Tiger Reserves of Karnataka

NDTV's Save Our Tiger telethon campaign yesterday was a huge success. NDTV has done a commendable job in bringing awareness among the people and has done its bit of social responsibility. 

The total tiger population is estimated to be around 1706 as per the latest census of 2011. That means there is an increase of 295 tigers from the last numbers of 1411. This is a great news for all Indians, but the job doesn't end here, lot needs to be done still to conserve our National animal and bring up its population. 

As per the reports, Karnataka has overtaken Madhya Pradesh as the state with maximum number of Tigers. Plan to visit these Tiger Reserves of Karnataka in your next vacation. 

1. Bandipur National Park : Located in the southern part of Karnataka, Bandipur is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in India and is an important Project Tiger Reserve. It is a beautiful tourist spot and considered as one of the best wild life sanctuaries in the country. It covers an area of about 874 sq.km. and has been selected in 1974 as Project Tiger area to protect and increase the tiger population. The National park comprises of rich Flora and Fauna. It is a dwelling place for wild animals like elephant, tiger, panther, sambar, wild boar jackal, squirrel, gaur, barking deer, langur etc.

How to reach Bandipur ? Bandipura is in Hangala hobli, 19 km from Gundlupet, 80 km from Mysore and 220 km from Bangalore, on the Mysore-Ooty road.

2. Nagarhole national Park : Nagarhole National Park, also known as "Rajiv Gandhi National Park", is spread between Kodagu and Mysore districts of Karnataka. It covers an area of 643 sq.km. It was considered as Project Tiger tiger Reserve in 1999. The park derives its name from naga, meaning snake and hole, referring to streams. 

How To Reach Nagarhole? Nagarhole National park is well connected to adjoining areas of Karnataka. The nearest towns are Madikere (90 km) and Mysore (96 km) . The nearest well-connected railway junction is Mysore, while the nearest airports are in Mysore and Bangalore (220 km). Best period to visit is October to May

3. Bhadra Tiger Reserve Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is northwest of Chikmagalur town in Karnataka state covering an area of 493 sq.km. It is a well known Project Tiger reserve. The sanctuary is surrounded by hills and has the tributaries of the Bhadra river flowing through it, hence the name. The western border of the sanctuary adjoins the back waters of the Bhadra Reservoir surrounded by scenic hills and steep slope. Nearest town is Chikmagalur and best time to visit is between November to March.

4. Bannerghatta National Park Bannerghatta National Park is situated 22kms  south of Bangalore, Karnataka. It was established in 1974 and spreads over an are of 104 sq km. It is well known for its lion and tiger safari. The other major attractions of Bannerghatta National Park include crocodile and snake farm. It also houses the country's first Butterfly park which was opened in 2006. This hilly place is the home for one of the richest natural zoological reserves. The 25,000 acre zoological park makes this a major tourist attraction of Bangalore. Visiting hours are from 9am to 5pm on all days except Tuesdays. 

5. Dandeli - Anshi National Park The Dandeli Anshi Tiger Reserve sprawls over an area of 875 sq km in the Western Ghats in Uttara Kannada district. It has been designated as Tiger Reserve in 2007.  Kali and its tributaries, Kaneri and Nagajhari, flow through the moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. The Tiger Reserve comprises of two protected areas viz., Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary(475.018 sq.km) and Anshi National Park(339.866) that are contiguous to each other and form a single tract of protected area. Both Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park support rich and diverse flora and fauna. 

How to Reach Dandeli? Distance from Dandeli to Belgaum(110km), Hubli (75km), Goa(150 km), Bangalore(480km), Dharwad(57 km), Karwar(117km)

Have you visited any of these? Share your experiences.