Biophilia: Our inherent affinity for nature and natural environments. As humans, we are naturally drawn to the beauty, tranquillity, and complexity of forests. While the spectrum of emotions that brew when conjuring a forest may vary with individuals, ranging from an escape to a place of serenity and calm, to finding a sense of spirituality or mystique, and for some, as an invitation for adventure and exploration. For me, I think it’s a combination of all these, but most significantly, it stirs nostalgia and fond memories from a distant past. Memories of a home away from home.
While on a safari adventure at Bandipur, when one of the guests mentioned KGudi as part of the BR Hills range, I felt an instant connection. The combination of mountains and forests sounded too good to be ignored. Immediately I knew my next wilderness escape had to be KGudi. With the monsoon season underway, the timing was perfect. Monsoons in India tend to transform the forests into lush, vibrant, and verdant landscapes. So, come July, I eagerly packed my camera and headed off for a two-day stay cum safari at KGudi Wilderness Camp, run by Jungle Lodges and Resorts.
“Biligiri Ranganatha Swamy Hills, or simply BR Hills, supposedly derives its name “Biligiri” (white hill in Kannada) from the white rock face that constitutes the major hill crowned with the temple of Lord Ranganathaswamy. However, some believe it’s also a reference to the white mist and the silver clouds that cover these hills for most parts of the year. I stood witness to the latter, as depicted by the cover image of this post captured late evening from inside the sanctuary. It is also home to the Sholigas, the indigenous people of BR and surrounding Hills.
Being close to the Eastern Ghats as well as the Western Ghats, BRT Wildlife Sanctuary is blessed with a rich diversity of flora and fauna from both regions. The exceptional geographical location and diverse ecosystem offer BR Hills a remarkable array of forest vegetation, spanning from Tropical Moist Deciduous to Tropical Dry Deciduous to Evergreen, Shola, Grasslands, Riparian, and Bamboo Groves. However, it is important to temper your expectations regarding sightings of large mammals especially big cats, primarily due to the thick undergrowth of Lantana , Mexican Devil and wild ferns. These weeds dominate the ground vegetation and have had a negative impact on the mammals that rely on plant matter for sustenance, resulting in a dwindling population in the region. This was perhaps the only reserve forest where I failed to spot Elephants and Gaurs during the duration of my stay (although to be fair, monsoon is not the best time to spot wildlife). But if you are equally fond of the feathered kind, then you are in for a treat.
Indulge in the pictures below (double click on an image to view it enlarged)
Left and Top Right: Spotted Deer, Above Right: Barking Deer Photo: Hari Shetty
Top Left: Brown Fish Owl, Above Left: Langur, Top Right: Serpent Eagle, Middle Right: Malabar Giant Squirrel, Above Right: Crested Hawk Eagle Photo: Hari Shetty
Dholes (Indian Wild Dogs) Photo: Hari Shetty
Top Left: Orange Headed Thrush, Top Right: Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Second Top Left: Jungle Babbler, Middle Row Left to Right: Black-rumped Flameback, Blue Whistling Thrush, Orange Minivet, Oriental Magpie-Robin, Above Left: Yellow-footed Pigeons, Next: Green Jungle Fowl Above Right: Bronzed Drongo Photo: Hari Shetty
JLR KGudi and BR Hills, Above Left: Gajendra, the lone tamed elephant of KGudi
KGudi Wilderness Camp is perhaps the only JLR property situated inside of a tiger reserve. The property was established in 1994, well before BRT was declared a tiger reserve. It is just a matter of time before the property is shifted away from its present location, outside of the tiger reserve.
Reaching KGudi from Bangalore is a breeze especially if you take the newly opened Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway. Should take you 4-5 Hours tops.