Karnataka is the state with the highest number of tigers in India. The number of tigers in this state is around 300.
Currently there are around 524 Royal Bengal Tigers in Karnataka as per Tiger Census report dated 29th July 2019.
In 2019, the 6th Tiger Reserve was added in Karnataka. 20% of tigers and 25% of elephants in India are located in Tiger Reserves in Karnataka.
How many tiger reserves in Karnataka?
2010 Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. mentioned here are 5 tiger reserves in karnataka. 5 Tiger Reserves are –
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve
- Nagarahole Tiger Reserve
- Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Tiger Reserve (BTR)
- Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve or Kali tiger Reserve
- Bhadra Tiger Reserve
1. Bandipur Tiger Reserve:
Bandipur National Park was formed in 1973 as part of Project Tiger. It is located in the South India State of Karnataka.
This tiger reserve was once a private hunting reserve of a Maharaja of Mysore state. Now it has become Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
Bandipur Tiger Reserve is currently 912.04 sq. Km area is there.
And this Tiger Reserve is named after a village called Bandipur.
BTR southern karnataka covers two districts Mysore and Chamarajanagar.
BTR is a part of western ghat. Mysore Airport is located 80 km from here. NH67 passes through BTR which is 80 km from Mysore.
A variety of mammals, different species of birds, butterflies, tigers, and other animal species can be seen here.
Read More: How Many Tiger Reserves Are There in Tamil Nadu?
2. Nagarahole Tiger Reserve:
The name Nagarahole is derived from a river called Nagarahole, which means ‘serpent river’ in Kannada.
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve was earlier known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park.
Nagarahole Tiger Reserve is the best place to stay for tigers and elephants.
It is an important tiger reserve in Karnataka, India which belongs to Project Tiger and Project Elephants.
Various species of Carnivores and Herbivores are found in this region.
For example – Leopard, Tiger, Elephants, Wild dogs, chital, mouse deer, wild pigs and south-western langur etc.
First in 1955, this wildlife sanctuary spread over an area of 285 sq km.
Later the government declared the area as a National Park in 1983 at 571.55 sq km.
Then in 1986 it became a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve along with Nagarahole National Park and Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
In 2000 ntr came under project elephants and became a part of mysore elephant reserve.
Its area was increased to 643.392 sq km in 2003 covering 71.84 sq km. Nagarahole National Park came under Project Tiger in 2003.
3. BRT Tiger Reserve:
BRT Tiger Reserve is located on the western and eastern ghats and borders of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
In 2011, brt got tiger reserve status, through the wildlife protection act of 1972.
Tigers, rare black panthers, leopards, many bird species, elephants, gaurs and other animals can be seen here.
BRT tiger reserve is located 222 km from Bengaluru city. Jungle Safari is one of the attractions of this Tiger Reserve.
4. Kali Tiger Reserve:
This reserve area was earlier known as Anshi National Park and Dandeli Wildlife sanctuary.
In 2007 these two names were combined and named as Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve.
Later in 2014 the name of this tiger reserve was changed to Kali Tiger Reserve.
This place is named after the river Kali. Kali Tiger Reserve is located in North Kannada district of Karnataka.
Bengal Tiger, black panther, Indian elephant can be seen in this tiger reserve.
If you ever go for a safari here, you will get a chance to do camping, rock climbing, jeep safari, rafting, mountain biking.
Kali Tiger Reserve is spread over an area of about 1300 sq km.
KTR is open from 6 AM to 6 PM. It is located at a distance of 495 sq km from Bengaluru city.
5. Bhadra Tiger Reserve:
In 1998 BTR became a part of project Tiger covering an area of over 492 sq km.
This tiger reserve is named after the river Bhadra.
Bhadra is known as one of the biodiversity hotspots in India.
A new mammal census reveals 33 tigers and 22 leopards, gaurs, elephants, chitals, sambars, wild bears.
