Bannerghatta National Park
| Bannerghatta National Park | |
|---|---|
  Bannerghatta National Park | |
| Location | Karnataka, India |
| Nearest city | Bangalore |
| Area | 104.27 km². |
| Established | 1974 |
| Governing body | Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India |
Bannerghatta National Park is situated 22 km south of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The journey to the park takes nearly one and half hour from Bangalore. This hilly place is the home for one of the richest natural, zoological reserves. The 25,000 acre (104.27 km²) zoological park makes this a major tourist attraction of Bangalore.
The Zoological reserve
The Bannerghatta Tiger and Lion Reserve has a reserve of Indian tigers including white tigers, lions and other mammals. Safaris - Tiger & Lion Safari and Grand Safari(including herbivores) - conducted by the KSTDC,aid in the funding of the reserve. The Tiger Reserve of the park has been recognised by the Forest Department of India.
Controversy
 |
In 1992, a young child fell prey to a tiger named Bill, allegedly due to carelessness of the Forest Department staff. The incident raised questions on the security of the mini-safari and its maintenance.
However at the time of the tragedy, private vehicles were allowed inside the Safari. The child in question was traveling in a private car driven by his father. The child's grandfather was sitting with the child in his lap and the car stopped annoyingly close to a tiger (supposedly just 2 feet (0.61 m) away). The child's grandfather is rumored to have rolled down the car's window glass and held the kid in the window to give the child a better look at the tiger. They also made loud noises. The irritated tiger took a swipe and the child died instantly.
In the aftermath of the incident private vehicles were stopped from venturing in to the tiger and lion safari. Now the park itself operates several mini-buses to serve the people.
Travel information
Altitude: 1245 to 1634 meters above sea level
Visiting hours: 9AM to 5PM
Holiday: Closed on Tuesdays
Best time: September to January
How to reach: Public transport - via BMTC buses-365 and V365(volvo A/c)
The Zoo
There is a small museum in the zoo which showcases zoological exhibits. The zoo, which is a major attraction in this area, also has a reptile park and a small theatre. The zoo has been criticised for the maintenance of its exhibits. The Zoo is closed on Tuesdays (weekly holiday)
The zoo has separate charges for weekdays and weekends (or Holidays). The prices currently for A Grand Safari — of Lions, Tigers & Herbivores costs Rs. 100 on regular days and Rs. 135 on weekends (and other holidays) where as, to move around the zoo would cost you Rs. 35.00. The Tiger and Lion safari,covering only the big cats, is the most interesting and one can avail tickets only for that at a lower cost(Rs.65 and 90 on weekends and holidays). Usage of camera(still and video)attracts additional charges Rs.20 and Rs. 110.
The entire month of May has holiday fares as that is the time when children in India have summer holidays.
Bannerghatta National Park contact phone number: +91-80-27828540
Butterfly Park
The country's first Butterfly Park was established at the Bannerghatta Biological Park. It was inaugurated on Saturday November 25, 2006 by Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Science and Technology.
The Butterfly Park is spread across 7.5 acres (30,000 m2) of land. It comprises a butterfly conservatory, museum and an audio-visual room. The butterfly conservatory has a polycarbonate roof and is a 10,000 sq ft (1,000 m²). circular enclosure, inside which the living environment has been carefully designed to support over 20 species of butterflies.
The environment has a tropical setting — complete with the humid climate, an artificial waterfall,a narrow walking bridge and host plants and shrubs that attract butterflies.
The conservatory leads to the second and third domes, which house the museum containing dioramas and exhibits of carefully preserved,exquisite butterflies.
The collaborative agencies are the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, University of Agricultural Sciences and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE).
External links and references
- Criticisms of the National Park in The Hindu
- Report from 5tigers.org about a child fatality in 1992
- Lions’ club grows at Bannerghatta park
- Butterfly Park in The Hindu
- News:Elephants stray into villages on periphery of BNP, Oct 17, 2006
- BMTC Volvo bus no.V365 to Bannerghatta National Park - Route and Schedule timings
- Photo Gallery
