The Kabini river river originates in Pakramthalam
hills, Wayanad. The Kabini Dam is built across it near Beechanahally village.
This river has tributaries of its own, which merge with it, before it converges
with Kaveri at Tirumakudalu Narasipura.The dam is a masonry gravity dam and has
a gross storage capacity of 19.52 tmcft. When the water levels recede in the
summer, the backwaters of the dam host a variety of wildlife.
The Kabini Forest Reserve forms the
south-eastern part of the Nagerhole National Park. It is situated on the banks
of the Kabini river and is spread across 55 acres. Nagarhole National Park,
also known as Rajiv Gandhi National Park, was once an exclusive hunting ground
for the rulers of Mysore. In 1955, Nagarhole was set up as a wildlife sanctuary
and later its area was increased to 643.39 sq km. It became a national park in
1988 and ten years later, in 1999, it was declared a Project Tiger reserve. The
most famous residents of Nagarhole are tigers, Indian bison, and elephants.
Other mammals that reside here include leopards, Indian wild dogs, jackals,
sloth bears, striped hyenas, spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer,
four-horned antelopes, and civets.
Nagarhole National Park has been recognized as
an Important Bird Area and has over 270 species of birds. You can find the
“Critically endangered” Oriental white-backed vulture, and “Vulnerable” species
like the lesser adjutant, greater spotted eagle, and the Nilgiri wood pigeon
here. “Near threatened” species here include darters, Oriental white ibises,
greater grey headed fish, and red headed vultures. Species endemic to this
region include the blue winged parakeet, Malabar grey hornbill, and the
white-bellied treepie.
