Land of blackbuck - Destination Jayamangali (formerly Maidenahalli) Blackbuck Reserve

LAST UPDATED: 21 JAN 2009

CLICK BELOW FOR FIRST EVER MAP DEPICTING LOCATION AND ROUTES TO JAYAMANGALI (MAIDENAHALLI) BLACKBUCK CONSERVATION RESERVE (You might want to take a print out to prevent getting lost)

Source of Map and copyright: Survey of India, 1:2,50,000 scale, No: 57/G, 2nd edition, 1988

Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve borders Maidenahalli a small village situated in the plains of Deccan plateau at the north-eastern tip of Tumkur district of Karnataka state, bordering Anantpur district of Andhra Pradesh. Apart from Jayamangali Blackbuck reserve, a few herds of Blackbuck are found scattered through the eastern parts of Karnataka. But the largest population of Blackbuck in Karnataka, apart from Ranibennur sanctuary, is found at Jayamangali Blackbuck reserve. It is an eight hundred and thirty nine acre patch of grassland planted with Eucalyptus and Acacia auriculiformis. It is probably the best place in Karnataka to photograph blackbuck apart from grassland flora and fauna.

FACT FILE:
Area: Forest department owned land is under 3 sq. km but wildlife here is spread across the landscape that includes private farm land.

Status: Conservation Reserve (declared under Wildlife Protection Act 1972) and private property with public access.

Nearest Town:
1) Inside Karnataka: Madhugiri (23 km)
2) Across border in Andhra Pradesh: Hindupur (apx. 20 km)

Nearest Airport: Devanahalli/Bangalore International Airport (163 km)

Nearest Rail:
1) Hindupur (apx 20 km): along the Guntakal Junction - Bangalore line
2) Tumkur (68 km): along the Bangalore - Arasikere.

Key attractions: Blackbuck, Indian fox, Over 130 bird species particularly grassland ones, beautiful views of open plains and grasslands.

Jayamagali is probably the best place in Karnataka to photograph Blackbuck, Indian Courser and Common Sandgrouse

IF YOU GO:
Worth seeing: Apart from the wildlife, views of the vast plains of Deccan Plateau and the prominent granite stone hill chain that runs from Bellary to Ramanagaram.

What to eat: Food is not available here. Carry your own food and water or eat at hotels in Madhugiri Town.

Where to stay: There are no lodges in the area. There are tents bases where campers can pitch tents. Tents are available at the Madhugiri Forest Office. Visitors can request forest department for permission to camp in the area.

Best time of the day: Summers are very dry with day temperatures hovering around 40 degrees centigrade. Try being at the place early in the morning or late in the evening. The weather is pleasant any time of the day during winters and monsoons.

Getting there: The best way to get there is to drive down from Bangalore city (about 3 hrs drive). Jayamangali area is about 23 km away from Madhugiri Town and about 138 km from Bangalore (via Tumkur).

Driving directions to Jayamangali grasslands from Bangalore City via Dobespete - Tumkur - Koratgere - Madhugiri - Puruvara: (Day trips can be made from Bangalore)

NOTE: There is a direct road from Dobbespete town on NH4 (22 km before Tumkur) to Koratgere town by skipping Tumkur City. This road is in a bad shape and under repair for the past few years. Don't travel on this road unless you really hate your vehicle!.

1) Drive on the National Highway 4 towards Tumkur City.
2) 3.5 kilometres after the Kyathasandra toll gate and about 3 kilometres before Tumkur City, at Batawadi, the highway splits into BH (Bangalore-Honnavar) Road (which enters Tumkur City) and Sira Road (which bypasses Tumkur City).
3) Travel on the Tumkur by-pass / Sira Road for about 4 km and you should reach an under-construction overpass. Go north (turn right) towards Madhugiri Town.
4) Travel on the Madhugiri road through Koratagere town, for 41 kilometres, till you reach Madhugiri Town (Road update as of Dec, 2009: Road was tarred a couple of years ago and is NOT in the best of conditions. Don't drive fast in small/ compact cars (Maruti 800, Alto, Santro etc). This although, many of the speed-breakers, of which there were at every village, having been recently removed. Be careful though, as speed breakers are known to spring overnight, to force stop public buses at each village).
5) As you enter Madhugiri town ask some one for Hindupura road. Travel inside the town for a km.
6) When the the road splits into east and west, drive east/ right turn (ask some one again for road to Hindupur town if you are confused). At this location, you might probably see a board by the forest department depicting blackbuck.
7) About 1.5 km from Madhugiri town the road again splits into Hindupur Road on the left (north-east) and Chikballapur/Gowridbidanur road that goes straight (east). It's easy to be confused here. Remember: You have to make a left turn (north-east) towards Hindupur. (Road update as of Dec, 2009: Road was tarred a couple of years ago and is NOT in the best of conditions thorough most of it. Don't drive fast in small/ compact cars (Maruti 800, Alto, Santro etc).
6) 11 km from Madhugiri town (and before the bridge over Jayamangali River / Kodegenahalli village), you will reach Puruvara village.

NOTE: From Puruvara village, Maidenahalli area can be reached from both west (via Badakanahalli and Giregoudana halli villages) or from east (via Kodigenahalli and Maidenahalli village cross). Described below is the approach from west, which allows better views of the area's landscape.

7) Make a left turn (North) and travel on the ID Halli village road for 8 km. Just after the twin villages of Badakanahalli and Giregoudana halli, the habitat abruptly changes into open plains. (Road update as of Dec, 2009: Road was tarred a couple of years ago and is NOT in the best of conditions thorough most of it. Don't drive fast in small/ compact cars (Maruti 800, Alto, Santro etc).
8) Half a km after Gireoudana halli village, an unmetalled track turns north-east. Take this track. (It's easy to be confused here too). Please enquire with the local villagers if you are not sure.
9) The grasslands and blackbuck habitat begins on this track. You can stop your car and bird along the track (Road update as of Dec, 2009: This is just a metalled track and is basically soil and stones. Drive very carefully and avoid driving small/ compact cars on this road). 4 km down this track you will reach the gates of Maidenahalli or Jayamangali Blackbuck Reserve. Pass through the gates and park your vehicle at the watch tower. You can walk around the area.

There usually are a couple of local forest guards in the area, a couple of whom are Narasimha Murthy and Anantha Ramu. They should be able to guide you around, if you tell them about your interest in wildlife.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE PLACE, PLEASE VISIT THIS WEBSITE ON MAIDENAHALLI / JAYAMANGALI BLACKBUCK AREA:

Permission to stay over:
1) Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF)
Tumkur Territorial Division,
Kunigal Road,
Tumkur City- 5721 02
Telephone : + 91 (816) 2201196 (Updated Jan 2009)

2) Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF)
Madhugiri Territorial Sub-Division,
Forest Office,
Madhugiri Town
Tumkur District
Telephone: Not working (Updated Jan 2009)

3) Range Forest Officer (RFO)
Madhugiri Territorial Range,
Forest Office,
Madhugiri Town
Tumkur District
Telephone: Not working (Updated Jan 2009)















The beautiful grasslands of Mydenahalli with the backdrop of Tumkur's Hills

©Ameen Ahmed






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