Karnataka is known for its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity. The state is home to 5 national parks that showcase its varied ecosystems.
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1. Bandipur National Park
- Bandipur National Park is located in the Chamarajanagar District and Mysuru District of Karnataka, India.
- It is located at the tri-junction area of the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- The park is situated in the Nilgiri Hills, which are part of the larger Western Ghats mountain range.
- The park area was originally a private hunting reserve for the Maharajas of the Kingdom of Mysore.
- In 1931, Bandipur was established as a wildlife sanctuary under the Mysore State and named it the Venugopala Wildlife Park.
- In 1973, Bandipur Tiger reserve was established under Project Tiger.
- In 1985, by including adjacent areas from Venugopala Wildlife Park, Bandipur Tiger Reserve was enlarged and named as Bandipur National Park.
- In 1986, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai National Park (TN) and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) area was included in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve by the government of India.
- In 2000, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of India recognized as World Network of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
- Area: Park covers an area of approximately 874 square kilometers (337 square miles).
- Hills: The Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta hill is the highest point in the Bandipur National Park area.
- Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta hill
- River: The most significant river that flows through the park:
- Kabini River
- Moyar River
- Nugu River
- Lake: The Kabini Reservoir is situated close to the Bandipur National Park.
- Kabini Reservoir
- Flora: Teak, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Indian-laurel, Indian Kino Tree, Bamboo, Dhaman, Kadam Tree, Indian Gooseberry etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger,, Asian Elephant,, Leopard, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Four-horned Antelope, Dhole, Chital, Striped Hyena, Rusty-spotted Cat, Nilgiri tahr, Gray Junglefowl, Red-headed Vulture, Indian Vulture, Indian Rock Python, Mugger Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards etc.
2. Bannerghatta National Park
- Bannerghatta National Park is located in the southern part of Karnataka, India.
- It is situated in the Anekal mountain range.
- It’s situated on the northern terminal point of Mysuru Elephant Reserve.
- This park is famous for its Tiger and Lion Safaris.
- In 1960s, it was established as a zoological park and was used to rehabilitate and conserve wild animals.
- In 1971, it was officially established as a biological park and wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1974, the Government of Karnataka declared it a national park.
- In 1979, a lion safari park was built in Bannerghatta National Park.
- In 1987, a tiger safari park was established in the park.
- In 2002, a portion of the Bannerghatta National Park, became a biological reserve (Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP)). It is the first biological park in India to have a fenced forested elephant sanctuary.
- In 2006, India’s first butterfly enclosure was inaugurated at the Bannerghatta National Park.
- Area: Park covers an area of approximately 260.51 sq km. (100.55 square miles.).
- River: Suvarnamukhi River flows through the park.
- Flora: Narcissus latifolia, Schleichera oleosa, Terminalia tomentosa,, Sandalwood, Neem, T. arjuna, Grewia tilaefolia, Tamarind, Bamboo, Eucalyptus, Bauhinia purpurea, Samanea saman, Peltophorum pterocarpum etc.
- Fauna: Indian Elephants, Tiger, Lions, Indian leopard, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Indian Gazelle, Spotted Deer, Striped Hyenas, Slender Loris, Grey Herons, Grey Jungle Fowl, Monitor Lizar, Crocodile etc.
3. Kudremukh National Park
- Kudremukh National Park is located in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, India.
- It is situated in the Western Ghats.
- It is geographically located at the tri-junction of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts of Karnataka.
- It is named after the Kudremukh Peak.
- In 1916, it was initially established as a reserved forest.
- In 1987, the Government of India declared a portion of the Kudremukh region as a national park.
- Area: Park covers an area of approximately 600 square kilometers (231 square miles).
- Hills: Some notable hills in and around the park:
- Kudremukh Peak
- Kalasa Hill Range
- Gangamoola Hill
- Varaha Parvatha
- River: Rivers flow through the park:
- Tunga River
- Bhadra River
- Nethravathi River
- Waterfalls: Few notable waterfalls within the park:
- Kadambi Waterfalls
- Hanuman Gundi Falls
- Lakya Dam Falls
- Flora: Evergreen Forests, Shola Forests, Grasslands etc.
- Fauna: Tigers, Wild Dogs, Leopards, Malabar Giant Squirrels, Sloth Bears, Gaur, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bears, Malabar Whistling Thrush, Malabar Trogon, Russell’s Vipers, Malabar Pit Vipers, Kudremukh Day Gecko etc.
4. Anshi National Park
- Anshi National Park is located in Joida and Karwar Taluks of Uttara Kannada Districts in Karnataka, India.
- In 1956, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary was established.
- In 1987, Anshi National Park was created carving out a section of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.
- In 2007, both Anshi National Park and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary were together granted the status of tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
- In 2015, the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve was rename as the Kali Tiger Reserve.
- Area: Park covers a total area of approximately 339.866 square kilometers (131.19 square miles).
- River: The Kali River connects Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park.
- Kali River
- Waterfall: Park blessed with numerous waterfalls:
- Magod Falls
- Shivaganga Falls
- Flora: Calophyllum wightianum, Knema attenuata, Malabar tamarind, Silver oak, Bamboo, Eucalyptus, Bauhinia, Artocarpus lacucha, Teak, Flacourtia montana, Jamb, Indian gamboge, Bintangur, Ainimaram, Carallia brachiata etc.
- Fauna: Tigers, Elephants, leopard, Black Panthers, Malabar Civet, Malabar giant squirrel, Indian Bison, Pangolin, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Adjutant Stork, Great Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Spectacled Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Saw-scaled Viper, Bamboo Pit Viper etc.
5. Nagarhole National Park
- Nagarhole National Park is located in the Kodagu and Mysuru districts of the Karnataka, India.
- The Park lies in the Western Ghats and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- The park shares its borders with the Bandipur National Park in the south and the Kabini Reservoir in the north.
- It is also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
- In 19th century, the area was established as a hunting reserve by the Maharajas of Mysore, who used it as a private game reserve.
- In 1955, Nagarhole was declared a wildlife sanctuary.
- In 1986, the government of India created first biosphere reserve of India as Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and includes Nagarhole National Park.
- In 1988, the sanctuary was upgraded to national park status.
- In 1992, the park was renamed Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
- In 1999, Nagarhole National Park was declared tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
- In 2000, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves. Nagarhole National Park is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
- In 2000, Nagarahole was included in the “Mysore Elephant Reserve” and became a part of “Project Elephant”.
- In 2012, Western Ghats was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nagarhole National Park is a part of Western Ghats.
- Area: Park covers an approximate area of 643 square kilometers (248 square miles).
- River: The Nagarahole River flows through the park.
- Lake: One of the prominent lakes in Nagarhole National Park is the Kabini Reservoir.
- Flora: Teak, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Indian Kino Tree, Bamboo, Grasslands etc.
- Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephants, Indian Leopard, Chital, Indian Mouse Deer, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Dhole, Striped Hyena, Asian Palm Civet , Indian Pangolin, White-rumped Vulture, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Mugger Crocodile, Asian Vine Snake, Indian Wolf Snake, Bengal Monitor etc.