Wildlife in and Around Bangalore

Bangalore is a favoured tourist destination for many reasons, including its famed pubs, the great weather, etc, but not many realise that the city is also a great base if you are interested in wildlife tourism.

Bangalore’s proximity to Mysore, and the many forested regions along the Cauvery makes it a much sought-after destination.

• Bheemeshwari, Muthathi:Very close to Bangalore are two well-known spots, Muthathi and Bheemeshwari fishing camp, where there is a thick forest in the vicinity and the Cauvery running through it. The Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected forest area that covers Ramanagar, Chamarajanagar and Mandya districts. The sanctuary is a mere 100 km away from the city. The waters of the Cauvery here are home to the famed Mahseer, the mighty fish.

• Closer home, Bannerghatta: Closer to Bangalore, or rather in the city itself is the well-known Bannerghatta National Park. There is a nice safari in the park, apart from a nature camp. The forest is a crucial corridor for pachyderms, and links Sathyamangalam and B R Hills area.

• Worth every buck: Also in the vicinity of Bangalore is the Jayamangali Reserve, famous for conservation of black bucks. The reserve is located in the district of Tumkur, easily accessible to Bangalore, over 135 km from the city.

Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve (Photo Courtesy: http://www.jlrexplore.com)

• Nagarhole, the tiger haunt: Ask anyone in the Bangalore-Mysore region about wildlife tourism, and they are bound to tell you about Nagarhole. Over 200 km from the city, the Nagarhole National Park is the perfect place to go to if you are interested in spotting a tiger or two! You can go on safaris organised by the government staff. The National Park is spread over 640 sq km, and has a good population of elephants, langurs, and birds of over 250 species. 

Nagarhole National Park (Photo Courtesy: http:// www.walkthewilderness.net)

Tiger Safari at Nagarhole National Park (Photo Courtesy: https://www.tourmyindia.com)

• Bandipur beckons: You can’t talk of Nagarhole and miss out on Bandipur. The National Park is also a tiger reserve, and your best chances of spotting the tiger in Karnataka are here. Bigger than Nagarhole, Bandipur is spread over 874 sq km, and adjoins the Mudumalai, Wayanad and Nagarhole parks. Together, these forested regions are categorised under the Nilgiri Reserve (biosphere). 

• Make it to Masinagudi: You can easily plan a trip to Masinagudi, which is at the foothills of Mudumalai (about a five-hour drive from Bangalore). Masinagudi has thick forests, and lakes, and is a great place for birding. There is also a government-organised safari here, and you can spot elephants on the journey.

Bird Watching at Masinagudi (Photo Courtesy: http://www.lakshmisharath.com)

• Elephant spotting at Dubare: Talking of elephants, you should also not miss the exclusive camp for elephants at Dubare near Kushalnagar, Kodagu district. A four-and-a-half-hour drive from Bangalore will take you there. If you have kids accompanying you, they will love the camp at Dubare. You can trek, indulge in some fishing or go on an elephant ride here. All the activities are organised by the Forest Department of Karnataka.

Dubare Elephant Camp (Photo Courtesy: http://www.birdofparadise.in)

You can make Bangalore your base and take up any of these tours over a weekend. There are plenty of hotels in Bangalore to choose from. So, book yourself in one of the Bangalore hotels and go wild!

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Kerala: The Best Backwater Destinations in India

Think of God’s Own Country, Kerala, and the associations are immediate – coconut trees, lush green cover and the backwaters. If you are into photography, there can’t be a better destination than Kerala’s backwater circuit to get going. The most popular backwater destinations in Kerala include Vembanad, Kollam, Ashtamudi, Alleppey, Kumarakom, and Fort Kochi, among others. Here are some backwater tours you could explore:

Vembanad wonder

This stretch covers the regions of Kottayam, Alappuzha and Ernakulam. The Vembanad Lake is located in the heart of the backwaters and thousands of tourists throng this stretch. Explore the backwaters by hiring the traditional boats called kettuvalloms. There are motorboat, speedboat and pontoon boat options. You can feast your eyes on the coconut trees swaying in the wind, and freshwater canals, apart from stretches of paddy fields. Kumarakom, which has now become a prominent place on the tourism map, is on the banks of Vembanad.

Vembanad Lake (Photo Courtesy: http://indiabiodiversity.org)

Kollam calling

The mouth of the backwaters is the Ashtamudi Lake, which covers one-third of Kollam. Kollam or Quilon is a historic city that is situated on the one of the lake’s banks. There are many boat cruises operated from there. Don’t miss the famed cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha, which is fantastic eight-hour tour that takes you through lakes, villages, canals, and gives you an understanding of life in the backwaters. Also, you can spot the cluster of eight islands called the Munroe Island.

Ashtamudi Lake Kollam (Photo Courtesy: http://shopperhub.in)

Colours of Kasargod

This region in Kerala’s northern part is also a great backwaters destination. The region is one of the most scenic in all of Kerala, thanks to the Western Ghats on one side and the sea on the other. You can explore Valiyaparamba, the stretch of backwaters close to Kasargod. There is also the Bekal Fort in the vicinity, adding to the charm of the backwaters. 

Bekal Fort (Photo Courtesy: http://www.kerala.com)

The backwaters experience

• Many houseboats allow you to engage in activities such as fishing.
• If you are a foodie, and a seafood lover at that, try out the Karimeen fry or the Varal roast.
• The backwaters offer an excellent opportunity to understand rural lifestyles, and the livelihoods of communities in the region. Many communities are traditionally into coir making or prawn farming.
• If you are in Kerala around the time of autumn or during Onam, you can enjoy a boat race or two. They are a treat to watch, the snake boats also called Chundan Vallam.
• If you like birding, the backwaters are ideal to spot or watch birds such as kingfishers or darters. 

 

Houseboats in Kerala (Photo Courtesy: http://www.keralatours.com)

Kerala gives a lot of impetus to tourism, and there is never any dearth of accommodation if you are on a visit to the state. It is a great idea to opt for one of the luxury cruises in Kerala, as they give you an opportunity to unwind and detoxify your mind and body. The best time to visit the state is between September and March, so plan your backwater cruise accordingly.

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