<p>It is time for the celebration of the golden jubilee of the state's first 'Project Tiger' at Bandipur tiger reserve. In these 50 years, it has evolved as a model to the entire nation.</p>.<p>In 1972, 'Project Tiger' was implemented in the tiger reserves of the entire country, including Bandipur, to save tigers, whose numbers were dwindling.</p>.<p>On November 16, 1973, the then Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs launched Project Tiger in Bandipur.</p>.<p>During the launch of the project, there were 12 tigers in Bandipur.</p>.<p>As per the tiger census held in 2020, it has the country's second highest - 143 tigers and 200 leopards.</p>.<p>Bandipur has the country's highest - 3,046 elephants, according to Dr Ramesh Kumar, director of Project Tiger, Bandipur.</p>.<p>Besides deers and hundreds of other animals, Bandipur is also home to more than 260 species of birds.</p>.<p>Bandipur tiger reserve is spread over 1,036 square km in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district and Nanjangud and HD Kote taluks of Mysuru district.</p>.<p>It is adjacent to Nagarahole tiger reserve of Mysuru district, Tamil Nadu's Mudumalai and Kerala's Wayanad tiger reserves.</p>.<p>On February 19, 1941, Venugopala wildlife sanctuary of Gundlupet taluk in Chamarajanagar district and other forests around it were merged.</p>.<p>In 1975, more reserve forests around it were merged and named as Bandipur national park. Then, it was spread over 874.20 sq km.</p>.<p>Bandipur, also known as an eco-tourism destination, is getting a revenue of Rs 10 crore to Rs 12 crore per year, from safaris and guest houses.</p>.<p>Bandipur is haunted by lantana plants and 60% of the forest is covered with weed. Although it was cleared from 800 hectares so far, with MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and corporate social responsibility funds.</p>.<p>Man-animal conflict is another challenge faced by the tiger reserve, which is surrounded by 156 villages, with over a lakh population on its peripheries. Also, incidents of forest fires and poaching are reported here, frequently. </p>
<p>It is time for the celebration of the golden jubilee of the state's first 'Project Tiger' at Bandipur tiger reserve. In these 50 years, it has evolved as a model to the entire nation.</p>.<p>In 1972, 'Project Tiger' was implemented in the tiger reserves of the entire country, including Bandipur, to save tigers, whose numbers were dwindling.</p>.<p>On November 16, 1973, the then Chief Minister D Devaraj Urs launched Project Tiger in Bandipur.</p>.<p>During the launch of the project, there were 12 tigers in Bandipur.</p>.<p>As per the tiger census held in 2020, it has the country's second highest - 143 tigers and 200 leopards.</p>.<p>Bandipur has the country's highest - 3,046 elephants, according to Dr Ramesh Kumar, director of Project Tiger, Bandipur.</p>.<p>Besides deers and hundreds of other animals, Bandipur is also home to more than 260 species of birds.</p>.<p>Bandipur tiger reserve is spread over 1,036 square km in Gundlupet taluk of Chamarajanagar district and Nanjangud and HD Kote taluks of Mysuru district.</p>.<p>It is adjacent to Nagarahole tiger reserve of Mysuru district, Tamil Nadu's Mudumalai and Kerala's Wayanad tiger reserves.</p>.<p>On February 19, 1941, Venugopala wildlife sanctuary of Gundlupet taluk in Chamarajanagar district and other forests around it were merged.</p>.<p>In 1975, more reserve forests around it were merged and named as Bandipur national park. Then, it was spread over 874.20 sq km.</p>.<p>Bandipur, also known as an eco-tourism destination, is getting a revenue of Rs 10 crore to Rs 12 crore per year, from safaris and guest houses.</p>.<p>Bandipur is haunted by lantana plants and 60% of the forest is covered with weed. Although it was cleared from 800 hectares so far, with MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) and corporate social responsibility funds.</p>.<p>Man-animal conflict is another challenge faced by the tiger reserve, which is surrounded by 156 villages, with over a lakh population on its peripheries. Also, incidents of forest fires and poaching are reported here, frequently. </p>