Unseasonal and elongated monsoons have proved beneficial for the waterholes in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, Karnataka. The reserve, home to a number of key wildlife species, experienced a significant rejuvenation of its water sources due to these uncommon rainfalls.
The Impact of Rainfall on Reserve’s Waterholes
The rainfall has greatly affected the 370 big and small waterholes in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, filling about 85% of them. These waterholes, depressions where animals frequently drink, ordinarily dry up around February and March, causing a severe water scarcity for the resident fauna. However, this year, thanks to the extended monsoons, it is anticipated that the water levels will last significantly longer.
Additional Measures to Counter Water Scarcity
To further prevent water shortage in high-stress areas, 37 solar-powered borewells have been equipped. These borewells are designed to periodically refill the waterholes, effectively minimizing the scarcity.
About Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Established under Project Tiger in 1973, the Bandipur Tiger Reserve was later expanded and renamed to Bandipur National Park in 1985 by incorporating areas from the adjacent Venugopala Wildlife Park. Strategically placed at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, the reserve spans two continuous districts — Mysore and Chamarajanagar.
This location forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and provides a richly diverse ecological system. It is surrounded by Mudumalai Tiger Reserve to the south, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary to the southwest, while the Kabini Reservoir separates it from the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve in the northwest.
Ecological and Biodiversity Significance
Bandipur Tiger Reserve is one of the richest biodiversity areas in India and is recognized as one of the country’s Mega Biodiversity Areas. The reserve, along with Nagarahole, Mudumalai, Sathyamangalam, and Wayanad, forms the single largest wild population of tigers worldwide. This landscape accounts for 21% of the total forested area of the Western Ghats and supports one-eighth of the world’s tiger population, which equals a fourth of India’s tiger population.
The reserve is also home to the single largest Asian Elephant population in the world and is part of the Mysore Elephant Reserve (MER). Key species like the tiger and elephants are considered the flagship and umbrella species for conservation decisions representing this ecosystem’s biota.
Main Rivers in Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Further enhancing its ecological importance, the park is situated between the Kabini river to the north and the Moyar river to the south while the Nugu river runs right through it. The highest point in the park is located on the hill named Himavad Gopalaswamy Betta, adding a unique geographical feature to this wildlife haven.
