Bandipur National Park

Source: IT

Context: Environmentalists and citizens launched the ‘Save Bandipur’ protest in Karnataka after reports emerged that the state government may lift the night traffic ban on NH-766, which cuts through the Bandipur National Park.

About Bandipur National Park:

• What it is? Bandipur is a national park and tiger reserve, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and one of India’s oldest and most ecologically significant protected areas.

• Bandipur is a national park and tiger reserve, part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and one of India’s oldest and most ecologically significant protected areas.

• Location: Situated in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka.

• Establishment & History:

• First created in 1931 as Venugopala Wildlife Park (90 km²) by the Maharaja of Mysore. Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973 under Project Tiger. Became part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in 1986.

• First created in 1931 as Venugopala Wildlife Park (90 km²) by the Maharaja of Mysore.

• Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1973 under Project Tiger.

• Became part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in 1986.

• Geographic Features:

• Area: ~868.63 km² Terrain: Dry deciduous forests, scrublands, and moist deciduous woodlands. Flora: Teak, rosewood, sandalwood, Indian kino tree, giant clumping bamboo. Fauna: Flagship species: Bengal tiger. Other mammals: Elephants, leopards, gaurs, sambar, chital, sloth bear Endemic species: Black-naped hare, Malabar squirrel

• Area: ~868.63 km²

• Terrain: Dry deciduous forests, scrublands, and moist deciduous woodlands.

• Flora: Teak, rosewood, sandalwood, Indian kino tree, giant clumping bamboo.

• Fauna: Flagship species: Bengal tiger. Other mammals: Elephants, leopards, gaurs, sambar, chital, sloth bear Endemic species: Black-naped hare, Malabar squirrel

• Flagship species: Bengal tiger.

• Other mammals: Elephants, leopards, gaurs, sambar, chital, sloth bear

• Endemic species: Black-naped hare, Malabar squirrel

About Highway – NH-766:

• Route: NH-766 cuts through the core area of Bandipur. National Highway 766 (NH 766), formerly known as NH 212, is a national highway in Southern India connecting Kozhikode in Kerala to Kollegal in Karnataka.

• National Highway 766 (NH 766), formerly known as NH 212, is a national highway in Southern India connecting Kozhikode in Kerala to Kollegal in Karnataka.

• Traffic Ban: Night traffic between 9 PM to 6 AM was banned in 2009 due to high wildlife mortality.

• Impact: Pre-ban deaths (2004–2009): 286 animals killed Post-ban deaths (2010–2018): Only 34 reported

• Pre-ban deaths (2004–2009): 286 animals killed

• Post-ban deaths (2010–2018): Only 34 reported

• Supreme Court: In 2019, upheld the ban, recognizing it as a conservation success story.