Bandipur Tiger Reserve

State

Karnataka

History

Altitude (above M.S.L.)

780 - 1454 m

In 1931 a sanctuary of 90 km² was created here. Additional areas have since been added. In 1973 it was established as Bandipur National Park, and constituted as a Tiger Reserve. It is also part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve now, which was the first Biosphere Reserve in India.

Area

Total

880 km²

Core

523 km²

Buffer

357 km²

Flora and Fauna

Bandipur receives rainfall from both the south-west and the north-east monsoons. This results in a fairly long wet season, supplying the fauna and flora with sufficient water. During the dry season the Kabini Reservoir provides water as well as grazing grounds for hundreds of elephants. It is estimated that 75 tigers reside in this reserve.

Temperature

10°C - 29°C

Rainfall (per annum)

625 - 1250 mm

Seasons

Winter

Nov - Feb

Summer

Feb - Jun

Monsoon

Jun - Nov

Fauna

Tiger, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, sloth bear, spotted deer, mouse deer, four-horned antelope , wild dog, etc.

Forest Types

Dry Deciduous Scrub,
Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest,
Tropical Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest

Funds

Insufficient & delayed

Management Objectives

Staff

Untrained & understaffed

Protection measures against cattle grazing, smuggling of forest products, forest fires and poaching, which has already resulted in the improvement of vegetation and increase of wildlife, is Bandipurs main concern.

Problems

Illegal grazing of livestock by villagers has had a destructive effect on the habitat. Livestock is also a potential source of diseases for wild animals; foot rot has already been detected in spotted deer. Weeds such as Lantana and Eupatorium have reduced grazing availability. The reserve also suffers from frequent fires, most of which are man made. Poaching of elephants for ivory, and other animals for meat, is another serious problem.

External Influences (1991 census)

Villages

200

Human population

160,000

Livestock numbers

180,000