Nagarhole
is part of the 2400 sq km of forest
which includes the Bandipur National
Park in Karnataka, Mudhumalai Wildlife
Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary in Kerala which together
constitute the Niligiri Biosphere
Reserve. This is the largest forest
cover of its kind in South East Asia.
The altitude of Nagarhole
National Park varies between
700-850 meters. The maximum temperature
reaches 33 degrees C and the minimum
is 14 degrees.
The Nagarhole
National Park mainly consists
of moist deciduous forest in the northern
and western parts and dry deciduous
forest in the south-eastern part.
Plantations of teak, Rosewood, bamboo,
sandal, silver oak trees and species
of eucalyptus cover most of the area
of the Nagarhole National
Park.
Nagarhole
National Park is an ideal
habitat for wildlife. It contains
varied and rare kind of animal species.
Apart from the elephants and tiger
there are panther, chital, sambar,
sloth bear and Indian wild dogs (dhole).
Animals like Bonner Macaque, gaur,
Nilgiri Langur (adjoining areas),
Dhole, Smooth-coated Otter, Common
Palm Civet, Stripe-necked Mongoose,
Jungle Cat, Tiger, Wild Boar, Chital,
Gaur, Indian Palm Squirrel, Grizzled
Indian Squirrel, Liontail Macaque,
Golden Jackal, Sloth Bear, Indian
Grey Mongoose, Striped Hyaena, Rusty-spotted
Cat, Ratel, Indian Spotted Chevrotain,
Sambar, Nilgiri Tahr (adjoining areas).
Indian Porcupine, Hanuman Langur,
Bengal Fox, Eurasian Otter, Small
Indian Civet, Ruddy Mongoose, Leopard
Cat, Leopard, Indian Muntjac, Four-horned
Antelope, Indian Pangolin, Indian
Hare, Red Giant Flying squirrel, Indian
Giant Squirrel are found in the Nagarhole
National Park. While in reptiles
several species of lizards, Cobras,
crocodiles, kraits, pythons and vipers
might catch your eye.
Among the 250 bird
species found here, the prominent
ones are the common babbler, bee-eater,
bulbul, dove, moorhens, Brahmini kites,
crested hoopoe and serpant, Malabar
pied Hornbills, alexandrine, peacock,
paradise fly catcher, minivets, woodpecker,
warbler, great Indian reed, eagle,
crested hawk, golden-back parakeet,
and the southern tree pie.
The Nagarhole
National Park is centred
around a perennial water reservoir.
Kabini, a tributary of the Cauvery
river runs through the 675 sq.km of
the Nagarhole National Park.
The Kabini Dam at Karapur separates
Bandipur from the Nagarhole and the
other rivers are Lakshmana, Teentha,
Hebballa, Saruthi.
The Nagarhole
National Park is open throughout
the year and the best season to visit
is between October and April. The
monsoon season is from June to September;
followed by winters till January;
and then summer from February to May.
Dry, hot season (March-May end) is
the time when wild animals can be
spotted in large numbers near sources
of water. The wildlife preserve is
inhabited by the humans too there
are the honey-gatherers, hill tribes
and the bird trappers.
Forest Department
arranges Elephant and Jeep safari's
to view the Nagarhole National
Park. Tourists have to get
the entry permit costing Rs.15 from
the entrance of the Nagarhole
National Park. Charges for
boat rides, jeep or elephant safaris
and accommodation are additional.
Other places in
Nagarhole are Brahmagiri Mountains
good for adventurous trekking and
Madikere 93 km away is famous for
orange and coffee plantations.
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