BRT Sanctuary

BRT Sanctuary- November 2011

The team for this tour was Myself, Sateesh,  Rajendra, Pradeep,(all from Vidhana Soudha) Umesh (RGUHS) and Driver Anand

Day -01 : 12th November 2011

The team reached my residence at BSK I Stage, fully arranged took water can (25 ltrs), bakery items and moved towards BSK Ring Road, reach Nayandahalli Junction proceeded towards our Destination the route we had planned as Bangalore- Bidadi –Channapatna- Maddur – Kollegal- Yelandur- BRT Sanctuary- Burude FRH - Halt

At 8-00 am reached Bidadi had Thatte Idli, Vade at Shivadarshini Hotel (famous for Thatte idli) it was heavy rush over there after having breakfast proceeded our journey, enroute we visited gaganchukki falls and captured some glorious pics of waterfalls and reached Kollegal by 12-30 pm and called Sri Udayakumar, ACF, he informed that he will be reaching Kollegal by 3-00 pm, then we decided to visit Rajendra’s Native at Ummathur which is nearby from Kollegal reached his residence had tea over there and visited the 800 years old temple named Sri Ranganatha Temple, Sri Bhujangeshwara Temple, Jain Temple and Hanuman Temple over there and had lunch by 2-45 pm and moved towards back to Kollegal where our ACF was waiting to accompany us to Burude Forest Guest House.

Brief Information on Ummathur

Ummathur is a village in the southern state of Karnataka, India.This historical village was once a capital of Ummathur king during the Vijayanagara Empire. It is located in the Chamarajanagar taluk of Chamarajanagar district in Karnataka

Ummathur, got its name thanks to its village diety Shri Urukatheshwari, apart from this diety, Ummathur has a Shiva Temple, a vishnu temple, a Jain basdi.

Even though there are many temples in Tamilnadu , it is seldom that you find a Shiva and Vishnu temple next to each other as you do it in Ummathur. Vishnu temple is Shri Ranganathaswamy Temple, whereas Shiva temple is Shri Bhujangeshwara Temple. Both temples have style of Hoysala architecture.

This is a beautiful adobe of Ummathur Bhatta Family. Late. Sri Rajagopala Bhatta, Famous Aagamik and served as a Post master for this Branch Post office Ummathur, flanked by his 5 sons and 3 daughters. His 3rd Son Lakshminarayana Bhatta, Famously known as Nanappa serves now as Post Master, Ummathur and he take cares of Ranganatha Swamy Temple

How to reach by public transport:
From Mysore: Go to Nanjangud ( 45 to 60 Minutes) , Take Chamarajanagar Bus, that goes via Ummathur. (60 to 90 Minutes). From Kollegal: Go to Santhemaralli (40 to 60 Minutes), you can either take a bus (you should be very lucky to catch one) or there are many Auto rickshaw plying between Santhemarralli and Ummathur.

How to drive to Ummathur: If you are travelling from Mysore, go to Nanjangud, and take Chamarajanagar road (there are many routes please make sure you are taking Ummathur road- ask any passerby).

If you are travelling from Bangalore, go to Kollegal, then proceed towards Chamarajanagar, after Yelandur town you will hit Santhemaralli ( a junction), take straight road in the high mast lamp circle, Ummathur is around 20 minutes drive from here.

From there we reached back at Kollegal by 3-45 pm and called ACF , he was at Aranya Bhavan, DCF Office, Kollegal we met RFO Bylore purchased provisions for night dinner at kollegal and along with ACF reached the main north side entrance of BRT Sanctuary at the forest entry gate and took some snaps of Sunset view along with Gundyal Dam Mr. Dasappa Guard accompanied us nearly some few minutes later we found a turtle on the road, we had some snaps and while travelling the route we found a huge Bisons reached our Burude Camp by 7-30 pm umesh prepared the dinner and we had a chat with ACF and gone to the bed.

Day-02 : 13th November 2011

Panorama View of Burude FRH

Next day early morning at 6-30 am we trekked to Doddasampige Tree (4 kms) from Burude Forest Rest House reached over there, there were tribals (Soliga’s) near there called PODU, the tribes were moving from there with some items to sell at MM Hills, we captured few various moments over there and returned back to Burude FRH at breakfast, we left the place thanking all the forest guards who had helped over there during our stay, while coming back at Forest Entry Gate, we had a nice view of Eagle (name to be identified) got some good snaps and reached Kamagere, ACF had some personal work he travelled to Mysore from there, we proceeded towards Gopinatham enroute MM Hills, vishwa lost his mobile while taking a pic of motorcycle and cycle with a rope- reached Gopinatham by 5-30 pm as ACF instructed the concerned over there to take care of us and to accommodate at Mystery Trails Camp earlier it was Forest Dept’s now it has been handed over to JLR, as it was a weekend all the rooms and dormitories were full, we couldn’t get the accommodation, finally caretaker of JLR- Mystery Trails informed that only one room and dormitory were there you can stay over there (Dormitory per head Rs. 400/- Lunch/Dinner Non Veg 250, Veg 150 and room charges per head Rs. 1000), as it was heavy for us we called ACF to arrange alternate at PALAR Forest Rest house, we reached Palar Forest Rest house by 8-00 pm, Mr. Mahadeva who was caretaker over there helplessly told there were no food for dinner, if you need Dinner you should go near Govindapalya(TamilNadu), 5 Kms from the State Border we proceeded over there had 6 meals Parcel and came back to Palar RH had dinner and slept……..

Information about Doddasampige 

Dodda sampige is located four kilometres away from B.R. Hills. One has to take the road to Chamarajanagar from B.R. Hills to reach Dodda sampige. It is one of the most interesting places around this area. The approach to this place is rather difficult. This is because of an irregular forest route. There is a deep valley through which a pathway leads to the Attikan estate (a private estate). Here flows a large stream named Bhargavi, a tributary of the Cauvery. This stream is known as an incarnation of Renuka, wife of Jamadagni, in the form of a river. Jamadagni is one of the most revered sages in Hindu mythology. The couple, Jamadagni and Renuka are believed to have lived here.

 

There are a large number of Champaka trees huddled together covering the area with a thick shadow. Near this group of trees to the east of the riverbank stands a gigantic champaka tree. It is 34 meters in height and the girth of trunk measures about 20 meters. The most amazing fact of this tree is that it is 2000 years old. Even today, the tree bears usual flowers of both red and yellow colour during April. On the east side of the platform around this tree are more than the 100 Lingas, which are worshipped by pilgrims who come here

Day 03- 14th November 2011

Next day morning had bath over there by 5-30 am left the place reached enroute we had a fine glimpse of early morning sunrise and reacehd MM hills as it was Karthika Monday it was a auspicious day, had a darshan over there while getting down we searched for mobile where it was fallen, (no signal, out of coverage area), all the efforts have gone what we searched for mobile, we couldn't found it, finally via Thalbetta reached Hanur and had breakfast at Hanur and from there Malavalli-Kanakapura-banashankari and reached bangalore by 3-00 pm,

Information about MM Hills

Malai Mahadeshwara Hills is a temple town situated in the eastern part of Kollegal taluk, Chamarajanagar district. The Lord Sri Mahadeshwara is the incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is a very famous Shaiva pilgrim centre. It draws lakhs of pilgrims from the states of Karnataka and Tamilnadu. The Lord Sri Mahadeshwara's miracles are beautifully sung by village folk in the janapada style. According to tradition there are seven hills identified in the puranas as Anumale, Jenumale, Kanumale, Pachchemale, Pavalamale, Ponnachimale and Kongumale. All these hills form M.M. hills

Mahadeshwara is the family god of the Soligas and other hill tribals including Jenu Kurubas, Kadukurubas etc. But, historical evidences suggest that saint Mahadeshwara must have lived during the 15th century. Further, he was the third head of the Haradanahalli Math. It is believed that Sri Mahadeshwara Swamy came here to perform penance. Folklore maintains that he is still performing penance in the temple's sanctum sanctorum in the form of a Linga. Sri Male Mahadeshwara Swamy moved using a tiger (as his vehicle) and performed number of miracles around the hills to save the people and saints living here. For more details on the legend, the temple and its activities etc. - www.mmhills.com.

Apart from being a pilgrimage, M.M.Hills possesses natural beauty in the form of large tracts of forest area. The height of the hill is about 3000 feet from sea level and is surrounded by 77 hills in eastern ghats. The beautiful landscapes of hills and valleys are covered with extensive forests. These forest types vary from evergreen forests in Ponnachi Boli to Dry deciduous forests in most other parts. M.M.Hills is bound by river Kaveri to the north-east and by river Palar to the south. Thus, it forms an extremely important catchment area for both these rivers.

The forests of M.M.Hills have been famous for wonderful regeneration and stock of sandalwood and bamboo. The forests are inhabited by a variety of animals, birds and reptiles. They are found in large numbers too. Elephants are the most prominent species.

Bangalore This last estimate puts the population of elephants at more than 2500 in the district, which includes Bandipur National Park too. Frequent sightings of guars (Indian Bison), sambars, spotted deer, jackals, sloth bears, porcupine, etc., apart from rare sightings of tigers, leopards and wild dogs are possible in and around this area. The Male Mahadeshwara Reserve Forests, has an approximate area of 39361.45 ha and has few small villages like Ponnachi, M.M.Hills, Kombadikki, Kokkebore, Doddane, Tokere, Tholsikere, Palar, Gopinatham, Nagamale, Indiganatham, etc., as enclosures within the reserve forests.

For Trekking in and around MM Hills- Chamarajanagar follow the following website

http://www.mysterytrails.com/trekkingroutes.htm

Route Details

Day -01 : Sunkadakatte-Judicial Layout-Majestic-Nagasandra Circle-BSK I Stage-

              Mysore Road- Bidadi (B/f) –Channapatna- Maddur – Kollegal- Yelandur-
              Santemaranhalli- UMMATTUR- Gundyal Dam- BRT Sanctuary-
              Burude FRH (16 Kms)- Halt
Day -02 : Burude RH- Dodda Sampige (TREK 5 Kms) – Burude-Kamagere- Thalbette-
              MM Hills-Gopinatham- Mystery Trails- Palar- Govindpalya- Palar FRH – Halt

Day-03 : Palar- MM Hills – Thalbetta – Kollegal-Malavalli-Kananpura-Banashankari-Bangalore
       

Jayamangali (Maidenahalli) Blackbuck Sanctuary

I along with my friends Mr.N.Sateesh, Mr.T Srinivasa Rao, Mr.T.S.Krishna Rao, left for Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation reserve at 6.00am on 1st November 2011, in my Car (Maruti 800).

It was my dream from many months to visit this sanctuary, my friend Mr.N.Sateesh called me the previous day and we were on the move. all the four of us were new to this place.

We started towards Yelahanka-Jalahalli-Nelamangala-Kyatsandra, after having breakfast at Pavitra Hotel at Kyatsandra, from here proceed 6 kms and move left towards the service road and take a right turn under the bridge towards Koratagere-Madhugiri Road. it was a horrible with lot of potholes everywhere (please dont use this road) - It is better use the Bangalore Hindupur highway towards Gowribidanur-Kodigenalli-Jayamangali (Good and near). reached Jayamangali by 9-00 am, as the weather was cloudy, we waited for the sunlight but with no sign. 

At the sanctuary there is a forest guest house, one can stay overnight over with a permission from Tumkur Forest Office, but food items should be carried for preparation. We spent some more time at paragola, recently constructed by Forest Dept. At 1-30 pm light showers started and we left the reserve through the second route and reached Bangalore by 5-00pm.

How to reach:


Route 1

BANGALORE TOWARDS TUMKUR-KORATAGERE

Bangalore – Tumkur – Koratagere – Madhugiri – Puruavara (11 Kms from Madhugiri) – turn left on ID Halli road – turn right at Barkanahalli (after 7 KMs) where the board says ‘Jayamangali Blackbucks Reserve’. (NOT GOOD - 157 kms from Bangalore)


Route 2

BANGALORE TOWARDS DODDABALLAPUR :-

Bangalore - Hebbal - Yelahanka - Doddaballapur - Gowribidhanur - Thondebavi - Kodigenahalli - Maidanahalli (This one is OK and Good - 128 kms from Bangalore)



Maidenahalli Blackbuck Reserve

Jayamangali (formerly Maidenahalli) Blackbuck Conservation Reserve is Tumkur District's only notified protected area. It neighbours Maidenahalli, a small village in Madhugiri Taluk, at the north-eastern tip of Tumkur district of Karnataka state, India. This area is a part of the plains of Deccan plateau and borders Anantpur District of Andhra Pradesh. It is a 798-acre (3.23 km2) patch of grassland with Eucalyptus and Acacia auriculiformis. It has the largest contiguous population of Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) in Karnataka, apart from Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary.

Brief history

The open grasslands of peninsular India were once widespread across the Deccan Plateau. Post- independence, however, they have shrunk to isolated patches thanks to immense pressure for cultivation, human habitation and other reasons that also include industrialisation. In 1987, the forest department of Tumakuru Division began protecting the area when the blackbuck’s presence was brought to their notice. In 1992, after sustained efforts by the forest department, the jurisdiction of the area was handed over from the Revenue Department to the Forest department. The Forest Department then fenced a portion of the area and raised a nursery. A concrete watchtower was erected along with two wood houses and watchmen sheds. But, the ownership of the land still rested with the revenue department.

Tumakuru’s nature lovers worked hard to have the area granted the status of a Protected Area, like a wildlife sanctuary. The first ever Status Survey report on the area was published by Tumakuru-based Wildlife Aware Nature Club (WANC) in 1997. This helped the wildlife wing of Karnataka Forest Department to source data on this area and recommend it be declared a 'Conservation Reserve'. The Government of Karnataka accepted this proposal. In February 2007, vide Government Order No: FEE 342 FWL 05, 798.33 acres (3.2307 km2) of the area was finally notified as Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve, (though the original area proposed to be included in this Conservation Reserve was 893 acres). Thus, Tumkur District's first protected area was born.

Location

This area is located 23 km to the north east of Madhugiri town (Karnataka) and about 20 km to the west of Hindupur town (Andhra Pradesh). The geographical co-ordinates of the forest watch tower inside this area are 13 44’ 20” N and 7 19’ 41” E. It is located 4km away from the Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve.

Climate and vegetation

The climate varies greatly according to the seasons- from a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius in winter to a maximum of 43 degrees Celsius in summer. The rainy season is from late June to mid-October. The average rainfall is approximately 300 to 350 mm.

The vegetation is mainly plains grassland.

Flora and fauna

More than 80 species of plants have been recorded from this area. Many of these plants have medicinal value.

Butterflies

Sixty-seven species of butterflies belonging to seven families have been sighted in the area. Most of the species recorded are common throughout the Indian Peninsula and some are typical of the arid regions.

Jayamangali (Maidanahalli) Blackbuck Conservation Reserve has the second largest contiguous population of Blackbuck in Karnataka, after Ranibennur Blackbuck Sanctuary. In total, 19 species of mammals belonging to 11 families have been recorded in the area, including the endangered Blackbuck. The first ever census of Jayamangali Blackbuck reserve was jointly conducted by the members of WANC and Karnataka Forest Department in the area on 15–16 November 1997, during which a population of 408 Blackbuck was recorded. A subsequent census was held by the above on 1–2 October 2002, which revealed a population of over 600 blackbuck.There are no hotels and lodges in Jayanmangali BbCR, so carry food and water.

Mr. Narasimha Murthy, Forest Guard, Guided us to have some pics of Blackbucks near the reserve, we had a sight of Fox, and later we followed the herd of Blackbucks and concentrated on one herd. We could be albe to make some pics, which are published.

Blackbucks are very shy animals, they dont allow you near.

Blackbuck is one of the fastest of all terrestrial animals reaching to speeds of up to 80 km/h and is one of the few antelopes where males and females have distinctive coloration, as the male bucks are a distinctive black and white and have long twisted horns, while females are fawn coloured with no horns. In its scientific name Antilope cervicapra, 'Antilope' from 'anthalops' (Greek) a horned animal; 'cervicapra' from 'cervus' (Latin) a deer and 'capra' (Latin) a she-goat.

The blackbuck, is the provincial animal of India it is known as Krishna Mriga in Kannada. Also known as Krishna Jinka in telagu, it has been declared as the state animal of Andhra Pradesh. Other local names for the species include Krishnasar in Bengali, Kala Hiran, Sasin, Iralai Maan, and Kalveet in Marathi. It is often simply called Indian antelope though this term might also be used for other Antilopinae from the region.

Blackbuck usually roam the plains in herds of 15 to 20 animals with one dominant male

One of the few antelope which exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism, the genders in the blackbuck are readily distinguishable.  Both sexes have white underparts, including the insides of the legs and lower chest, as well as a white ring surrounding the eye and a white chin.  Females and young are yellowish-fawn on their back and head, and are generally hornless.  Males gradually darken from tan to deep brown or black with age, beginning after 2 years.  The build is slender, and the tail short.  The horns, found only in males and appearing before their pronounced colour change, are twisted in a tight spiral with up to five turns.  Ridged laterally, they may grow 35-73 cm / 14-29 inches.

According to the Hindu mythology Blackbuck or Krishna Mriga is considered as the vehicle (vahana) of the Moon-god Chandrama.

According to the Garuda Purana of Hindu Mythology, Krishna Mriga bestows prosperity in the areas where they live.

The diet of the Blackbuck consists mostly of grasses, although it will eat pods, flowers and fruits to supplement its diet. The maximum life span recorded is 16 years and the average is 12 years.

The distinctive horns of the Blackbuck are ringed with 1 to 4 spiral turns, rarely more than 4 turns, and can be as long as 79 cm (31 in). A trophy Blackbuck is greater than 46 cm (18 in). In the male, the upper body is black (dark brown), and the belly and eye rings are white. The light-brown female is usually hornless.

Population densities are approximately 1 animal per 2 hectares.  During the breeding season males become territorial, defending an area usually ranging in size from 1 to 17 hectares from rival males, and attempting to keep the largest group of females within it for the longest period of time.  This territoriality can last anywhere from two weeks to eight months.  Dominance among males within a herd is achieved primarily with posturing and threatening gestures: fights with the sharp horns are rare.

Mammals

Apart from the blackbuck, other mammals present in the area include wolf, Bonnet macaque, Jungle cat, Small Indian Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose, two species of bats, and six species of rodents.

Avifauna

About 125 species of birds belonging to 37 families have been recorded in the area, of which 22 are migratory. As expected of grasslands, the area is rich in ground birds, shrikes, larks and raptors. This is one of the few habitats in Tumkur District where the Indian Courser (Cursorius coromandelicus) and Painted Sandgrouse (Pterocles indicus indicus) have been seen. Some of the surrounding villagers claim to have seen the Great Indian Bustard in the past. Although none of the authors nor any birdwatchers have the bird in the area, efforts are on to sight this highly threatened species.

Reptiles

Since it is a grassland, it has quite a number of reptiles typical of dry areas/plains. About 26 species have been recorded in the area, including 14 different species of snakes.