(Usha Raja will be presenting a series of articles on the attractions of Dakshina Kannada in Karnataka.)
One of India’s best known wildlife reserves, ‘Nagarhole National Park’, beckons tourists from all over to have a tryst with Nature and wildlife. Nagarhole means ‘snake stream’ in Kannada. It is situated 90 km west of Mysore city where the table land of Deccan plateau climbs into the Western Ghats. Its moderate climate with abundant flora and fauna make it a veritable paradise for wildlife.
Our rendezvous with birds and animals started after a visit to the Kabini dam (which was almost full at that time). The Nagarhole Park skirts the backwaters of the Kabini dam. As we entered the Hunsur wildlife division, which serves as an entrance to the park, there was silence everywhere. Travelling in a van, enjoying the chirping of birds and the sound of gurgling waters, was a visual and aural treat. The distance from Kabini to the park can be covered within two hours.
We tried to catch a glimpse of tigers and elephants as we motored through the meandering roads. The hilly terrain had pictures of tiger and elephants on either side of the route. At one spot, we had a tete-a-tete with elephants. There were six to seven of them waiting to be fed.
With no human habitation, we were free to roam, gazing at the birds and animals and trees. The spotted deer, barking deer, elephants, Indian giant squirrel, large brown flying squirrel, which are herbivores, were found in plenty, feeding on the foliage. Sprouting grass on the meadows is a major attraction for birds and animals. The sloping hills clothed in greenry housed jungle cat, small Indian civet mongoose, etc. There are reportedly 336 species of colourful birds. A herd of swine chased the cats and dogs and the three staged a ‘big fight’. Crocodile, tortoise and snakes are a part of the reptile population.
Since it is classified under the ‘rain forest region’, it rains now and then in Nagerhole, enriching the vegetation. The park consists of plain land as well as sloping hills with varied flora from dry deciduous to semi-evergreen forests.
Since we were there during the Monsoon, the grandeur of the park loomed large in front of us. Due to rains the ‘safari’ was cancelled but we travelled the length and breadth of the park - of course, in a closed van, before dusk. The abundant jackfruit were disturbed only by monkeys who were feeding on them. After consuming the fruit, the monkeys threw the seeds at the passers-by as if in a mood to play.
Our night halt at the park in a cottage deep in the forest was worth the stay. The jackal with its nocturnal calls and the roaming of the wild boar will be etched in our memory. The smell of fresh, pure air rejuvenated our spirits. The sun tried to bathe the forest with its rays at dawn.
Amidst the numerous teak saplings and trees surrounded by cardamom plants there is a watch tower. After a hard climb, steaming tea pepped up our spirits.
The Nagerhole park is also called ‘Rajiv Gandhi National Park’ and is flanked by Bandipur National Park to the south-east and Kerala’s Wynad Wildlife Sanctury to the south-west. It is also India’s first biosphere reserve and encompasses an area of about 5,500 sq km.
We left Nagarhole guesthouse and made our way back. Our journey was interrupted by a peacock which danced in front of the vehicle as if to bid adieu. The different hues of green and blue on its body were a feast to the eyes. We were lost in the verdant embrace of forest as we proceeded on our further journey in the Western
Ghats.
Approach to Nagerhole:-
225 km from Bangalore
90 km from Mysore Hunsur
(My special thanks to Babu for suggesting this spot for a tour and accompanying us.)
Nagarhole National Park
