Kudremukh National Park

Kudremukh lies in the Western Ghats’ Chikkamagaluru district. It is the third-highest peak in Karnataka, next to Mullayyangiri and Baba Budangiri, with 6,207 feet. Kudremukh is home to a wide range of flora and fauna. 

Chikamagalur’s Kudremukh National Park:

Kudremukh is a mountain range in the Karnataka state, with its highest point in the Chikkmagaluru district. ‘Kuduremukha’ is a word that means ‘horse-face’ in Kannada, the native language. It refers to a specific view of a mountainside that resembles the face of a horse. Historically, this was also known as Samseparvath due to its proximity to Samse village. Additionally, it is the name of a little hill station located near the mountains, approximately 48 kilometres near Karkala and approximately 20 kilometres from Kalasa. Kudremukh National Park is located in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Chickmagalur districts.

History:

There are several iron ore mining activities conducted in the town of Kudremukh. KIOCL, a government-owned iron ore mining company, has operated in Kudremukh for more than a decade. In 1916, the Kudremukh region was recognized as a reserve forest to prevent major cut-and-burn agriculture practices from spreading into the Western Ghats.

Geography:

The second-largest Wildlife Protected Area in India is Kudremukh National Park. It is a tropical rainforest found throughout the Western Ghats of India. The park has an area of about 600 square kilometres and is located at an elevation of 1,894 metres above sea level.

The forest is located in the Karnataka districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Chikmagalur. The park runs from Narasimha Parvatha (in the Sringeri Taluk) to Jamalabad Fort (in the Belthangady Taluk) in the north towards the Jamalabad Fort (in the Belthangady Taluk) mostly in the south.

The park’s southern and western boundaries are formed by the steep ridgeline of the Western Ghats. As you travel north, central, and east through the park, you’ll encounter rolling hills covered in diverse vegetation, including grasslands and shola forests. 

Kudremukh National Park is divided across four ranges: Kerekatte, Kudremukh, Kalasa, and Shimoga. The park is covered in a dense mountainous forest, predominantly evergreen and semi-evergreen in the western half along the coastal plains.

There are deep ravines and cliffs at Kudremukh National Park, Karnataka. This dense forest is exceedingly mountainous and close to shoal vegetation in the Western Ghats upland areas and coastal plain on the western half.

The Tunga River, the Bhadra River, and the Nethravathi River are all thought to originate here. The Kadambi waterfalls are a must-see for everyone visiting the area.

Due to the park’s location in the Kudremukh area, which is noted for its natural, fascinating scenery and magnificent hilly terrain, the park is home to a diverse range of forests and animals. It is part of the Bhadra Tiger Sanctuary.

Kudremukh National Park’s Flora and Fauna:

The domain is home to a wide range of plants and animals. The deep forests are home to various animals, including the ferocious leopard, barking deer, endangered macaque, langur, spotted deer, gaur, tiger, sloth bear, sambar, and huge flying squirrels.

Kudremukh is home to numerous rare, endangered, medicinally and economically valuable flora species. This area is home to endangered species such as the Nilambur Cobra Lily and the Jewel Orchid, both of which are on the point of extinction. Acacia, silk oaks, eucalyptus and casuarinas are other common trees found in this region.

What is Kudremukh National Park Famous for?

There are several reasons why the park and the surrounding area are so well-known as top tourist destinations. Wanderoo is one of the most notable kinds of wildlife found here. One hundred ninety-five distinct species of birds can be found in this region. People come here to see the nearby Kadambi Waterfall. The national park is near famous temples like Gangamoola, Sringeri Sharadha Peetam, Horanadu Annapoorneshwari Temple, etc. People also come here to visit the nearby hill station located in Kemmangundi and to visit Barda and Ballavpur, which are the two other wildlife sanctuaries nearby.

This area is native to more than 200 different kinds of birds. The main attractions for bird watchers include a large migratory where rare species like the Malabar Trogon and Imperial Pigeon can be spotted.

The Kudremukh Mountain is a joy for hikers and trekkers. It is over 1900 metres in elevation and offers spectacular views of blue skies, dense forests, rolling hills, and beautiful grasslands. A stunning blend of breathtaking scenery will blow your breath. Camping is not permitted on park premises. However, the forest ranger’s office allows this activity from sunrise to sunset. The permit is issued by Kudremukh town. 

The park’s splendour is visible throughout the year; however, if you would like to view the spectacular sight of evergreen woods, magnificent birds, and wildlife, you should visit between October and February.

Conclusion:

Kudremukh national park is a nature lover’s heaven, especially for trekkers. The park is home to an abundance of vegetation and fauna. The Kadambi Waterfalls and Hanumangundi Falls have been the most popular and unusual destinations in the Kudremukh Bird Sanctuary. There are 200 bird species in the area, which you may readily spot if you enjoy bird watching.