Bannerghatta National Park - UPSC Notes

Bannerghatta National Park : In the UPSC civil services exam, questions about national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are frequently asked. One such protected area is Bannerghatta National Park, which is recently in the news due to the introduction of a leopard safari in Bannerghatta Biological Park, a skywalk, and conservation measures.

Bannerghatta National Park -  Overview

Bannerghatta Biological Park

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Bannerghatta National Park Flora and Fauna

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Flora of Bannerghatta National Park

• Natural Vegetation: There are three types of vegetation, which include scrub-type or dry deciduous forests, tropical dry deciduous forests, and tropical moist mixed forests.
• Forest: Natural forests of Bannerghatta and Ragihalli Reserve Forest.
• Plant Species: Sandalwood, Tamarind, Bamboo, Narcissus latifolia, and Eucalyptus.

Fauna of Bannerghatta National Park

• Animals: Thamin deer, Hog deer, endangered Asian Elephant, Indian gaur, Common mongoose, Himalayan black bear, Tiger, Black-naped hare, and Foxes.
• Reptiles: King Cobra, Spectacled Cobra, Russell's Viper, and Red Sand Boa, crocodiles, and tortoises.
• Birds: Over 80 species of birds including Slender loris, Indian Silverbill Euodice malabarica, Golden Oriole, and Forest Wagtail.

Bannerghatta National Park UPSC Mains

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Significance of Bannerghatta National Park:

1. The park serves as a crucial wildlife corridor that allows the free movement of elephants between the Satyamangalam Forest and Biligiriranga Hills.
2. The biodiversity hotspot is home to several endangered species, such as the Asian elephant.
3. Bannerghatta acts as a connecting juncture between the Eastern and Western Ghats.
4. The park is crucial for wildlife research and conservation programmes.
5. It also serves as a gene pool and germplasm reserve.

Threats to Bannerghatta National Park:

1. Encroachment is one of the major threats that has been highlighted by the ESZ Expert Committee.
2. Diversion of forest land for agricultural purposes, urbanization, etc.
3. Around the park, illegal granite quarrying is adversely affecting wildlife.
4. Threat to endangered species from human activities.