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Bannerghatta National Park

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Bannerghatta Biological Park
Map showing the location of Bannerghatta Biological Park
Map showing the location of Bannerghatta Biological Park
Bannerghatta Biological Park
LocationKarnataka, India
Nearest cityBangalore
Area104.27 km².
Established1974
Governing bodyMinistry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
bannerghattabiologicalpark.org

Bannerghatta Biological Park was created from a portion of the Bannerghatta National Park in 2002. It is situated 22km south of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The journey to the park from Bangalore takes about one and one half hours. This place is home to one of the richest natural zoological reserves. The 25,000 acre (104.27 km²) zoological park makes this a major tourist attraction in Bangalore.

Zoological Reserve

A Bengal tiger at Bannerghatta National Park, India
A leopard at Bannerghatta Zoo

The zoological reserve shelters Indian tigers (including white tigers), lions, and other mammals. The zoological reserve was founded after Shri Y.M.L Sharma, Chief Conservator of Forests of Karnataka at that time, petitioned the Government for a National Park in Bannerghatta. A Tiger & Lion Safari and a Grand Safari are available as excursions provided at the park. The safaris are managed by the KSTDC, which also aids in funding the reserve. The park’s tiger reserve has been recognized by the Forest Department of India.

Zoo

A small museum in the zoo showcases zoological exhibits. The zoo also houses a reptile park and a small theater.

In 1992, a fifteen-year-old tiger at the park killed a five-year-old girl who was on a safari with her family. After the tiger was captured, officials considered killing it but instead sent it to a zoo.

In 2003, a raid on the zoo by authorities found evidence of embezzlement, untended animals in their cages, and malnourished animals.

Butterfly park

The country's first Butterfly Park was established in the Bannerghatta Biological Park. It was inaugurated on Saturday 25 November 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, a museum, and an audiovisual room. The butterfly conservatory, which is a circular enclosure with a polycarbonate roof, is 10,000 sq ft (1,000 m²). Inside the conservatory, the living environment has been carefully designed to support more than twenty species of butterflies.

The environment has a tropical setting, with a humid climate, an artificial waterfall, and appropriate flora to attract butterflies.

The conservatory leads to the second and third domes, which house the museum containing dioramas and exhibits of carefully preserved butterflies.

The collaborating agencies are the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, University of Agricultural Sciences, and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE).

Biological reserve

Surrounding the park there is a biological reserve belonging to the forest department. Among other animals, the reserve is home to elephants, leopards and deer. The reserve belongs to an Elephant Corridor and is connected with the B.R. Hills, Sathyamangalam forest areas extending all the way up to Waynad.

Occasionally, there have been elephant sightings reported on the Bantamweight-Anekal Road passing close to the Biological Reserve. In addition, there was also one incident reported of a leopard entering the premises of a school with her cubs; resulting in the school being shut down for 3 days.[1]

  • A White Tiger at Bannerghata Zoo
    A White Tiger at Bannerghata Zoo
  • Crocodiles in the Bannerghatta Zoo
    Crocodiles in the Bannerghatta Zoo
  • Roof of Butterfly Park
    Roof of Butterfly Park
  • Interpretation Center at the Butterfly Park
    Interpretation Center at the Butterfly Park
  • White Tiger at Bannerghatta National Park
    White Tiger at Bannerghatta National Park
  • Bears at Bannargatta National Park
    Bears at Bannargatta National Park
  • Entrance to the Butterfly Park
    Entrance to the Butterfly Park
  • A rare spider of the family Idiopidae found in Bannerghatta
    A rare spider of the family Idiopidae found in Bannerghatta

References

  1. ^ Sights, sounds and smells from Bangalore: Leopards on prowl on Bannerghatta main road
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