Bandipur National Park

Nestling at the foothills of the Nilgiris, the Bandipur National Park was formed by extending the Venugopal Wildlife Park which was set up in 1931 by the Mysore Maharajas. The Moyer River forms a natural boundary between the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and the Bandipur National Park in Karnataka. The Bandipur National Park is one of the fifteen Tiger Reserves in the country, launched under the Project Tiger Scheme during 1973. 

 

 

WHAT TO SEE

Forest Types    : (1) Southern Tropical Moist-mixed deciduous Forests. (2) Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests. (3) Scrub Forests.

Flora: Forests consist predominantly of Teak (Tectona Grandis), Rosewood (Dalbergia Latifolia), Honne (Pterocarpus Marsupium), Nandi (Lagerstroemia Lanceolata), Mathi (Terminalia Tomentosa), Hunal (Terminalia Paniculata), Dindiga (Anogeissus Latifolia), Bamboo (Bambusa Arundianasia and Dendrocalamus Strictus), Bende (Kydia Calycina), Sandal (Santalum Album) Mavu (Mangifera Indica) and Muthuga (Butea / Frondosa)

Fauna     : Animals: Tiger, Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Chital, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Barking-               Deer, Wild Boar, Wild Dog, Jackal, Mouse-Deer, Four-Horned Antelope, Langur, Porcupine, Otter, Pangolin, Malabar Squirrel, Civer Cat, Jungle Cat and Macaque.

Birds: Pea Fowl, Gray Jungle Fowl, Partridge, Quail, Paradise Fly Catcher, Hornbill, Wood Pecker, Ibis, Stork, Sun Bird, Flower Pecket, Thrush, Crested Hawk Eagle, Serpent Eagle, Drango, Cuckoo, Oriole, Minivet, Wagtail, Myna, Blue Jay & King Fisher.

Reptiles: Crocodile, Tortoise, Python, Cobra, Krait, Viper, Rat, Land Monitor, Lizard, etc.

EXCURSIONS

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (19 Km.): Adjoining the Bandipur National Park, the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary has a variety of fauna, and different species of birds. Gopalaswamy Hills (20 Km.): Located at an altitude of 1456.5 metres, it is one of the most beautiful spots in the Bandipur National Park.

Ootacamund or Ooty (79 Km.): Ooty, popularly known as 'Queen of Hill Stations', is situated at an altitude of 7509 feet amidst the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu.

Mysore (80 Km.): The erstwhile capital of the Wodeyar Kings, Mysore reflects the lavish ways of the Maharajas in its numerous palaces, parks and boulevards in the city.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area        :  874 Sq.km.        Altitude    :  780 to 1454.5 metres.

Temperature    :  Max: 29 Deg.C.    Min: 17 Deg.C.

Rainfall    :  1000 mm.    Season  :  September to April.   STD  : 0821

(The park remains closed during the monsoon months.)

TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATION

Air    : The convenient airports to visit Bandipur are Coimbatore 168 Km. and Bangalore 220 Km., which are connected with important cities/towns.    Fare : Mumbai - Coimbatore : Rs.6020/- (Y) ;  Rs.8715/- (J)    Mumbai - Bangalore   : Rs.4640/- (Y) ;  Rs.6640/- (J)

Rail    : The nearest railheads are Ooty(79 km.) on the Mettupalayam-Ooty narrow  gauge section and Mysore (80 km.) on  Southern Railways.   Fare : Mumbai – Mysore : II A/c : Rs.1619/- ;  III Tier A/c : Rs.1031/- ;    II class : Rs.377/-

Road     : Bandipur is connected by motorable roads with Bangalore 220 km., Coimbatore 168 km., Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary 19 km., Mysore 80 km. and Ooty 79 km.

CONDUCTED TOURS

The Forest Department in the park arranges for wildlife viewing by jeeps or vans. Forest guides accompany visitors on the trip. Timings of Trips : 0600 to 0700 hrs., 0700 to 0800 hrs., 0800 to 0900 hrs., 1600 to 1700 hrs. & 1700 to 1800 hrs.  Elephants can also be hired for rides around the Park. Resvns:The Field Director, Project Tiger, Aranya Bhawan, Ashokapuram, Mysore - 570008. Tel: (0821) 480901 (OR) Assistant Conservator, Bandipur National Park, Bandipur-571318. Tel: 636021.

Visiting Hours at the Park : 0600 to 0900 hrs. & 1600 to 1800 hrs.

Visitors vehicles are permitted in the park only when accompanied by guides of the Forest Department  on payment of prescribed fees.

Entrance & Camera Fee

Park Entrance Fee (Inclusive of Forest Dept Safari Bus) : 

Indians  :  Adult : Rs. 30/- ; Child : Rs.10/- .  Foreigners : Rs. 200/-

Visitors Vehicle       :  Jeeps / Cars : Rs. 150/-     Matador / Mini Bus / Van : Rs.300/-

Photography Fee       :  Still Camera : Rs.15/-         Video camera    :  Rs.150/-

(Permission is required from Chief Wildlife Warden, Bangalore for use of video camera.)

Accommodation of the Forest Department 

(1) Gajendra VIP Suites- I & II,  Tariff : Rs.1000/- per suite per day  (2)  Gajendra III & IV,  Mayura Cottages,  Papiha Cottages and  Kokila Cottages,  Tariff : Rs.300/- per suite per day  (3) Harini Suites I & II, Chital Suites I & II,  Vanashree Suites I & II , Vanaranjani Cottage. Tariff: Rs.150/- per suite per day. (4)  Dormitory : Tariff : 20 bedded : Rs.700/-; 10 bedded : Rs.400/-;  6 bedded : Rs.250/-. (Double Rates for foreigners).

Reservations : Field Director, Project Tiger, Government House Complex, Mysore - 570010. Tel : 480901, (OR) Assistant Conservator, Bandipur National Park, Bandipur-571318. Tel : 636021. (OR) Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Aranya Bhavan, 18th Cross,  Malleswaram, Bangalore - 560003. Tel : 3341993. E-mail: pccfwl@eth.net

Other Accommodation

Hotel Mayura Prakruti (KSTDC), Melkamanahalli, Gundlupet Taluk, Near Bandipur,  Tel: 0821-633001. Mumbai Contact: 22181658, Single Rs. 300/- , Double Rs. 400/-   

Resvns:The Manager, KSTDC,10/4, Kasturba Road, Bangalore ,Tel:  (080) 3341993.

Bush Betta Resort, Bandipur, Tel: 0821-636035. Bangalore Contact Tel: 080-4125220, 2243273. Tariff: Rs. 1990/- per person with full board on twin sharing basis.

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES

1. Information  Centre,  Bandipur  National  Park,  Bandipur - 571318. Tel : 636021. 

2. The Field Director, Project Tiger, Vanasree, Government Sandalkoti premises,  Asokapuram, Mysore - 570008. Tel :  480901.

3. The Chief Wildlife Warden, Aranya Bhavan, 18th Cross, Malleswaram, Bangalore  560003.  Tel: 3341993.