Wildlife Sanctuaries around Coorg

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Coorg is a heaven for nature lovers. It is popularly known as the Scotland of India. Located on the Western Ghats of Karnataka, Coorg is very rich in flora and fauna. Coffee and cardamom plantations, teak wood forest, orange grooves, contribute to the rich flora of Coorg. The wildlife sanctuaries around Coorg add variety to its fauna.

Coorg is traditionally known as Kodagu, meaning dense forest. Coorg offers variety to its tourists - mountains, waterfalls, forests, plantations, wildlife, and river. The main contribution of Coorg to Karnataka is the Cauvery River because the river originates here.

Coorg is still untouched by commercialization the way other hill stations of India have undergone. It is still nascent and full of natural beauty. The cleanliness and greenery of Coorg are worth appreciating. Tourists from all over the world travel to Coorg to enjoy this lush green landscape.

Coorg wildlife sanctuaries

  • Coorg is located in the Western Ghats which is among the 14 areas richest in biodiversity all over the world
  • The vegetation of Western Ghats contribute to the 27% of the flora of India
  • Coorg is the greenest of all hill stations and it is possible to see every shade of green here

Coorg is surrounded with dense forests. One can spot a range of wild animals in the various wildlife sanctuaries around Coorg. National Parks around Coorg are:

Nagarhole National Park

Deers At Nagarhole National Park


Spotted Deers At Nagarhole National Park

The Nagarhole was set up as a sanctuary in 1955 and designated as a national park in 1975. It is considered one of the best sanctuaries in South India. The national park spreads across 640 Sq Kms. Nagarhole is a part of the same Located on the foothills of Brahmagiri this sanctuary offers spectacular views of flora and fauna.

The common animals that can be spotted at the Nagarhole National Park are:

  • Elephant
  • Tiger
  • Leopard
  • Indian Bison (Gaur)
  • Dhole (Wild Dog)
  • Chittal (Spotted Deer)
  • Wild Boar
  • Mongoose
  • Hyena

Apart from a wide variety of animals the park has a diverse topography like swap grass, rivers, and streams. The visitors are frequently encountered with a stream of water trickling down the green bush, or river streams flowing among the woods. The terrain of Nagarhole forest is slightly sloppy and shallow valleys.

In earlier times The Maharajas of Mysore used to come to this forest for hunting. Recently the National Park has been re-named as Rajiv Gandhi National Park.

The hilly terrain and presence of river streams provide a unique wildlife viewing experience.

Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park is located 80 kms from Mysore. It is situated at an altitude of 1022 meters above the sea level. This forest is a part of the Nilgiri hills. Bandipur forest area was a favorite of Mysore Maharajs. Later it was made a national park by extending the Venugopal Wildlife Park.

The wildlife sanctuary has the serpentine Kabini flowing through it. Deodar trees, Mahagony, Teak, Sandalwood, and Ebony are some of the exceptional plants that comprise the flora of Bandipur forest.

Some of the interesting animals that one can spot at the park are:

  • Elephant
  • Bison
  • Sambhar
  • Deer
  • Panther
  • Cheetah

One can also spot beautiful birds in the Bandipur National Park. It is an exciting as well as soothing experience to watch animals and birds in their natural habitat.

Apart from the two main wildlife sanctuaries there are others like Brahmagiri, Talacauvery, Madumalai, etc. The wildlife sanctuaries around Coorg offer lot to the tourists in terms of adventure, fun, beauty, and an unique experience.