Karnataka: Wildlife and Ecotourism | KPSC KAS Preparation: All subjects - KPSC KAS (Karnataka) PDF Download

Introduction

• Karnataka is renowned as one of India's premier states for wildlife. A wildlife tour here can be an exceptionally rewarding experience. Covering a forest area of 38,720 sq km, over 20% of Karnataka is forested. The western part of the state, part of the Western Ghats, is a significant biodiversity hotspot. Karnataka is home to more than 20 wildlife sanctuaries, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers.
• The state boasts a wide array of wild animals, including elephants, tigers, leopards, bonnet macaques, slender lorises, common palm civets, small Indian civets, sloth bears, gaurs, sambar deer, chitals, muntjacs, dholes, striped hyenas, and golden jackals. Notably, the Bandipur and Nagarhole parks are integral parts of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India's largest biosphere reserve. Whether it’s the lush greenery of the Western Ghats or the scrubby forests of the surrounding plains, Karnataka offers some of the best settings for wildlife sanctuaries, making it a magnet for tourists from around the world.

Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka

Bandipur National Park

• Bandipur National Park is Karnataka’s most renowned wildlife sanctuary. Situated on the Mysore-Ooty highway in the Western Ghats, the park spans approximately 874.2 sq km. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which also includes Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala, and Nagarhole National Park in the northern part of Karnataka.
• The park is ideal for a nature retreat, surrounded by scenic beauty. Kabini, Nugu, and Moyar rivers flow through Bandipur, which features a range of landscapes from deciduous forests to grassy woodlands. The park is rich in teak and rosewood.
• Bandipur is particularly noted for its Bengal tiger population, offering more frequent tiger sightings compared to other wildlife sanctuaries in India. It is regarded as one of the better-managed national parks in the country. Besides tigers, the park is home to gaur (a type of bull), sambar, chital, mouse deer, sloth bears, panthers, and the Asiatic elephant. Other species include the Malabar squirrel, four-horned antelope, wild dogs, wild boars, jackals, porcupines, and black-naped hares. Bird species in the park include jungle fowl and green pigeons.

How to Reach Bandipur National Park

• Bandipur National Park is about two and a half hours from Mysore, located on the Ooty-Mysore highway. It is 264 km from Bangalore International Airport. 
• The nearest railway station is Mysore, 80 km away. The park is well-connected by road to major cities in Karnataka.

Safari Timings

• Morning Safari: 6:00 am - 8:00 am
• Evening Safari: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Safari Costs

• Rs. 300 per person for Indians
• Rs. 1100 per person for foreigners

Where to Stay in Bandipur

• Chamapakaranya offers a prime location amidst nature. 
• Other accommodation options include Ambuja Farms and The Serai Bandipur for a comfortable stay.

Bannerghatta National Park

• Bannerghatta National Park is one of India’s most well-known national parks, located just 22 km from Bangalore, making it the closest national park to a major city. Established in 1970 and designated as a national park in 1974, it was later expanded to include the Bannerghatta Biological Park in 2002. The Biological Park attracts visitors from across India and serves as an ideal recreational center for Bangalore’s children.
• The park features various sections, including a zoo and a butterfly park, and offers separate safaris for herbivores, such as spotted deer, and carnivores, like lions and tigers. It is home to 32 lions and 36 tigers and is notable for being the first biological park in India with a fenced elephant sanctuary. The zoo is located just 4 km from the Ragihalli Reserve Forest, and the safari route is known for its picturesque scenery, with lush green hillocks surrounding it.

How to Reach Bannerghatta National Park

• Bannerghatta National Park is 60 km from Bangalore Airport and 35 km from Bangalore Railway Station. 
• It is well-connected by road to major cities in Karnataka.

Safari Timings

• Safaris are available from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
• The park offers Lion and Tiger Safaris, Bear Safaris, and Herbivore Safaris.

Safari Costs

• Normal Bus: Rs 260 per person for Indians, Rs 400 per person for foreigners
• Jeep Safari: Costs between Rs 2,500 and Rs 4,000, depending on the number of members

Where to Stay in Bannerghatta

• The Bannerghatta Biological Park offers accommodation at the Bannerghatta Nature Camp Jungle Lodges, located within the park. 
• Alternatively, you can stay in Bangalore, which is nearby and offers a wide range of lodging options.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Uttara Kannada district, is one of India's lesser-known but must-visit wildlife destinations for nature enthusiasts. Situated 1,551 feet above sea level on the banks of the River Kali, Dandeli spans 834.16 sq km and is renowned for its dense forest cover, which provides an ideal habitat for diverse wildlife. Included in Project Tiger alongside the adjacent Anshi National Park, the sanctuary is home to tigers, leopards, elephants, gaurs, and langurs. Its standout attraction is the elusive black panther. Visitors can also spot hornbills, darters, and kingfishers while drifting down the river.
• Jungle jeep safaris in Dandeli offer an exhilarating experience, with some animals even climbing onto the safari vehicles. As the second-largest sanctuary in Karnataka, Dandeli is complemented by the nearby Sintheri Rocks, a popular tourist spot.

How to Reach Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary

• The nearest airport to Dandeli is in Belgaum, 90 km away. 
• The closest railway station is Alnavar, located 35 km from the sanctuary. 
• Dandeli is well-connected by road to major cities in Karnataka.

Safari Timings

• Morning Safari: 6:00 am - 9:00 am
• Evening Safari: 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• The sanctuary is open from October 1 to June 30. During the off-season (July 1 to September 30), safaris are permitted in the park’s buffer zone.

Safari Costs

• Jeep Safari: Rs. 40 per person for Indians, Rs. 80 per person for foreigners

Where to Stay in Dandeli

• Various accommodations are available in Dandeli to suit different budgets. The Dandeli Jungle Inn, located on the banks of the River Kali, offers a comfortable stay in charming colonial bungalows. 
• The Karnataka Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) guesthouses provide affordable lodging options. Another good choice for a nature-filled stay is the Dandeli Kingfisher.

Nagarhole National Park

• Nestled in the Nilgiri mountain range, Nagarhole National Park is renowned as one of India's premier wildlife destinations. It forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve along with Mudumalai, Wayanad, and Bandipur forests, known for its substantial tiger population. 
• The park is home to approximately 48 tigers and spans 3,300 sq km, separated from Bandipur National Park by the Kabini Reservoir. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and designated as a national park in 1988, Nagarhole was declared a tiger reserve in 1999.

How to Reach Nagarhole National Park

• The nearest airport is Mysore Airport, and the closest railway station is also in Mysore, located 87 km away. Nagarhole is well-connected by road to major cities in Karnataka.

Safari Timings

• Morning Safari: 6:00 am - 9:00 am
• Evening Safari: 4:00 pm - 6:30 pm

The park is open year-round, though visiting during the monsoon season is not recommended.

Safari Costs

• Indians: Rs 50 per person
• Foreigners: Rs 150 per person

Where to Stay

• Accommodation options within or near Nagarhole National Park are limited. Government-run guesthouses are available but tend to book up quickly, so reservations should be made well in advance. 
• Nearby lodging options include The Jungle Inn, located close to the park, and The Kings Sanctuary, approximately 26 km away.

Kudremukh National Park

• Situated in the Western Ghats, Kudremukh National Park is a major attraction, known for its breathtaking landscapes and dense forest cover. The park is the second-largest protected area in the Western Ghats. The name "Kudremukh," which means "horse-face," refers to the distinctive shape of one side of the mountain's view. Covering 600 sq km, the park is a haven for wildlife, including leopards, tigers, jackals, wild dogs, langurs, macaques, barking deer, Malabar giant squirrels, and chitals.
• Three major rivers—Bhadra, Nethravati, and Tunga—originate in this region. Trekking to these rivers is a popular activity, with trails varying in difficulty. The fresh mountain air and rare orchids encountered along the way add to the experience.
• Declared a national park in 1987, Kudremukh requires prior permission and a licensed guide for trekking. The best time to visit is from October to February. The region receives approximately 7,000 mm of rainfall annually.

How to Reach Kudremukh National Park

• Kudremukh is about 98 km from Mangalore Airport, a journey of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes by road. 
• The nearest railway station is also in Mangalore, located 114 km away. The park is well-connected by road to major cities in Karnataka.

Safari Timings

• The park is open daily throughout the year, with the best visiting period being the winter months from November to February.

Safari Cost

• A permit is required to enter Kudremukh National Park. 
• Obtain the permit from the Reserve Forest Office opposite the Police Station in Kudremukh town. 
• The permit costs Rs. 200, with an additional trekking fee of Rs. 75.

Where to Stay

• The Forest Office can provide recommendations for accommodation. 
• Upasana Retreat and Silent Valley Resort are excellent options for a comfortable and affordable stay.

Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

• Situated in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is part of Project Tiger and is renowned for its diverse flora and fauna. Initially established as Jagara Wildlife Sanctuary in 1951, it was renamed Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in 1974 and later designated as a Project Tiger Reserve in 1998. Notably, Bhadra was the first tiger reserve in India to successfully complete a village relocation program.
• The sanctuary is a biodiversity hotspot, featuring dry and moist deciduous forests as well as semi-evergreen woods. It is home to around 33 tigers and various other animals, including elephants, gaurs, sloth bears, jackals, wild dogs, sambars, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, wild boars, black leopards, jungle cats, common langurs, and bonnet macaques. 
• The sanctuary also hosts slender lorises, small Indian civets, flying squirrels, Malabar giant squirrels, common palm civets, pangolins, porcupines, and several small carnivores like leopard cats, rusty-spotted cats, ruddy mongooses, stripe-necked mongooses, and otters.

How to Reach Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary

• Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is approximately 250 km from Bangalore. The route is Bangalore – Tumkur – Tiptur – Arsikere – Tarikere – Lakkavalli – Bhadra WLS. Bangalore is well-connected by road, rail, and air. 
• The nearest international airport is in Mangalore, and the closest railway station is in Chikmagalur.

Safari Timings

• Safaris are available from 6:30 am to 8:30 am and 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm daily. The best time to visit is from November to February.

Safari Cost

• The park entry fee is Rs. 5 for Indians (Rs. 100 for foreigners), and the safari cost is Rs. 10.

Where to Stay

• For accommodation, River Turn Lodge is a popular choice for a comfortable stay in nature. 
• There is also a forest guest house at Lakkavalli. 
• Budget accommodation is available in and around Bhadra, starting from as low as Rs. 200 per night.

Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary

• Situated in the Ballari district of Karnataka, the Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary was established specifically to protect the Indian sloth bear. Located just 15 km from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi, the sanctuary offers unique experiences, such as observing sloth bears descending from nearby hillocks at dusk. The best vantage point is from a watchtower located opposite Karadikallu Gudda, where visitors can see the bears being fed jaggery and corn by forest department staff between 3 pm and 6 pm.
• The sanctuary is home to approximately 120 sloth bears and also hosts leopards, hyenas, jackals, wild boars, star tortoises, monitor lizards, mongooses, pea fowls, partridges, porcupines, pangolins, painted spur hens, and quails. Additionally, it features around 90 bird species and 27 butterfly species.

How to Reach Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary

• Daroji is accessible by road from Bangalore, following the route via Chitradurga and Hospet to Kamalapura. 
• The nearest railway station is Hospet, which is well-connected to both Bangalore and Hubli.

Safari Timings

• The sanctuary is open daily from 6 am to 6 pm. 
• The ideal time to visit is between August and April.

Safari Cost

• The entry fee is Rs. 50 per person for Indians and Rs. 300 for foreigners. 
• Vehicle charges are Rs. 500 per car and Rs. 1500 per bus.

Where to Stay

• There are several guesthouses near the sanctuary. 
• The Forest Guest House at Kamalapur and Gunda Forest Guest House at Vyasanakere near Hospet are good options. 
• KTDC’s Mayur Bhuvaneshwari at Kamalapura is another recommended place to stay.