National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries of Karnataka

Accomodation is a key aspect for any wildlife enthusiast who generally cant afford the "resorts" or would rather not prefer too... There are many specimens like me who prefer basic facilities with a lower cost and without many comforts! Listing herewith the list of national parks and sanctuaries in Karnataka with the contact info. (not very sure of the contact info...)

I. Anshi National Park - The park (250 sq.km) lies in the Western ghats adjoining the state of Goa. To its north is the Daneli Wildlife sanctuary from which Anshi was separated. Tourist facilites not available at the park right now. Accomodation available at Anshi nature camp on prior bookings. There is trekking facility from the Anshi nature camp located from where all the 4 trekking routes commence. Reach - from Bangalore - to dharwad (470km) and then to dandeli (62km) and on to Anshi (38km). Contact: Deputy Conservator of Forest, Wildlife Division, Dandeli - 581325, Uttara Kannada District Tel. 08284 - 231585 First a letter to be faxed to the dandeli office and subsequently DD to be sent across for confirmation of bookings at the camp.

II.Bandipur National Park - Bandipur (880 sq.km) lies on the Mysore-Ooty highway, within the chamarajanagar district bordering Kerala and Tami nadu. Safaris as well as elephant rides are conducted daily in the department vehicles (Jeep, Van). Accomodation is available at the forest rest houses in the park at reasonable rates. There are quite a few trekking routes organized from bandipur national park. Note : Park is closed during peak monsoon (ideally July-September) Reach - from Bangalore - 220kms from bangalore and around 80kms from mysore. Contact: Field Director, Project TigerAranya Bhavan, Ashokpuram, Mysore - 570 008 Tel. 0821 - 2480901 - Mr. Phanish. Deputy Conservator Of Forests, Project Tiger Division, Bandipur Gundlupet - 571 126
Tel. 08229 - 236043, 236044.


III.Bannerghatta National Park - Located just 22kms on the periphery of Bangalore city is the Bannerghatta national park (104.27 sq.km). The park has a Lion and Tiger safari, a herbivore safari, a mini zoo, a reptile park, a museum and a picnic corner. Accomodation only in the form of nature camp run by the Jungle lodges and resorts. Now trekking with prior permission is possible inside the park to the Doddaragihalli betta and the Chikkaragihalli betta. Contact: Chief Wildlife Warden, Aranya Bhavan 18th Cross, Malleswaram Bangalore - 560 003 Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd, M.G.Road Bangalore - 560 001 Tel. 080 - 25597021, 25597024.

IV.Kudremukh National Park - (563 sq.kms) is located in the western ghats having one of the most beautiful landscapes. September to January is the ideal time to visit here. Trekking on 13 different routes is possible with prior permissions. Bhagavathi nature camp located along the state highway forms an excellent camping site. Other forest rest houses also available inside the park which are Samse, Kudremukh (on the Mudigere-Kudremukh state highway in the heart of the park), Kerekatte (located along Sringeri-Mangalore National highway), Navoor rest house near Belthangadi (20 km) etc. The rest houses also are starting points for treks. Reach - from Bangalore - 95kms southwest of Chikmagalur and around 350kms from Bangalore. Contact: Deputy Conservator of Forests, Kudremukh Wildlife Division, Karkala - 574 104 Udipi District Tel. 08258 - 231183. Range Forest Officer, Wildlife Range, Kerekatte, Sringeri Taluk, Chikmagalur District. Ph: 08265 - 561041 Forest Officer, Wildlife Range, Kudremukh, Mudigere Taluk, Chikmagalur District. Ph: (08263) 255998 Range Forest Officer, Wildlife Range, Belthangadi, Dakshina Kannada District. Ph: (08256) 403189 The Chief Wildlife Warden, Aranya Bhavan, 18th Cross Malleshwaram, Bangalore Ph: 080 - 23341993 / 23345192.

Fax / Call a letter of request to the DCF, kudremukh wildlife division, karkala on 08258-231183 for accomodation at Bhagavathi camp and later send the DD of the said amount for confirmation of bookings. Personally i had stayed here and its truly a wonderful place to be in kudremukh.

V.Rajiv Gandhi National Park (Nagarhole) - Nagarhole (643.39 sq.kms) is located to the northwest of Bandipur national park; kabini reservoir separates the two. The name is derived from Naga means snake and hole means river. Ideal time to visit the park is from September to May.

Contact: Conservator of Forests, Wildlife South Circle, Aranya Bhavan, AshokpuramMysore - 570 008 Tel. 0821 - 2480 901 Deputy Conservator of Forests Wildlife Division Hunsur - 571 105 Tel. 0822 - 652 041.

VI.Adichunchangiri Peacock Sanctuary - Adichunchangiri (0.84 sq Kms) was declared a Sanctuary on 21st Oct 1981. It has mainly scrub forest and plantations, and is intended especially for the protection of the peacock. It is located in the Mandya district.

Contact: Assistant Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Sub-Division, Aranya Bhavan, Ashokapuram Mysore - 570 008 Tel. 0821 - 2480 901.

VII.Attiveri Bird Sanctuary - Attiveri (2.23 sq Kms) was declared as a Bird Sanctuary on 17th Aug 2000. The Attiveri Reservoir was formed as a result of the construction of a dam across Tayawwanahalla in the village of Attiveri. This reservoir attracted many birds, especially aquatic species, and was therefore developed as a bird sanctuary. The Reservoir covers an area of 1.01 sq Kms and the remaining area of the sanctuary is covered by riverine and dry deciduous forest. The agricultural fields surrounding the sanctuary are host to a variety of aquatic creatures, which are a major source of food for the birds of the sanctuary. Between November to March is the best time to visit the sanctuary.

Contact: Assistant Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Sub-Division, Ranebennur - 581 881 Haveri District Tel. 0836 - 860 394.

VIII.Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary - The Government of Mysore declared the Bhadra forests a protected area, the 200 sq Kms Jagara Wildlife Sanctuary, in 1951. It is situated in the Western Ghats, and has mostly moist deciduous forests in the southern parts, and dry deciduous forests in the north. There are shola-grassland patches in the Bababudangiri area. The rechristened and the extended Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary (492.46 sq Kms) was notified on 25th Sept 1974. It is divided into to blocks, the first consisting Lakkavalli, Muthodi and 14 other state forests (470.38 sq Kms) and the second made up of the Bababudangiri State Forest (22.08 sq. Kms). The sanctuary was upgraded to Tiger Reserve status on 19th Nov 1998, becoming India’s 25th Tiger Reserve. Departmental vehicles are available for wildlife viewing. the reserve has a moderate climate, with three seasons: summer, monsoons and winter. Between October and February is the best time for visiting.

Contact: Deputy Conservator of Forests, Bhadra Wildlife Division, Chikmagalur - 577 101 Tel. 08262 - 234 904; Fax. 08262 - 230032.

Fax a letter of request at Muthodi to the DCF,chikmagalur and subsequently send a DD for the said amount for confirmation at either Muthodi / Lakkavalli / Kasave / Seegekhan / Sukalhatti forest rest houses.

IX.Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (B.R.T) wildlife sanctuary - The Sanctuary (539.52 sq. Kms) is unique in that it is situated the junction of the Eastern and Western Ghats, and therefore has floral representatives of both regions. Its southern boundary adjoins the state of Tamil Nadu. Between November and march, the dry season, is the best time to visit the sanctuary. Jungle Lodges and resorts runs a resort at K.Gudi, near the western boundary of the Sanctuary.

Contact: Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division, Chamarajanagar - 571 313 Tel. 08226 - 222 059.

X.Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary - Brahmagiri (181.29 sq. Kms), being part of the Western Ghats, it has evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, as well as the shola-grassland habitat. the sanctuary is surrounded by agricultural fields and coffee plantations. The eastern tip of the sanctuary almost touches the north western edge of the Rajiv Gandhi national Park, separated only by a narrow strip of Coffee plantations. The southern boundary adjoins Kerala State. Between October and May is the best time to visit the sanctuary.

Contact: Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division, Hunsur - 571 105 Mysore district Tel. 0821 - 652 041.

XI.Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary - (475.02 sq. Kms). Most of the area has moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. It is located in the Uttara Kannada district. A relatively undisturbed area of 250 sq. kms in the southern part of the Sanctuary became the Anshi national park. Between October and March is the best time to visit the Sanctuary. Accommodation available at the Kulgi nature park on prior bookings.

Contact: Deputy Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Division, Dandeli - 581 325 Uttara Kannada District Tel. 08284 - 231585 (same procedure for Anshi / Kulgi nature camps).

Milind's Homestay - Mr. Milind Kodkany

Club Road, Old Dandeli, Uttara Kannada district, Dandeli - 581325

Tel: 08284 230213; 99459 59505; 99725 37742.

XII.Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary - Daroji (55.87 sq. Kms) is the only Sanctuary in Karnataka specially created to protect the sloth bear. The sanctuary has a rocky terrain, boulders and caves, which is the ideal habitat for the sloth bear. It is located near Hospet in the Bellary district. From August to April is the best time to visit the Sanctuary.

Contact: Assistant Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Sub-Division, Ranebennur - 581 115 Haveri District Tel. 0836 - 860394 Range Forest Officer, Wildlife Preservation Daroji Bear Sanctuary, Kamalapura Hospet taluk Bellary District Tel. 0839 - 441 869.

XIII.Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary - (29.78 Sq. Kms). The boundaries of the sanctuary enclose a stretch of about 28 km of the river Ghataprabha, including the reservoir resulting from the dam built near Dhupdhal, and over 20 islands along the stretch. The sanctuary is surrounded by agricultural fields. It is located in the Belgaum district. Between November and March is the best time to visit the Sanctuary, when most of the migratory bird species nest there. Contact: Assistant Conservator of Forests / Range Forest Officer, Wildlife Sub-Division, Ranebennur - 581 115 Haveri District Tel. 0836 - 860 394.

XIV.Gudavi Bird Sanctuary - Gudavi (0.74 sq. Kms) comprises of a large water tank covering 0.30 ha and a patch of dense moist deciduous forest. The sanctuary is surrounded by agricultural fields on the west and north., and by moist deciduous forest on the east and south. It is located in Shimoga district. Between June and November is the best time to observe nesting birds. Contact: Deputy Conservator of Forests, Shimoga Wildlife Division D.C. Compound Shimoga - 577 201 Tel. 08182 - 222 983.

XV.Melkote Wildlife Sanctuary - Melkote (49.82 sq. Kms) sanctuary is divided into two blocks, Mudibetta (4.48 sq. Kms) and Narayanadurga (45.34 sq. Kms). In between the two blocks are a number of villages and cultivation. The landscape is rocky, with dry deciduous and scrub vegetation. This sanctuary is mainly for the protection of the wolf. It is located in the Mandya district. Between October and April is the best time to visit the Sanctuary. Contact: Assistant Conservator of forests, Wildlife Sub-Division Aranya Bhanav, Ashokpuram Mysore - 570 008 Tel. 0821 - 2481 159.

XVI.Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary - Mookambika (247 sq. Kms) sanctuary is divided into a core zone (114 sq. kms) a buffer zone (90 sq. kms) and a tourism zone (43 sq. Kms). It has evergreen, semi-ever green and moist deciduous forests covering the steep slopes typical of the western Ghat mountains. The sanctuary shares its northwestern boundary with Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in Udipi district. Between November and March is the best time to visit the sanctuary, since it rains during the rest of the year. Contact: Deputy Conservator of Forests Kudremukh Wildlife Division Karkala - 574 104 Udipi District Tel. 0825 - 731 183.

XVII.Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary - Nugu (30.32 sq. Kms) being situated just north of the Bandipur National Park, the flora of the two areas is similar, except that the Nugu area is still recovering from the earlier degradation. much of the northwestern part of the sanctuary is occupied by the Nugu Reservoir. It is located in the Mysore district The area is covered by scrub forest and cultivation adjacent to the reservoir and by degraded dry deciduous forest in the southern portion of the sanctuary. Tourism has not yet been developed in the sanctuary. Contact: Assistant Conservator of Forests Wildlife Sub-Division Aranya Bhavan Ashokpuram Mysore - 570 008 Tel. 0821 - 2481 159.

XVIII.Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary - Pushpagiri (92.65 sq. Kms) situated in the western Ghats, the area has a thick evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, and shola-grassland habitat in the higher areas. the steep terrain of the sanctuary has resulted in some impressive waterfalls along the various streams that originate in these mountains. It is located in the Kodagu district. Between November and March is the best time for wildlife viewing in the sanctuary Contact: Conservator of Forests Kodagu Circle Madikeri - 571 201 Tel. 08272 - 225 708 Assistant Conservator of forests Wildlife Sub-Division Madikeri - 571 201 Tel. 08272 - 228 019 Range Forest Officer Wildlife Range Somwarpet.

XIX.Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary - Ranebennur (119 sq. kms) Sanctuary was declared as a Sanctuary mainly to protect Blackbuck. It comprises of two unconnected portions, an eastern and a western bit. The sanctuary has a core zone of 14.87 sq. Kms and a buffer-cum tourism zone of 104.13 sq. Kms. the area is covered mainly by scrub forest and Eucalyptus plantations, and is also inhabited by the highly endangered Great Indian bustard and the wolf. Agricultural fields surround the Sanctuary. It is located in the Haveri district. Between October and March is the best time for observing Blackbuck, while the bustard is most easily sighted from February to June. Contact: Assistant Conservator of Forests Wildlife Sub-Division Ranebennur - 581 115 Haveri District Tel. 0836 - 860 394.

XX.Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary - Ranganathittu (0.67 sq. Kms) is made up of two unconnected clusters of islets along the Cauvery river. The western portion of the Sanctuary attracts a large number of tourists, who come to observe water birds nesting on the island’s trees in thousands. The islets are surrounded by the water of a reservoir formed by the construction of a check-dam. The agricultural fields surrounding the Sanctuary are a host to variety of aquatic creatures, which are a major source of food for the birds that nest in the Sanctuary. It is located in the Mandya district. Between June and November, when the water birds are nesting, is the best time to visit the sanctuary. Contact: Assistant Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Sub-Division Aranya Bhanav, Ashokpuram Mysore - 570 008 Tel. 0821 - 2481 159.

XXI.Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary - Sharavathi (431.23 sq. Kms) lying in the western Ghats, has a dense evergreen and semi-evergreen forests. The Sanctuary shares its southwestern boundary with the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary. It is located in the Shimoga District. Between November and May is the best time for wildlife viewing in the sanctuary. Contact:Deputy Conservator of Forests Shimoga Wildlife Division D.C.Compound Shimoga - 577 201 Tel. 08182 - 222 983 Range Forest Officer Wildlife Range Kargal - 577 421 Sagar Taluk, Shimoga District Tel. 08186 - 340 387.

XXII.Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary - The Shettihalli (395.6 sq. Kms) is divided into a core zone (100.6 sq. Kms), a buffer zone (237.4 sq. Kms0 and a tourism zone (57.6 sq. Kms). It lies adjacent to Shimoga town, and has forests ranging from dry deciduous to semi-evergreen. Between November and January is the best time for wildlife viewing. Contact:Deputy Conservator of Forests, Shimoga Wildlife Division D.C.Compound Shimoga - 577 201 Tel. 08182 - 222 983 Range Forest Office Wildlife Range Hanegere Tel. 08182 - 283 050.

XXIII.Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary - Someshawara (88.4 sq. Kms) lying in the Western Ghats, has semi-evergreen and evergreen forests. The Sanctuary comprises two unconnected parts. the smaller part being situated to the southwest of the major part. Adjacent to the Sanctuary are 26,000 acres (105.3 sq. Kms) of evergreen reserve Forest. The Kudremukh national Park lies to the southeast of this Sanctuary. This is located in the Udipi district. Between November and April is the best time to visit the Sanctuary. Contact:Deputy Conservator of forests Kudremukh Wildlife Division Karkala - 574 104 Udipi District Tel. 0825 - 731 183.

XXIV.Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary - Talacauvery (105.01 sq. Kms), situated in the Western Ghats, is mostly covered with tropical evergreen forests. It was named after Talacauvery, the origin of the River Cauvery, which lies on the eastern edge of the Sanctuary. It is located in the Kodagu district.The dry season, from November to March, is ideal to visit the Sanctuary. The Cauvery Nisargadhama (0.26 sq. Kms), an island on the River Cauvery, lies 2 Km from Kushalnagar, 28 Kms from Madikeri, and is worth a short stop-over. Contact: Assistant Conservator of forests Wildlife Sub-Division Madikeri - 571 201 Tel. 08272 - 228 019 Range Forest Officer Talacauvery Wildlife Range Bhagamandala Tel. 08272 - 233 215 For Cauvery Nisargadhama: Conservator of Forests Kodagu Circle Madikeri - 571 201 Tel. 08272 - 225 708

Do check this link for more around bangalore...

http://www.karnataka.com/tourism/bangalore/forests.html

Care for the nature and the nature cares for you!