highest peak in it. Kumara Parvatha is the other peak that lies within it. The sanctuary is strategically located with Bisle reserve forest to the north and Kukke Subramanya forest range to the west.

The rolling Shola grasslands specific to the Western Ghats, beautiful valleys and meadows, swamps and quaint water bodies create magic in this area. One can spot a variety of animals like the Indian hare, spotted deer, giant flying squirrel, otters, Indian wild dog, brown palm civet, wild pig, stripe-necked mongoose, sambar, elephants, gaur, mouse deer, etc. Primates like common langur, lion-tailed macaque, and bonnet macaque can also be spotted easily.

The famous and gorgeous Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is being frequented by nature lovers and adventure seekers every year. Strategically placed near Madikeri, trekkers here enjoy a day-long trek across the lush terrain crisscrossing the easy and not so easy trails. A few prefer staying back to enjoy the night camping and celebrating wilderness with family and friends.

Several botanists, Zoologists and Ornithologists have ventured this piece of land to explore, study and discover several other species of flora and fauna of this region. A photographer’s delight, every moment can be clicked for it is surrounded by mystic hues of nature.

7.  Bhadra wild sanctuary in chikmagaluru

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and tiger reserve as part of the Project Tiger, situated in Chikkamagaluru district, 23 km (14 mi) south of Bhadravathi city, 38 km (24 mi) 20 km from Tarikere town, northwest of Chikkamagaluru and 283 km from Bengaluru city in Karnataka state, India. Bhadra sanctuary has a wide range of flora and fauna and is a popular place for day outings. The 1,875 m (6,152 ft) above MSL Hebbe Giri is the highest peak in the sanctuary.

Bhadra sanctuary consists of two adjacent sections. The main western Lakkavalli-Muthodi section lies from 13˚22’ to 13˚47’ N latitude, 75˚29’ to 75˚45’ E longitude and the smaller eastern Bababudangiri section from 13˚30’ to 13˚33’ N latitude and 75˚44’ to 75˚47’ E longitude.

Elevation varies from 615 m (2,018 ft) to 1,875 m (6,152 ft) above MSL, the highest point being Kallathigiri on the eastern boundary.The sanctuary is surrounded by the scenic hills and steep slopes of the Mullayanagiri, Hebbegiri, Gangegiri and Bababudangiri hills. 1,930 metres (6,330 ft) Mullayanagiri peak in the Baba Budan Giri Range near the southeast edge of the sanctuary is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Nilgiris.

The 551 ft (168 m) high Hebbe Falls are in the eastern part of the sanctuary. The Manikyadhara Falls is located on the nearby sacred Baba Budan Giri Hill, The tributaries of the Bhadra river flow west through the sanctuary. The western border of the sanctuary abuts the Bhadra Reservoir and is part of its catchment area of 1,968 km2 (760 sq mi).

Jagara and Sirivase are the villages located within the sanctuary. Bhadravathi, Tarikere and Birur are cities nearby. Larger metropolitan cities are well connected to Bhadravthi and Birur by bus and rail. There is frequent local bus service from Bhadravathi to both Bhadra Dam and Bhadra WLS. The nearest airport is in Mangalore, around 163 km (101 mi) from Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is located at Lakkavalli, Karnataka; the nearest cities is Tarikere, Birur and Bhadravathi.

The area was first declared as 'Jagara Valley Wildlife Sanctuary' in 1951 by the then government of Mysore covering an area of 77.45 km2 (29.90 sq mi). After a systematic survey of the flora and fauna of the area and its surroundings, the area was extended to its present extent and renamed to Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in 1974.

The Wildlife Sanctuary was declared as a Project Tiger Reserve in 1998. Bhadra is the first tiger reserve in the country to complete a successful village relocation program. The original relocation plan was introduced in 1974 and was implemented completely by 2002 when the 26 villages in the sanctuary were successfully relocated to M C Halli which is about 50 km (31 mi) from the Sanctuary.

8.  Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary in coorg

The Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kodagu District, Karnataka State, India, within the Western Ghats and about 250 km from Bangalore. The sanctuary covers an area of about 181 km and derives its name from the highest point of the mountain range, Brahmigiri Peak. It was declared a sanctuary on June 5, 1974.

Kodagu district near Coorg is home to the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary. Known for its mesmerizing scenic beauty, lush greenery, and diverse flora and fauna, the sanctuary is spread across an area of 181 sq km. It is surrounded by coffee plantations, evergreen/ semi-evergreen forests making it a tourists’ favourite getaway destination.

Visit the Brahmagiri Wildlife sanctuary and explore the soothing, refreshing environment around you. The evergreen hills are home to a rich variety of flora and fauna including bonnet macaque, common langur, barking deer, mouse deer, Malabar giant squirrel, and the giant flying squirrel! Make sure you make the best,of your holiday by bringing along cameras and capturing a lot of wildlife and nature photographs.

When it comes to sightseeing and places to visit in Coorg, the list is endless. Each of these places is better than the other; the view, the flora and the fauna; it enchants you completely, making you wonder how a small place like Coorg can offer such myriad variety to a tourist.

For a travel blogger, Coorg is a paradise. So much to see, and so much to write about, that’s why it comes as no surprise that this land is listed as one of the must visit places in South India.

Apart from the plantations and trekking lands, Coorg has a number of Wildlife sanctuaries and one national park. From Nagarhole to Pushpagiri to Talakaveri, places like these are what make you return to Coorg for another vacation.

Apart from the ones mentioned above, Bhramagiri is another wildlife sanctuary which is very popular in the Southern parts of India. Located in Coorg, this wildlife sanctuary is part of the Western Ghats. Not too far away from the city of Bengaluru, the sanctuary gets its name from the highest peak known as the Bhramagiri peak. This point is also a very famous trekking land in Kodagu.

When it comes to flora, this sanctuary boasts of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. Bamboo is something you can largely find here. However, in the higher altitudes, it is the grasslands that one can see.

The Shola forests are stunted tropical montane forests which are found only in the Southern parts of the country. One such place where they are found is the Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary. They are found in the higher altitudes along with the grasslands.

9. Cauvery wildlife sanctuary in Mandya

The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located in the Mandya, Chamarajanagar and Ramanagar districts of Karnataka, India. The Cauvery River passes through its midst. An area of 510.52 km2 (197.11 sq mi) was established as Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary on 14 January 1987 under Section 18 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 with the objective of providing protection, conservation and development of Wildlife and its environment. The sanctuary was expanded to its current area of 102,753 hectares (253,910 acres) in 2013. On its east, it adjoins Dharmapuri forest division of Tamil Nadu state.

The sanctuary, established on 14 January 1987 under Section 18 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1973, is spread over an area of 1,027.53 square kilometres (396.73 sq mi)[3] It lies in an elevation range of 125–1,514 metres (410–4,967 ft) (“Ponnachi Betta” is the highest mountain in the centre of the sanctuary) with its northern and southern boundary delimited by the Cauvery River on the Eastern Ghats, which drains from west to east. Its eastern and northeastern borders are bounded by the Tamil Nadu state.The river forms the interstate boundary between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states over a river reach of 73 kilometres (45 mi) with dense forests on both banks. The sanctuary is named after the Cauvery River which flows through it over a total length of 101 kilometres (63 mi).

Important places along the river stretch flowing through the sanctuary covering its forested central and eastern parts are the Hogenakal Falls (meaning: "smoking rock" in Kannada language), Mekedatu (meaning: "goats leap"), and Sangam (confluence with the Arkavathi River. An important religious centre within the sanctuary is Muthathi Anjaneya temple.Also located within the sanctuary are an ecotourism fishing resort and the Cauvery Fishing Camp at Bhimeshwari.

The sanctuary is managed by the Deputy Conservator of Forests with four wildlife ranges at Kanakapura, Hanur, Cowdally and MM Hills wildlife ranges. The reserve forests, which are part of the sanctuary, are the Basavanabetta S.F (3,765.50 hectares (9,304.8 acres)), the Chilandavadi S.F (1,987.50 hectares (4,911.2 acres)), the Muggur S.F (2,044.00 hectares (5,050.8 acres)), the Chikkayalur S.F (13,875.00 hectares (34,285.9 acres)), and the Mahadeswara Reserve Forest (31,023.50 hectares (76,660.7 acres)).The boundary of the sanctuary is well demarcated with the surrounding border areas consisting of agricultural lands and forests; the bordering forest areas are: the Kollegal forest division to its west and south, Mandya and Ramanagaram forest divisions to its north, and Dharmapuri Forest division of Tamil Nadu state to its east.

Human habitation inside the sanctuary and within 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) radius of the sanctuary consists of eight enclosed villages and 30 villages respectively with a total population of 39,000 whose main occupation is agriculture. Along the boundary of the sanctuary, a trench is excavated to prevent elephant migration to neighbouring villages and to check damage to agricultural lands.

The sanctuary has a semi-arid climate, where the average temperatures are a minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) and maximum of 38 °C (100 °F), and during summer it touches a maximum of 40 °C (104 °F). The sanctuary receives rainfall both during the Northeast monsoon and Southwest monsoon. The rainfall varies between 750 millimetres (30 in) and 800 millimetres (31 in).

The sanctuary mainly consists of dry deciduous forest, southern tropical dry thorn and riverine forestHardwickia binata and Albizia amara are the dominant forest types. There is hardly any vegetation in the northwestern part while good forests exist in the rest of the sanctuary.

Conservation measures in force in the sanctuary are in the form of patrolling on foot and in jeeps, and functioning of 11 moving anti-poaching camps; two permanent camps have been proposed. Drinking water to wild animals are provided through building of water conservation structures. Fire lines are cut and burnt well in advance before the beginning of the forest fire season; fire lines are created and dry material burnt. Fire watchers are stationed at strategic locations.:17–22 A 10-year conservation plan for the period 2006–16 has been instituted. Zoning of forest into Core, Buffer, and Tourism zones has been planned. The tourism zone has four specific areas – Bheemeshwari and Muthathi, Sangam and Mekedatu in the Kanakapura Wildlife Range, Gopinatham and Hogenakal falls of M.M.Hills Wildlife Range. Administrative set up has been proposed to be reorganized with additional staff.:32–37 Improvement of patrolling paths has been envisaged:48 To increase awareness among the general public publicity pamphlets are planned, apart from fixing signages and plaques with information on the importance of preservation of wildlife of the sanctuary.

With a contiguous wildlife habitat area of 1027 km, the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary interspread in the taluks that dot three districts of Ramnagar (Kanakapura), Chamrajnagar (Kollegala) and Mandya (Malavalli) of Karnataka. It is an area that has the ecotourism zones of Bheemeshwari Nature Camp (part of Jungle Lodges and Resorts), Hogenekkal Falls, Mekedatu (Goats Leap), Sangam and the Gopinatham Mystery Trails. Tucked away amidst mountains, valleys, a mighty river, jungle sounds, and lush greenery, the sanctuary is an idyllic getaway where anglers and nature enthusiasts can get a whiff of raw adventure and a view of the majestic Cauvery as it bounces over jagged rocks.Here, you can trek to the top of the hill to get a panoramic view of the Cauvery flowing through the picturesque valley below. You could also visit the ruins of the magnificent sculpted Shiva temple, a place of worship for the local Soliga tribes, raft down the rapids of the Cauvery, or even indulge in a game of fishing/angling for the endangered Masheer which one can angle, take a picture and leave it back to nature. The fauna that one can see besides the Asian Elephants are tiger, leopard, wild dog, striped hyena, sloth bear, gaur, sambar, chital and the four-horned antelope.

10. Kakanakote Wildlife sanctuary in Heggadadevankote 

Kakanakote is situated at a distance of 73 km from Mysore in Karnataka state, India. It is a thick forest of the Western Ghats, and a famous place where a large number of wild elephants can be found. Now it is a wildlife national park, monitored and regulated by the state.

This is the famous forest range named after the legendary Kaka Nayaka, who was the leader of the local forest dwelling Kuruba people. Impressed by Kaka Nayaka's bravery and wit the then maharaja of Mysore named the forest after him.

Periodically herds of elephants were once captured at this place by the Khedda method. Facilities for wild life viewing are available in this national park.

According to Census 2011 information the location code or village code of Kakanakote Forest village is 619059. Kakanakote Forest village is located in Heggadadevankote Tehsil of Mysore district in Karnataka, India. It is situated 48km away from sub-district headquarter Heggadadevankote and 92km away from district headquarter Mysore. As per 2009 stats, D B Kuppe is the gram panchayat of Kakanakote Forest village.

The total geographical area of village is 14028 hectares. Kakanakote Forest has a total population of 426 peoples. There are about 104 houses in Kakanakote Forest village. As per 2019 stats, Kakanakote Forest villages comes under Heggadadevankote assembly & Chamarajanagar parliamentary constituency. Manandavadi(kerala) is nearest town to Kakanakote Forest which is approximately 25km away.

Article by, 

Ashwini G k

6th sem  ECE ,

GSSSIETW Mysore.