About Bandipur National Park and Forest Fires

About Bandipur National Park

Bandipur National Park is located in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka.
It constitutes of forest landscape comprising Nagarahole (Karnataka), Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam (Tamil Nadu) and Wayanad (Kerala).
Bandipur constitutes an integral part of ‘Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve’ along with.
- Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu
- Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala
- Nagarhole National Park in Karnataka
Bandipur was established as a Tiger Reserve in 1974 after Project Tiger. As per NRCA data the tiger reserve is home to nearly 120 to 150 tigers.
As a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, it is the largest habitat of wild elephants in South Asia.
It is declared as Eco-Sensitize Zone under Environment Protection Rules, 1986.
Forest Type
- Mixture of dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests and shrublands. The wide range of habitats help support a diverse range of organisms.
Natural inhabitants
- Gaur, sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild dogs, wild boar, jackal, sloth bear, panther, malabar squirrel, porcupines, jungle fowl.
Other Facts
- Kabini river flows in the northern part of the park

In Brief: Forest Fires

Manmade causes behind forest fires

Villagers set the forests on fire in the hope of fresh grass.
Increase in temperature causes inflammable materials in the forests get ignited.
People’s negligence, a lit cigarette or bidi.
Attempts to convert forest land into agricultural land.
Fire caused by poachers and timber smugglers.
Burning of waste in illegal dumps.
Shifting cultivation practice by the locals
Tourist activities like camp-fire etc.

Impact of Forest Fires

Loss of life.
They change wildlife habitats.
Fire changes the proportion, arrangement and characteristic of habitats across the landscape.
Temporary loss of food and shelter causes displacement of territorial birds and mammals, upsetting the ecological balance.

Way Forward

Section : Environment & Ecology