WHERE IS BANDIPUR FOREST
Bandipur Forest is the starting point of Western Ghats and it is located in Gundlapet taluk, Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka, in India, the Forest is also known as Bandipur National Park and it is also known for its Tiger reserve which was established in the year 1974 to protect the Tigers from being hunted, the Bandipur Forest is the home for second-most population of Tigers in India.
The Bandipur Forest is a vast forest which is about 874 square Kilometres and the forest is adjoined by several other forests such as Nagarhole National Forest, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Mudumalai National Park, River Kabini and Moyar flows through the Forest.
The Bandipur Forest is the home for several endangered species and has mountains and Vallies which can touch the range up to 1,500 metres. The Bandipur Forest connects the borders of Tamilnadu and Kerala and the State Government of Karnataka has banned the Vehicles which will enter the forest from 9 pm to 6 Am, to protect the animals from being killed by vehicles, Himavad GopalaSwamy Temple also situated in this forest.
FLORA AND FAUNA
FLORA
The Bandipur Forest has a vast variety of Vegetation which include Bamboo and Grass which are the main source of food to Elephants and herbivorous animals. The Bandipur Forest is known for its quality of Sandalwood and forest has a huge variety of timbers like Teak wood, Rosewood.
FAUNA
The Bandipur Forest has a large species and endangered animals and Tiger is one of the most endangered species which is protected in large and reserve is constituted for them. Another important species Elephants are found in huge, there are leopard, wild boar, wild dogs, King cobra, Bear, Pythons, deers, Panthers, Hyena and Crocodiles and birds include Owl, Red-headed Vulture, Nilgiri Flycatcher, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Bandipur Forest also has Large varieties of Frogs and Lizards.
TRANSPORTATION
Bandipur Forest can be reached by road, lots of tourist buses and cabs ply to Bandipur Forest from Bangalore and other parts of the State of Karnataka.
Lot of Business activities between Karnataka and Kerala goes through the Bandipur Forest, People who travel to Kozhikode in Kerala travels through the Bandipur Forest.
The Bandipur Forest is about 220 Kilometres from Bangalore, from Mysore it is about 80 Kilometres, From Ooty, it is about 80 Kilometres and from Sultan Battery in Kerala, the forest is about 20 Kilometres.
The nearest town to Bandipur Forest is Gundlapet, Nearest railway Station is Nanjanagud.
ACCOMMODATION
There are a number of Cottages and Government quarters which provide good accommodation and delicious food and the fair is reasonable.
The Bandipur Forest has a number of Resorts which are reasonable namely:
- Serai Bandipur
- Windflower Tusker Trails
- Dhole's Den.
FOREST SAFARIES
The Bandipur Forest has a Forest Safaries especially in evening times, the tourists can enjoy the views of the forest and watch animals, if any tourist is lucky a tiger can be spotted also.
Elephants rides are arranged by Forest Department can be enjoyed during evening times and prices are very reasonable.
