The State of Karnataka is located in the south western part of India. The geographical terrain of this state is characterized by rivers, hill ranges, lakes, forests, waterfalls and beaches. These, along with monuments, world heritage sites, temples, etc draw tourists to this state. Karnataka also has national parks, which serve the purpose of providing suitable habitats to the flora and fauna in the state.
Bandipur National Park
Bandipur National Park is located in Chamarajanagara district and is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It was established in the year 1974 and is spread over an area of about 874 square kilometers. This park is occupied by variety of biomes like dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests and shrublands. It is adorned with timber trees, flowering and fruiting trees. Endangered and vulnerable species like Indian elephants, gaurs and muggers; birds like peafowl; reptiles like spectacled cobra; butterflies, ants, etc have also been recorded in the park.
Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park is situated about 22 km south of Bengaluru in the hills of the Anekal range. It was founded in 1970 and declared a national park in 1974.This national park is spread over an area of about 260.51 square kilometers. Neem, bamboo, sandalwood, tamarind, eucalyptus, etc comprise the flora of this national park. Elephants, jackal, fox, wild boar, common langur, pangolin, etc comprise the fauna of Bannerghatta.
Nagarhole National Park
Nagarhole National Park is housed in Kodagu district and Mysore district. It was established in 1988 and is spread over an area of area of about 642.39 square kilometers. This park is occupied by North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests, sub-montane valley swamp forests, dry deciduous forest, shrubs, Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, Ussuri dhole, wild boar, barking deer, four-horned antelope, etc.
Kudremukh National Park
Kudremukh National Park is located in the Western Ghats in the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur. This park occupies an area of about 600.32 square kilometers. This park is occupied by plantations of eucalyptus, casuarinas, acacia auriculiformis and grevillea robusta, tiger, leopard, wild dog, Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, birds like pied hornbill and the imperial pigeon and reptiles.
Anshi National Park
Anshi National Park is located at a distance of 60 km from Karwar in Uttara Kannada district. It is spread over an area of about 340 square kilometers. This park serves as a home to bamboo, teak, eucalyptus, lantana, silver oak, deer, Indian bison, pangolin and sloth bear, birds like adjutant stork bulbul and brahminy kite.
