Karnataka, which literary means High Land in the Kannada language is graced by beautiful, interesting and enchanting landscape. Also called the Table Land, it is surfeited with picturesque mountains, magnificent rivers, ravishing rivulets and thick verdant forests. The mighty ranges of the eastern and the western ghats converse in the Nilgiri hills along its borders. The rugged mountains enclose the wonderful state on the east west and southern directions. In the ancient periods Karnataka has been under the control of various kings of different dynasties who have all left their indomitable mark in the state by creating several monuments and architectures that still echoes of its past glories.


Karnataka is bounded by the state of Andhra Pradesh to its east, the blue Arabian Sea on its west and the state of Maharastra and Goa to its north west. Lined with a lengthy coastline of 320 kms by the sea coast there are to be found some of the beautiful beaches and fertile landscape. The state is blessed in terms of a fertile soil by the river Cauvery and Tungabhadra and innumerable tributaries.

Blanketed by a dense forest , the land of the sanctuaries preserves a host of endangered species among other common creatures. Located amidst the picturesque sylvan region, the parks are home to a fascinating variety of wildlife from the bewitching deers, sambhar, magnificent elephants, mighty bisons and the Jungle kings, the fearless Lions. The green region is also the nestling home to a wide variety of birds. More than 100 species are seen there with few migratory ones. Some of the important parks and sanctuaries to be mentioned at the earliest are the Bandipur National Park, Dandeli Kali Wildlife Sanctuary, Nagarhole National Park, Cobbon Park, Bannerghata National Park, Rangunathira Bird Sanctuary.


Important Parks and Sanctuaries in Karnataka.
» Bandipur National Park
Bandipur was established in 1931 as a hunting reserve by the maharaja of Mysore. The reserve was expanded in 1973 to become the Bandipur National Park. The region has a moderate climate all year round and can be visited in any season. The park due to its proximity with the nearby big towns like Mysore and Bangalore has become a weekend getaway spot for the tourists.

» Dandelikali Wildlife Sanctuary

» Nagarhole National Park