| Except for the crackle of the
flames and the drone of the man's voice, the forest is lost in silence,
and a heavy, oppressive, uncanny quiet that we feel cannot last much
longer. And we are right. The roar of a tiger breaks suddenly through
the blackness, to be answered by the scream of an excited elephant. As
the tiger stalks boldly down the jungle aisles, the distant trumpeting
of the elephant announces that the challenge has been met! |
| Kenneth Anderson |
Straddling
the states of Kerala and Karnataka Nagarahole (pronounced Naagra-holay) and
Bandipur National Parks cover some of the best-preserved tracts of forests
in South India. Together covering more than 1,500 km2of visually vibrant
vistas all around, Nagarahole and Bandipur are visitor's delight.
Nagarahole:
Nagarahole, pronounced Naagra-holay, is spread over 640 km2 and was the
private hunting preserve of the princely state of Mysore. The forests are
tropical mixed deciduous and semi-evergreen with scrub and grassy swamplands
(haldus). The teak forests of Nagarahole include some of the oldest
plantations of the country dating back to 1800s. In 1974 an irrigation dam
was built across Kabini river creating a water-body that forms a natural
boundary between Nagarahole and Bandipur.
Bandipur: While
the jungles of Nagarahole are taller and denser, Bandipur has superb scenery
of mountains, gorges and tropical mixed deciduous forest. The forests of
Bandipur have been protected for over a hundred years and a small area was
declared a sanctuary as long ago as 1898. Today the National Park defends
875 kms of lush countryside at the junction of the Deccan Plateau and the
outer spurs of the Western Ghats.
Birds:
The Nagarahole-Bandipur region is rich territory for birdwatchers and
provides ample opportunity for new discoveries and adding to the current
list. The Kabini river, the grasslands and the tropical forests offer
unlimited hours of birdwatching, which include ospreys, vultures, falcons,
eagles, buzzards, ducks, geese, partridges, fowl, bee-eaters, minivets,
thrushes and trogons among others.
Mammals: Southern
National Parks are ruled by the "jolly jumbos" but other animals
include Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Wild Boar,
Blacknaped Hare, Indian Porcupine, Pangolin, Giant Squirrel, Large Brown
Flying Squirrel, Giant Fruit Bat, Slender Loris, Hanuman Langur, Bonnet
Macaque, Sloth Bear, Wild Dog, Leopard and the Tiger. Some other animals are
Striped Hyena, Jackal, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Rusty spotted Cat and the
Common Otter.
Reptiles:
Some of the reptiles found in the area the Marsh Crocodile, Monitor
Lizard, Rock Python, Rat Snake, Common Krait, Russel's Viper and Bamboo Pit
Viper.
