Anshi National Park
Kali Tiger Reserve (formerly called Anshi National Park) is in Karnataka state of India.
Understand
Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR) was earlier known as Anshi National Park because there is place called Anshi within the national park. The KTR area basically encompass the river Kali and its tributaries in Uttara Kannada (UK) district of Karnataka state. The forests are part of Western ghats of India.
History
Landscape
Flora and fauna
Tiger, elephant, panther, Indian Bison, Spotted Deer and many more are found in this park.
Climate
Get in
Dandeli, a town near to Anshi National Park. The Dandeli town has hotels, restaurants and petrol bunks (automobile fuel stations) and other facilities. There are many resorts and home stays around Dandeli. It is connected by NWKRTC, KSRTC and NEKRTC buses from Bangalore, Mangalore, Dharwad, Hubli, Belgaum and other places of Karnataka.
Karwar is district headquarters of Uttara Kannada district in which Kali Tiger Reserve is situated. There are many variety of accommodations available at Karwar to suit one's budget. Government buses ply from Karwar to Joida, Ambikanagara, Ganeshgudi, Ramnagar (Londa) and Dandeli through Karnataka state highway 34 which passes through national park. Karwar has railway station on Konkan railway route running from Mumbai to Mangalore. Karwar is well connected by state road transport buses to many places of Karnataka state.
Fees and permits
Certain areas of Kali Tiger Reserve requires permits from Karnataka Forest Department (KFD) to enter. Confirm from local range office of forest department before entering the jungle. Also dam areas within Kali tiger reserve are prohibited for general public by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). Even some roads within Kali tiger reserve are not allowed for vehicular traffic from 6PM to 6AM.
Get around
Ganeshgudi, Ambikanagar which are residential colonies of KPCL employees. Joida is taluk headquarters. Public transport is very poor here. Private taxis or own vehicle is required to roam around Kali Tiger Reserve.
See
Ulavi temple, Syntheri rocks, Sykes point, Tattihalla dam, Supa dam, Bommanahalli dam, Kadra dam, Kodsalli dam.
Do
Bird watching and photography.
Trek through the forests.
View the backwaters of dams constructed across Kali river at various points on the road especially during rains.
Buy
Minor forest products like honey, fruits, locally grown vegetables from forest dwellers and villagers.
Eat
Local freshly prepared food and snacks.
Drink
Juices made from locally available fruits.
Sleep
At homestays run by villagers living in the Anshi National Park, resorts, forest department rest houses at Bhagavati, Ganesh gudi.
Camping
There are two nature camps at Kali Tiger Reserve run by Karnataka forest department, one at Anshi and another one at Kulgi. They must be booked in advance for camping and jungle safari before entering through the Director of Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR). Landline telephone number is 08282 231585. Also Jungle Lodges, a Karnataka government undertaking, runs some resorts and camps.
Stay safe
Enter the forest after obtaining permission from Karnataka forest department (Aranya Elake) as it is a restricted area. There are reports of crocodiles attacking humans in the river Kali, so do not get down to Kali river. It is not advisable to trek alone in the forests. Stay away from wild animals and snakes. Medical facilities are poor within tiger reserve area. It is better to fill fuel tanks of automobiles before entering into interiors of the national park. During rainy season (May to September) rivers and streams may be flooded and water logging may be seen at many roads and places. Carry s torch (flashlight), food, water, clothes and other essential things while trekking or camping in the forests. Ulavi to Potoli cross and Kulgi to Bhagavati via Ambikanagara roads are closed for vehicles traffic from 6PM to 6AM so plan your journey accordingly.