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National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of
Karnataka *
ANSHI
NATIONAL PARK - Anshi (250 sq Kms) was earlier a part of the Dandeli
Sanctuary. The park lies in the Western Ghats, adjoining the state of Goa. To
its north is the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary. There are no tourist facilities
available in the park yet.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of Forest,
Wildlife Division
Dandeli - 581325, Uttara Kannada
District
Tel. 08284 - 331585
BANDIPUR NATIONAL
PARK - Bandipur (880 sq Kms) lies halfway down the Mysore-Ooty
highway, where the Deccan Plateau rises to meet the wrinkled folds of the
Western Ghat mountains. It is situated within the Chamarajanagar district, and
abuts the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Department vehicles are available
for Wildlife viewing. Elephant rides are also arranged into the forests
adjoining the tourist complex. The park has a moderate climate, with three
seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Anytime between April and October is ideal
to visit the park.
Contact:
Field Director, Project
Tiger
Aranya Bhavan,
Ashokpuram
Mysore - 570 008
Tel. 0821 - 480901
Deputy Conservator Of
Forests
Project Tiger Division,
Bandipur
Gundlupet - 571 111
Tel. 0821 - 636043,
636025
BANNERGHATTA
NATIONAL PARK - Bannerghatta (104.27 sq Kms) is conveniently located just
22 km south of Bangalore, and consequently well visited. The park has a Lion
and Tiger safari, a herbivore safari, a mini zoo, a reptile park, a museum and a
picnic corner. However, it also has a vast area of wilderness and some sites of
archaeological interest. The best time to visit for Wildlife viewing is between
September and January. There is a also a nature camp being run by Jungle Lodges
and resorts.
Contact:
Chief Wildlife Warden
Aranya Bhavan
18th Cross, Malleswaram
Bangalore - 560 003
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Bannerghatta National
park
Bangalore - 560 083
Tel. 080 - 8429366
Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd
2nd Floor, Shrungar Shopping Center
M.G.Road
Bangalore - 560 001
Tel. 080 - 25597021,
25597024
Website:
www.junglelodges.com
KUDREMUKH
NATIONAL PARK - Kudremukh (563 sq Kms) is on of Karnataka's more recent
Parks. Located in the Western Ghats, it has one of the most beautiful
landscapes, with evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, and grassland-shola
habitat, which is characteristic of the higher altitudes of the Western Ghats.
September to January, being the dry season, is the best time to visit
Kudremukh.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Kudremukh Wildlife
Division
Karkala - 574 104
Udipi District
Tel. 08258 - 731183
RAJIV
GANDHI NATIONAL PARK (NAGARHOLE) - Nagarhole(643.39 sq Kms) lies in the
forest-clad foothills of the towering Western Ghats Mountain Range. The National
Park is named after a small river, Nagarhole (literally, Snake Stream in
Kannada) that meanders elaborately through the center of the park, and
continuing as the Taraka river before joining Kabini. The Kabini river flows
along the southern boundary of the park, and forms a reservoir further
downstream, along the southern boundary of the park. This reservoir marks the
boundary between the two national parks of Nagarhole and Bandipur. Departmental
vehicles are available for the wildlife viewing. The ideal time to visit the
Park is between September and May.
The Jungle Lodges and Resorts runs
the Kabini River Lodge at Karapur, on the banks of the Kabini River.
Contact:
Conservator of Forests
Wildlife South Circle
Aranya Bhavan,
Ashokpuram
Mysore - 570 008
Tel. 0821 - 480 901
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Division
Hunsur
Tel. 0821 - 652 041
Jungle Lodges and Resorts
Ltd.
Kabini River Lodge,
Karapur
Nasana Beltur Post
H.D.Kote Taluk
Mysore District - 571
114
Tel. 0821 - 244 402, 244
403
Website:
www.junglelodges.com
ADICHUNCHANGIRI
PEACOCK SANCTUARY - Adichunchangiri (0.84 sq Kms) was declared a
Sanctuary on 21st Oct 1981. It has mainly scrub forest and plantations, and is
intended especially for the protection of the peacock. It is located in the
Mandya district.
Contact
Assistant Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
Aranya Bhavan,
Ashokapuram
Mysore - 570 008
Tel. 0821 - 481 159
ARABITHITTU
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - Arabithittu (13.5 sq Kms) was declared a Wildlife
Sanctuary on 30th April 1985. The area has scrub forests and plantations, and is
surrounded by agricultural fields. It is located in Mysore district. The
Sanctuary is not yet open to tourists.
Contact:
Assistant Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
Aranya Bhavan,
Ashokapuram
Mysore - 570 008
Tel. 0821 - 481 159
ATTIVERI
BIRD SANCTUARY - Attiveri (2.23 sq Kms) was declared as a Bird Sanctuary
on 17th Aug 2000. The Attiveri Reservoir was formed as a result of the
construction of a dam across Tayawwanahalla in the village of Attiveri. This
reservoir attracted many birds, especially aquatic species, and was therefore
developed as a bird sanctuary. The Reservoir covers an area of 1.01 sq Kms and
the remaining area of the sanctuary is covered by riverine and dry deciduous
forest. The agricultural fields surrounding the sanctuary are host to a variety
of aquatic creatures, which are a major source of food for the birds of the
sanctuary. Between November and March is the best time to visit the
sanctuary.
Contact:
Assistant Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
Ranebennur - 581 881
Haveri District
Tel. 0836 - 860 394
BHADRA
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - The Government of Mysore declared the Bhadra forests
a protected area, the 200 sq Kms Jagara Wildlife Sanctuary, in 1951. It is
situated in the Western Ghats, and has mostly moist deciduous forests in the
southern parts, and dry deciduous forests in the north. There are
shola-grassland patches in the Bababudangiri area. The rechristened and the
extended Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (492.46 sq Kms) was notified on 25th Sept
1974. It is divided into to blocks, the first consisting Lakkavalli, Muthodi and
14 other state forests (470.38 sq Kms) and the second made up of the
Bababudangiri State Forest (22.08 sq. Kms). The sanctuary was upgraded to Tiger
Reserve status on 19th Nov 1998, becoming India's 25th Tiger Reserve.
Departmental vehicles are
available for wildlife viewing. the reserve has a moderate climate, with three
seasons: summer, monsoons and winter. Between October and February is the best
time for visiting
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Bhadra Wildlife Division
Chikmagalur - 577 101
Tel. 08262 - 234 904
BILIGIRI
RANGASWAMY TEMPLE (B.R.T) WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - The Sanctuary (539.52 sq.
Kms) is unique in that it is situated the junction of the Eastern and Western
Ghats, and therefore has floral representatives of both regions. Its southern
boundary adjoins the state of Tamil Nadu. Between November and march, the dry
season, is the best time to visit the sanctuary. Jungle Lodges and resorts,
runs a resort and K.Gudi, near the western boundary of the Sanctuary.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Division
Chamarajanagar - 571 313
Tel. 0821 - 722 059
Jungle Lodges and
Resorts
B.R.Hills Wildlife Adventure
Resort
Kyathadevarayana Gudi
(K.Gudi)
Chamarajanagar District - 571
313
Tel. 0821 - 723 182
BRAHMAGIRI
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - Brahmagiri (181.29 sq. Kms), being part of the
Western Ghats, it has evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, as well as the
shola-grassland habitat. the sanctuary is surrounded by agricultural fields and
coffee plantations. The eastern tip of the sanctuary almost touches the
northwestern edge of the Rajiv Gandhi national Park, separated only by a narrow
strip of Coffee plantations. The southern boundary adjoins Kerala State. Between
October and May is the best time to visit the sanctuary.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Division
Hunsur - 571 105
Mysore district
Tel. 0821 - 652 041
CAUVERY
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - (526.96 sq. Kms). For a major part, the River
Cauvery forms the northern and eastern boundary of the sanctuary. To the east
and northeast, the sanctuary is flanked by Tamil Nadu state. Deciduous and
riverine forests cover much of the area, especially eastern parts. The best time
to visit the Sanctuary is between November and March.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Cauvery Wildlife
Sanctuary
kanakapura - 562 117
Bangalore District
Tel. 080 - 752 2536
Range Forest Officer
Wildlife Range
Hanur
Tel. 0821 - 768 582
Jungle Lodges and Resorts
Ltd.
Cauvery Fishing Camp
Bheemeshwari
Byadrahalli Post, Halgur
Hobli
Malavalli Taluk
Mandya District - 571
421
Tel. 08231 - 348048, 348049,
348051, 348052
DANDELI
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - (475.02 sq. Kms). Most of the area has moist
deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. It is located in the Uttara Kannada
district. A relatively undisturbed area of 250 sq. kms in the southern part of
the Sanctuary became the Anshi national park. Between October and March is the
best time to visit the Sanctuary. The Jungle Lodges and Resorts runs the Kali
Wilderness and Adventure Camp at Dandeli.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Division
Dandeli - 581 325
Uttara Kannada District
Tel. 08284 - 331585
Jungle Lodges and Resorts
Ltd.
Kali Wilderness Camp
Kogilbana
Dandeli - 581 325
Utara Kannada District
Tel. 0824 - 333 360
DAROJI
SLOTH BEAR SANCTUARY - Daroji (55.87 sq. Kms) is the only Sanctuary in
Karnataka specially created to protect the sloth bear. The sanctuary has a rocky
terrain, boulders and caves, which is the ideal habitat for the sloth bear. It
is located near Hospet in the Bellary district. From August to April is the
best time to visit the Sanctuary.
Contact:
Assistant Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
Ranebennur - 581 115
Haveri District
Tel. 0836 - 860394
Range Forest Officer
Wildlife Preservation
Daroji Bear Sanctuary
Kamalapura
Hospet taluk
Bellary District
Tel. 0839 - 441 869
GHATAPRABHA BIRD SANCTUARY - (29.78 Sq.
Kms). The boundaries of the sanctuary enclose a stretch of about 28 km of the
river Ghataprabha, including the reservoir resulting from the dam built near
Dhupdhal, and over 20 islands along the stretch. The sanctuary is surrounded by
agricultural fields. It is located in the Belgaum district. Between November and
March is the best time to visit the Sanctuary, when most of the migratory bird
species nest there.
Contact:
Assistant Conservator of Forests /
Range Forest Officer
Wildlife Sub-Division
Ranebennur - 581 115
Haveri District
Tel. 0836 - 860 394
GUDAVI
BIRD SANCTUARY - Gudavi (0.74 sq. Kms) comprises of a large water tank
covering 0,30 ha and a patch of dense moist deciduous forest. The sanctuary is
surrounded by agricultural fields on the west and north., and by moist deciduous
forest on the east and south. It is located in Shimoga district. Between June
and November is the best time to observe nesting birds.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Shimoga Wildlife
Division
D.C. Compound
Shimoga - 577 201
Tel. 08182 - 222 983
MELKOTE
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - Melkote (49.82 sq. Kms) sanctuary is divided into
two blocks, Mudibetta (4.48 sq. Kms) and Narayanadurga (45.34 sq. Kms). In
between the two blocks are a number of villages and cultivation. The landscape
is rocky, with dry deciduous and scrub vegetation. This sanctuary is mainly for
the protection of the wolf. It is located in the Mandya district. Between
October and April is the best time to visit the Sanctuary.
Contact:
Assistant Conservator of
forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
Aranya Bhanav,
Ashokpuram
Mysore - 570 008
Tel. 0821 - 481 159
Range Forest Officer
Melkote Wildlife
Sanctuary
Pandavapura Taluk
Mandya - 571 401
MOOKAMBIKA
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - Mookambika (247 sq. Kms) sanctuary is divided into a
core zone (114 sq. kms) a buffer zone (90 sq. kms) and a tourism zone (43 sq.
Kms). It has evergreen, semi-ever green and moist deciduous forests covering the
steep slopes typical of the western Ghat mountains. The sanctuary shares its
northwestern boundary with Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Udipi
district. Between November and March is the best time to visit the sanctuary,
since it rains during the rest of the year.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Kudremukh Wildlife
Division
Karkala - 574 104
Udipi District
Tel. 0825 - 731 183
NUGU
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY -
Nugu (30.32 sq. Kms) being situated just north of the Bandipur National Park,
the flora of the two areas is similar, except that the Nugu area is still
recovering from the earlier degradation. much of the northwestern part of the
sanctuary is occupied by the Nugu Reservoir. It is located in the Mysore
district The area is covered by scrub forest and cultivation adjacent to the
reservoir and by degraded dry deciduous forest in the southern portion of the
sanctuary. Tourism has not yet been developed in the sanctuary.
Contact:
Assistant Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
Aranya Bhavan
Ashokpuram
Mysore - 570 008
Tel. 0821 - 481 159
PUSHPAGIRI
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - Pushpagiri (92.65 sq. Kms) situated in the western
Ghats, the area has a thick evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, and
shola-grassland habitat in the higher areas. the steep terrain of the sanctuary
has resulted in some impressive waterfalls along the various streams that
originate in these mountains. It is located in the Kodagu district. Between
November and March is the best time for wildlife viewing in the sanctuary
Contact:
Conservator of Forests
Kodagu Circle
Madikeri - 571 201
Tel. 08272 - 225 708
Assistant Conservator of
forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
madikeri - 571 201
Tel. 08272 - 228 019
Range Forest Officer
Wildlife Range
Somwarpet
RANEBENNUR
BLACKBUCK SANCTUARY - Ranebennur (119 sq. kms) Sanctuary was declared as
a Sanctuary mainly to protect Blackbuck. It comprises of two unconnected
portions, an eastern and a western bit. The sanctuary has a core zone of 14.87
sq. Kms and a buffer-cum tourism zone of 104.13 sq. Kms. the area is covered
mainly by scrub forest and Eucalyptus plantations, and is also inhabited by the
highly endangered Great Indian bustard and the wolf. Agricultural fields
surround the Sanctuary. It is located in the Haveri district. Between October
and March is the best time for observing Blackbuck, while the bustard is most
easily sighted from February to June.
Contact:
Assistant Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
Ranebennur - 581 115
Haveri District
Tel. 0836 - 860 394
RANGANATHITTU
BIRD SANCTUARY - Ranganathittu (0.67 sq. Kms) is made up of two
unconnected clusters of islets along the Cauvery river. The western portion of
the Sanctuary attracts a large number of tourists, who come to observe water
birds nesting on the island's trees in thousands. The islets are surrounded by
the water of a reservoir formed by the construction of a check-dam. The
agricultural fields surrounding the Sanctuary are a host to variety of aquatic
creatures, which are a major source of food for the birds that nest in the
Sanctuary. It is located in the Mandya district. Between June and November, when
the water birds are nesting, is the best time to visit the sanctuary.
Contact:
Assistant Conservator of
Forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
Aranya Bhanav,
Ashokpuram
Mysore - 570 008
Tel. 0821 - 481 159
SHARAVATHI
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - Sharavathi (431.23 sq. Kms) lying in the western
Ghats, has a dense evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The Sanctuary shares
its southwestern boundary with the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located
in the Shimoga District. Between November and May is the best time for wildlife
viewing in the sanctuary.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Shimoga Wildlife
Division
D.C.Compound
Shimoga - 577 201
Tel. 08182 - 222 983
Range Forest Officer
Wildlife Range
Kargal - 577 421
Sagar Taluk, Shimoga
District
Tel. 08186 - 340 387
SHETTIHALLI
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - The Shettihalli (395.6 sq. Kms) is divided into a
core zone (100.6 sq. Kms), a buffer zone (237.4 sq. Kms0 and a tourism zone
(57.6 sq. Kms). It lies adjacent to Shimoga town, and has forests ranging from
dry deciduous to semi-evergreen. Between November and January is the best time
for wildlife viewing.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
Forests
Shimoga Wildlife
Division
D.C.Compound
Shimoga - 577 201
Tel. 08182 - 222 983
Range Forest Office
Wildlife Range
Hanegere
Tel. 08182 - 283 050
SOMESHWARA
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - Someshawara (88.4 sq. Kms) lying in the Western
Ghats, has semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. The Sanctuary comprises two
unconnected parts. the smaller part being situated to the southwest of the major
part. Adjacent to the Sanctuary are 26,000 acres (105.3 sq. Kms) of evergreen
reserve Forest. The Kudremukh national Park lies to the southeast of this
Sanctuary. This is located in the Udipi district. Between November and April is
the best time to visit the Sanctuary.
Contact:
Deputy Conservator of
forests
Kudremukh Wildlife
Division
Karkala - 574 104
Udipi District
Tel. 0825 - 731 183
TALACAUVERY
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - Talacauvery (105.01 sq. Kms), situated in the
Western Ghats, is mostly covered with tropical evergreen forests. It was named
after Talacauvery, the origin of the River Cauvery, which lies on the eastern
edge of the Sanctuary. It is located in the Kodagu district.The dry season, from
November to March, is ideal to visit the Sanctuary. The Cauvery Nisargadhama
(0.26 sq. Kms), an island on the River Cauvery, lies 2 Km from Kushalnagar, 28
Kms from Madikeri, and is worth a short stop-over.
Contact:
Assistant Conservator of
forests
Wildlife Sub-Division
Madikeri - 571 201
Tel. 08272 - 228 019
Range Forest Officer
Talacauvery Wildlife
Range
Bhagamandala
Tel. 08272 - 233 215
For Cauvery
Nisargadhama:
Conservator of Forests
Kodagu Circle
Madikeri - 571 201
Tel. 08272 - 225 708
* Source - From "An Information Guide to The National
Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries of Karnataka" by Dr. Nima Manjrekar
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