By Prathap Nair.
On a misty morning, I walked into a jungle camp in Kudremukh National Park, by the Badra River, never to feel the same way about Karnataka's forests again. Birdcalls filled my mornings, and pristine scenery filled my lens.
On a misty morning, I walked into a jungle camp in Kudremukh National Park, by the Badra River, never to feel the same way about Karnataka's forests again. Birdcalls filled my mornings, and pristine scenery filled my lens.
Scroll along to rekindle your love affair with the Western Ghats:
1. KUDREMUKH NATIONAL PARK
A UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Karnataka's Western Ghats. The park gets its name from its shape like a horse’s face, and is located in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka. Mining activities have been stopped, and the peaks are quickly being reclaimed by nature.
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2. A LAPWING IN MID AIR
The park is home to numerous endemic species of animals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.
The park is home to numerous endemic species of animals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.
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3. MONSOONS IN THE WESTERN GHATS
bring plentiful rainfall in the region and on a crisp morning, you will find the grass and greenery awash with the previous night’s rain and snails, in yellow and white stripes, lugging themselves ahead languidly.
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4. A SAMBHAR ON A FARAWAY PEAK
On any given day, you could also spot Malabar Giant Squirrel, Langurs and Gaurs grazing far ahead in the adjoining peaks.
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5. A REPTILIAN'S DELIGHT - A BRONZE TREE SNAKE
Amphibians like caecilian and a wide range of beautiful frogs also abound in the national park, as it is bordered by the Badra River.
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6. CLOUDS SWIM IN THE MONSOON MIST
A perfect abode away from civilization.
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7. LICHENS IN THE SHOLA FORESTS
are part of the rainforest ecosystem. The Shola Rainforests have a perennial water source, and the moisture is conducive for the growth of organisms like lichens that are found dangling from the trees. The rainforest bed also hosts millions of leeches, thriving in the mulch and moisture, waiting to be attached to the host to feed on them.
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8. A WATCH TOWER FOR KEEN BIRDERS
stand tall as the clouds engulf the landscape.
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9. A BLACK SHOULDERED KITE
in Kudremukh’s rich landscape. We also spotted Whistling thrushes, Minivets, Mountain Imperial Pigeons, Fairy Bluebirds, Woodpeckers, Sunbirds, Yellow Browed Bulbul, Malabar Parakeets, and Crested Goshawks.
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10. THE CURIOUS CASE OF LANDSCAPE SELFIES!
My enthusiastic group of volunteers; we spent a week at the Bhagavati Nature Camp, learning about nature and wildlife
conservation - an attempt to keep the forests of Karnataka safe from poachers.
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Are you packing your bags for Kudremukh yet?
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AUTHOR BIO: A freelance writer based in Bangalore, Prathap recently quit his corporate job to travel and write full-time. Follow his travel stories at https://thesunlitwindow.wordpress.com.
Photo credits: Prathap, Siddharth and Devesh.
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ReplyDeleteExcellent photos! Karnataka is a gem of beauty!
ReplyDeleteI love the photographs! Such beautiful memories of the Shola Forests they bring back. Great post!
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