Nagarhole National Park or Rajiv Gandhi National Park, is spread across Kodagu and Mysore district, Karnataka, India. Setup in 1988 on the foothills of Western Ghats; at 642 sq. kms, it is one of India’s premier tiger reserve. Part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve; it was setup in an area abutting kabini river; its lifeline. The park is home to variety of endangered and threatened animal species including tiger, black panthers, pangolin, striped hyena, leopards, dhole, sloth bear, Asiatic wild dogs, and elephant.
Also found here are common animals like gaur, wild boar, sambar deer, chital deer, mouse deer, barking deer, chausingha, crocodile, gray langur, bonnet macaque, jungle cat, slender loris, hare, leopard cat, civet, mongoose, European otter, Indian giant flying squirrel, porcupine, golden jackal, and more. Park is separated by Kabini reservoir from Bandipur Tiger Reserve, another Project Tiger reserve; in the north-west. Declared project tiger reserve in 1999;
UNESCO World Heritage Committee is in the process of selecting it as World Heritage Site.Nagarhole is known for its biodiversity; with thick forest covering gorges, hills, and valleys. The park is fed by numerous rivers including Kabini, Lakshmmantirtha, Balle Halla, Sarati Hole, Nagar Hole, artificial tanks, swamps, Taraka Dam and Kabini reservoir. Starting from Brahmagiri hills Nagarhole national Park with Bandipur National Park, Mudumalai National Park, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary forms Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the largest protected forest area in South India.
Nagarhole got its name from Kannada words ‘Naga’ meaning snake and ‘hole’ meaning streams. Once a private hunting reserve of Wodeyar kings of Mysore dynasty, it was declared wildlife sanctuary in 1955. The park is a toutidm hot spoty full of precious trees like teak wood, rosewood, sandalwood as well as silver oak, tick clover, ficus, India gooseberry, horse nettles, lantana, bonesets, hone, crocodile bark, crepe myrtle, Indian kino, bamboo, kadam, cotton tree, ficus, beechwood, golden shower tree, flame of the forest, clumping bamboo and more.
The park has the highest concentrations of elephants in South India, with nearly all living in the tri-junction of Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Kerala. Park is considered best place to see wild elephants in India. Kabini river bank is one of the best location for tourist and wildlife enthusiasts to watch wildlife in pristine surroundings. Both Bangalore and Mysore; latter being closest; can be used as base by tourists to reach Nagarhole park. Both cities are well connected by rail, road and air with rest of India.
Tourist can interact with Jenu Kuruba tribals living in and around the park. The park charges INR 200 from Indian tourists and INR 1000 from foreigners as entry fee. Park allows regular morning and evening jeep and bus safari for tourists accompanied by registered forest guides. Coracle rides and boat safari are also available on Kabini river. A birdwatcher’s paradise, Nagarhole park; is recognized as an Important Bird Area.
The park is home to over 270 species of birds, including critically endangered, endemic and threatened species. Birds found here include waterfowl, blue-bearded bee-eater, scarlet minivet, white cheeked barbet, Indian scimitar babbler, Malabar trogan, Malabar whistling thrush, Oriental white-backed vulture, painted bush quail, Sirkeer cuckoo, Indian robin, Indian peafowl, yellow legged green pigeon, lesser adjutant, greater spotted eagle, Nilgiri wood-pigeon, darter, oriental white ibis, greater grey headed fish eagle, and red-headed vulture.
A birdwatchers paradise also found here are endemic bird species that are not found anywhere else, like blue-winged parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill and white-bellied treepie. Park is home to reptiles like common vine snake, common wolf snake, rat snake, bamboo pit viper, Russell’s viper, common krait, Indian rock python, Indian monitor lizard and common toad. Biodiversity of Nagarhole is evident from the fact that over 160 species of insects and ants are found here.
The park faces threats of animal poaching, sandalwood, teak smuggling; forcing the government to take stern measures. Ideal for weekend trips there are several resorts, guesthouses, lodges, hotels in and around the park, where tourist can stay as per budget, but advance booking is must. Open throughout the year, best time to visit is from October to May. Using Nagarhole as base, tourist can also visit Iruppu waterfalls, Abbey waterfalls, Talacauvery, Kutta, Ishwara Temple, Dubare, Sringapatna, Ranganathitu Bird Sanctuary, and Coorg.
