Nagarhole is home to significant populations of endangered species, including Bengal tigers, Indian elephants, and Indian leopards. The park supports over 250 species of birds, including critically endangered species like the Oriental white-backed vulture. Other notable wildlife includes gaur (Indian bison), sloth bears, dholes (wild dogs), spotted deer, sambar deer, and four-horned antelope. The park's waterways harbor marsh crocodiles, and its canopy shelters various primate species including bonnet macaques and gray langurs.
The park showcases diverse vegetation types, including moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests, and small patches of semi-evergreen forests. Dominant tree species include teak, rosewood, sandalwood, and silver oak. The understory is rich with bamboo thickets, particularly giant bamboo species. The park also features extensive areas of savanna woodlands and patches of swamp grasslands along water bodies. Over 1,000 species of flowering plants have been documented within the park boundaries.
The park's terrain is characterized by gentle slopes and shallow valleys, formed by the Brahmagiri hills that run through the area. The landscape varies from flat plains to undulating hills, with elevations ranging from 687m to 960m above sea level. The park's soil composition includes red loam in higher areas and black clay in the valleys, supporting rich vegetation. The area is crisscrossed by several perennial streams and the Kabini River forms its southern boundary, creating a rich riparian ecosystem.
Originally established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1955, Nagarhole was upgraded to a national park in 1983 and was later renamed after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The area was once the exclusive hunting grounds of the Wodeyar dynasty, the rulers of Mysore. In 1999, it was declared a Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger and forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The park's name 'Nagarhole' comes from the combination of two Kannada words: 'Nagara' meaning snake and 'hole' meaning streams, referring to the numerous serpentine streams that flow through the forest.
The park's most distinctive feature is the Kabini reservoir along its southern boundary, which attracts large herds of elephants and other wildlife, especially during dry seasons. The King's Tank (Rajankere) is another significant water body that serves as a major wildlife viewing point. The park offers excellent safari opportunities through both jeep and boat rides. The Kabini River Lodge, converted from an old hunting lodge, is now a popular eco-tourism destination. The park also contains several ancient temples and tribal settlements of indigenous communities like the Jenu Kurubas and Betta Kurubas.
The park experiences a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Annual rainfall ranges from 1,000mm to 1,500mm, with the southwest monsoon bringing heavy rains from June to September. Winters (November to February) are mild and pleasant with temperatures between 15-25°C, making it the ideal time for wildlife viewing. Summers (March to May) can be quite hot with temperatures reaching up to 35°C. The park remains closed during the peak monsoon months of July and August.
India
12.9190°, 74.8530°
1988
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Rajiv Gandhi National Park, also known as Nagarhole, is rich in wildlife including tigers, elephants, and leopards. The park features moist deciduous forests and several water bodies. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities.