The Western Ghats are home to a number of wildlife reserves. The lush
forests of this region provide the sort of vegetation required to
support a wide range of bird and animal life.
Nagarahole National Park, now renamed the Rajiv Gandhi National Park
is yet another reserve that Karnataka can boast of. Spanning an area
of 643.39 sq. km., this National Park is named after a small river,
Nagarahole (meaning 'Snake Stream' in Kannada) that meanders through
the centre of the park, flowing eastward into the Taraka Reservoir
on the edge of the Park, and continuing as the Taraka River before
joining the Kabini.
The Kabini River flows along the southern boundary of the Park, and
forms a reservoir further downstream, along the southeastern boundary
of the Park. This reservoir marks the boundary between the two National
Parks of Nagarahole and Bandipura.
Located in the districts of Kodagu and Mysore, the Park's altitude
varies from 700 m to 957 m. The highest point Masalbetta is located
in the extreme south. The climate is temperate, never crossing 33
degrees centigrade even in the hot summer months. The Park is flanked
by Karnataka's Bandipur
National Park to the southeast and Kerala's Wynaad Wildlife Sanctuary
to its southwest. These three protected areas, together with Tamil
Nadu's Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Kerala's Silent Valley National
Park, constitute the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve, which is perhaps
the best remaining stretch of habitat for the Asian elephant. It is
also India's first Biosphere Reserve, and encompasses an area of about
5500 sq. km.
The forests here are moist and dry deciduous with an abundance of
teak and rosewood. To the west, where rainfall is greater, the vegetation
is mainly tropical moist and semi-evergreen forests. There are also
patches of swampy fallows that are dominated by grasses and sedges,
providing ideal grazing areas for many wild herbivores.
The Park begins to unfold in all its grandeur with the the onset of
the pre-monsoon showers. This is when the resident birds begin their
breeding activities and the air is melodious with avian calls. The
meadows sprout tall grass, attracting
elephants and gaur in large numbers. The ideal time to visit the Park
is from September to May. As the backwaters of the Kabini Reservoir
recede, lush grass crops up and the stage is set for the huge congregation
of elephants. The sight is breathtaking, perhaps the only one of its
kind in Asia.
Mammals in the Park include tiger, leopard, sloth bear, Asiatic wild
dog, striped hyena, golden jackal, jungle cat, elephant, gaur, spotted
deer, porcupine, Indian pangolin among others. Over 250 species of
birds have been identified in the Park. Some of them include herons,
storks, quails, peafowls, sandpipers, lapwings, nightjars, larks,
orioles, babblers, flycatchers and wagtails. Reptiles include marsh
crocodile, star tortoise, forest calotes, geckos, common rat snake,
spectacled cobra, Russell's viper and the Indian Python among others.
APPROACH
By rail and road from Bangalore to Mysore (140 km), then by road to
Hunsur (45 km) via Murkal inside the Sanctuary. The Kabini River Lodge
at Karapura, run by the Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd., can be approached
from Mysore via H D Kote Hand Post (50 km), and then on to Karapura
(30 km). INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
Departmental vehicles are available for wildlife viewing. The ideal
time to visit the Park is between September and May. Nagarahole has
one two-room lodge, one four-room lodge, and 2 dormitories with 12
beds each, accomodating up to 36 persons.
CONTACT ADDRESS
Conservator of Forests
Wildlife South Circle, Aranya Bhavan, Ashokapuram, Mysore 570008 Phone: 0821-480901
KABINI RIVER LODGE
The Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd. runs the Kabini River Lodge at
Karapura, on the banks of the Kabini River. The colonial styled lodges
at the resort houses visitors in 14 luxurious rooms. Apart from this,
there are also 6 twin-bedded cottages by the river. A day's stay at
the Lodge includes a drive through the Park in a jeep or a boat ride
along the Kabini River in the evening, and another drive into the
forest followed by an elephant ride the next morning.
For reservations, contact:
Jungle Lodges and Resorts Ltd., Kabini River Lodges Phone: 08228-264402/03
Main office:
II Floor, Shrungar Shopping Centre, MG Road, Bangalore 560001 Phone: 5597 021/24/25 Fax: 91-80-5586 163 Email:
junglelodges@vsnl.com Website: www.junglelodges.com
12:01:43 AM 
e.
Nagarahole National Park, now renamed the Rajiv Gandhi National Park
is yet another reserve that Karnataka can boast of. Spanning an area
of 643.39 sq. km., this National Park is named after a small river,
Nagarahole (meaning 'Snake Stream' in Kannada) that meanders through
the centre of the park, flowing eastward into the Taraka Reservoir
on the edge of the Park, and continuing as the Taraka River before
joining the Kabini. 
ndipur
National Park to the southeast and Kerala's Wynaad Wildlife Sanctuary
to its southwest. These three protected areas, together with Tamil
Nadu's Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Kerala's Silent Valley National
Park, constitute the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve, which is perhaps
the best remaining stretch of habitat for the Asian elephant. It is
also India's first Biosphere Reserve, and encompasses an area of about
5500 sq. km. 
racting
elephants and gaur in large numbers. The ideal time to visit the Park
is from September to May. As the backwaters of the Kabini Reservoir
recede, lush grass crops up and the stage is set for the huge congregation
of elephants. The sight is breathtaking, perhaps the only one of its
kind in Asia. 
