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Between the districts of Mysore and Coorg lies the Nagarhole National Park. This is a wildlife sanctuary, spread over an area of 640sq.km. This is one of the largest protected forests. The Nagarhole National Park was started as a sanctuary, but in 1975 it got the recognition of a national park. This park is also known as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
This park was the exclusive hunting ground of the Mysore rulers. However, today it conserves wild animals like tigers, elephants, bison, etc. The terrain of this reserve includes gentle hills and valleys. The park is located around the perennial water reservoir that was formed in 1974 by damming river Kabini.
The vegetation of the Nagarhole National Park can be categorized as a moist deciduous forest. You can find bamboo, teak, eucalyptus and cassia plantations all over the park. This park shelters native wildlife from the Nilgiri hills. Nigiri tahr, nilgiri langur, wild boars, deers, dhole(wild doges) and porcupines are some of the herbivorous animals found in the Nagarhole National Park.
The Nagarhole National Park is famous for its tiger and elephant populations. It is said that this park has the largest population of the tigers amongst all the parks in India. Tourists can go on safaris to see animals like the leopard, bison etc.
Tourists interested in bird watching can visit this park to see a variety of birds like the endangered Malabar Trogon, the Malabar pied hornbill and the crested hawk eagle. Some regions of the park are covered with tall trees. Some of these trees are about thirty meters tall. Most of the times reptiles like king cobra, python, lizards and toads can be seen under the shades of these tall trees. Hence, the park supports a variety of animal as well as plant life.
The Nagarhole National Park is the home of the tribal people. Tribes like the jenu kurubas or the honey collectors, the Betta kurubas or the hill tribes and the hakki-pikki or bird trappers live in this park. Hence the national park not only shelters these tribes but provides them with their livelihood.
The tourists have to pay a sum of 15rs to get a permit pass to enter the park. This permit is obtained at the entrance of the park. The tourists can explore this park with the use of jeeps and elephant safaris which are additional charges.
You can access the Nagarhole National Park by a rail road from Mysore. Tourists can also consider the option of buses while coming to the park. The city of Bangalore is well connected with the bus route. Some tourists also visit this park in private cars. Within the park you can use a jeep or a elephant ride to explore the park. Tourists can go hiking in some areas of the park which is very thrilling.
For accommodation inside the park, there are state owned rest houses, private lodges and cottages. Tourists have to book a rest house at least 15 days before their trip. Tourists can stay at the river lodges, which is situated on the river Kabini. Some cottages come with services like breakfast, sight seeing and touring included in their tariff.
The best time to visit this park is during the months of November-February. The atmosphere is extremely pleasant and good for exploring the park. The monsoon should be avoided as the road network fails and the park is full of leeches.
Hence, on your trip to Coorg, do pay a visit to the beautiful Nagarhole National Park.
To know more about Tourist Attractions in and Coorg go to:
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