Nagarahole National Park

About

Nagarahole National Park also known as Rajiv Gandhi national Park is one of the India’s premier Tiger reserve adjoining Bandipur Tiger Reserve. It is a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and extends till Brahmagiri wildlife sanctuary. The park has an area of 643sq.km and the elevations range from 687 to 960 m. It is located about 90kms south of Madikeri.

Rivers

Lakshmanatirtha River, Sarati Hole, Nagar Hole, Balle Halla, Kabini River, 4 perennial streams and 47 seasonal streams flow through this reserve.

Flora and Fauna

The main trees found here are the commercially important rosewood, teak, sandalwood and silver oak. Species of trees of the dry deciduous forest including crocodile bark, Lagerstroemia Lanceolata (crepe myrtle), Indian kino tree, Grewia Tilaefolia, rosewood and axlewood are in abundance. Other tree species that are seen in the forests are Lagerstroemia Microcarpa (crepe myrtle), kadam, cotton tree, Schleichera Trijuga and some species of ficus.

Sloth Bears, Leopards, Tigers, Wild Dogs, Sambar, Four-Horned Antelopes, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Elephant and Wild Boars are some of the easily spotted animals of this park. This entire forest cover is abode to the largest herbivorous density in Asia and largest Asiatic Elephant density in the entire world. Home to wide variety of flora and fauna it is under consideration by the UNESCO World Heritage committee to be titled as World Heritage Site.

Area

643 sq.km

Elevation

Elevation ranges from 687 to 960 meters