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Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 04:37 PM
1. Bhadra, situated 38 km nw of Chikmaglur and 275 km from Bangalore, amidst the western Ghats , in the state of Karnataka and originally known as Jagara Wls (as declared by the Govt. of Mysore in 1951) , comprised an area of only 77sqkm. The area was then extended to surrounding terrain and Bhadra wls was officially born in 1974.It was later declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1998, becoming the 25th tiger reserve in the country.

2.The first successful village relocation program was implemented here.This began in1974 and was completed in 2002 during which 26 villages were relocated.

3.Extending over a total area 500sqkm the Bhadra wls gets its name from the river Bhadra and its tributaries which flow through it.The river Bhadra originates in Kudremukh in the Western Ghats and together, with its tributaries, flows eastwards along the southern part of the Deccan Plateau .A dam is built across the river at Lakhavalli which forms the Bhadra Resevoir.The resevoir extends over an area of 2000 sqkm.The resevoir consists of two main areas Muthodi and Lakhavalli.The western part of the sanctuary near Muthodi borders the Bhadra resevoir.It is therefore popularly known by the locals as the Muthodi wls.

4.This very river continues through to the city of Bhadravati and then flows onwards to join the Tunga river to become the Tungabhadra river .The Tungabhadra then flows eastwards as the major tributary of the Krishna to finally empty itself in the Bay of Bengal

5.The extensive variation in elevation from 600 msl to1900 msl has resulted in great environmental diversity.Forests range from dry deciduous ,moist deciduous to semi-evergreen.The sanctuary is surrounded by the slope of steep hills.The highest peak in the sanctuary being Hebbegiri.Many well known falls are also located inside the sanctuary of which the Hebbe falls are well known.Among the trees found here are Teak ,White Rosewood,Bamboo,Oak etc.There are120 plant species to be found here including many medicinal ones like citronella,jambli,jalarin,indigo,mangosten,kino,tr eeco etc

6.It is the home to a wide variety flora and fauna.An estimate of 33 tigers 22 leopards,leopard cat,ruddy mongoose,slender loris, pangolin and elephants.It is the home of the elusive Black Panther which is rarely sighted and equally rarely photographed.The reptiles include vine snake,king cobra, russels viper, bamboo pit viper monitor, gliding lizard and crocodiles.There are also exotic species of butterfly

7.The birds include both native and migratory There are about 250 to 300 known species including,hill myna,great black woodpecker,shama, malabar trogon, malabar whistling thrush, a variety if hornbills etc..

8.The threats are as many as assails other sanctuaries,poaching,fishing,timber depredation,forest fires etc

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 04:43 PM
On the shore one evening.

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 04:46 PM
Grazing chital

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 04:50 PM
A lone crocdillian amidst the morning dew

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 04:54 PM
These birds seem to be a part of the Bhadra skyline

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 05:01 PM
It was quite a large herd with many little ones and one interesting single tusker.

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 05:13 PM
Cutting us out from the gossip.

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 05:19 PM
In a few seconds it was gone as silently as a ghost.

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 05:26 PM
A rare squirrel found only in the Western Ghats

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 05:35 PM
A very chilly morning in may.

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 05:42 PM
A barking deer

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 05:50 PM
Saw it very late in the evening towards the tail end of the safari.

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 10:40 PM
During the time , I was there, which was early during the month of may, the river terns which have made Bhadra famous had just begun to arrive .During the coming months they would nest in huge numbers on the little islands which dot the Bhadra Lake.The air is rent with their incessant calls, which gradually rises into a cacophonic frenzy with the arrival of the chicks.

Shyamala Kumar
28-08-2014, 10:45 PM
A Shama greets us melodiously at the resort premises.

Roopak Gangadharan
01-09-2014, 04:55 AM
Nice write up shyamala....did u stay at JLR? Are there other options? Good to know that you had some exciting moments in the safari. Do you have anyother images of the dusky striped squrriel?
TFS
Roopak

Shyamala Kumar
01-09-2014, 05:43 PM
Yes,Roopak, we stayed at the JLR.I do not think there are other options available.There could be the state forest rest houses.But wherever you may put up, you will have to come to River Tern (JLR)for your safaris whether by jeep in the forests or by by boat on the reservoir.
Regarding the dusky striped squirrel,this is the only image I managed to take.By the time I could get the jeep to stop the little denizen had scampered out of sight as if his tail was on fire.Hope my identification is correct .

Saktipada Panigrahi
06-09-2014, 11:24 PM
We are indeed grateful to you, Madam Shyamala, for your wonderful presentation on the "lovely, dark and deep woods" you visit from time to time.Thanks for sharing. SaktiWild

Mrudul Godbole
11-09-2014, 10:20 AM
Nice write up. Great series of photographs and sightings. You also sighted a Leopard :). Can say that your trip was made with all these sightings. Thanks for sharing.

Shyamala Kumar
07-10-2014, 05:26 PM
Thanks,Roopak, Mrudul and Saktipadaji for the kind appreciation.