Bandipur Tiger Reserve:
As per the order by the Karnataka State Minister for Environment, Ecology and Forests, one late evening safari trip – each in jeep and bus – are being stopped at Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR), in the first phase.
- It is situated in the Mysore and Chamarajanagar revenue districts of southern Karnataka.
- It is located at the tri-junction area of the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
- Geographically, it is an “ecological confluence” of the Western and Eastern Ghats.
- It was once a hunting ground for the rulers of the neighbouring kingdom of Mysore.
- It is part of the larger Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- BTR is surrounded by Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the North West (Kabini Reservoir separates the two), Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the South, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the South West.
- It is surrounded by River Kabini in its north and River Moyar in its south.
- Bandipur has a typical tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
- It comprises diverse vegetation of dry deciduous to tropical mixed deciduous.
- It includes rosewood, Indian kino tree, sandalwood, Indian laurel, clumping bamboo, and giant clumping bamboo, etc
- It is a shelter for the largest population of wild Asian elephants in South Asia.
- It comprises other mammals such as the Bengal tiger, gaur, sloth bear, golden jackal, dhole, and four-horned antelope, etc.
