Major wildlife sanctuaries and reserves of Karnataka

Anshi National Park (Karnataka)

Anshi National Park is located in Uttara Kannada district. The 340 square kilometre park adjoins the Dandeli wildlife sanctuary, and together with six other protected areas in the states of Goa and Maharashtra, forms a protected forest area of over 2200 square kilometres. The park is a habitat of melanistic leopards, tigers and elephants, amongst other fauna. A variety of Bonnet Macaque, deer (barking, mouse and spotted), Indian bison, Malabar Civet, Malabar giant squirrel, pangolin and sloth bear make their home in the forests of the park. Besides, the black panther, elephants and tigers are rare species found in the park. Reptiles spotted in the park include the King Cobra, Krait, Python, Rat snake and Viper. Around 200 species of birds are recorded in the park. These include the Adjutant Stork, Ashy Woodswallow, Black-crested Bulbul, Blue-headed Pitta, Brahminy Kite, Broad-billed Roller, Crested Serpent Eagle, Great Hornbill, Golden-backed Woodpecker, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Sri Lanka Frogmouth and Yellow-footed Green Pigeon.

Bandipur National Park (Karnataka)

Bandipur National Park is one of India's best known sanctuaries, and is an important Project Tiger reserve. It is located in the Chamarajanagar district of southern Karnataka in south India, and is contiguous with the Mudumalai National Park in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, the Wynad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and the Nagarhole National Park to the northwest. It is home to around seventy tigers and over three thousand Asian elephants (as per the 1997 census), along with leopards, dholes, gaur and sloth bears. Bandipur is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Bandipur National Park's altitude between 680-1454 metres and is situated south of the Kabini river at the foothills of the Western Ghats.The rivers of Kabini, Nagur and Moyar flow through the reserve.

A sanctuary of 90 km² was created at this site in the Bandipur Reserve Forest in 1931. As it was realised that this was too small for effective wildlife conservation, leading to the instituting of the Venugopala Wildlife Park at this site, extending over 800 km². The Bandipur Tiger Reserve was constituted in 1973 by carving out 880 km² from the Wildlife Park. Recognised under Project Tiger in 1973 this park has boasted constant rise in Tiger population. Also famous for Sandalwood trees and rare species of Flora.

Fauna : Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar (deer), Chital, Sloth bear, Mouse deer, Wild dog, Wild boar, Barking deer, Four horned Antelope, Hyena.

Endangered species : Tiger, Four horned Antelope, Gaur, Elephant, Panther, Sloth bear, Crocodiles, Mouse deer, Python, Osprey, Indian Peafowl.

Birds: Grey Junglefowl, Pompadour Green Pigeon, Honey Buzzard, Red-headed Vulture, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Brown Hawk Owl, Bay Owl, Malabar Trogon, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Little Spiderhunter, Plain Flowerpecker.

Reptiles: King Cobra, Common Cobra, Python, Adder, Viper, Rat Snake, Water Snake, Marsh Crocodile, Lizard, Chameleon, Monitor Lizard, Frog, Tree frog, Toad and Tortoise.

Bannerghata National Park: (Karnataka)

Established in 1971, the Bannerghata National Park, in Karnataka, lies 22 kms from Bangalore. It covers an area of 104 sq kms, including ten reserve forests of Anekal Range of the Bangalore Forest Division. The surrounding scenic hills are covered with many ancient temples. The main inhabitants are the magnificent elephants who migrate from Kollegal and nearby Tamil Nadu and feed on the abudant bamboo growth. One can also find wild pigs, panthers, bears, sambar, spotted deer and the black buck here. One can come face-to-face with huge monitor lizards, cobras, pythons, kraits and Russell vipers, which roam the park freely. Pelicans, cormorants, painted storks, white ibis and spoonbills are some of the birds found here.

The Bannerghata National Park project comprises the National Park, the Safari Park with Herbivore Safari and Lion Safari, Picnic Corner, Crocodile Farm, Serpentarium, Pets Corner, and a Museum besides a Park of pre-historic animals. The country's first Butterfly Park was established here in 2006. The Butterfly Park is spread across 7.5 acres of land. It comprises a butterfly conservatory, museum and an audio-visual room. The butterfly conservatory has a polycarbonate roof and is a 10,000 sq ft (1,000 m²). circular enclosure, inside which the living environment has been carefully designed to support over 20 species of butterflies. The environment has a tropical setting — complete with the humid climate, an artificial waterfall and host plants and shrubs that attract butterflies.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary: Karnataka

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is 38 km. northwest of Chikmagalur town in Karnataka state. The sanctuary is surrounded by Mullaianagiri, Hebbegiri, Gangegiri and Babaudangiri hills and has the tributaries of the Bhadra river flowing through it. The western border of the sanctuary abuts the back waters of the Bhadra Reservoir which has a catchment area of 1,968 km², surrounded by scenic hills and steep slopes. The area was first declared as Jagara Vally Wildlife sanctuary in 1951 by the then government of Mysore covering an area of 77.45 km². After a systematic survey of the flora and the fauna of the area and its surroundings, the area was extended to its present extent in 1974. A diverse range of wildlife is found in the sanctuary like bison (Gaur), Elephants, Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Chital spotted deer, Boar, Porcupine, Muntjac, birds like the Peacock, Parrot, Partridge, Pigeon, Munia and Bee eaters, and reptiles such as King Cobras and Indian Rock Pythons.

Bheemeshwari Wildlife Sanctuary

Bheemeshwari in Mandya district of Karnataka is an ideal place not only for the wildlife but also for people on a holiday spree. The sparkling blue waters of Cauvery wind through rocks and ravines and fall off the Deccan Plateau to form the Twin Falls of Barachukki and Gananachukki. About 35 Kms downstream is yet another set of falls called Mekedatu (Goat's Leap). Lying between these breathtaking cascades is Bheemeshwari. It is a perfect picnic spot, where nature has created a natural habitat for the Mahseer fish and variety of exciting animals. The lush forest sheltered by steep valley and scattered by little streams, invite large groups of animals and birds. One can see herds of elephants amongst thick trees. Deer springing in the air, wild boars, monkeys, jackals, crocodiles, otter and leopards and many other animals inhabit the place. There are plenty of birds too. Heron, ibis, cormorant and kingfishers have all made their home here.

B.R Hills Wildlife Sanctuary: Karnataka

The Biligiriranga Hills, commonly called B R Hills, is a hill range situated in south-eastern Karnataka, at its border with Tamil Nadu in South India. The area is called Biligiriranga Temple Wildlife Sanctuary or simply BRT Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1973. Being at the confluence of the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, the sanctuary is home to eco-systems that are unique to both the mountain ranges. This makes it a very critical habitat. The hills are in the Yelandur Taluk of Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka. A wildlife sanctuary of 322.4 km² was created around the temple on 27 June 1974, and enlarged to 539.52 km² on 14 January 1987. The sanctuary derives its name Biligiri from the white rock face that constitutes the major hill.

Fauna : The forests form an important wildlife corridor between the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats, linking the largest populations of Asian Elephants and tigers in southern India. The most conspicuous mammals are the herds of wild elephants. The BR hills is the only forest east of the main Western ghats mountain ranges in the central southern peninsula to harbour these panchyderms in large numbers. A recent survey has revealed the presence of 17 Tigers in this sanctuary. The BR hills has been a good place for viewing large game and at the same time encountering numerous smaller life forms. The forests have been famous for the Gaur, a large Asian bovid. There are about 26 species of mammals recorded in the sanctuary. The other mammals include sambhar, chital, the shy barking deerwhich are quite common here and the rare four-horned antelope. Carnivores include tigers, leopards, wild dogs, lesser cats and sloth bears and among arboreal mammals two species of primates and three species of squirrels including the giant flying squirrel are recorded. 254 species of birds recorded in the BR hills. These include the enigmatic southern population of the White-winged Tit (Parus nuchalis), a specimen of which was collected by R. C. Morris and now housed in the Natural History museum at Tring. Many new species are being discovered in these hills. A recently discovered species includes a microhylid frog Microhyla sholigari.

Dandeli Kali Wildlife Sanctuary - Karnataka

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, the largest wildlife sanctuary in Karnataka. The sanctuary is generally undulating with steep slopes with picturesque deep river valleys and rich hilly forest terrain. The forest with its spurs of the western ghats, the breath taking valleys, regal looking meandering. Nestling some very rare animal and birds is an unspoilt, untouched and unexplored treasure of wildlife. Fauna : Sloth Bear, Bush Grail, Deer, Elephant, Sambar, Tiger, Gaur, Panther and Partridge are some of the many inhabitants of the sanctuary.

Kabini River Lodge (Karnataka)

Nestled amidst the Karapur forest in the southern part of Nagarhole lies a pristine piece of land that abounds with nature beckoning you to explore it for a wild exciting holiday. The supreme attraction in Kabini is the convergence of spectacular wildlife and birdlife on the banks of River Kabini in summer. Kabini, a scenic delight, was once the hunting lodge of the erstwhile Mysore Maharajas.

Fauna: A walk through the forest affords one the view of the ferocious tiger, the graceful elephant and the jumping antelopes. Deer, Bison, Tiger, Egret, Cormorant, Stork, Python, Cobra, Tortoise and Crocodile are some of the wild inhabitants of the region.

Nagarhole National Park: Karnataka

Nagarhole National Park (also known as 'Rajiv Gandhi National Park') is located 94 km away from Mysore. It is spread between Kodagu and Mysore districts. The national park has rich forest cover, little streams, valleys and waterfalls. The place derives its name from Kannada - Naga meaning snake and hole referring to streams.

The area was an exclusive hunting reserve of the former rulers of Mysore. It was set up in 1955 and is one of the best-managed parks in the country .This park is located to the northwest of Bandipur National Park. In 1975 its area stretched to 575 km². Kabini reservoir that separates this park from Bandipur National Park. The climate is tropical summer is hot and winter is pleasant. The park boasts a healthy Tiger-predator ratio. Tiger, Bison and Elephant are much denser here than in Bandipur. The park is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

Fauna: The forest is home to animals like the four-horned antelope, sloth bear, jungle cat, civet, spotted deer, elephant, wild dog, flying fox, tiger, panther, gaur (Indian bison), sambhar, wild boar, black-naped hare, bonnet macaque, and pangolin. Cobras, crocodiles, pythons, vipers, and several species of lizards are also found here. Among the 250 bird species found here, the prominent ones are the common babbler, bee-eater, bulbul, dove, crested serpent, hornbill, Malabar pied, alexandrine, peacock, woodpecker, warbler, great Indian reed, eagle, crested hawk, golden-back parakeet, and the southern tree pie.

Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary - Karnataka

Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary is a Bird Sanctuary in the Mandya District of the state of Karnataka in India. It is a very small sanctuary, being only 0.67 km². in area, and comprises six islets on the banks of the Kaveri River. Ranganthittu is located near the historic town of Srirangapatna. The islets came into being when a dam across the Kaveri river was built in the 1700s. The ornithologist Dr. Salim Ali observed that the isles formed an important nesting ground for birds, and persuaded the Wodeyar kings of Mysore to declare the area a wildlife sanctuary in 1940.

Fauna : The islands are host to numerous small mammals, including Bonnet Macaque, colonies of Flying Fox and common small mammals like Common Palm Civet and Indian Gray Mongoose and the monitor lizard. The Mugger Crocodile or Marsh Crocodile is a common inhabitant of the riverine reed beds. Breeding water birds include Painted Stork, Asian Openbill Stork, Common Spoonbill, Woolly-necked Stork, Black-headed Ibis, White Ibis, Lesser Whistling Duck, Indian Shag, Stork-billed Kingfisher and other common birds like egrets, cormorants, Oriental Darter, and herons. The Great Stone Plover, and River Tern also nest here. The park is home to a large flock of Streak-throated Swallows.