Nagarhole National Park

Nagarhole was once the Mysore maharajas reserve forest and became a national park in 1955. The place derives its name from local Kannada - Naga, meaning snake and hole meaning streams. This park is part of a contiguous 5,500 square kilometer landscape (ideal habitat for these pachyderms) of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, bordering three States in the Western Ghats - Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Together with Bandipur National Park, Mudumalai and other Protected Areas, this region constitutes the largest contiguous forest covering in Asia. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, is home to one of the largest concentrations of Asian elephants in the world. It is difficult to find accurate elephant population statistics complicated by the annual migration, but there are estimated to be over 8000 Asian elephants in this reserve.

Elephants in Nagarhole

It is home to the largest population of Asiatic Elephants in the world & among the best places to see Elephants in India. The Kabini reservoir separates this park from Bandipur National Park. What makes Kabini special is that every summer, it hosts the world’s largest congregation of Asiatic elephants in the world. Every year between April and May, close to 800 elephants migrate to the Kabini backwaters in search of water and vegetation, As Kabini River shrinks, its exposed river bed quickly becomes carpeted in grass. When the rest of the park is drying out, these green pastures and the abundance of food along the banks of the river attract elepahnts and other wildlife.

Widlife

Three major predators - Tiger, Leopard and Dhole (wild dog) co-exist in high numbers due to health prey base like Spotted Deer, Barking Deer and Wild Pigs. Other animals that you get to see here are Porcupines, Jackals, Hyenas and Sloth Bears. More recently there have been frequent sightings of a black panther. Otters inhabit the rivers and the reservoir here. The Stripe-Necked Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Brown mongoose and the Common Mongoose are present in fairly large numbers, but are not easy to spot because of their small size and lurking ways. Common otters too are found in Nagarahole, near rivers and the larger water courses including the reservoir.

Birds

There are 270 species of birds. Most commonly sighted raptors are Osprey, Grey-headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle. Scavengers include the King Vulture, White-rumped Vulture, Long-billed Vulture, and Egyptian Vulture. In dense forests, you could see the Malabar Trogon. Lesser Coucals, Malabar Pied Hornbill, and the Great Hornbill. An interesting avian to look out for is Vernal Hanging Parrot (Lorikeet), a bright green parakeet whose sweet call is heard more often than the bird is seen. Painted Storks, Asian Openbills, Black Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Lesser Adjutant Storks among the larger birds visible near water sources.

Getting There:
Nagarhole is about 5 hrs drive from Bangalore and 2 hrs from Mysore.

Recommended Circuit:
Tigers & Elephants : Delhi - Kanha - Pench - Nagpur - Bangalore - Nagarhole.

Culture & Wildlife North and South India: Delhi - Agra - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Mysore - Nagarhole - Bangalore

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