A small request first. Please be kind enough to bear my usage of the words beginning with the letter ‘B’ in this review. I promise there is a very good reason for the same.
During my recent vacation in Bangalore, one of my bandhu(cousin) suggested a family outing with all uncles, aunties, cousins, relatives, pets, houseflies, bandicoots etc. I was still brooding missing out on Ideal’s gadbad in Mangalore while I was there, so I thought this will be a blissful change and breathlessly asked ‘Where to bhai?’ He says ‘Bannerghatta, dear’ ‘Oh No! But why? What for? It’s just another zoo! And haven’t we all had enough school excursions there? We might as well go to Big Banyan tree or Brindavan gardens then, and...’ I blabbered on. He berated me ‘Look RJ, update your General Knowledge first. It’s not a Zoo but a National Park, ok? It’s just about 22 km from the city and we can all ride our own bikes and let the oldies follow us in their cars. Company is what matters kane, not the place, and it will be fun. We don’t have time nor the means to go on longer trips’ He bombarded, ’I already have majority support, so you better keep quiet and come along’ ‘B for Bannerghatta,’ man it’s happening!’ he belittled me.
And so, heavily outnumbered poor me joined the big group of bubbly picnickers, some on bikes and some in Balenos, and set out to B for ‘Bannerghatta’ on a bright sunny day. After bumpy rides in the burning afternoon, we finally arrive at the B for well, you know what.
Some boring history for the beseeching beings - This National Park was established in 1971 and spans an area of 104 sq km, including the ten reserve forests of Anekal Range of Bangalore Forest Division. Situated amidst scenic hills and many temples around, the park boasts of exotic species of wildlife and great many varieties of trees and plants.
Upon arrival, got baffled with the number of visitors, ranging from brat kids to beloved couples to budda-buddis(oldies). I had to grudgingly admit that my cousin was right that because of its near distance to city, people who need quick and easy breaks/retreats swarm this place. There are 3 very long queues that you need to patiently bear (repeating myself already?).. one at the entrance ticket counter, the other at the safari ticket window and yet another line for boarding the vehicle that takes you to the Tiger and Lion Safaris. These Safaris are supposedly the biggest attraction of this place.
The Safari ride along the bouncy curvy roads with steep bends on a boneshaker vehicle is a bone-rattling experience in itself. And your expectations of watching big Babber Shers gets bitter, when you chance upon one or two bony creatures in bright hued striped hides behind barbed fences. These tigers are very little bemused by the wide-eyed boors, peering out of barred windows of the bus and bellowing pathetically. And better turn blind eye at the Lions, poor things look like yellow kittens. Should anything else be an example for bad looking after? By God’s grace, we are brought back to the main park soon after that.
My irritation, born out of sheer boredom and the burden of water bottles I carried, was brewing more frustration. Thankfully, somebody mentioned food. So we set out to the other corner of the park where the picnic centre is located. Out came the blankets under a big tree, and the lunch baskets of mommies, aunties and bhabhis were ransacked. After bhojan followed the dessert of ice creams, from a near-by Beverages and snacks joints. The bade log then opened card suites or their books, while the younger group brought out their rackets to play badminton. ‘Is this why we came so far? The least we could do is go see those b*%$y animals’ I bissed, I mean, hissed (sorry, getting carried away). They quipped ‘We already know a bickering specimen here, but you may go and check out your species’ Very funny! I hurried from there before my bigda-huva mood would be more burdened or caused any blunders, and began an exploration of the surroundings. I was curious as to what new additions have been made since my last visit here during the eighties as a tiny bopper (well, almost), who got besotted by a particular bunny rabbit then.
Some more info about the park - Apart from the Safaris, the National park hosts a Museum, an Aquarium, a Serpentarium, a Crocodile farm, Picnic Corner, Children’s park and a Pre-historic Animals park. The flora of the place is very rich and beautiful with huge green trees that are budding, blooming, providing shade and shelter all through the year. The wildlife in their natural habitat is the main interest and you can find, bird population of pelicans, cormorants, painted storks, white ibis, spoonbills among other common fowls like peacocks and lovebirds, the blessing elephants and their little ones used for kiddy rides, sun bathing alligators and crocs, basking hippopotamus, broad range of reptile family and snakes including cobras, pythons, kraits and Russell vipers, bonded cheetahs, black and brown bears, booing primates of the different kinds including lemurs, langurs, orangutans, bopping zebras, turtles, porcupines and some large bee-hives too. (where are bambi deers, bisons and black bucks?)
The park and wildlife as such have been maintained fairly okay under the Forest Department but needs improvement. It could help more if there are more number of basic facility providers like water, loo and refreshments. The animals also need more caretaking, as they seemed struggling and suffering the summer heat.
I noticed no significant changes taken place in last 15 years, other than relocations of some animals here and there. Hence more disappointments and begrudge. It takes about 2 hours for complete site seeing, by which time you are bored and tired anyway. So went back for another round of drinks and light fillings, after which we all backtracked towards the exit point, stopping here and there for photo sessions.
Finally we were out of the park, only to get bogged down by the insisting hawkers and small shop vendors there, who added fuel to my bone of contention with my big brother. Now bhai, wait till I have my revenge in B for ‘Boxer gloves!’
My word - This place is no comparison for Bandipur forests or Corbett Safaris and in my humble opinion, its an extended version of the zoo or a children’s park. There is a long long way to go before you can actually call it a real National Park or a Sanctuary.
In the meantime, to get over the ill effects of B for Bannerghatta, I am seriously thinking about going to B for Byron Bay. (Spooks are you listening?)
Bygones are bygones. Nevertheless, I needed to prove to a certain blockhead and reassure myself that B for ‘lots many things’ as well. And hence this baloney, bunkum, blah blah, babble, bakwaas... But thanks for all your cooperation and tolerant bearing. As usual awaiting your beautiful comments with bated breath. Bye for now :) (bewitching smile ;))
