Bannerghatta National Park

24 Oct 2023 Bannerghatta National Park

Posted at 09:35h in Daily current-affairs by rishabh 0 Comments

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This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the topic details “ Bannerghatta National Park”. This topic has relevance in the Environment section of the UPSC CSE exam.

GS 3: Environment

Why in the news?

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), established by the Supreme Court, has instructed the office of Karnataka’s chief secretary to provide a response concerning the encroachment within the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Bannerghatta National Park.

About Bannerghatta National Park:

Bannerghatta National Park, located in the state of Karnataka near Bangalore, has a rich history and diverse wildlife. It was established in 1940 and gained the status of a national park in 1974. Situated within the Anekal range of mountains, this park serves as a vital habitat for elephants and plays a crucial role as a wildlife corridor, connecting the BR Hills and Sathyamangalam forest regions.

Key Information about Bannerghatta National Park:

Location: Bannerghatta National Park is situated approximately 22 kilometers to the south of Bangalore, Karnataka. It is nestled in the picturesque Anekal range of mountains.
Buffer Zone Controversy: The park’s buffer zone, also known as the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), was originally declared to be 268.96 square kilometers. However, a recent proposal has led to a reduction in the buffer zone size to 169 square kilometers. This decision has faced criticism from wildlife activists who are concerned about its potential impact on the park’s ecosystem.
Total Area: The national park covers a vast area of 65,127.5 acres.
Adjacent Reserves: The Talli reserve forest is located in the southeast direction of Bannerghatta National Park, while the Bilikal forest lies to its south.
Bannerghatta Biological Park: In 2002, a portion of the national park was designated as a zoological garden, now known as Bannerghatta Biological Park. This section serves as a conservation and education center.
Butterfly Enclosure: A notable addition to the Bannerghatta Biological Park in 2006 was the inauguration of a butterfly enclosure, which offers visitors the opportunity to observe various butterfly species in a controlled environment.
Flora: The park encompasses diverse ecosystems, including scrub-type or dry deciduous forests, southern tropical moist mixed forests, and southern tropical dry deciduous forests.
Fauna: Bannerghatta National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, Chital (spotted deer), Striped Hyena, Barking Deer, Peafowl, Porcupine, Grey Jungle Fowl, crocodiles, Partridges, tortoises, various butterfly species, pythons, and many other species.