CHAPTER III

THE BANDIPUR NATIONAL PARK AND TIGER RESERVE:

A PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA

Introduction

Having provided a research based background for the problem of study and analysis in
the last chapter, reviewing and appraising existent literature, we now turn to the study
area, which is the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, particularly its core and
buffer areas, and provide a profile of it. The discussion in this chapter is in three parts.
Part I speaks of the geography, especially the physical aspects of the study area. Part II
deals with the human geography of the area, focusing on the forest people, tribe as well
as non-tribe and also on the tribal communities because the study is about them more
than about the non-tribal communities of the BNP-TR. The third part is about the theme
of the research and as such is about forest resources, their collection, use and trade, but
all of it profiled from the secondary sources of data, including the offences related to
non-timber forest products and the arrests and punishments meted out to the offenders.

The Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve is situated in the contiguous landscape,
spread in two revenue districts of southern Karnataka, namely, Mysore (Mysuru, now)
and Chamarajanagar (Chamarajanagara, now). Geographically, it is an ‘ecological
confluence’ as the Western and the Eastern Ghats meet and constitute this area as
distinctive and extraordinary from the point of its fauna and flora. The adjoining
notified and non-notified forests, including the community land areas of all the border
villages, have become an integral part of the buffer plan of this tiger reserve. The
identified buffer areas are form part of Nanjungud and H.D. Kote revenue taluks of
Mysore and Gundlupet revenue taluk of Chamarajanagara districts.

Part I: Geography of the BNP-TR

Karnataka Forest Cover
The area under forests in Karnataka is estimated by Forest Survey of India at 3.62
million hectares, and it accounts for about 19 per cent of the total geographical area.
Moderate dense forests account for about 56 per cent of the forest area followed by very
dense forests accounting for only about 5 per cent (Figure 3.1).

50
 Figure 3.1: Karnataka Forest Cover (FSI, 2009)
Among the forest types (Figure 3.2) tropical dry deciduous (25.23 per cent) and tropical
moist deciduous forests (24.06 per cent) together account for about 50 per cent and
tropical wet evergreen (15.2 per cent) and tropical semi-evergreen forests (14.1 per
cent) together account for about 30 per cent.The tropical thorn forests account for 12.4
per cent and sub-tropical broad leaved hill forests for a mere 0.8 per cent. Plantations
on the other hand account for 8.22 per cent.

Trends in area under forests are given in Table 3.1. According to Forest Survey of India
(2009), area under forests has marginally declined during the period 2001 to 2007, from
40,236 km2 in 2001 to 39,590 km2in 2003, to 39,373 km2in 2005 and 39,366 km2in
2007. The decline has progressively been lower and lower, from 1.6 per cent (646 km2)
during 2001-03, 0.55 per cent (217 km2) during 2003-05 and merely 0.002 per cent (7
km2) during 2005-07. The dense forests have declined significantly during this period,
from 26,156 km2in 2001 to 21,958 km2in 2007 (4,198 km2or 16.05 per cent over just 7
years) and consequently the area under open forests has increased, from 10,835 km2in
2001 to 14,232 km2in 2007, an increase of 3,397 km2or 31.4 per cent over 7 years.

51
 Figure 3.2: Forest Types of Karnataka (FSI, 2009)

Table 3.1: Trends in area under different types of forest in Karnataka (km2)
2001 2003 2005 2007
Forest type
assessment assessment assessment assessment
Dense forests 26,156 22,461 21,968 21,958
Open forests 10,835 13,988 14,232 14,232
Scrub forests 3,245 3,141 3,173 3,176
Total 40,236 39,590 39,373 39,366
Decline km2 - 646 217 7
Decline % - 1.6 0.55 0.002
Source: Forest Survey of India 2009.

The dense forests’ degradation into open forestsis thus of the order of 0.34 million
hectares or 9.4 per cent in 7 years. We may then imagine the nature and magnitude of
degradation of the dense forests in the last ten years (2007-16) if the rate of decline has
been the same or even relatively lower. There has also been a degradation of the scrub
forests of the state, from 3,245 km2in 2001 to 3,176 km2in 2007, a decline of 69 km2or
about 2 per cent over the seven years.Forest degradation has been a great concern in
regard to sustainable development and also sustainable livelihoods of people and
wildlife of the forests.The Bandipur forests and the reserves are however a tiny part of
the Karnataka forests spread across the districts of Mysore and Chamarajanagara.

52
Location of the Study Area: The Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve

The Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve is spread across Chamarajanagara and
Mysore districts of Karnataka, India. The study area is between the latitudes 11o 35’
34’’ N and 11o 57’ 02’’N and the longitudes 75o 12’ 17’’ E to 76o 51’ 32’’ E (Figure
3.3).Covering an area of 868.63 km2, it shares its boundaries withNagarahole National
Park (Karnataka) to its northwest, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu) to its
south and Wyanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) to its southwest.

It is thus contiguous to Madumalai Tiger Reserve of Tamilanduand the Wyanad

Wildlife Sanctuary of Kerala. On the northern side of the Tiger Reserve, it spreads into
a vast stretch of cultivated lands of Kerala and Karnataka with the habitation to a
distance of more than 10 km separated by the Kannegala Stream. On the northwest lies
the major irrigation project Kabini Reservoir, which forms the barrier to this Tiger
Reserve and Nagarahole Tiger Reserve; that is, Sri Rajeev Gandhi National Park,
Nagarahole. On the east and southeast , a large number of villages of Gundlupete taluk
merge ultimately with the Sathyamangalam Forest Division of Tamil Nadu. Presently,
the total notified forest area under the absolute control of Bandipur Tiger Reserve is
872.24 km2. The Government of Karnataka as per the mandates of NTCA and as
stipulated in the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, have considered the proposals of
adding the bordering forest and non-forest area as additional to the park and designating
it as buffer area during 2009-10. As a result, an additional forest area of 118.27 km2
both notified and non-notified exists abutting the existing core area and 291.88 km2 of
non-forest, agricultural and village area also added up as the non-forest buffer.
Therefore, the total forest area under the administration of the reserve is 890.24 km2.

The non-forest area, mostly the community land, falling in the vicinity of all 32 villages
of 13 grama panchayts, also became a part of the Tiger Reserve. All the 13 grama
panchayats have passed a joint resolution with the Karnataka Forest Department to
declare a total area of 410.55 km2 as buffer to the existing core area of the reserve and
thus a comprehensive proposal was submitted to Government of Karnataka.
Accordingly, the total forest and non-forest area, which is presently under the
management and control of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve is 1282.39 km2.

53
 Figure 3.3

The buffer area notification has already been issued while the core area notification has
also been in place. As for area details, the core area consisting of 11 reserved forests is
872.24 km2, while buffer forest area has 15 reserved forests and occupies 118.27 km2,
and buffer non-forest area with 32 villages spread over 13 gram panchayats has an
extent of 291.88 km2. Thus the total area of the forest and non-forest area is 1,282.39
km2.

54
However, there are 210 villages within a radius of 10 km from the periphery of the
National Park and they have all been identified as buffer villages. The population of the
villages is around 300-350 thousand, with a cattle population of around 250 thousand.
This human and domestic animal population poses serious threats to the forest reserves
and hence they are targeted for conservation and management. The reserves have
almost 150 km of periphery (boundary) from the end of the Moyar landscape at a village
called Bommanahally and runs upto the village of Gandathur at the Kabini backwaters
of Gundre range, encompassing a vast extent of agricultural fields.

Significance of Bandipur Tiger Reserve

The significance of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve lies in the following characteristics:
a) Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats landscapes meet at a tri-junction of Kerala,
Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
b) Distribution of a kaleidoscopic mosaic of habitat types: Thorn forests to Moist
forests.
c) Occurrence of wild varieties of cultivable plants.
d) Presence of swamps, a characteristic feature of biodiversity.
e) Fifty five species of mammals, with 13 per cent of mammal species found in
India in the reserve.
f) Finest habitats for tigers, Asian elephants and gaur.
g) This reserve harbour 227 species of birds, 50 species of fishes, 21 species of
amphibian and 34 species of reptiles.
h) Three primate species are found here as well.
i) Of the 15 species of cats found in India, 4 are represented in the reserve.
j) Wild colonies of white-backed vultures are found in the reserve.
k) The Moyar Canyon (a 20 km ditch) is located with scenic waterfalls (the Moyar
Falls).

Cultural Significance
Locations in the Tiger Reserve find mention in the Hindu mythology. A few places
have religious and cultural importance for the local communities. The following are the
religious and other important places of cultural significance in and around the Bandipur
Tiger Reserve.

55
 1) Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple in Bandipur National Park of Gundlupete taluk
is a famous religious place. Every year, in March, the annual fair / festival is
held. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees from all over Karnataka and the
neighbouring States visit during the annual fair.
2) Sri Mahadeswara Swamy Temple at Beladakuppe, Parvathi Matha Temple
(Marigudi) near Ekkona Betta and Mahadeswara Swamy Temple near N. Begur
and also a Muslim Darga in Gundre range attract huge crowds during the annual
car festival and also for weekly worships.

The Core and Inviolate Area

The entire Bandipur Tiger Reserve was declared as an inviolate area by the Government
of Karnataka in its Order No. FEE 299 FWL2007 dated 20th December 2007, as it
fulfills the guidelines setforth in the Forest Act. Hence, the entire tiger reserve is treated
as a core or inviolate zone. The management of the habitats, landscapes, tigers and their
co-predators has been elaborately dealt with in the Tiger Conservation Plan for the Core
Area.

Buffer or Peripheral Area

In order to strengthen the source population of tigers in the core area, it was proposed
to have an additional buffer or peripheral area around the Core Zone by including most
of the adjoining forest areas (118.27 km2), which are the connecting links to the reserve.
This helps in integrating the fringe areas and foster co-existence with the local people
for safeguarding the integrity of the Core. The total area targeted for the management
under the fold of the Buffer Area Plan is 410.15 km2.

The Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary

The Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary is the other important buffer area of Heggadadevanakote
(H.D. Kote) taluk of Mysore district and comprises of Lakshmanapur state forests and
adjacent revenue lands. This sanctuary is north of the Bandipur National Park. The
backwaters of the Nugu dam form a part of the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary and lies on the
western side of the sanctuary. On the southwest side, the area touches Alaganchi state
forests, which is under the Bandipur National Park (Project Tiger Area). During the
summer when the backwater recedes, the foreshore area becomes a temporary vast

56
grassland and, due to the availability of fodder and water, the elephants migrate from
the adjoining area and congregate on the foreshore area.

The vegetal cover of the area is degraded due to overuse and abuse of the resources,
and also due to annual forest fires. A massive eco-restoration programme was proposed
to be initiated in the area to enhance land productivity and to regulate and augment
water resources. This zone has been protected like the Core Zone from the beginning
of the Project Tiger. As a result, the forests have responded very well and the wildlife
has also been improved, as in the Core Area. This zone was constituted with the
purpose of rigidly protecting the area from biotic interference and restoring the area
back to its original state of habitat.

All the reserved areas are also a part of the Niligiri Biosphere Reserve, which is the
favourable ground for the Asian elephant. Two national highways connecting Mysore
and Ooty and Mysore and Calicut pass through the BNP-TR. Elevation ranges from
680 metres to 1,455 metres (Himavad Gopalaswamy Hills) from the mean sea level.
The average annual rainfall is between 914 mm and 1,270 mm. While the Kabini dam
marks the boundary between the Bandipur National Park and the Nagarahole National
Park, the Moyar River separates the BNP-TR from the Mudumalai Sanctuary.
The Bandipur National Park has been divided into 11 Wildlife Ranges, namely:
1. Moyar Reserve Forests (RF);
2. Kaniyanapura RF Blocks I, II and III;
3. Bandipur RF;
4. Ainurmarigudi RF;
5. Begur RF;
6. Beeramadi RF;
7. Alaganchi RF;
8. Katwal RF;
9. Naganapura RF Block I;
10. Naganapura Block II; and
11. Beerambadi RF northeast and southeast extension.

Geology

Geology of the area is shown in Figure 3.4. The underlying rocks are mainly the
metamorphic formation of which gneiss – quartizite, mica and hornblende. Schists are
57
found generally all over the Reserve. The igneous rocks, granite and charnokite are
intruding through the metamorphic rocks and appear as outcrops at high level and in
the beds of water courses. Quartz enters into the composition of rocks on the southeast
extremity of Bandipur, Kaniyanapur II and III and Moyar and the fissile character of
the granite near Yelchatti is largely of pinkish grey granite due to the banding of quartz
veins. A variety of pinkish, white and grey granite is seen in the beds of Hebbahalla,
Honnurhatti and Arekaduhalla.

Figure 3.4 shows the two very significant geological materials: Amphibolitic
metapelitic schist / pelitic schist, calc-silicate rock which occupies 84.17 km2 while
migmatites and granodiorite – tonalitic gneiss occupies 788.07 km2 of the forest
reserves.

Figure 3.4

58
Topography

The Bandipur nestles at the foothills of the Western Ghats. The topography is
undulating and is broken by chains of hills and flat topped hillocks and water courses.
The highest peak is on the Gopalaswamy hills, with a maximum altitude of 1,454.5
metres above MSL and the lowest elevation is along the Kannegala stream, about 680
metres above MSL.

Drainage

The BNP-TR is drained by the Kabini, the Nugu and the Moyar rivers and their
tributaries such as the Kannegala hole, Hebbanahalla and Kekkanahalla, respectively.
The Moyar falls into a picturesque gorge known as the ‘Mysore Ditch’, which is 260
metres deep, forming one of the most beautiful features of the landscape overlooking
the famous Nilgiris Mountains. It forms the southern border of Karnataka along with
Tamil Nadu. The Nugu river flows cross-cutting the reserve in the middle, across which
there is a reservoir at Beerwal and it provides a perennial water source. The Kabini river
forms the western and Beechanahally and its backwaters afford perennial water sources
to the wild animals, specially to the elephants during pinch period.

Geomorphology

As for the landforms, the pediments occupy the largest area in the BNP-TR with 372.54
km2 followed by the hills with an area of 277 km2 and the pediplain region with 186.13
km2. The fourth largest area is that of the plateau with 28.27, followed distantly by the
reservoirs (4.86 km2), rivers and streams (2.13 km2) and the pediment inselberg
complex (1.23 km2). The plains account for a micro area of 0.08 km2 (Figure 3.5).

Soils

Two types of soils are found on the Reserve. They are:

(i) Red soils, generally deep and mixed with modular limestone in undulating
grounds; and

(ii) Dark brown clay of the Kabini river basin.

The soils are shallow on the hill tops and deep in the valleys and in the low-lying areas.
The substratum of red soils with red loam consists generally of metamorphic formations
of a highly ferruginous nature and rich in organic materials. The reddish loam is the
product of ferruginous rocks. The best forest growth is found on deep, well-drained

59
loamy soils. The poorer type of red soils with a mixture of course gravel and quartz
pebbles are found on the slope areas of the Moyar region. There are patches of shale
mixed with powdered quartz, containing some minerals and salts, which form the
natural salt licks for animals. The salt licks at Upneerhalla, Chammanahalla, Hebballa,
Beladakuppe and many other locations in the forests are good examples of these types.

Figure 3.5

However, there are several soil classes that are detected in the Bandipur Reserve as
shown in Figure 3.6. Medium deep, laterite gravelly clay soils are found on an extent
of 407.5 km2 while deep, laterite clayey soils occupy 14.61 km2. Deep forest brown
clayey soils, gravelly in patches, are spread over 196.2 km2 whereas rocky lands
associated with shallow, red gravelly clay soils are spread over 93.8 km2; deep laterite
gravelly clay soils over 9.8 km2; very shallow, red gravelly loam soils over 8.36 km2;
medium deep, red gravelly clay soils over 7.03 km2; medium deep, red clayey soils 6.3
km2; and deep, red gravelly loam soils over an extent of 2.36 km2.

60
 Figure 3.6
Climate
Three main seasons are observed in the BNP-TR area: Monsoon from June to mid-
October (southwest) when most rainfall occurs in the area; and Winter season is from
November to February while Summer season is between March and May.

The Reserve receives rainfall both from the southwest and northeast monsoons. Most
rainfall is from June to August from the southwest monsoon while only a portion of it
is in October and November from the northeast monsoon. The rainfall varies from 625
mm to 1,250 mm with the lowest precipitation in the eastern portion of the Reserve at
the Moyar region and the highest is in the western zone at Kalere. Occasionally, heavy
rains are received in October and November in case of cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.
The southwest monsoon winds are moderate from June to August, but those of the
northeast prevail during January and February and aggravates the wildlife of the forests,
causing panic to them and often also to the forest staff.

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Temperature

Temperature of the Reserve is generally moderate. The mean annual temperature of the
Reserve is around 24o C and maximum temperature is 29.5o C in summer. The nights
are rather cold during winter in pockets such as Bandipur, Moolehole and Himavad
Gopalaswamy Hills with temperatures often going down to 8o C mostly at the H.G.
Hills. The sun is a bit hot in summer, although the shades of the trees make up for it,
and the animals do feel the heat in the open forests. Table 3.2 shows the distribution of
temperatures and humidity during 2001-14 in the Bandipur Reserve. Maximum
temperatures have been around 30o C, with a low of 29.67o C in 2001 and a high of
33.7o C in 2004. Minimum temperatures have however varied very widely than the
maximum and have shown a range of 12.9o C in 2008 to as much as 21.96o C the
previous year - 2003 (Figure 3.7).

Table 3.2: Distribution of Temperatures and Humidity 2001-2014

Max. Min. Max. Min.
o o
Year Temp. C Temp. C Humidity % Humidity %
2001 29.67 19.43 90.25 63.16
2002 32.83 17.72 86.50 65.83
2003 33.65 21.96 84.14 59.95
2004 32.73 18.27 91.58 56.50
2005 33.70 15.95 96.90 59.83
2006 31.16 15.50 96.66 54.41
2007 32.25 15.05 94.75 50.79
2008 32.91 12.90 96.33 42.56
2009 33.59 15.33 88.05 46.46
2010 31.85 18.91 77.59 58.34
2011 31.01 16.70 74.70 55.60
2012 32.10 18.01 69.90 50.60
2013 31.90 17.80 70.50 53.30
2014 31.70 17.80 70.10 53.15
Source: Department of Economics and Statistics, Karnataka.

The humidity levels on the other hand have been high between 70 per cent and 97 per
cent for maximum and have been at low between 43 per cent and 66 per cent. The high
of the maximum humidity has been at 96.9 per cent in 2005 and the low of the maximum
humidity has been at 69.9 per cent in 2012, both however are relatively high because

62
of the forested nature of the area. As for the minimum humidity, the lowest has been
42.56 per cent in 2008 and the highest has been 65.83 per cent in 2002 (Figure 3.8).

Annual Temperatures (Max and Min) in BNP-TR

(in Celsius)
y = -0.0245x + 32.401
40
R² = 0.0081
35
30
25
20
15
y = -0.1202x + 18.14
10
R² = 0.0509
5
0
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Max. Temp. o C Min. Temp. o C

Linear (Max. Temp. o C) Linear (Min. Temp. o C)

Figure 3.7

Annual Humidity (Max and Min) in BNP-TR

(in %)

100
80
60
40
20
0

Max. Humidity % Min. Humidity %

Figure 3.8
Rainfall

Table 3.3 shows the distribution of annual rainfall in by the rain gauge stations at the
BNP-TR for the period 2006 to 2014. The lowest annual rainfall recorded in the area
has been 4.5 mm at the Kundakere station in 2010 and the highest recorded has been
1,504.3.1 mm at Moolehole station in 2006. Six out of 9 years have recorded high
rainfalls at various stations – 1,131.3 mm in 2007 and 1,131.3 in 2009 at Bandipur

63
station; 1,373.7 mm in 2007 and 1,375.1 mm in 2009 at Moolehole station; 1.020.9 mm
in 2010, 1,034.9 in 2013 and 1,063.4 mm in 2014 at Kabini dam; and 1,355.6 mm in
2011, 1,051.6 mm in 2013 and 1,070.4 mm in 2014 at Bankawadi station (Figure 3.9).
Although the year 2010 has been the most deficient year in terms of rainfall because
very low rainfall has been recorded in 4 out of 6 rain gauge stations in the study area
but Kabini dam has done exceptionally well that year than Bankawadi station, as is
evident from the table below. But throughout the period and at 5 of the rain gauge
stations, the annual rainfall has been about the normal given some mm this way or that
most of the time and in all stations.

Table 3.3: Annual Rainfall by Stations in Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve
2006-14

Year Kundakere Bandipur Moolehole Hangala Kabini Dam Bankawadi

2006 576.9 833.7 1504.3 734.2 651.2 827.1
2007 676.6 1131.3 1373.7 856.4 919.4 954.2
2008 732.5 969.6 1020.1 769.9 844.6 1015.2
2009 676.6 1131.3 1375.1 856.4 896.3 884.4
2010 4.5 19.6 19.4 13.6 1020.9 703.7
2011 303.7 360.4 435.3 225.1 991.0 1355.6
2012 613.1 799.9 790.7 576.0 487.4 559
2013 593.1 791.9 780.7 566.0 1034.9 1051.6
2014 618.3 788.3 1337.1 895.1 1063.4 1070.4
Source: Department of Economics and Statistics 2015.

Figure 3.10 shows the spatial variability of rainfall in the year 2013 and Figure 3.11
shows the same variability over the year 2014, the two years being the good rainfall
years as Table 3.3 indicates. The stations that recorded less than the normal rainfall of
625 mm for the Reserve are Kundakere (593.1 mm) and Hangala (566 mm) in 2013
whereas none of the stations has recorded less than the normal rainfall in the year 2014.
Moolehole is the only station which has recorded the highest rainfall in the year 2014
above the normal maximum of 1,250 mm. Kabini dam and Bankawadi stations have
recorded relatively high rainfalls in both the years.

64
 Annual Rainfall at Rainguage Stations at BNP-TR
2006-2014 (in mm)

1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Kundakere Bandipur Moolehole Hangala Kabini Dam Bankawadi

Figure 3.9
In both the years, the annual rainfall variability is quite significant as evidenced from
the distribution of rainfall (isohyets) in Figures 3.10 and 3.11. In the year 2014, the
distribution of rainfall is such that the southwest monsoon (June-September) has
recorded the highest of 3,519.7 mm (61.1 per cent), followed by the summer months
(March-May) at 1,183.1 mm (20.54 per cent) and the northeast monsoon (October-
December) at 1,057 mm (18.36 per cent). The annual rainfall of 2014 has been of the
order of 5,759.8 mm, which is one of the highest rainfalls of the study area in recent
history.

Natural Vegetation

A wide variety of vegetation is found from north to south of the National Park. There
is a rainfall gradient from east to west and the change in vegetation is believed to be the
result of spatial and the temporal distribution of rainfall in the Reserve. The forests of
the Tiger Reserve are thus varied. To the eastern most portions lie the scrub forests of
the Moyar. While the vegetation in the central part of the Tiger Reserve, for example
in Kaniyanpura and Bandipur part of Beerambadi is dry deciduous, the vegetation in
the western part of the reserve, for example in Ainurmarigudi, Begur and the
northwestern part of Beerambadi is moist deciduous. The vegetation changes thus from
scrub to moist deciduous from east to west. According to Champion and Seth (1968)
classification, these forests are classified as the Scrub, the Southern Tropical Dry and

65
Deciduous, and also the South Tropical Moist Deciduous types. The vegetation types
of the BNP-TR are briefly described below to give some detailed information on them.

Figure 3.10
The Scrub Vegetation: This type is mainly confined to the easternmost portion of the
Tiger Reserve, that is, the Moyar State Forest, which has poor rainfall and impoverished
soil. This type of forests is spread in the entire Moyar range, parts of Maddur, Omkara,
Hediyala and Moliyur ranges. This vegetation is characterized by stunted tree growth,
coming on shallow hard soil, with almost no humus, and with open canopy. The
vegetation comprises of species like Shoreatalura, Santalum album (Sandal),
Terminaliachebula, Anogeissuslatifolia, Azadirachtaindica, Chloroxylonswietenia,
Acacia leucophloea, Acacia catechu, Stereospermumchelonoides,
Zizyphussps.,Diospyrosmelnoxylon, Diospyrosmontana, and
EmblicaOfficinalisBasweliaSerrata. Bamboos are generally absent. Acacia intsia is the
common climber. Grass is generally abundant but is stunted.

66
 Figure 3.11

The Southern Tropical Dry and Deciduous Vegetation: This type is confined to the
central portion of the Tiger Reserve and has poor site quality forests with shallow hard
soil, floor almost flat, low rainfall, poor growth of vegetation and with open canopy.
The parts of Bandipur ranges, Maddur, GopalaswamyBetta, Mulehole, Hediyala and
Moliyur ranges have this type of vegetation. The top canopy consists of
Anogeissuslatifolia, Tectonagrandis, Terminaliatomentosa, Terminaliabelerica,
Terminaliachebula, Terminaliapaniculata, Pterocarpusmarsupium,
Dalbergialatifolia, Grewiatiliaefolia, Salmaliamalabarica, Gmelinaarborea,
Dalbergiapaniculata, Albizziaodoratissima, Careyaarborea, Schleicheratrijuga,
Odinawodier, Stereospermumchelonoides, Stereospermumxylocarpum,
Schreberaswieteniodes, Buteamonosperma, Emblicaofficinalis, Lagerstroemia
parviflora, and Gardenia sps.

The South Tropical Moist Deciduous Vegetation:This part of the Tiger Reserve is
among the most valuable forests of the State. The western portions of Begur,
Ainurmarigudi and BeerambadiState forests are typical of the moist type. The big

67
bamboo, Bambusaarundinacea and the small bamboo, Dendrocalamusstrictus, that
once occupied the floor of this forest to a greater extent but their flowering has
destroyed them. The natural regeneration of the two bamboos is coming up in pockets,
which often suffers heavy damage from theelephants and fires. The entire Mulehole
ranges, Gundre ranges, Kalkere ranges and parts of all other ranges of the Reserve have
this type of vegetation.
The species of the top canopy of this type are:Tectonagrandis, Lagerstroemia
lanceolata, Terminaliatomentosa, Terminaliabelerica, Dalbergialatifolia,
Pterocarpusmarsupium, Salmaliamalabarica, Adina cordifolia, Grewiatiliaefolia,
Anogiessuslatifolia, Stereospermumxylocarpum, Schleicheraoleosa,
Albizziaodoratissima, Odinawodier, Ficusinfectoria and other species of Ficus.

The lower canopy consists of Emblicaofficinalis, Mallotusphilippinensis,

Kydiacalycina, Buteamonosperma, Zizyphusxylocarpus, Vangueriaspinosa,
Grewiatiliaefolia, Gmelinaarborea, Brideliaretusa, Bauhinia racemosa, Cassia fistula,
Cordiamyxa, andRandiadumetorum.

The undergrowth consists of Kydiacalycina, Solanumferox,Solanumindicum,

Helicterisisora, Hemidesmusindicus, Holarrhenaantidysenterica, Lantana camara,
Eupatorium, Desmodium species, Flemingia species, Vernonia species, and
Grewiahirsuta.

To give a very detailed information on the types of vegetation in the 11 ranges of the
Bandipur Reserve, Table 3.4 shows the total area of the ranges as well as the area under
moist mixed deciduous, dry deciduous and scrub vegetation in them.
Whereas the moist mixed deciduous occupies 391.39 km2, the dry deciduous 320.07
km2 and scurb 160.78 km2. Beeramadi reserve forests are the largest in area (265.47
km2) with 125.47 km2 of moist mixed deciduous forests and 140 km2 of dry deciduous.
There is no scrub type vegetation in this range. In fact, in 4 of the 11 ranges, there is no
scrub type vegetation and the largest area under it is in Naganapura Block II at 36.95
km2. The forest ranges with considerable area under the moist mixed deciduous forests
are Ainurmarigudi (120.46 km2), Begur (112.93 km2) and Beeramadi (125.47 km2).
Table 3.5 shows the forest and non-forest areas of the Bandipur National Park and Tiger
Reserve in terms of the core and buffer areas of the same: Core area having 11 reserved
forests has an area of 872.24 km2 whereas buffer zone forest area with 15 reserved

68
forests occupy an area of 118.27 km2 and buffer zone non-forest area with 32 villages
in 13 gram panchayats occupy 291.88 km2.

Table 3.4: Type of Forests under the Ranges of Bandipur National Park and Tiger
Reserve
Moist
Total Dry Scrub
Mixed
Name of Reserve Forest Area Deciduous Type
No. Deciduous
km2 km2 km2
(km2)
1. Moyar Reserve Forests 60.86 - 31.00 29.86
2. Kaniyanapura Reserve Forests 32.34 - 8.00 24.34
Blocks I, II and III
3. Bandipur Reserve Forests 85.96 19.50 66.46 -
4. Ainurmarigudi Reserve 128.46 120.46 8.00 -
Forests
5. Begur Reserve Forests 112.93 112.93 - -
6. Beeramadi Reserve Forests 265.47 125.47 140.00 -
7. Alaganchi Reserve Forests 50.73 - 23.64 27.09
8. Katwal Reserve Forests 22.13 13.03 7.97 1.13
9. Naganapura Reserve Forests 41.33 - 10.00 31.33
Block I
10. Naganapura Block II 36.95 - - 36.95
11. Beerambadi Reserve 35.08 - 25.00 10.08
Forestsnortheast and
southeastextension
Total 872.24 391.39 320.07 160.78
Source: Karnataka Forest Department, Bangalore 2010-11.

Table 3.5: Forest and Non-Forest Areas in Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve

Forest and Non-Forest Area Area km2

Core Area (11 Reserved forests) 872.24

Buffer Forest Area (15 Reserved forests) 118.27

Buffer non-forest Area (32 villages of 13 GPs) 291.88

Total 1,282.39
Source: Karnataka Forest Department, Bangalore 2010-11.

The Habitats

There are different biotic habitats in the Bandipur Reserve. The Kabini Reservoir is a
good aquatic habitat for fish and many species of birds. The other major water body is
the Nugu Reservoier. Small tanks and the rivers provide habitats also for fishes, crabs,
tortoises and crocodiles. Subterranean habitats are where porcupines, mongooses, scaly
anteaters, bandicoots, rats and snakes (pythons) live as sub-terrestrial dwellers; they are
also the terrestrial dwellers. Some of the animals use the subterranean food, porcupines

69
burrow and eat roots of Cassia fistula. Wild boars feed on the tuberous roots of Costus
sps., Dioscorea and Vitis climbers. Elephants are observed uprooting grass and feeding
on the succulent root portions. The sloth bear feeds on roots and underground white
ants.

The Diversity of Fauna in Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve

The BandipurNational Park has a very high diversity of the fauna. There are about 25
species of fishes, 21 species of amphibians, 34 species of reptiles, 227 species of birds
and 35 species of mammals. Table 3.6 presents the distribution of wildlife in the
Bandipur Reserve over the years from 1991 to 2013. It is evident that the spotted deer
are the most numerous, increasing fast over the years for which data are available with
the Karnataka Forest Department. Elephants, although large in numbers have increased
in number from 1991 (1,107) to 1997 (3,471) only to decline drastically in the following
years, 3,012 in 2002, 2,132 in 2010 and 1,737 in 2013. Sambar is another wildlife that
has prospered from 706 in 1991 to 2,386 in 1997 and the latest figures for this animal
is not available. Common langur has also increased in number from 1,468 in 1991 to
1,751 in 1993 and the same number also in 1995. Chital has equaled the number of
spotted deer in 2002 (8,204). Tiger population, for the conservation of which the Tiger
reserve came into being, has increased from 58 in 1991 to 105 in both 2010 and 2013.
Panther has also shown some good increase, from 51 in 1991 to 88 in 1997. Wild dogs
(181 in 1995), wild boar (181 in 1995) and barking deer (131 in 1995) have all shown
some improvement in their numbers over the stated years.

Table 3.7 shows the distribution of the mammal species in India as well as those in the
Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Three of the 15 species of primates found in India, 7 of the 34
even-toed ungulates (deer, gaur, pig), 14 of the 58 carnivora (tiger, leopard, sloth bear),
2 of the 30 insectivora (shrew), 11 of the 102 rodentia (rats, squirrels) and 7 of the 113
chiroptera (bats) found in India are found in the Reserve. Proboscides (elephant) and
pholidota (ant eater) are the one species found everywhere in India and so they are in
the Reserve as well.

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 Table 3.6: Distribution of Wildlife in Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve
1991-2013.
Wildlife 1991 1993 1995 1997 2002 2010 2013
Tiger 58 66 74 75 108 105 105
Panther 51 81 86 88 - - -
Elephant 1,107 2,214 2,214 3,471 3,012 2,132 1,737
Gaur 1,097 1,373 1,373 2,427 - - -
Wild Dog 148 181 181 - - - -
Spotted Deer 3,333 5,858 5,858 8,204 - - -
Sambar 706 1,196 1,196 2,386 - - -
Sloth Bear 51 66 66 - - - -
Four-horned - - -
14 - - -
Antelope
Common Langur 1,468 1,751 1,751 - - - -
Wild Boar 148 181 181 - - -
Barking Deer 72 131 131 - - - -
Chital - - - - 8,204 - -
Source: Karnataka Forest Department 2013.

Table 3.7: Mammal Species in India and in Bandipur Tiger Reserve 2014.
Sl. Order Species Species recorded Percent
No found in in Bandipur Tiger
India Reserve
1 Primates 15 3 20.0
2 Even-toed ungulates (deer, gaur, pig) 34 7 20.5
3 Proboscides (elephant) 1 1 100.0
4 Carnivora (tiger, leopard, sloth bear) 58 14 29.7
5 Pholidota (ant eater) 1 1 100.0
6 Lagomorpha(black-napped hare) 11 1 9.1
7 Insectivora (shrew) 30 2 6.7
8 Rodentia (rats,squirrel) 102 11 11.7
9 Chiroptera (bats) 113 7 6.2
Source: Karnataka Forest Department 2014.
In the beginning, the Tiger Reserve contained rich stock of prey animals. Spotted deer
(Axis axis) was so ample round about Bandipur, Large number of big herds are
commonly sighted even now. Its density and distribution is very good all over the Tiger
Reserve. The Sambar deer was found more uniformly and evenly spread over the whole
of the Tiger Reserve in the beginning. At present, the population of this deer has
multiplied well and they are observed in most of the waterholes with increased strength.
The herds of 10-15 are common. The population which was 302 in 1976 has increased
to 2,386 in 1997. The four-horned antelopes (Tetracerus quadricornis) were and are
seen in the Moyar and Kaniyanpur, where the terrain is hilly and undulating with open
stunted tree growth. They are diurnal in habit. The Barking deer (Muntiacus mantjak)
is mainly an animal of thickly wooded portions of Ainurmarigudi, Begur and Bandipur
ranges and comes out to openings and clearings for grazing. It is also diurnal in habit.

71
This animal is now uniformly seen all over the Reserve. The Gaur (Bos Gaurus), prior
to 1969, was the indicator species for the Bandipur habitat but the rinderpest disease
has almost wiped tem out from the Bandipur Reserve. Gaur has recouped tremendously,
however, and large herds are seen with calves all over the park. The Indian Wild Boar
(Sus Scrofa) is commonly seen throughout the Reserve. At present the wild boars are
found in abundance due to protection against local poaching and also due to increase in
bushy undergrowth. The herds of 15-20 are commonly seen moving and raiding the
agricultural crops in the adjoining fields. The crop damage by this animal is very severe
since it moves in large numbers and destroys the crops.

The Mouse deer (Tragulus meminna) are tiny little creatures, inhabiting the rocky
hillsides and are found well distributed throughout the Reserve. The Indian Porcupine
(Hystrix indica) are rodents and favour rocky hillsides of the Reserve and are commonly
seen almost everywhere. Tigers and panthers prey on the porcupine. The Indian hare
(Lepus nigricollis) is the black napped hare and it is the only species found in the
Reserve. It is quite abundant, particularly in open areas. Tigers, panthers and wild dogs
prey on hares. The Common Langur (Presbytis entellus) are commonly seen moving
with the spotted deer round about Bandipur. These are the favorite food of panthers.
The Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata) was found bordering the thin jungle of the
Reserve near the villages. Surprisingly, they do not enter into the interior of the forests
as do the common langur. The Elephant is one of the important associate animals of the
Reserve. It is rather too frequently met with. Elephant herds are seen all over the Tiger
Reserve during the rainy season (May to September), since the palatable fresh grass is
found all over the Park. This Reserve is one of the best habitats for elephants and as
such it has been included in the Project Elephant of the Government of India. To
curtail the crop raiding by elephants, elephant proof trenches all along the northern ‘D’
line is necessary in the interest of avoiding the conflict between the wildlife authorities
and local people.

With habitats ranging from dry scrub to moist deciduous forests, Bandipur boasts of a
staggering variety of bird life. Ground birds like quails, partridges and stone curlews
occur in the open scrub forests towards the east while the typical woodland species
dominate the interior of the sanctuary. The grasslands around the Himavad
Gopalaswamy hills are home to a number of pipits and raptors. With the arrival of the
first showers, the forest pulsates with the activity of breeding birds: flycatchers burst

72
into long trilling songs; sunbirds and flower peckers hurry about carrying spider silk to
line their nests; mynas and parakeets squabble noisily for access to hole nesting sites;
drogues fiercely defend the vicinity of their nests from raptorial birds; pied crested
cuckoos closely monitor white headed babblers, whose nests they will soon parasitize.
Following the breeding, there is a comparative lull in bird activity through the monsoon.
With the close of the monsoon in end September, migrants from Himalayas like,
warblers and flycatchers begin to arrive. Long distance migrants from faraway
countries begin to arrive in the numerous ponds and also the Kabini dam by November
end. Summer is a riot of colours at Bandipur, with many flowering trees in full bloom.
It is sheer pleasure to watch birds like sunbirds, mynas and drongos play hide and seek
in the flowers of Indian laburnum, flame of the forest, Indian coral tree and various
others, to feast on the nectar.

Part II: Human Geography of the BNP-TR

Table 3.8 shows the villages of the buffer zone of the Bandipur National Park. There
are 13 gram panchayats consisting of 32 villages, although the numbers in each of the
panchayats are different. A detailed discussion was held with the concerned grama
sabhas and their willingness was obtained in writing before they were included in the
buffer zone of the Bandipur Reserve. A total of 32 villages with an area of 291.88 km2
were selected based on certain criteria prescribed for inclusion. However, 170 other
villages in the vicinity have also been targeted for the comprehensive development with
eco-development activities. People of these villages are fully involved in the
implementation of these activities. It is also in the management agenda to involve these
people for the protection of the reserve through participatory approach. There are177
human settlements in the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve Area, of which 54
villages are in the core area of the reserve (Report of the Tiger Task Force, Government
of India 2005) and the rest of 123 lie in the buffer area of the BNP-TR, among which
17 are uninhabited as of now (Census 2011). The buffer villages are all on the northern
side of the Bandipur National Park as well.

Distribution of Population in BNP-TR

According to the Census 2011, there were 29,491 households in the Bandipur Reserve
area, with 13,074 households in Gundlupete taluk (44.33 per cent), 11,768 in H.D. Kote
taluk (39.9 per cent), 3,778 in Nanjangud taluk (12.82 per cent) and 871 in

73
Chamarajanagara taluk (2.95 per cent). The Reserve had a human population of
122,643, with 42.84 per cent in Gundlupete taluk (52,537 people), 41.12 per cent in
H.D. Kote taluk (50,428 people), 13.46 per cent in Nanjangud taluk (16,512 people)
and 2.58 per cent in Chamarajanagara taluk (3,166 people). Table 3.8 shows also that
the gender distribution of the population of the Bandipur Reserve is 50:50, with 61,327
males and 61,316 females. The distribution of gender of the population in the four
taluks is also more or less the same, with not much of a difference between male and
female population of the taluks (Figures 3.12 and 3.13).

Table 3.8: Villages of the Buffer Zone of Bandipur National Park

Name of the Gram Extent of the
Sl. No Name of the Village
Panchayat village in km2
1 Hegganur 1. Katwal 11.20
2. Badaga 5.36
2 B. Matakere 3. Nemanahally 5.00
4. Matakere 4.36
5. Bankavadi 13.44
6. Hirihally 13.55
7. Moliyur 17.31
8. Kandalike 4.19
9. Hosakote 2.18
10. Kurnegala 20.39
3 M.C. Talalu 11. Aadanur 10.87
12. Channagundi 7.46
13. Chikkabargi 2.32
4 Hediyala 14. Bankally 3.47
5 Devarashetty Pura 15. Naganapura 37.13
6 Beerambadi 16. Beerambadi 14.06
17. Maddur 5.44
18. Lakkipura 6.95
7 Bargi 19. Hongalli 3.25
8 Kannegala 20. Kunagalli 4.09
9 Hangala 21. Maaguvinahally 6.29
22. Melukamahally 1.25
10 Mangala 23. Mangala 9.11
24. Jakkalli 4.69
25. Kaniyanapura 12.34
26. Yelachatti 4.20
27. Lokkere 6.55
11 Shivapura 28. Shivapura 1.27
29. Kalligowdanahally 2.87
12 Hundipura 30. Hundipura 9.84
31. Kebbepura 13.13
13 Bachally 32. Bachally 28.32
Total 291.88
Source: Department of Economics and Statistics 2013.

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 Table 3.9: BNP-TR: Households and Population by Taluks 2011
Number of Total
TALUK Households Population Male Female
Chamarajanagara 871 3,166 1,594 1,572
% 2.95 2.58 50.35 49.65
Gundlupete 13,074 52,537 26,234 26,303
% 44.33 42.84 49.93 50.07
HDKote 11,768 50,428 25,167 25,261
% 39.90 41.12 49.91 50.09
Nanjangud 3,778 16,512 8,332 8,180
% 12.82 13.46 50.46 49.54
Bandipura Total 29,491 122,643 61,327 61,316
% 100.00 100.00 50.00 50.00
Source: Census of India 2011.
Scheduled Castes and Tribes

As for the distribution of scheduled castes and tribes of the population in the Reserve,
the situation is as follows: There were 32,863 people of the scheduled castes and 24,481
people of the scheduled tribes. Of the scheduled caste population, 50.07 per cent were
males and 49.93 per cent were females; on the other, the proportion of the scheduled
tribes were 49.1 per cent males and 50.9 per cent females. Sex ratio in the tribal and the
non-tribal population is almost equal, although there are differences between the taluk
but minimal. The distribution of scheduled caste population is 41.41 per cent in H.D.
Kote taluk (male: 50.22 per cent; female: 49.78 per cent), 40.94 per cent in Gundlupete
taluk (male: 49.79 per cent; female: 50.21 per cent), 16.54 per cent in Nanjangud taluk
(male: 50.35 per cent; female: 49.65 per cent) and 1.11 per cent in Chamarajanagara
taluk (male: 50.54 per cent; female: 49.46 per cent). As for the scheduled tribes, H.D.
Kote taluk accounts for 62.9 per cent (male: 49.1 per cent; female: 50.9 per cent);
Gundlupete taluk accounts for 31.8 per cent (male: 49.12 per cent; female: 50.88 per
cent); Nanjangud taluk accounts for 5.3 per cent (male: 48.83 per cent; female: 51.17
per cent); and Chamaranagara taluk accounts for 0.006 per cent (male: 64.7 per cent;
female: 35.3 per cent). Figure 3.13 shows the distribution of male scheduled tribe
population in the buffer zone villages while Figure 3.14 shows the distribution of
female scheduled tribe population in the buffer zone villages of the Bandipur Reserve.

75
 Figure 3.12

Literacy

Table 3.9 shows the distribution of literacy and illiteracy amidst the scheduled tribes of
the Bandipur Reserve. The literates among the scheduled tribes far outnumber (65,547
people: male 56.2 per cent and female 43.8 per cent) the illiterates (57,096 people: male
42.88 per cent and female 57.12 per cent). As for literates, Gundlupete taluk accounts
for 41.96 per cent of them (27,505 literates), H.D. Kote taluk for 41.59 per cent (27,267
literates: male 55.91 per cent and female 44.09 per cent), Nanjangud taluk for 14.04 per
cent (9,201 literates: male 56.37 per cent and female 43.63 per cent) and
Chamarajanagara taluk for just 2.41 per cent (1,574 literates: male 58.44 per cent and
female 41.66 per cent).

76
 Figure 3.13

Table 3.10: Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in BNP-TR 2011

Taluk Scheduled Caste Scheduled Tribe
Total Total
Population Male Female Population Male Female
Chamarajanagara 366 185 181 17 11 6
% 1.11 50.54 49.46 0.006 64.70 35.30
Gundlupete 13,454 6,700 6,754 7,787 3,825 3,962
% 40.94 49.79 50.21 31.80 49.12 50.88
HDKote 13,610 6,836 6,774 15,391 7,557 7,834
% 41.41 50.22 49.78 62.90 49.10 50.90
Nanjangud 5,433 2,736 2,697 1,286 628 658
% 16.54 50.35 49.65 5.3 48.83 51.17
Bandipura Total 32,863 16,457 16,406 24,481 12,021 12,460
% 100 50.07 49.93 100 49.10 50.90
Source: Census of India 2011.

77
 Figure 3.14

Figure 3.15
Figure 3.16 shows the spatial distribution of male literates in the Reserve while Figure
3.17 shows the spatial distribution of female literates among the scheduled tribes in the
Reserve.

78
 Table 3.11: Literacy and Illiteracy of Scheduled Tribes of BNP-TR 2011

Taluk Literates Illiterates

Total Male Female Total Male Female
Chamarajanagara 1,574 920 654 1,592 674 918
% 2.41 58.44 41.66 2.78 42.33 57.67
Gundlupete 27,505 15,486 12,019 25,032 10,748 14284
% 41.96 56.30 43.70 43.84 42.93 57.07
HDKote 27,267 15,247 12,020 23,161 9,920 13241
% 41.59 55.91 44.09 40.57 42.83 57.17
Nanjangud 9,201 5,187 4,014 7,311 3,145 4166
% 14.04 56.37 43.63 12.81 43.01 56.99
Bandipura Total 65,547 36,840 28,707 57,096 24,487 32609
% 100 56.20 43.80 100 42.88 57.12
Source: Census of India 2011.

Figure 3.16

79
 Figure 3.17

The distribution of illiterates of the scheduled tribe population in the Reserve is such
that 43.84 per cent of them are in Gundlupete taluk (25,032 people: male 42.93 per cent
and female 57.07 per cent), 40.57 per cent are in H.D. Kote taluk (23,161 people: male
42.83 per cent and female 57.17 per cent), 12.81 per cent in Nanjangud taluk (7,311
people: male 43.01 per cent and female 56.99 per cent) and 2.78 per cent in
Chamarajanagara taluk (1,592 people: male 42.33 per cent and female 57.67 per cent).

Distribution of Main and Marginal Workers

The total workers of the Bandipur Reserve are 64,637 persons strong with 40.819 males
(63.15 per cent) and 23,818 females (36.85 per cent). Spatially, 28,019 of the total
workers are in H.D. Kote taluk constituting 43.35 per cent of the total in the Reserve
(male 58.52 per cent; female 41.48 per cent); 26,085 are in Gundlupete taluk accounting
for 40.36 per cent (male 67.93 per cent; female 32.07 per cent); 8,795 are in Nanjangud
taluk accounting for 13.61 per cent (male 63.27 per cent; female 36.73 per cent) and
1,738 are in Chamarajanagara taluk accounting for just 2.68 per cent (male 65.3 per
cent; female 34.7 per cent). While Figure 3.18 shows the spatial distribution of male
total workers, Figure 3.19 shows the same of female total workers in Bandipur Reserve.

80
 Table 3.12: Total and Main Workers in BNP-TR 2011
Taluk Total Workers Main Workers
Total Male Female Total Male Female
Chamarajanagara
1,738 1,135 603 1,420 1,030 390
%
2.68 65.30 34.70 2.75 72.53 27.47
Gundlupete
26,085 17,722 8,363 22,311 15,894 6,417
%
40.36 67.93 32.07 43.14 71.23 28.77
HDKote
28,019 16,397 11,622 21,204 13,788 7,416
%
43.35 58.52 41.48 40.99 65.02 34.98
Nanjangud
8,795 5,565 3,230 6,787 4,692 2,095
%
13.61 63.27 36.73 13.12 69.13 30.87
Bandipura Total
64,637 40,819 23,818 51,722 35,404 16,318
%
100 63.15 36.85 100 68.45 31.55
Source: Census of India 2011.

Figure 3.18

81
 Figure 3.19

Of the 51,722 main workers of the Bandipur Reserve, 35,404 or 68.45 per cent are male
main workers and 16,318 or 31.55 per cent are female main workers. The share of taluks
are: 43.14 per cent is of Gundlupete taluk (22,311 people: male 71.23 per cent and
female 28.77 per cent); 40.99 per cent is of H.D. Kote taluk (21,204 people: male 65.02
per cent and female 34.98 per cent); 13.12 is of Nanjangud taluk (6,787 people: male
69.13 per cent and female 30.87 per cent); and 2.75 per cent is of Chamarajanagara
taluk (1,420 people: male 72.53 per cent and female 27.47 per cent).

The distribution of main cultivators and agricultural labourers of the Bandipur Reserve
is shown in Table 3.13. There are 21,878 main cultivators of whom 17,905 are male
main cultivators (81.84 per cent) and 3,973 are female main cultivators (18.16 per cent)
Thus both men and women are involved in agriculture and cropping, even though
women are small in numbers, others being otherwise engaged in other economic and
social activities, for wan of time to participate in agriculture. Their distribution by taluks
is as follows: Whereas 42.69 per cent of the main cultivators are in H.D. Kote taluk
(9,339 cultivators: male 74.91 per cent and female 25.09 per cent), 39.6 per cent of
them are in Gundlupete taluk (8,665 cultivators: male 89.5 per cent and female 10.5 per
cent), 14.97 per cent of them are in Nanjangud taluk (3,273 cultivators: male 79.89 per

82
cent and female 20.11 per cent) and 2.74 per cent are in Chamarajanagara taluk (601
cultivators: male 89.51 per cent and female 10.49 per cent).

Agricultural labourers are in fact wage labourers, who work on others’ farms for most
of the time even as they may work on their own for some of the time. There are thus
23,379 agricultural labourers in the Bandipur Reserve of whom 12,948 or 55.38 per
cent are men and 10,431 or 44.62 per cent are women. There may be, just may be
children who work as agricultural labourers among the tribal people but they are not
officially shown as child labour is legally prohibited. Among the agricultural labourers
in the Reserve, 46.88 per cent (or 10,962) are in Gundlupete taluk (men 55.85 per cent
and women 44.15 per cent); 41.1 per cent (or 9,609) are in H.D. Kote taluk (men 54.23
per cent and women 45.77 per cent); 9.48 per cent (or 2,215) are in Nanjangud taluk
(men 57.6 per cent and women 42.4 per cent); and 2.54 per cent (or 593) are in
Chamarajanagara taluk (men 56.99 per cent and women 43.01 per cent). Men dominate
both the main cultivators and agricultural labourers among the people of the Bandipur
Reserve.

Table 3.13: Main Cultivators and Agricultural Labourers in BNP-TR 2011

Taluk Main Cultivators Main Agricultural Labourers
Total Male Female Total Male Female
Chamarajanagara
601 538 63 593 338 255
%
2.74 89.51 10.49 2.54 56.99 43.01
Gundlupete
8,665 7,756 909 10,962 6,123 4,839
%
39.60 89.50 10.50 46.88 55.85 44.15
HDKote
9,339 6,996 2,343 9,609 5,211 4,398
%
42.69 74.91 25.09 41.10 54.23 45.77
Nanjangud
3,273 2,615 658 2,215 1,276 939
%
14.97 79.89 20.11 9.48 57.60 42.40
Bandipura Total
21,878 17,905 3,973 23,379 12,948 10,431
%
100 81.84 18.16 100 55.38 44.62
Source: Census of India 2011.
Table 3.14 shows the distribution of main workers in the household industries and main
other workers. Both are rather small in number, 593 in household industry and 5,872 as
other main workers. The distribution by taluks is in the order of Gundlupete (46.21 per
cent or 274), H.D. Kote (41.15 per cent or 244), Nanjangud (11.13 per cent or 66) and

83
Chamarajanagara (1.51 per cent or 9). The distribution in regard to other main workers
is again in the same order: Gundlupete taluk (41.04 per cent or 2,410: male 1,790,
women 620), H.D. Kote taluk (34.27 per cent or 2,012: men 1,445, women 567),
Nanjangud taluk (20.99 per cent or 1,233: men 749, women 484) and Chamarajanagara
taluk (3.7 per cent or 217: men 147, women 70).

Table 3.14: Main Household Industrial and Other Workers of BNP-TR 2011
Taluk Main Workers in Household
Industries Other Main Workers
Total Male Female Total Male Female
Chamarajanagara 9 7 2 217 147 70
% 1.51 77.77 22.23 3.70 67.74 32.26
Gundlupete 274 225 49 2,410 1,790 620
% 46.21 82.11 17.89 41.04 74.27 25.73
HDKote 244 136 108 2,012 1,445 567
% 41.15 55.74 44.26 34.27 71.81 28.19
Nanjangud 66 52 14 1,233 749 484
% 11.13 78.78 21.22 20.99 60.74 39.26
Bandipura Total 593 420 173 5,872 4,131 1,741
% 100 70.82 29.18 100 70.35 29.65
Source: Census of India 2011.
Table 3.15 shows the distribution of marginal workers and marginal cultivators, 12,915
and 3,322 strong, respectively. Of the marginal workers 41.92 per cent are men and
58.08 per cent are women; and of the marginal cultivators, 37.35 per cent are men and
62.65 per cent are women. Note in marginal workers and marginal cultivators, women
dominate men, predominantly. The share of the taluks is such that H.D. Kote has the
largest number of marginal workers (6.815 or 52.77 per cent) followed by Gundlupete
(3,774 or 29.22 per cent), Nanjangud (15.55 per cent or 2,008) and Chamarajanagara
(2.46 per cent or 318). In regard to marginal cultivators, the distribution is: H.D. Kote
taluk 2,760 or 83.09 per cent; Gundlupete taluk 322 or 9.69 per cent; Nanjangud taluk
176 or 5.29 per cent; and Chamarajanagara taluk 1.93 per cent or 64. The distribution
in terms of taluks is characterized by small numbers except for H.D. Kote and
Gundlupete taluks.

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 Table 3.15: Marginal Workers and Cultivators of BNP-TR 2011
Taluk Marginal Workers Marginal Cultivators
Total Male Female Total Male Female
Chamarajanagara 318 105 213 64 28 36
% 2.46 33.01 66.99 1.93 43.75 56.25
Gundlupete 3,774 1,828 1,946 322 172 150
% 29.22 48.43 51.57 9.69 53.41 46.59
HDKote 6,815 2,609 4,206 2,760 938 1,822
% 52.77 38.28 61.72 83.09 33.98 66.02
Nanjangud 2,008 873 1,135 176 103 73
% 15.55 43.47 56.53 5.29 58.52 41.48
Bandipura Total 12,915 5,415 7,500 3,322 1,241 2,081
% 100 41.92 58.08 100 37.35 62.65
Source: Census of India 2011.
Table 3.16 characterizes the distribution of marginal agricultural labourers and
marginal household industrial workers in much the same way. Marginal agricultural
labourers in the Reserve number 7,258 with 2,996 men (41.27 per cent) and 4,262
women (58.73 per cent) whereas marginal household industrial workers number just
396 with 188 men (47.47 per cent) and 208 women (52.53 per cent).

Table 3.16: Marginal Agricultural Labourers and Household Industrial

Workers
of BNP-TR 2011
Taluk Marginal Agricultural Marginal Workers in
Labourers Household Industries
Total Male Female Total Male Female
Chamarajanagara 142 39 103 10 1 9
% 1.96 27.46 72.54 2.52 10.0 90.0
Gundlupete 2,733 1,292 1,441 80 44 36
% 37.65 47.27 52.73 20.20 55.0 45.0
HDKote 2,951 1,112 1,839 269 118 151
% 40.66 37.68 62.32 67.93 43.86 56.14
Nanjangud 1,432 553 879 37 25 12
% 19.73 38.61 61.39 9.35 67.56 32.44
Bandipura Total 7,258 2,996 4,262 396 188 208
% 100 41.27 58.73 100 47.47 52.53
Source: Census of India 2011.
The distribution of marginal other workers and non-workers are shown in Table 3.17.
Whereas the non-workers of the Bandipur Reserve is large (58,006: 20,508 men and
37,498 women), the marginal other workers are rather small (4,640: 2,128 men and
2,512 women). The distribution by taluks for the non-workers is: Gundlupete 26,452 or

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45.6 per cent (men 32.17 per cent and women 67.83 per cent); H.D. Kote 22,409 or
38.63 per cent (men 39.13 per cent and women 60.87 per cent); Nanjangud 7,717 or
13.31 per cent (men 35.85 per cent and women 64.15 per cent); and Chamarajanagara
1,428 or 2.46 per cent (men 32.14 per cent and women 67.86 per cent).

Table 3.17: Marginal Other Workers and Non-Workers of BNP-TR 2011

Taluk Marginal Other Workers Non-Workers
Total Male Female Total Male Female
Chamarajanagara 98 40 58 1,428 459 969
% 2.11 40.81 59.19 2.46 32.14 67.86
Gundlupete 602 332 270 26,452 8,512 17,940
% 12.97 55.14 44.86 45.60 32.17 67.83
HDKote 3,214 1,540 1,674 22,409 8,770 13,639
% 69.27 47.91 52.09 38.63 39.13 60.87
Nanjangud 726 216 510 7,717 2,767 4,950
% 15.65 29.75 70.25 13.31 35.85 64.15
Bandipura Total 4,640 2,128 2,512 58,006 20,508 37,498
% 100 45.86 54.14 100 35.35 64.65
Source: Census of India 2011.
Distribution of wage labour of the Bandipur Reserve is shown in Table 3.18 and
the distribution is a total of 35,870 with 51.55 per cent men and 48.45 per cent women.
The share of the wage labour by taluks is H.D. Kote 65.17 per cent; Nanjangud 20.24
per cent; Chamarajanagara 12.93 per cent; and Gundlupete 1.66 per cent. The gender
distribution as for wage labour is concerned is as follows: In H.D. Kote, it is 55.38 per
cent men against 44.62 per cent women; in Nanjangud, it is 41.27 per cent men against
58.73 per cent women; in Chamarajanagara, it is 45.86 per cent men against 54.14 per
cent women; and in Gundlupete, it is 70.82 per cent men against 29.18 per cent women.
It is evident that in different taluks of the Bandipur Reserve, the domination of the wage
labour force is either male or female, as the case may be, as shown in the table below.

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 Table 3.18: Wage Labour of Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve 2011
Taluk Wage Labour
Total Male Female
Chamarajanagara 4,640 2,128 2,512
% 12.93 45.86 54.14
Gundlupete 593 420 173
% 1.66 70.82 29.18
HDKote 23,379 12,948 10,431
% 65.17 55.38 44.62
Nanjangud 7,258 2,996 4,262
% 20.24 41.27 58.73
Bandipura Total 35,870 18,492 17,378
% 100 51.55 48.45
Source: Census of India 2011.
PART III: Tribes of Karnataka and the BNP-TR

The tribal population in India, according to Census 2011 was 104,281,034. At present,
India has the second largest tribal population in the world, next only to the continent of
Africa. Tribes of India are spread over the length and breadth of the country. India is a
land of multiracial tribal populations; of different racial and ethnic groups, concentrated
in different parts of India, having their own cultural characteristics and levels of
development. A few groups are still at the primitive stages of development. The tribes
are very often referred to as ‘Tribals’, ‘Primitives’, and ‘Adivasis’.

‘Tribes’ in the Indian concept today is normally referred to in the Constitution as the
’Scheduled Tribes’ or, for short, ST. The ’Scheduled Tribes’ constitute 23.7 per cent of
the total population of India (Census 2011 Report). The tribal people who are regarded
as the earliest among the present inhabitants of India have survived here with their
unchanging ways of life for centuries. Many of them are still in primitive stages and are
far from the impact of modern civilization.

The term ‘tribe’ is nowhere defined clearly in the Indian Constitution, though.
However, under Article 366(25) of the Constitution, the scheduled tribes are the tribes
or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities,
which the Indian President may specify by a public notification under Article 342(1).

Definition of Tribe

Article 342 of the Constitution of India empowers the President of India to draw up a
list of Scheduled Tribes in consultation with the Governor of each State subject to a

87
revision by the Parliament. Accordingly, the President has made orders, specifying the
scheduled tribes in the different States of India. In the post-independence period, the
decision as to which community is a tribe and which one is not has been taken by the
administration and not by the social scientists. Thus, any community, which is listed in
the Schedule of the Constitution as a tribe is known as a scheduled tribe of India.

An East Asian Conference defined a tribal community as forming a group of people

generally constituting a homogenous unit, speaking a common language, claiming a
common ancestry, living in particular geographical area, generally they are lacking in
scientific knowledge and modern technology and having a social structure based on
kinship.

A tribe is a group of people in primitive and barbarous stage of development,

acknowledging the authority of a chief and usually regarding themselves as
having a common ancestor (Oxford Dictionary).

According to Majumdar (1958), ‘A tribe is a collection of families or groups of families

bearing a common name, members of which occupy the same territory, speak the same
language and obverse certain taboos regarding marriage, profession or occupation. A
tribe is ordinarily an endogenous unit, is a political unit in the sense that the tribal
society owning a political organization of its own’. Mandelbaum (1956) defined that a
tribe is the social unit larger than the local group with which the families of a local
community almost have a sense belonging.

To conclude, the ‘tribes’ may be defined as a group of people speaking a common

language, observing uniform rules of social organization and working together for
common purposes such as trade, agriculture or warfare. Other typical characteristics
include a common name, a contiguous territory, relatively uniform culture or way of
life and a tradition of common descent.

In Karnataka, the scheduled tribe population was 1,915,691 in Census 1991,

constituting 4.26 per cent. It increased to 3,463,986, which accounted for 6.6 per cent
of the total population in Census 2001. In between 1991 and 2001 Censuses, the
scheduled tribe population increased by 2.34 per cent. In between 2001 and 2011
censuses, the scheduled tribe population increased by about 7 per cent (Table 3.19).

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 Table 3.19: Scheduled Tribe Population of Karnataka 2011
State Total Total Population ST Population Male ST Female ST
Population Population
Karnataka Total 52,850,562 3,463,986 1,756,238 1,707,748
Per cent - 6.6 50.1 49.9
Rural 34,889,033 2,934,530 1,486,073 1,448,457
Per cent 66 84.7 50.6 49.4
Urban 17,961,529 529,456 270,165 259,291
Per cent 34 15.3 51.0 49.0
Source: Census of India 2011.

Bandipur Tribal Households and Population

Table 3.20 shows the households by tribal communities of the Bandipur National Park
and Tiger Reserve. There are four major tribal communities, namely, Soligas,
Jenukurubas, Bettakurubas and Aravas. There are 931 Soliga households with 679
households in Gundlupete taluk and 304 households in H.D. Kote taluk. There are no
Soliga households repoted from Nanjangud taluk as such. Jenukrubas on the other hand
are found in all the three taluks and in varying numbers: 388 households in Gundlupete
taluk, 321 households in H.D.Kote taluk and 236 households in Nanangud taluk,
totaling 828 households in the Forest Reserve area. Bettakurubas are also found in only
two taluks, namely, 108 households in Gundlupete taluk and 418 households in
H.D.Kote taluk, totaling 568 households in the study area. As for Aravas, they are found
only in H.D. Kote taluk and their households number 91. In all, there are 2,535 tribal
households accounted for here, with 1,175 households in Gundlupete taluk, 1,134
households in H.D. Kote taluk and just 236 households in Nanjangud taluk. The one
tribal community not represented here is that of Kaadhukurubas. Data are not available
on them in the records for the year 2013.

Table 3.20: Households by Tribal Communities of BandipurNational Park and Tiger

Reserve
Taluk Soliga Jenukuruba Bettakuruba Arava Total
Gundlupete 679 388 108 - 1,175
H.D. Kote 304 321 418 91 1,134
Nanjangud - 236 - - 236
Total 931 828 568 91 2,535
Source: District Social Welfare, Chamarajanagara and Mysore Districts 2013.
Table 3.21 indicates the distribution of tribal population in the three taluks of our study
area. The total tribal population in the BNP-TR area is 9,277, of whom 4,451 or 47.98

89
per cent of them are in Gundlupete taluk, 3,631 or 39.14 per cent of them are in
H.D.Kote taluk and 1,195 of them or 12.88 per cent are in Nanjangud taluk.

Table 3.21: Tribal Households and Population in Bandipur National Park and Tiger
Reserve
Taluk No. of Total Per cent to
Households Population Total
Gundlupete 1,175 4,451 47.98
H.D. Kote 1,134 3,631 39.14
Nanjangud 236 1,195 12.88
Total 2,535 9,277 100
Source: District Social Welfare, Chamarajanagara and Mysore districts 2013.
The tribes of Karnataka are also known for their costumes, cultural habits, folk
dances and songs, foods and their way of celebrating different festivals and occasions.
The long list of the tribes of Karnataka state includes Bedar tribe, Toda tribe,
Hakkipikki tribe, Jenukuruba tribe, Kaadhukuruba tribe, Kattunayakan tribe,
Kondakapus tribe, and Sholaga tribe. Among the several tribal communities of the state,
the Bedar tribe is worth mentioning for they go by several names, namely, Beda, Berad,
Boya, Bendar, and others. The birth of the Hakkipikki tribal community has rich
history, which had also established a relationship with the famous Rana Pratap Singh
of Rajasthan, for valour.

The Collection of Forest Produce – Harassment by Officialdom

Table 3.22 shows the nature of forest resources related offences during the period 2000-
13. It is evident from the table that timber smuggling, which goes on a regular basis,
has come down in terms of cases booked from 184 in 2000-01 to 42 in 2006-07 and to
15 in 2012-13, although there have been some fluctuations in the numbers, in fact going
up between 2007-08 and 2010-11, only to drastically come down (see Figure 3.20).

Table 3.22: Nature of Forest Resources Related Offences over the years 2000-13.

Nature of 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Offence -01 -02 -03 -04 -05 -06 -07 -08 -09 -10 -11 -12 -13

Timber 184 119 107 97 75 63 42 30 49 49 42 5 15

smuggling
Sandalwoods 5 1 3 4 3 7 2 5 1 1 1 5 3
Fire woods 8 30 25 43 36 35 31 35 16 14 9 8 7
Bamboo 5 9 7 - - 1 2 3 1 1 - 2 1
NTFP 98 10 4 12 10 11 15 3 2 2 2 4 7
Grazing - - - - - - - - - 2 2 2 1
Others - 31 79 119 107 111 88 44 63 49 68 331 70
Source: Karnataka Forest Department 2013.

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This area, but particularly the adjoining forest areas such as the Biligiri Rangana Hills,
Male Mahadeswara Hills and Sathyamangalam forests, has been very active in
sandalwood cutting and smuggling as well. Fortunately, however, in the BNP-TR area
such offences have been very minimal, between 1 and 5 instances throughout the
period. Fire woods and NTFPs have also been resources collected by the tribal
households and for which they have been booked on offences. As is evident from the
table, the instances in these two activities have also been declining over the years. There
is thus indication that timber smuggling, sandalwood, firewood and bamboo
cutting/collecting and trading are still practiced by the tribal households even as they
are booked on offences on a regular basis as well. Grazing of livestock, both large and
small, has now become a problem for the forest reserves because people are
increasingly encroaching upon the forests for grazing because of scarcity of grasslands
outside of the forests. Droughts are a major problem in this particular context.

Offences committed in Forest Products (#)

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

Timber Firewood NTFP Sandalwood Bamboo Others

Figure 3.20

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Conclusion

The purpose of this chapter has been to provide a detailed profile of the study area,
which is the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, including the Core and Buffer
zones of the Reserve. As a geographical research work, the profile has been built around
three important themes, namely, physical geographical, human geographical and the
themes of the current research, which are essentially the forest resources, forest
products collected and traded by the tribal communities of the study area and the
problems they have faced in making a livelihood based on the forest produce. Although
forest resources related offences have been coming down drastically in numbers, there
are still such offences and the tribal people are caught, arrested and punished. This
means that the Forest Rights Act 2006 has not been effectively implemented by the
State Government nor have they attempted to relocate the tribal communities engaged
in NTFP collection and trade with proper compensation and support. The following
chapter is concerned with the research methodology adopted in the study and as such it
describes the five important components of the methodology used in the present study.

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