The Bannerghatta National Park, located approximately 22 kilometres to the south of Bangalore’s city centre, is spread across an extensive area of 260.51 square kilometres and is home to a wide variety of wildlife. It was founded in 1970 and was recognised as a National Park in 1974.
The park features a hilly topography with granite sheets covering moist valleys of deciduous forest and scrubland in higher areas. A small portion of the park became a zoological garden in 2002, the Bannerghatta Biological Park. The Bannerghatta Biological Park is also the first biological park in the country to have an enclosed forested elephant sanctuary. This sanctuary, which is 122 acres in size, is sponsored by PETA India. The park also has a rescue centre for the rehabilitation of hurt animals.
The biological park boasts a Lion and Tiger Safari, with enclosures that recreate their natural habitat. Besides these, there’s a snake park, a butterfly park, a zoo and a nature camp for kids. The park is also a famous destination for hiking and trekking, as there are several ancient temples inside it. Furthermore, it’s also a refuge for people who want to escape the bustling city life and spend some time rejuvenating and relaxing in the peace and calm of nature.