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India is one of the last domains for several wonderful mammals, birds, reptiles, butterflies, and insects and even for the plant life. The country has one of the largest varieties of endangered species, which cannot be observed anywhere else in the world. However, demographic and developmental pressures of an emerging super power are causing the forests in India to face an uncertain future. The researchers, conservationists and forest department officials are making dedicated and monumental efforts to protect the rich forests in India. One such highly protected and best-managed park is the Nagarhole National Park, India. Pristine Nagarhole The Nagarhole National Park, India is located in the southern state of Karnataka and is officially recognized as the Rajiv Gandhi National Park. The nearest railhead to Nagarhole is Mysore, which is 80 kms away from the park. The park is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which is one of the richest biosphere areas in the world. This densely forested area is situated in the Western Ghats, which runs parallel to the Arabian Sea. This rich and diverse park is spread over an area of 640 sq.km and is spread till the northern part of the Kabini River. It was in 1974 when a dam was constructed over the Kabini River, thereby creating a large reservoir. Today, the park surrounds this reservoir, which witnesses some of the largest congregations of several animals. In 1955, Nagarhole was declared as a wildlife sanctuary while it was promoted to the status of National Park in 1975. The park has a stunning landscape, which is characterized by small hillocks, vast stretches of dense forests and verdant valleys. The Nagarhole National Park, India is mainly famous for its healthy population of Asiatic elephants. The abundant vegetation and vast forest provides the perfect home for these gentle giants. During the peak of the Indian summer, when water sources in the park dry out, huge herds of elephants congregate near the Kabini River to feed on the lush grass and vegetation. One of the highlights of the park is the presence of tusked elephants, which are becoming very rare due to massive poaching. Apart from the elephants, the other major attractions of Nagarhole National Park, India include tiger, leopards, wild dogs, gaur, Nilgiri Langur and the Nilgiri Tahr. Apart from the mammals some of the most rare species of birds like the Malabar Trogon, Malabar and Great pied hornbills are found in the forest. Nagarhole is a vital link in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserves, which provides a continuous patch of rich forest required for huge mammals like the elephants.
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