Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta Biological Park was carved out of the Bannerghatta National Park in the year 2002. It is situated 22 km south of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The journey to the park takes nearly one and a half hours from Bangalore. This hilly place is the home for one of the richest natural, zoological reserves. The 25,000 acre (104.27 km²) zoological park makes this a major tourist attraction of Bangalore.
The Bannerghatta Tiger and Lion Reserve has the reserve of Indian tigers including white tigers, lions and other mammals. Founded during the time that Shri Y.M.L Sharma was Chief Conservator of Forests of Karnataka after he wrote to the Central Government to grant land for a 'National Park in Bannerghatta near Bangalore'. A Tiger & Lion Safari and Grand Safari(including herbivores) - conducted by the KSTDC, aid in the funding of the reserve. The Tiger Reserve of the park has been recognised by the Forest Department of India.
There is a small museum in the zoo which showcases zoological exhibits. The zoo, which is a major attraction in this area, also has a reptile park and a small theatre. The zoo has been criticised for the maintenance of its exhibits. The Zoo is closed on Tuesday.
The country's first Butterfly Park was established at the Bannerghatta Biological Park. It was inaugurated on Saturday November 25, 2006 by Kapil Sibal, Union Minister of Science and Technology.
The Butterfly Park is spread across 7.5 acres (30,000 m2) of land. It comprises a butterfly conservatory, museum and an audio-visual room. The butterfly conservatory has a polycarbonate roof and is a 10,000 sq ft (1,000 m²). circular enclosure, inside which the living environment has been carefully designed to support over 20 species of butterflies.
The environment has a tropical setting — complete with the humid climate, an artificial waterfall,a narrow walking bridge and host plants and shrubs that attract butterflies.The conservatory leads to the second and third domes, which house the museum containing dioramas and exhibits of carefully preserved,exquisite butterflies.
The collaborative agencies are the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, University of Agricultural Sciences and the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment (ATREE).
The park surroundings has a biological reserve belonging to the forest dept. and are home to elephant, leopards, deer and various other animals. The reserve belongs to an Elephant Corridor and is connected with the B.R. Hills, Sathyamangalam forest areas extending all the way up to Waynad.
Occasional news have reported about spotting elephants on the Bannerghatta-Anekal Road passing close to the Biological Reserve. There was also an incident reported of a leopard entering a school premises with her cubs and the school had to be shut down for 3 days.
