Question

Bandipur (Karnataka) National Park is site of
A) Deer project
B) Peacock project
C) Elephant project
D) Tiger project

Answer 1

Hint: This conservation programme was launched in April, 1973 by the Government of India for the protection of a specific animal.

Complete Answer:
- In 1974, Bandipur National Park was founded as a tiger reserve under “Project Tiger”. It is situated in Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka. Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve includes Bandipur National Park and Nagarahole National Park. The Park is surrounded with three other National Parks – Nagarahole National Park, Mudumalai National Park and Wayanad National Park. It is famous for its significant population of tigers and elephants and also for sandalwood trees.
- In 1931, Venugopala Wildlife Park was built by the Maharaja of Mysore. Later, in 1974 the Bandipur National Park was established by adding about 800 sq. Km land to the Venugopala Wildlife Park.
- The Bandipur National Park comprises a wide range of habitats such as dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests and shrublands. Due to the variety of habitats, it provides support and protection to several endangered and threatened species of plants and animals.
- A large variety of timber trees including teak, rosewood, sandalwood, axlewood, clumping bamboo, Indian kino tree and Indian laurel etc. are found here.
- The Park supports a significant population of various endangered animals like Indian elephants, tigers, sloth bears, Indian rock pythons, jackals, four horned antelopes etc. A variety of other fauna like birds, butterflies, ant species, dung beetles are also protected in this National Park.
- Although the Bandipur National Park supports the protection of various types of flora and fauna, it was established under the “Project Tiger” programme.

Thus, the correct answer is D, i.e. Tiger project.

Note: After Corbett National Park (Uttarakhand), the second highest number of tigers in India was recorded in Bandipur National Park in 2018-19.