Bannerghatta’s Conservation Efforts: A Response to Wild Whispers
Bengaluru Bannerghatta Biological Park, popularly known as BBBP, is one of the must visit places in Karnataka. It is an integral part of the Bannerghatta National Park. The BBBP is situated alongside the Bengaluru Zoological Park which is 22kms away from the south of the Bengaluru city.
While in most national parks the chances of spotting a wild animal is rare and is often left up to fate, BBBP guarantees sighting of various magnificent wild species. Along with various species of birds, the park is home to Spotted Deer, Sambar Deer, Nilgais, Black Bucks, Asiatic Elephants, Sloth Bears, Royal Bengal Tiger, White Tiger and Asiatic Lions.
The park encompasses a vast land of about 731.88 hectares of the forest area. The BBBP is a gated region and is internally divided into six separate regions. The region is divided on the basis of animals inhabiting the region i.e. different species of Deers; Asiatic Elephants; Sloth Bears; Royal Bengal Tigers; White Tigers; and lastly the Asiatic lions. All the six regions are connected by a common road, however, is divided by gates whose functioning is controlled by the forest guards. Animal residing in particular region cannot move into the regions where other species reside. The animals are kept under their natural forest habitats wherein their feeding and health care is looked after by the officials on a daily basis.
Unlike most zoological parks where the animals are kept in caged enclosures and human beings roam freely, the BBBP offers a different experience altogether. Animals here roam freely in an open space and the visitors are allowed entry in jeeps and buses which are fully covered; the windows of the vehicles too are covered with grills. As the tables have turned here, animals move around freely and humans move in cages.
The design and structure of the park promotes conservation in a more animal friendly way where animals are not devoid of their natural habitats. The park works towards both in-situ and ex-situ conservation. BBBP provides a great opportunity for researchers and students to study animal behavior, lifestyle as well as various conservation trends and practices. It also enables the visitors to experience the richness of wildlife and hopes to create awareness and sensitize people about the endangered species and wildlife conservation.
The park offers the facility of animal adoption to the citizens. Any citizen can adopt an animal for a limited period of time depending upon the adoption package. Adoption here refers to citizens looking after the financial expenditure of the animal i.e. food and health care. The facility also offers the citizen, who adopts a certain number of visits to check upon the adopted animal. The adoption facility is a great initiative which will enable the citizens from various fields to contribute in wildlife conservation and ensure better facilities for the animals. This is also a great way to raise funds for the maintenance of the park.
For all those who visit Bengaluru, Bengaluru Bannerghatta Biological Park is a must visit. It is truly — A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever!
