Prime Minister Narendra Modi went on a "safari" at the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in Karnataka on Sunday, as part of programmes to mark 50 years of "Project Tiger ".
The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is located partly in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district and partly in H.D.Kote and Nanjangud taluks of Mysuru District.
According to the state forest department, the National Park was formed by including most of the forest areas of the then Venugopala Wildlife Park established under the government notification dated February 19, 1941 and the area was enlarged in 1985 extending over an area of 874.20 Sq.Km and named as Bandipur National Park.
PM Modi's visit to the Tiger Reserve signifies that the central government is committed towards tiger conservation. The present area under the control of Bandipur Tiger Reserve is 912.04 Sq. Km.
This reserve was brought under 'Project Tiger' in 1973. Subsequently, some adjacent reserve forest areas were added to the reserve extending to 880.02 Sq. Km.
An area of 39.80 sq km of KFDC (Karnataka Forest Development Corporation) plantation area was handed over to this division during 2007-08. During 2010-11, the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary was handed over to the Wildlife Division, Mysuru.
Apart from the two famed residents (tigers and elephants), a number of other endangered species such as sloth bears, gaurs, Indian rock pythons, jackals, muggers, and four-horned antelopes can be spotted in this national park. Over 200 species of birds and a diversity of flora add to its attraction.
In this 2016 photo, PM Modi can be seen taking photos of a caged Tiger during his Nandan Van Jungle Safari at Naya Raipur.
Prime Minister Modi is known for his love for the wildlife. In this 2022 photo, he can be seen clicking photos of Cheetahs released into Kuno National Park.