Bannerghatta
National Park established in the year 1971, lies 22 km. away from
Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka state. It covers around 104.27
sq.kms which includes ten Reserve Forests of Anekal Range of the
Bangalore Forest Division. Bannerghatta comprises the National Park,
an Aquarium, a Zoo, Children's park, Crocodile Farm, Snake park,
Prehistoric animals park and a Museum. Safaris to see tigers and
lions in vehicles and on elephants is the main attraction of the
Park. Tickets for entry into the Zoo and Safaris are available at
the main entrance.
This
park is open throughout the year, and the temperature in Bannerghatta
ranges from 15°C to 35°C during the year, with an average
rainfall of about 700mm annually. The best time to sight wild life
is the months of November to June.
This
National Park is a treasure house of exotic species of wildlife
and a great variety of flora. The flora of the place is very rich
and beautiful with huge green trees providing shade and shelter
all through the year. The forest type of the park is mostly moist
deciduous teak forest.Tree species in the park include Anogeissus
latifolia, Schleichera oleosa, Terminalia tomentosa, sandal, neem,
T. arjuna. Grewia tilaefolia, Santalum album, tamarind, chujjullu,
Shorea talura, Emblica officinalis, Vitex altissima, jalari, Wrightia
tinctoria, Randia sp. Zizphus sp. and Albizzia sp. Bamboos are common
in the park, the dominant species being Dendrocalamus strictus.
A small area of the park has plantations of Eucalyptus, Bauhinia
purpurea, Samanea saman and Peltphorum pterocarpum.
The
wildlife in their natural habitat create interests in tourists.
Wild animals like Elephant, gaur, leopard, jackal, fox, wild pig,
sloth bear, sambar, chital, spotted deer, barking deer, common langur,
bonnet macaque, porcupine and the hare are found here. Other inhabitants
include wild boars, sloth bears, pangolin, slender loris, huge monitor
lizards as well as cobras, pythons, kraits and Russell vipers roam
the park. The park is a unique relocation area for tigers and lions
rescued from circuses in India. They can be seen in securely fenced
areas within the 25,000 acres of the Park.
Visitors can spot a large variety of birds in this park. The
avian population comprises cormorants, white ibis, little green
heron, grey heron, paradise flycatcher, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher,
Common Grey Hornbill, White bellied Drong, Spotted Owlet, Collared
Scop’s owl, Mottled Wood Owl, Eurasian Eagle owl and Brown
Fish owl.
» How
to reach Bannerghatta
By
Air : The nearest airport is in Bangalore 22 kms away. From Bangalore
one can get a car or bus to Bannerghatta.
By Rail : The nearest railway station is Bangalore
By Road : Government buses run between Bangalore
and Bannerghatta frequently.