Jungle Safari's
Area of the park : 643.39 sq. km
Year of Establishment: Constituted as a sanctuary in 1955, upgraded to the status of a national park in 1983.
Best season to visit : March and April
Nagarahole National Park gets its name from Nagarahole, which is a river that flows eastwards in a snake like fashion through the heart of the park. Nagarahole is a Kannada word which means Cobra River. Located in the Indian state of Karnataka and spread across the two districts of Mysore and Kodagu, the park was initially conceived as a sanctuary in 1955 with an area of 258 sq. km. The area of the park subsequently increased when adjoining areas of Mysore was added to it; today the area of the park stands at 643.39 sq. km. It was bestowed with the status of a national park in 1983.
What is special about the park is its pristine wilderness: there are gurgling fresh water rivers that crisscross the park, lively streams, forests that are dense and intimidating, but serene, as well as a lake that is so peaceful that it can soothe the soul.
The park was brought under the Project Tiger initiative in 1999 and is its thirty-seventh member. Also an important member of the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve, the park is rapidly gaining recognition as one of India's best national parks the UNESCO World Heritage Committee is contemplating to confer the status of World Heritage Site on the Western Ghats Nilgiri Sub-Cluster of 6,000 sq. km (2,300 sq mi). This cluster includes the Nagarhole National Park as well.
The wildlife of the park is teeming with rare and endangered animals. For a tiger lover, the park is where the action is as the park boosts a healthy tiger-predator ratio thereby giving this apex predator enough room to not only survive, but prosper. Giving the tiger company are the Indian bison, elephants, leopard, hyena, and a host of other anaimlals. As for birds, as many as 250 species have been recorded in the park.
Climate and Ecology
The average annual rainfall at the park has been projected at 1,440 millimeters (57 in). Apart from that, there are a host of water sources that nurture the wildlife of the park. Some of the important rivers of the park include the Lakshmmantirtha River, Sarati Hole, Nagahole, Balle Halla, and Kabini River. There are also a number of streams four perennial streams, 47 seasonal streams, and four small perennial lakes. To tackle water scarcity in case of a natural disaster, 41 artificial tanks and a number of dams have been established inside the park.
Flora of Nagarhole National Park
The vegetation of the park is shows a lot of diversity with the southern parts dominated by North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests �trees like teak and rosewood are more common in this region. As one move towards the east, the vegetation changes to Central Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests, and one would find species like Pala indigo and thorny wattle in great numbers. Another type of vegetation that can be found inside the park is sub-montane valley swamp forests, especially Eugeniagenus of which many species are native to the park.
Many commercially important trees can be found in the park, apart from teak and rosewood, like sandalwood and silver oak. Among the dry deciduous type, crocodile bark, Lagerstroemia lanceolata (Crepe myrtle), Indian Kino Tree, Grewia tilaefolia, rosewood and axlewood are commonly found. Species like agerstroemia microcarpa (Crepe myrtle), Kadam, cotton tree, and Schleichera trijuga have also been recorded here.
There are also a number of trees that grows beneath the forest canopy. Some of the important members of this group include Kydia calycina, Indian gooseberry and beechwood, Shrubs like horse nettles, tick clover, and Helicteres. Also found in abundance are invasive species like lantana and bonesets.
Also making their presences felt are a host of conspicuous tree species like golden shower tree, Flame of the Forest and clumping bamboo.