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Introduction

Bandipur Tiger Reserve is one of the five tiger reserves in Karnataka. Bandipur was one of the first nine tiger reserves in the country, which were declared when Project Tiger' was initiated in the year 1973. It was declared a national park through an initial notification in the year 1974, followed by the final notification in the year 2001. As per the Government of Karnataka notification, the total area of Bandipur Tiger Reserve is 1469.69 km² area (core and buffer), which includes 872.24 km² of Critical Tiger Habitat' and a 597.45 km² buffer. Currently, the total forest area under the tiger reserve management is 1036.22 km². Bandipur Tiger Reserve is located in Gundlupet and Chamarajanagar taluks of Chamarajanagar District and H.D. Kote, Sargur and Nanjangud taluks of Mysore District, Karnataka. Bandipur Tiger Reserve is regarded as one of the most beautiful and better-managed tiger reserves of India. Bandipur Tiger Reserve is situated at 76º 45′ E, 11º 48′ N. It receives an annual rainfall of 700–1200 mm. The major forest types of Bandipur include Scrub-Type Forest, Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Type Forest and Southern Tropical Moist Deciduous Type Forests. Bandipur Tiger Reserve remains one of the mega biodiversity areas in the country, representing the Western Ghats Biogeographic Zone. Bandipur remains a significant component of the 5520 km² Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the first biosphere reserve in the country. Bandipur is also part of the Bandipur–Mudumalai–Sathyamangalam–Wayanad–Nagarahole landscape complex, which is known to have the largest source population of wild tigers in the world, with an estimated 724 (SE 635–813) tigers.

Bandipur is home to about 35 species of mammal, 289 species of bird, 34 species of reptile, 21 species of amphibian and 25 species of fish. As per the 2019–20 Phase IV monitoring exercise, the tiger population of Bandipur Tiger Reserve has been estimated as 143±8 tigers, whereas, the 2018 AITE found out that around 173 tigers were using Bandipur as their territories. Bandipur also forms part of the Mysore Elephant Reserve (MER) and has a population of 3047 elephants, with 2.95±0.71 elephants per square kilometre. Further, Bandipur holds the second largest leopard (Panthera pardus) population in India, after Panna Tiger Reserve. There are no human settlements/villages located within the core area of Bandipur Tiger Reserve and thus it is free from human and biotic interferences. The Bandipur eco-sensitive zone was the country's first eco-sensitive zone, notified on 4 October 2012, spread over an area of 479.18 km², including 123 villages. The areas surrounding the park have large anthropogenic habitat modifications such as agricultural lands, plantations and pasture lands. There are over 156 villages located around the park, supporting a population of 1,26,000 people and a livestock population of 1,16,000.

Management Strengths:

The location of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve with regional connectivity: Bandipur Tiger Reserve remains part of the Western Ghats Tiger Landscape, consisting of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Nagarhole Tiger Reserve and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The south-eastern portion of the tiger reserve gets connected to the adjoining tiger landscape of BRT, M.M. Hills and Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary through Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. Bandipur Tiger Reserve is part of the Bandipur–Mudumalai–Sathyamangalam–Wayanad–Nagarhole landscape complex, which is known to have the largest source population of wild tigers in the world, with an estimated 724 (SE 635–813) tigers, which is 1/8th the worldwide tiger population and 1/4th of India’s tiger population. It is also the single largest population of tigers in India within this landscape (Jhala et al, 2011). Further, this landscape remains part of Western Ghats landscape complex, having an estimated tiger population of about 981 (871–1093), constituting the single largest wild population of tigers in the world (Jhala et al, 2019). This landscape of Bandipur, Nagarhole, Mudumalai and Waynad is home to the single largest Asian elephant population in the world (Varma et al. 2005) and is part of the Mysore Elephant Reserve (MER), notified through notification no. FEE 231 FWL 2000, dated 25 November 2002.
Absence of human settlements inside the core and buffer zones of Bandipur Tiger Reserve: There are no human habitations or human settlements within the core and buffer zones of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The entire 1036 km² area of Bandipur Tiger Reserve is inviolate, free from human habitations and their disturbances.
Notified Bandipur eco-sensitive zone: The Bandipur eco-sensitive zone was gazette-notified on 4 October 2012. It is the first eco-sensitive zone of Karnataka. Further, the monitoring committee regularly convenes meetings to monitor the developmental activities of the ESZ. So far the monitoring committee has met nine times to discuss the development activities of Bandipur ESZ. The last meeting was during 30th June 2022.
Excellent Inter-state coordination: Bandipur is located at the tri-junction of Karnataka, Tamilnadu, and Kerala states and shares boundaries with the Kerala (Wayanad Tiger Reserve) and Tamilnadu (Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam tiger reserves) forests. The coordination between the Karnataka, Tamilnadu, and Kerala forest departments is very smooth, without any strain, and it helps address various issues like forest and wildlife protection (intelligence gathering and anti-poaching activities), prevention and control of forest fires, management of human–wildlife conflict, monitoring of wildlife across borders, management of traffic along NH 766 (Mysuru–Cochin) and NH 181 (Mysuru–Ooty) and tourism management.
Massive protection infrastructure and patrolling activities: Bandipur Tiger Reserve has 53 anti-poaching camps established at strategic places and manned by temporary AP camp watchers and one permanent protection watcher. These AP camps and their camp watchers foot- patrol the jurisdictional area and thus keep the tiger reserve secured from all the existing threats. These AP camp watchers were very experienced watchers working with the tiger reserve over 15 to 20 years and thus are very loyal and thus became an asset to the tiger reserve. These camps were regularly supplied with food rations and are equipped with a wireless network system, a solar lighting system and other field equipment like torch lights, handsets for M-STrIPES patrolling and weapons. There is a good road network connecting all the AP camps with the range headquarters and other sensitive areas. Over the years, this protection infrastructure, like AP camps, road networks, wireless networks and their patrolling activities, has remained one of the major strengths of Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF): Bandipur has the service of STPF staff since 2011–12 and they were specially recruited for the tiger reserve as a strike force against any threats. They were specially trained in the field of intelligence collection on poaching and other forest/wildlife threats, anti-snare combing operations, mob management during human–wildlife conflict situations, sniffer dog squads and other special operations like forest fires, jungle survival skills, interception and detection of habitual offenders and combing for tigers during human–tiger conflict situations.
Eco-developmental activities in the fringe villages: Bandipur Tiger Reserve has a record of supplying alternative fuel (LPG connections) to fringe-villagers from the year 2010 and thereby significantly reduced the firewood collection from the tiger reserve. Currently, almost all the fringe villagers are provided with LPG connections by Namma Sangha Indane Gas Agency (local NGO), and so the fuel wood dependence on and, thus, fuelwood collection from the tiger reserve have reduced significantly.
Long history of wildlife conservation: Historically, an area of about 90 km² was declared Venugopala Wildlife Sanctuary by the Princely State of Mysore in 1941 under the Mysore Game and Forest Preservation and Regulation Act, 1931. Subsequently, the area was increased to an extent of 800.00 km² by the addition of adjoining forest areas in 1942. Of this, in the year 1973, an area of 683.52 km² (potential tiger habitat) was brought under the ambitious Project Tiger. This is one of the first nine tiger reserves in the country. This year (2022) is the 50th year of Project Tiger, and Bandipur also completed 50 years of tiger conservation. Bandipur’s tiger numbers were just 39 (1979), which improved to 53 (1984), 50 (1989) and 66 (1993). Later, scientific estimation of tiger population was started in India, using the capture–recapture–mark technique, and then the tiger population was estimated as 39±2.61, in the year 2010–11, as per the second All India Tiger Estimation. Then this population rose to 99±10 as per the 2013–14 Phase IV monitoring exercise. Later the tiger population was estimated at 120 ±13, as per the 2014 AITE. Subsequently, the tiger population rose to 126±2 (AITE-2018). Now, as per the 2019–20 Phase IV monitoring exercise, the tiger population of Bandipur tiger reserve has been estimated as 143±8 tigers. But, as per the 2018 AITE, around 173 tigers were using Bandipur as its territory. Additionally, as per the 2018 AITE, Bandipur has 3,047 numbers of elephants (@ 2.95±0.71 elephants’ density per square kilometre), which clearly indicates the success of Bandipur as a very important destination for wildlife conservation and more specifically for tiger conservation.
Long term wildlife & ecological research data: Bandipur tiger reserve remains one of the very few protected areas where wildlife research and monitoring activity was permitted and taken up since the days of project tiger in 1973. Number of wildlife research organizations like the Centre for Ecological Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Wildlife conservation society and others have been involved in the long term research and monitoring projects providing crucial management inputs for the better management and conservation of the tiger reserve. Further, the Camera Trap Technique/methodology has been employed here for the better identification and estimation of tigers for more than two decades.
Bandipur Tiger Conservation Foundation: BTCF and its fund remains one of the strengths of Bandipur which helps the tiger reserve management in addressing some of the livelihood concerns of the local community and staff welfare measures for the daily wage employees and other frontline staff of the tiger reserve. Further, this BTCF fund also helps the local communities through Eco-development activities, research and monitoring, wildlife education and awareness activities. Ultimately, this BTCF fund helps in meeting any emergency requirements like human–wildlife conflict management, staff health and other welfare measures in lieu of the government budget.
Important Eco-tourism destination: Since Bandipur has a long history of wildlife conservation and remains successful in the protection and conservation of wildlife with special emphasis on tiger and elephants; it has the tradition and brand of one of the top destinations for wildlife tourism. Further, its strategic location, all along the Ooty road and very close to Mysuru and having good road connectivity with Bengaluru, Coimbatore has made this area very famous for wildlife based eco-tourism.
Night Closure of Public Roads passing through the tiger reserve: The two National Highways (NH 766 & NH 181) passing through the Bandipur tiger reserve, are closed for traffic during night from 9 PM to 6AM.
Effective management of Human–wildlife Conflict Issues: Among all the threats facing the Bandipur tiger reserve, human–wildlife conflict remains serious threats facing the Bandipur tiger reserve Bandipur has about 314.6 kilometers of periphery abutting about 136 villages with high density of Human and Cattle population and thus prone to conflict between human and wild animals. Bandipur remains one of the hotspots for human–wildlife conflict. Against this background, one of the major achievements of Bandipur Tiger Reserve towards mitigation of human–elephant conflict over the years is the significant reduction in the number of human and elephant deaths. During the year 2014, 2015 and 2017, there were four human deaths each year, followed by three human deaths in the year 2020. Further, there were two human deaths in the years 2016 and 2021. Three elephant deaths were recorded in the year 2015, followed by two elephant deaths each during the years 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, followed by the death of one elephant each during the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. Now there is a declining trend in both human and elephant deaths, and as on 31 March 2022, there is no human death or elephant death at Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
Public participation in the activities and management of the tiger reserve: Bandipur Tiger Reserve has the tradition of involving local people (EDC members), local NGOs, youths, media people and other wildlife enthusiasts in its daily activities. Further, the Bandipur management has organised many nature education and awareness programmes for school and college students and other audiences. 44 EDC’s and many self-help groups are in active operation in this area. Therefore, different stakeholders actively participate in the various activities, which helps in developing the feel/sense of ownership among the local communities.
Presence of in-house resident veterinary doctor and his full-time service to the tiger reserve: Bandipur has in-house veterinary doctor and laboratory for veterinary care services.

Management Weaknesses:

Linear shape of the tiger reserve: One of the main weaknesses of Bandipur Tiger Reserve is its linear shape, having a 314.6 km outer boundary, shared with about 136 villages. The linear shape with a long boundary exposes more than 50% of the tiger reserve area to the people living outside the tiger reserve and thus increases the park–people interaction.
High level of human–wildlife Conflict: Bandipur has about 314.6 km of periphery abutting about 136 villages with high-density human and cattle populations and thus is prone to conflicts between humans and wild animals. Currently, both the human and livestock populations in the buffer/eco-sensitive zone are increasing constantly and serving as fuel to the existing conflict between the humans and wildlife. In this human–animal conflict, both animals and people get affected and many times people and animals lose their lives. Among the wildlife species, the elephant is the prime species involved in the conflict with the people, followed by the tiger and leopard. Other species, including the sloth bear and wild pig, are also involved in the conflict with people.
Changing land use pattern in the buffer or eco-sensitive zone: The increase in the intensity of land usage and change in land use pattern in the buffer/eco-sensitive zone exert a high level of pressure on the fragile ecosystem of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Land conversion to non-agricultural activities such as home stays and changes in cropping patterns towards cash crops like banana and sugarcane cause serious human–elephant conflicts.
National highways passing through the tiger reserve: The passing of national highways 212 and 67 across Bandipur Tiger Reserve poses serious threats to the native wildlife. The persistent demand by the state of Kerala to relax the night road closure poses a real threat to the wildlife. Further, the proposed construction of a railway line/elevated highway through the tiger reserve would result in further damage to the wildlife.
Invasive alien species: Invasive alien species like Lantana camara, Senna spectabilis, Chromolaena odorata, Parthenium hysterophorus and Opuntia dillenii have indirectly affected the quality of the wildlife habitat and thus the wildlife population at Bandipur TR. Currently, the entire 876 km² core area of Bandipur Tiger Reserve is infested with Lantana camara. About 38% of the core area is covered with high-density Lantana, and thus the area is impenetrable for wild animals. About 50% of the core area is infested with moderate-density Lantana, and the remaining 12% of the core area is infested with low-density Lantana.
Forest fires: Forest fires remain one of the serious threats facing Bandipur Tiger Reserve. The historical forest fire data show there were large-scale forest fires recorded at this tiger reserve, damaging a large extent of the forest area (around 3000–4000 ha), impacting the wildlife and its habitat.
Staff vacancies: Persistent vacancies of about 40.7 % in the frontline staff positions remain one of the weak points of Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Without adequate permanent staff, it is very difficult to supervise and execute the works in the field.
Poaching and other illegal activities: On the northern side, Bandipur shares a boundary with revenue lands and private lands, abutting about 136 villages. People from these villages are dependent on the resources of Bandipur Tiger Reserve, and thus poaching/hunting of wild animals for bush meat, illegal tree cutting (sandalwood) and illegal removal of forest produce remain a major threat facing the tiger reserve. Hunters employ guns as well as a wide array of ingenious traditional methods such as poisoning, snaring and electrocution.
Absence of in-house adaptive experimental research facilities: Though there is a history of long term research and monitoring work, carried out by the local wildlife NGOs, there are no in-house adaptive experimental research facilities at Bandipur and this is one of the weak points. It denies the frontline staff experience and capacity building and ultimately the required data for management decisions.
Poor regeneration of bamboo at the Kabini backwaters area: Due to large scale flowering of bamboos during 2011–12 and the subsequent death of all the bamboo clumps, the regeneration of bamboo along the Kabini backwaters is very poor. This is a serious problem for the elephants as bamboo is a major fodder for elephants. Poor regeneration of bamboo will lead to a shortage of fodder for elephants in the near future.
Absence of large-scale eco-development activities and skill development programme for the local tribes and EDC members: Though there are 43 EDC’s, there are no large-scale eco-development activities and skill development programmes for the local tribes and EDC members, which remains a weakness for Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
Religious pilgrimage inside the tiger reserve: There are many small temples located within Bandipur Tiger Reserve. Local tribes and local people often approach the management to visit these temples for performing poojas. Though the tiger reserve management is trying to stop these activities, the local culture and tradition keep this activity continuing and it is difficult to stop all of a sudden. Already, efforts are being made to relocate a few temples from inside the tiger reserve to outside.
Livestock grazing in the buffer zone: Though livestock grazing was stopped in the core area of the tiger reserve, grazing is still prevalent in the buffer zone. Efforts are being taken to stop livestock grazing in the buffer zone also. It will take some more time to achieve this target.

Immediate Actionable Points:

Fire preparedness work and fire protection works are required.
Integrated approach and multiple interventions for mitigation of human–wildlife conflict are urgently required.
Continuous and serious efforts must be made to eradicate invasive alien species like Lantana camara and Senna spectabilis and to develop grasslands every year.
A world-class interpretation centre should be established at Melukamanahalli safari point to create awareness about Bandipur Tiger Reserve, its wildlife and its conservation importance. The entry to the interpretation centre or guest houses should be handicapped-compliant.
A training cum skill development centre needs to be established in order to impart entrepreneurship skills among the eco-development committee members.
An exclusive nature education programme (NEP) and education camps may be organised for the local students so as to create awareness about Bandipur Tiger Reserve, its flora, its fauna and its conservation importance.
A wildlife research, monitoring and training centre must be established at Bandipur, with in-house research fellows, to take up in-house adaptive management research and wildlife monitoring exercises.
Continuous monitoring and regulation of tourism and other developmental activities in the eco-sensitive zone through the Bandipur ESZ monitoring committee.
The night traffic ban on national highways (NH 766 and NH 181) passing through the tiger reserve may be extended from 6 PM onwards.
Regulate and stop livestock grazing in the buffer zone.
Regulate and stop religious pilgrimage inside the tiger reserve and shift the temples from inside the tiger reserve to outside.
Necessary efforts must be made to fill up the vacancies among the frontline staff on a priority basis.
Organising regular training and capacity-building programmes for the frontline staff.
Improvement of the eco-tourism infrastructure and its facilities on par with global standards is required.
Surveys and long-term monitoring of the lesser fauna including amphibians, fishes, reptiles and birds should be carried out.
The rescue centre needs upgrading with a cage to be manufactured with improved techniques, preferably with the use of remote control through sensors for the safety of the staff.
A proposal for an elevated highway through the TR must be prepared and approval obtained from the government.
Corridors identified and mapped need to be better managed.
There should be a Braille corridor/section about the flora and fauna for visually impaired persons in the interpretation centre.

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Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Introduction

Management Strengths:

Management Weaknesses:

Immediate Actionable Points:

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