Tiger Reserves In India

Karnataka Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve

Introduction

The Anshi Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Karnataka on its northwestern frontier with Goa. In a total area of around 1200 sq km, the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve is a part of a larger group of Wildlife sanctuaries and Reserves in Goa and Maharashtra.

A part of the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot, the Anshi Dandeli Reserve is made of the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and the Anshi National Park. The Kali River and its tributaries meander through these protected lands and create some of the best whitewaters in Karnataka. The rivers and its valleys have created a typical Western Ghats terrain that is an idyllic location for a vacation.

History

The first move for protecting or reserving the forests around the Kali River, at the foothills of the Western Ghats, gave rise to the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in 1956, with an area of 866 sq km. Later in 1987, the state government decided to form a national park, which became the Anshi National Park with an area of 340 sq km.

Finally, in 2007, the areas of the Anshi National Park and the Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary combined were declared as the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve, after adding a little corridor and buffer zone.

Weather And Best Time To Visit

The climate of the Anshi Dandeli area is typical of the northern Western Ghats, which is tropical to subtropical in nature. The summers are hot and dry, while monsoons are wet and hot, the winters bring dryness and cool temperatures. The best time to visit the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve is between November and April.

Places To Visit

There are many places in and around Anshi Dandeli region, which are a delight for tourists, especially those with a taste for adventure.

There are clubs that take visitors for rafting along the Kali River and there are even overnight camps that trek across the valleys and angle through the forest. Forest trails are also organized that visit several ancient caves and temples that litter the surroundings of the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve.

How To Reach

By Air

The nearest airport is at Hubli (75 km) but it is advised that one arrive at Panji Airport (150 km) in Goa and then travel by road directly to Dandeli.

By Train

The nearest railhead is at Dharwad (53 km), from there one can easily hire a vehicle to get to the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve.

By Bus

The Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve is well connected by a network of state and national highways and can be reached easily from any direction one may fancy.

Flora And Fauna

Flora

The forest cover of the Anshi Dandeli Tiger is a mixture of evergreen rainforest and moist deciduous vegetation.

Fauna

Mammals

The main predatory mammals are Tiger and Black Panther, but remain elusive. Other large and small animals are Asiatic Elephant, Indian bison, Sloth Bear, Gray Langur, Gray Slender Loris, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Wild Dog, Jackal, Leopard Cat, Flying Squirrel, Malabar Civet, Indian Giant Squirrel and Pangolin.

Birds

There are more than 200 species of birds in the Anshi Dandeli area and some of the important species are Great Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Crested Serpent Eagle, Black-crested Bulbul, Blue-headed Pitta, Broad-billed Roller, Ashy Wood-swallow, Golden-backed Woodpecker, and Brahminy Kite.

Wildlife

The main attractions of the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve that are Tigers and black Panthers are often solitary and very good at moving about unnoticed and seldom seen by tourists. The other birds and animals are quite well observed by all the visitors to the reserve. Other main wildlife attractions at Anshi Dandeli are the herpetofauna especially crocodiles.

Timings

Every day, from 6 AM to 6 PM

Where To Stay

There are over night camps for visitors and accommodation is in tents.

Map

Photo Gallery