Captivating Karnataka stretches from the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats to the scrub jungle of the plains. Known for its wildlife parks Karnataka is a treat for the nature lover.
Beautiful Sanctuaries and Parks in Karnataka:
Here are our top picks of sanctuaries and national parks in Karnataka.
1. Bandipur National Park:
Earlier in the 20th century, this park was Maharaja Voodiyar’s hunting land. Combined with Nagarhole National Park, with its huge elephant and Bison populations, it forms the present Bandipur National Park. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, an extensive tract of protected forest in India. At present, it is also the best managed tiger reserve in India.
Drained by rivers Kabini, Nugu and Moyar, the flora of the Park is made up of
- Deciduous forests,
- Evergreen forest and
- Grassy woodlands.
Almost 2 and half hours off Mysore, Bandipur National Park is the home of Asiatic elephants and a rich collection of rosewood and teak wood.
Read: Beautiful Parks in Bangalore
2. Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary:
Set amidst the mountain valleys, the Cauvery River passes through this beautiful wildlife sanctuary. Situated in Mysore and covered by riverine and dry deciduous forests, it is the home to a wide variety of wildlife species with natural habitats in these regions.
3. Bannerghatta National Park:
When it comes to parks in Karnataka Located along the southern outskirts of Bangalore, it is spread over a whopping 25,000 acres of land and is well known for rich flora and fauna. It is one of the ten reserve forests of the Anekal Range and is abundant with medicinal trees such as:
- Sandal,
- Zizyphus,
- Neem,
- Tamarind, and
- Chujjullu trees.
4. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary:
Located about 485 kilometres from Bangalore this sanctuary is truly set in a calm and peaceful ambience. Also called the second largest wildlife sanctuary of the state, it is characterized by steep slopes, deep valleys and rich hilly terrains, due to a mixture of moist deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. This beautiful sanctuary is a paradise for city dwellers looking to let their hair down.
Read: Best Parks in Mysore
5. Gudavi Bird Sanctuary:
The pride of the Shimoga District is one of the five best bird sanctuaries of Karnataka. The natural lake is a perfect watering hole for birds which have been recorded to cover 191 species over the years. Bird watching is best done in the months of May till November.
6. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary:
Nestled in the tropical forests of the Western Ghats, in the Chikmagalur district, it was earlier known as the Jagara Valley Game Reserve. Its unique flora is attributed to the Bhadra River that flows by it. It was the 25th tiger reserve forest of India.
7. Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary:
Also under the Shimoga district, towards Thirthahalli, this Sanctuary is a popular haunt of migratory birds. A small sanctuary by the river Tunga, it has a beautiful island where migratory birds such as median egret, darter and the cormorant nest and breed. This is a delight to many bird lovers. The cacophony of 5000 chirping birds in the month of August is sure to get your spirits soaring.
Read: Top National Parks in India
8. Dubare Elephant Camp in Coorg:
The Dubare Elephant Camp is a unique Eco-tourism destination in South India. Here there is full force training for serving elephants. Home to more than 150 elephants, it gives excellent lodging facilities to tourists on the banks of Cauvery. It is exciting to watch the elephants being fed.
The Zoo Authority of Karnataka has a lot of zoological gardens tethered across the state to cater to animal care and awareness amongst people.
Apart from these, the city of Bangalore maintains its title of the city of gardens with the most prominent Lalbagh Botanical Garden which is famous for its variety of roses. A special mention is required for the famous Brindavan Gardens without which any trip to Karnataka is incomplete.
