Bannerghatta National Park

The Bannerghatta National Park near Bangalore, Karnataka, was founded in 1970. It covers an area of 260.5 km² and hosts ten reserve forests of the Anekal Range. The Bannerghatta National Park is primarily covered with damp deciduous teak forests. Bamboo trees are abundant in the park, with Dendrocalamus strictus being the most prevalent species. There is also a wide range of animal species that inhabit the park, including tigers, lions, elephants, porcupines, and jackals. Tourists have a variety of activities to choose from once they arrive at the national park.

Flora and Fauna

Tigers, Lions, king cobra, Himalayan black bear, and Malabar giant squirrel are all found in the park. Wild creatures such as elephants, gaurs, leopards, jackals, foxes, wild pigs, sambars, chitals, spotted deer, and barking deer may also be seen. Other animals found in the national park include the common langur, porcupine, pangolin, and giant monitor lizards. Tigers and Lions may be observed over the park’s 25,000 acres of safely enclosed land.

The park also contains many birds, which adds to the area’s beauty. The park’s avian population includes cormorants, little green herons, grey herons, paradise flycatchers, Tickell’s blue flycatchers, common grey hornbills, white-bellied drongos, spotted owlets, collared scops owls, mottled wood owls, Eurasian eagle owls, and brown fish owls, to name a few.

The plant species in the park include anogeissus latifolia, Vitex altissima, jalari, and wright tinctoria. A small section of the park is dedicated to plantings of eucalyptus and peltophorum pterocarpum.

Tourist Activities Near The Park

Bannerghatta National Park is among the most popular tourist destinations in Bangalore. The park provides an option for tourists to enjoy bird viewing and camping in addition to trips in jeeps. There are also several hiking opportunities. Uddigebande (3.5 km), a natural rock structure named Hajaamana Kallu (3 kms), and Mirza Hill are among them (1.5 kms). Some of the other interesting facts and things to do at the park are as follows:

• At the elephant sanctuary, visitors can connect, communicate, and have a safe interaction between human beings and elephants by keeping them separated by a barrier. It is the first sanctuary with gated limits that allow elephants to travel freely within the park without limitation. It is also India’s 1st solar-fenced elephant sanctuary. Carol Buckley created the sanctuary, which has a total area of more than 120 acres.
• The zoo at the park is home to around 1900 species, including the Himalayan black bear and king cobra. Reptiles and animals, as well as colourful birds, coexist harmoniously here.
• To witness a large variety of butterflies, visitors can head to Butterfly Park. The butterfly park is the first one in India. It was established in 2006 and is among the primary highlights of the national park, attracting travellers from the entire globe. The park, which spans 7.5 acres, is home to over 48 different kinds of butterflies, a museum, and a theatre.
• Champaka Dhama Swamy Temple, built in the Dravidian style, is a sacred site near the park that invites visitors to get the blessings of the deity Lord Champakadhama. The shrine also houses the idols of Bhudevi and Sridevi.
• The park also houses a rescue centre, and provides a home to several rescued animals. Leopards, cheetahs, squirrels, chipmunks, panthers, hyenas, and other animals fall under this category.

Details For Visitors

The Bannerghatta Park is available to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The park remains unavailable for tourists every Tuesday. Tickets for specific activities in the park may be purchased at the main gate. Visitors can also book the tickets online to ease access and save time.

To enter the Bannerghatta Zoo Park in Bangalore, Indian citizens must pay 100 rupees per person for adults, 60 rupees for senior people over sixty, and 50 rupees for children aged 6 to 12. However, the Butterfly Park admission charge is distinct from the other admission fee, which is 50 rupees for adults and 30 rupees for both older people and children.

Safari rides are available as part of a tour of the fun activities. From Monday to Friday, a non-AC Bus Safari trip costs 300 rupees for adults, 200 rupees for senior citizens, 150 rupees for children, and an extra 50 rupees per ticket on weekends and government holidays.

Conclusion

Bengaluru Bannerghatta Biological Park is a one-of-a-kind ecologically significant place located on the northern terminus of Mysore Elephant Reserve. The park plays a vital role in protecting wide floral and faunal variety, the sequestration of carbon, and the maintenance of regional hydrology. Approximately 2300 animals from 102 species are currently being safeguarded in a naturalistic habitat and receiving veterinary treatment at the Park. The park aims to preserve endangered species and maintain the region’s ecological balance.