Nagarhole got its name from a winding river Nagarhole, which runs eastwards through its centre. Nagarhole means Cobra River in local language. This place is situated in the state of Karnataka in the two districts of Kodagu and Mysore. It was first formed in 1955 and covers an area of around 255 sq. km. and subsequently it was extended to include adjacent areas of Mysore district and now cover approximately 640 sq. km.

This place was given the status of national park in 1983. This sanctuary is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and along with Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Bandipur National Park to its south east and Wayanad to its south west, it forms the best protected and one of the last remaining habitats of endangered animals like the Tiger and the elephant.

Nagarhole National Park is considered as one of the best wildlife parks in India. It has a big population of bison and elephants. It hosts nearly 250 species of birds along with a variety of other animals. Kabini River is on its northern confines and a dam on this river demarcates the two national parks. A large number of animals are attracted to this artificial lake during dry season, which makes it the best place to spot wildlife.

Climate

The summer is moderate here and the temperature does not go above 33 degree Celsius. The winter season is brief and is there from November to January, and the temperature goes down to 14 degrees. Monsoon season is erratic here, and June to September is usually wet here. Nagarhole national park has predominant vegetation of moist, southern tropical, mixed deciduous type. Dry deciduous type weather substantial integrates in the eastern portion.

The upper tree canopy is mainly of Terminaliatomentosa along with Pterocarpusmarsupium, Dalbergialatifolia and others. The lower canopy has different set of plants. Several shrubs are substantially found here such as Helicteres sp. and Desmondium.

Flora and Fauna

Nagarhole National Park has important carnivore and predators like wild dog (dhole or Cuonalpinus), leopard, tiger, the hyena, and sloth bear. Herbivores include sambar, spotted deer, four horned antelope, barking deer, wild boar, gaur and elephant. Some of the southern population of gaur can be seen at this national park.

This part of Karnataka has thick bamboo growth and luxuriant forest, which is enjoyed most by elephants so it is easy to spot them here. In this part, they have a total population of 6,500, all living in the areas adjoining Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Western Ghats.

There is some mammalian population which include Bonnet macaque, langur, slender Loris, jungle cat, civet cat, leopard cat, giant squirrel, mongoose, pangolin, hare, and common otter. This national park is home to nearly 250 different species of birds. Apart from the huge variety of woodland birds, there is good population of water fowl in the Kabhini River. Birds range from scarlet minivets, blue-bearded bee-eater, and Malabar whistling thrush and some common varieties of ducks, herons, and ospreys.

How to Reach

Nagarhole National Park is readily connected with adjoining areas. Roads link the park to the towns of Mysore and Madikeri. It takes nearly two hours to come from these two places. The nearest railway station is at Mysore, which is well connected. If you are coming by air and the nearest place you can land is at Bangalore.

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