Riding through Bandipur national park - permission needed?

[Pankaj C]

Hello all,

I wanted to know if we need some permit from the wildlife/forest
department to ride through Bandipur National Park.
We are planning to ride through NH 212 (Mysore to Sultan Bathery) and
NH 65 (Sultan Bathery to Ooty). Both these roads pass through Bandipur
national park from the google map.

Also, do they run volvo buses from Ooty to Bangalore? I could not find
it on Ksrtc website. They have some Corona AC buses and Rajhamsa buses
plying as per the website. Is it possible to load bike in those buses?

Any ideas?

Cheers
Pankaj

[Ananth]

I don't think you will need to obtain anybody's permission to ride on
the Ooty-Mysore highway. Last year's TFN guys can guide you better.
You can load bikes on Corona. They are just like volvos. Check out the
below KSRTC link
http://ksrtc.in/CORONA.html

[Deepa Mohan]

The Mysore-Ooty highway runs through Bandipur National Park Ananth.  Whether this is good or bad, I don't know! The road is lovely, and used to be very light in traffic, but I don't know about now...!

Cheers, Deepa.

[Jayadeep]

There are all kinds of vehicles plying through both the highways, so
cycling should be the most natural one though you may get chased by
the wild animals:) Ride zig-zag if it is an elephant:) just kidding!
There were plans to stop all traffic in the night on NH 212 to Sulthan
Battery, but that being a key highway connecting North Kerala with
SH88 via Virajpet to Kannur being closed for repairs, pressure from
Kerala Govt and people made them drop it. NH212 was in great condition
in April, not sure how it is holding up to the Monsoon rains.

There are private Volvos to Calicut which goes via Sulthan Battery.

Jayadeep

On Jul 9, 4:39 am, Deepa Mohan <mohande...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Pankaj C]

Thanks a lot for all your replies.
Still if somebody can confirm it then I will be happy.

Enconter with wild animals is something which we will leave to fate:).
If they want they can easily chase us on our bikes too.

Cheers
Pankaj

> > Cheers, Deepa.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Bike > Motorbike]

I doubt the forest officials will leave you inside on bikes. Any way all the best and be safe.

Prashant

--
Thanks

Prashant GY
---------------------------------------------
Go green Go Cycling - http://groups.google.co.in/group/Bangalore-bikers , http://groups.google.co.in/group/ggi-club , http://criticalmassbangalore.blogspot.com/
---------------------------------------------
www.flickr.com/photos/prashantgy

[Deepak Majipatil]

TFN was through that road.We did not take any permissions but they suggested to go in group  and don't stop any where inside the park. Support car would be better for repairs.

--
RIDE,CHERISH,REMEMBER
Deepak Majipatil,
--
www.tourofnilgiris.com

[Deepa Mohan]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 12:00 PM, Bike > Motorbike <prash...@gmail.com> wrote:

I doubt the forest officials will leave you inside on bikes. Any way all the best and be safe.

Prashant

You can call Manjunath, my friend who works at JLR, and who was managing JLR Bandipur for many years (Jungle Lodges and Resorts)...ask him if cyclists are allowed on the road. If you can't get him, ask for the Bandipur JLR no and talk to Basava or Lokesh (mention my name; they know me well!) and ask them the same thing.

But...DO be careful of wildlife. Wild animals are just that...wild...and elephants have been known to charge people, sometimes fatally. We have seen what a tusker can do, and it's no joke at all. Don't even imagine that you can outdistance a charging animal.

The climb is also a steep one with plenty of hairpin and near-hairpin bends.

Sorry to sound a wet blanket...but it's better that someone sounds a cautionary note beforehand! I,for one, would not cycle on that road,. not even in the daytime....our car was once charged by a tusker, and it was extremely scary.

Cheers, Deepa.

[Deepa Mohan]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 12:19 PM, Deepa Mohan <mohan...@gmail.com> wrote:

On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 12:00 PM, Bike > Motorbike <prash...@gmail.com> wrote:

I doubt the forest officials will leave you inside on bikes. Any way all the best and be safe.

Prashant

You can call Manjunath, my friend who works at JLR, and who was managing JLR Bandipur for many years (Jungle Lodges and Resorts)...ask him if cyclists are allowed on the road. If you can't get him, ask for the Bandipur JLR  resort nos (mobiles may not work there)  and talk to Basava or Lokesh (mention my name; they know me well!) and ask them the same thing.

Oops, sorry, the JLR no (Shrungar Shopping Centre, M G Road) is (25597021/24/25)

Deepa.

[Bhupinder Singh]

DEEPA sounds like a name on a female, no wonder you were chased by
tuskers:-)

Carry lighters to stand out the wild life.

I am one of the guys in the team who are riding south and I just
joined the forum:-)

--Bhupinder


On Jul 9, 11:51 am, Deepa Mohan <mohande...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 12:19 PM, Deepa Mohan <mohande...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Pankaj C]

Thanks a lot for information Deepa and just ignore Bhupinder:).
I will call up these guys and see if there is any issues riding
through the forest.

Cheers
Pankaj

[sriram.bmsce]

pamkaj here you go;

1)no permission to ride in the forest,but be careful as you can encounter wild animals without even knowing that they are few feet away,happened to me once.
2)forget taking volvos enroute sultans bathery to madikeri or ooty,as it makes least sense to hitch a ride as they are always full and ply city to city without stops..best option is if u are tired ,to take open roof trucks which will be thrilled to drop wherever with least hassles..

3)dont wanna discourage you,but ought to be a good climber on the bike if attempting to reach ooty thru shorter masinagudi side,instead suggest u take the scenic,longer climb from the gudalur side.

 

Sriram

p.s-any other help with rergards to route,etc etc call me on 9886697151
 

[Bhupinder Singh]

Hey I inquired from a local of Bandipur....there is no restriction to
ride through the highway....but from a certain point you cannot enter
deep into the forest and also the forest is fenced, and this local
guys says face off with tuskers happens very rarely, like once in a 5
year time.

So, let's not worry ...

[Bhupinder Singh]

Hey I inquired from a local of Bandipur....there is no restriction to
ride through the highway....but from a certain point you cannot enter
deep into the forest and also the forest is fenced, and this local
guys says face off with tuskers happens very rarely, like once in a 5
year time.

So, let's not worry ...

On Jul 9, 5:24 pm, Pankaj C <pankaj.chuladh...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Ravishankar Balasubramanya]

Face off with Turkers Rarely.. , Well I was almost trampled by a Onti
Salaga while riding back from Ooty last Nov.You need to be very
careful and dont stop anywhere in the sanctuary..


As many have pointed out you dont need any permissions as such..

Ravi

--
Cheers,
Ravi

[Deepa Mohan]

On Thu, Jul 9, 2009 at 9:16 PM, Ravishankar Balasubramanya <bravis...@gmail.com> wrote:

Face off with Turkers Rarely.. , Well I was almost trampled by a  Onti
Salaga  while riding back from Ooty last Nov.You need to be very
careful and dont stop anywhere in the sanctuary..

I do not know which local gave you the info that face-offs with tuskers happened rarely...such incidents happen regularly and several people have been killed. Please base your information on what naturalists or trained forest people tell you. Each local might have a different story.

And even if incidents happen once in  five years...let's ensure that your ride is not that one occasion!

Cheers, Deepa.

[Deepa Mohan]

On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 1:10 AM, Bhupinder Singh <bhupi...@gmail.com> wrote:

Interesting, I like women of your cadre...Great!

Thank you.

I personally find it almost impossible to convince women to start riding a cycle, I guess you must be doing a great job!

Well...I have not been able to convince a single woman friend of mine to cycle, either, so far :(

What's wrong with the BBMP? I am new to Bangalore.

When you bump over the potholes,
When you (don't) see the missing trees...
When you can feel the pollution
Because it makes you wheeze....
When you're toiling in the hot sun
Without an ounce of shade,
You'll know that this "desert" Bangalore
Is completely "BBMP-made"!


My fellow Bangalore bykers...don't you agree with me? :)

Cheers, Deepa.

[Rajat Agrawal]

Hmmm.... my standard checklist when trekking through forest and protected areas (applies equally to biking across such areas)

- No bright clothing, wear natural subdued colors. Slap on a light jacket or shirt/tshirt during the stretch. Offset reduced visibility by having rear and front lights.

- No loud sounds, loud music, shouting, etc. No flash photography.

- No strong perfumes or scents, some can attract others irritate.

- Travel in groups of 2 or more, from an animals pov you become a herd which is naturally stronger and distracting enough to prevent focus on any single member

- Be vigilant, if you spot animal(s) on the road or nearby, maintain a safe distance. Larger the animal, greater the distance. Every animal has a natural comfort distance, if you breach it the animal feels threatened, they will start showing signs of agitation, getting closer will result in signs to back off (mock charge, stamping of feet/trunk, barks/growls/hiss, etc.)
I have seen idiot 'tourist' interpreting the animals retreat after a mock charge as personal victory and then shouting/approaching/photographing further, BIG MISTAKE.

- I there are young ones in a group of animals be all the more careful about staying away from them, their parents will give you a hard time if you don't.

- Do not try to clear a group of large animals on the road by shouting or heckling from a close distance, best approach is to wait at a safe distance and let them move away.

Try your best not to threaten the animals intentionally or unintentionally, keep a safe distance and they will do the same.

A very very small percentage of rabid animals (fox/dog/cat/etc) are ferocious. If you encounter a ferocious one, they will probably attack without instigation and will growl/snarl/hiss/whimper disconnected from their actions. Haul ass and get out of the way immediately, if bitten seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.

-

[Pankaj C]

Thanks Sriram, Deepa and all. Actually, we are doing the reverse route
now. Felt that it would be all uphill from Mysore to SB to Ooty.
We are not a very experienced lot. In fact for two of us it would be a
first 100+ kms ride on the tour.

So, we now plan to take a bus to Ooty and then start from there in the
morning to SB. Put up in SB for the night and then start for Mysore
the following morning.
From Mysore we will take a bus to Bangalore (Or I might ride as
well:)).

I guess this route should be much easier and still scenic.
Pray for us on the wild animal front:)

Pankaj

On Jul 9, 7:35 pm, "sriram.bmsce" <sriram.bm...@gmail.com> wrote:
> pamkaj here you go;
> 1)no permission to ride in the forest,but be careful as you can encounter
> wild animals without even knowing that they are few feet away,happened to me
> once.
> 2)forget taking volvos enroute sultans bathery to madikeri or ooty,as it
> makes least sense to hitch a ride as they are always full and ply city to
> city without stops..best option is if u are tired ,to take open roof trucks
> which will be thrilled to drop wherever with least hassles..
> 3)dont wanna discourage you,but ought to be a good climber on the bike if
> attempting to reach ooty thru shorter masinagudi side,instead suggest u take
> the scenic,longer climb from the gudalur side.
>
> Sriram
> p.s-any other help with rergards to route,etc etc call me on 9886697151
>

> > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

[Bike > Motorbike]

Bikers,

Wanted to tell you that, if at all you are riding this route then its better to ride after 10am cross the jungle before 4pm in the evening.

Early morning till 9am (approx.) all animals will be active and the same after 4pm in the evening. So be careful.

ride in group only.

As somebody mentioned carry some lighters.

Even if you encounter any animal, do not make eye to eye contact as it is like inviting animal for a fight.

Do not make unnecessary stops and noise.

Try and go through the guidelines of the Forest department.

BE ALERT. try and learn some basic language and behavior like monkeys and birds sound which they make when a predator is passing by.

Hope my words make sense.

Thanks

Prashant

[Deepa Mohan]

On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:48 AM, Rajat Agrawal <rajata...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hmmm.... my standard checklist when trekking through forest and protected areas (applies equally to biking across such areas)

Rajat...excellent set of guidelines! Thank you. May I use them for all my amateur naturalists' groups too? Very articulately put!

And...great idea to do it reverse. You will not tire yourselves out! Have fun, and I do hope you get some great wildlife sightings on the way, and tell us about it, Pankaj and Bhupinder!

Cheers, Deepa.

[Samim Rizvi]

Hi,

You do not need any permission to ride thru bandipur or mudumalai. I have been doing regular bangalore ooty bangalore rides thru these forests. The cops will only greet you with a smile.

Samim

[Bhupinder Singh]

Great! Samim, you are the man...I am sure for you it must be a single day's ride all from BGL-OOTY-SUTHAN BATHERY-BGL..:-)

[adarsh shetkar]

Hi guys if anybody planning for  BGL-OOTY-SUTHAN BATHERY-BGL please keep me posted i would like to join  :)

--

-Adarsh.C.Shetkar
Technical Support Engineer
cha...@cpwplc.com
adarsh.ch...@talktalkonetel.co.uk

[Bhupinder Singh]

Pankaj Chuladhara is whom you need to talk to...or else you can talk to me as well:-)

[Pankaj C]

A little problem guys. Looks like there is no volvo bus service from
Bangalore to Ooty. We have talked to KSRTC and they have the corona
buses where they do not have enough space for carrying our cycles (4).
We do not want to put our bikes on the top of other buses as it could
actually move a lot on the way, considering the gradient enroute.
Anybody knows of any private bus service plying Volvo buses to Ooty?
It will be great help otherwise we will need to change our route:(.

Cheers
pankaj

On Jul 13, 1:29 pm, Bhupinder Singh <bhupissa...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Pankaj Chuladhara is whom you need to talk to...or else you can talk to me
> as well:-)
>

> On Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 2:29 PM, adarsh shetkar <adarsh.shet...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hi guys if anybody planning for  BGL-OOTY-SUTHAN BATHERY-BGL please keep me
> > posted i would like to join  :)
>

> > On 7/10/09, Bhupinder Singh <bhupissa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >> Great! Samim, you are the man...I am sure for you it must be a single
> >> day's ride all from BGL-OOTY-SUTHAN BATHERY-BGL..:-)
>

> >> On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 7:18 PM, Samim Rizvi <syedsa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> Hi,
>
> >>> You do not need any permission to ride thru bandipur or mudumalai. I have
> >>> been doing regular bangalore ooty bangalore rides thru these forests. The
> >>> cops will only greet you with a smile.
>
> >>> Samim
>

> >>>   On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 11:08 AM, Deepa Mohan <mohande...@gmail.com>wrote:

>
> >>>> On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:48 AM, Rajat Agrawal <rajatagra...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >>>>> Hmmm.... my standard checklist when trekking through forest and
> >>>>> protected areas (applies equally to biking across such areas)
>
> >>>> Rajat...excellent set of guidelines! Thank you. May I use them for all
> >>>> my amateur naturalists' groups too? Very articulately put!
>
> >>>> And...great idea to do it reverse. You will not tire yourselves out!
> >>>> Have fun, and I do hope you get some great wildlife sightings on the way,
> >>>> and tell us about it, Pankaj and Bhupinder!
>
> >>>> Cheers, Deepa.
>
> > --
>
> > -Adarsh.C.Shetkar
> > Technical Support Engineer

> > chan...@cpwplc.com
> > adarsh.chanabasa...@talktalkonetel.co.uk- Hide quoted text -

[sportz bike]

I dont think any Volvo plies from Ooty to any destination. Only short chassis or normal chassis bus plies from ooty.
Since you are carrying 4 cycles, you can go up to Coimbatore and from there you can hire any luggage carrier.
Or you can go up to Mettupalayam which is 40 kms from Coimbatore from where the hills starts and hire any vehicle there.

--
Happy Biking!
Gokul
www.theSportz.com

[Bhupinder Singh]

Finally the tour was done. We cycled from Mysuru to Mudhumalai in 8 hours and return was 7 hours includiing breaks. We saw tuskers and someone was right about tuskers, a female elephant chased us for a short distance in the wee hours.

I will post more details whenever I get time

[Bhupinder Singh]

Oh and while our ride back to BGL, we started at 6 AM from our station
outside of Mudhumalai, we entered Mudhumalai at around 6:15AM so
someone was right again, about not entering the jungle before 10 AM,
well we saw the animals and we saw them all and it was a great
aight! :-)

On Jul 24, 6:49 pm, Bhupinder Singh <bhupissa...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Finally the tour was done. We cycled from Mysuru to Mudhumalai in 8 hours
> and return was 7 hours includiing breaks. We saw tuskers and someone was
> right about tuskers, a female elephant chased us for a short distance in the
> wee hours.
>
> I will post more details whenever I get time
>

> On Mon, Jul 13, 2009 at 1:59 PM, Bhupinder Singh <bhupissa...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> > Pankaj Chuladhara is whom you need to talk to...or else you can talk to me
> > as well:-)
>

> > On Sat, Jul 11, 2009 at 2:29 PM, adarsh shetkar <adarsh.shet...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >> Hi guys if anybody planning for  BGL-OOTY-SUTHAN BATHERY-BGL please keep
> >> me posted i would like to join  :)
>

> >> On 7/10/09, Bhupinder Singh <bhupissa...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> Great! Samim, you are the man...I am sure for you it must be a single
> >>> day's ride all from BGL-OOTY-SUTHAN BATHERY-BGL..:-)
>

> >>> On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 7:18 PM, Samim Rizvi <syedsa...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >>>> Hi,
>
> >>>> You do not need any permission to ride thru bandipur or mudumalai. I
> >>>> have been doing regular bangalore ooty bangalore rides thru these forests.
> >>>> The cops will only greet you with a smile.
>
> >>>> Samim
>

> >>>>   On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 11:08 AM, Deepa Mohan <mohande...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >>>>> On Fri, Jul 10, 2009 at 9:48 AM, Rajat Agrawal <rajatagra...@gmail.com

> >>>>> > wrote:
>
> >>>>>> Hmmm.... my standard checklist when trekking through forest and
> >>>>>> protected areas (applies equally to biking across such areas)
>
> >>>>> Rajat...excellent set of guidelines! Thank you. May I use them for all
> >>>>> my amateur naturalists' groups too? Very articulately put!
>
> >>>>> And...great idea to do it reverse. You will not tire yourselves out!
> >>>>> Have fun, and I do hope you get some great wildlife sightings on the way,
> >>>>> and tell us about it, Pankaj and Bhupinder!
>
> >>>>> Cheers, Deepa.
>
> >> --
>
> >> -Adarsh.C.Shetkar
> >> Technical Support Engineer

> >> chan...@cpwplc.com
> >> adarsh.chanabasa...@talktalkonetel.co.uk

[Vidur Singh]

Just got back from an attempted Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty Cycling trip. Was planning to go through Bandipur but was stopped at the entrance to the reserve by the guards who informed me that cycles are NOT allowed inside the park. They were very strict about it and didn't want to budge. 

I further enquired whether this was a temporary ban, but they seemed to say that its a blanket ban on any cyclists through the park. However, they suggested putting my cycle on the back of a tempo-auto and taking it through the park, so that could be an option for you all. 

On Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 7:01:46 PM UTC+5:30, Pankaj C wrote:

Hello all,

I wanted to know if we need some permit from the wildlife/forest
department to ride through Bandipur National Park.
We are planning to ride through NH 212 (Mysore to Sultan Bathery) and
NH 65 (Sultan Bathery to Ooty). Both these roads pass through Bandipur
national park from the google map.

Also, do they run volvo buses from Ooty to Bangalore? I could not find
it on Ksrtc website. They have some Corona AC buses and Rajhamsa buses
plying as per the website. Is it possible to load bike in those buses?

Any ideas?

Cheers
Pankaj

[maheshv]

Its very obvious and risky to cycle / walk / run through a national park.

None of us can outrun or outcycle a charging elephant or gaur or any other wild animal for that matter.

Its best avoided.

[justin joseph]

It was legal years back.  Statistically it should be safer than Bangalore roads.  Animals have better sense than some city drivers in my limited and humble opinion based on daily 40k plus commute rides in Bangalore and riding through the busiest elephant corridor in south India.  The one incident in Bhandipur that happened is a friend getting exited seeing a group of elephants and falling off breaking his wrist.  I was at Cochin at that time and remember ridding out to meet him.  The orthopedic department took care of the wrist and suggested he visit the last department on the way out of the hospital.  On our way out we saw that this was the psychiatric department.  After much soul searching,  we decided not to take this particular advise from the ortho.

--
Biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
bangalorebikersclub.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bangalore Bikers Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bangalore-bike...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/c9d43ba4-91e0-42f3-a23f-bca25ed52e7b%40googlegroups.com.

[maheshv]

IT is not just about "your" (or human) safety.

If this is allowed, most fools will flock there causing disturbance to the already stressed and fragile ecosystem of our forests.

Its best avoided.

[justin joseph]

There are different models of conservation.  A biker biking along a designated and existing road at daytime should be least of worries for wildlife.  However its good to get some basics right, I highly recommend the below before venturing out there:

How to Shit in the Woods, 3rd Edition: An Environmentally Sound Approach to a Lost Art https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004OR1KWC/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_hQZGEbN54PJA6

--
Biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
bangalorebikersclub.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bangalore Bikers Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bangalore-bike...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/c9bd2fb3-c2b7-483c-b9c2-ff2c625fd6ae%40googlegroups.com.

[murali hr]

We had organized as part of TFN with permission from the Forest Dept;

But i feel it is an unnecessary intrusion into the space of wildlife and carries risk for the cyclist as well as the wild animals.

murali

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/CAPUnTRZ7F04GAhBZABF0OdNu8z74FYbOKL325%3DdWPW9Xkzt3AQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Praveen M]

there was a similar thread some time back:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/Nagarahole/bangalore-bikers/SOAJDIVXfAA/EOCqtrFNAgAJ

Agreed, in my opinion, there is no need to ride each and every centimeter of bike ride by bike. If there is no permit to ride, hitching a ride makes sense. Just like taking the flight/bus/train when starting or after the ride.

However here is a photo of the ride through Nagarahole National park in the 80s. There was no restrictions, nothing whatsoever. Ahh, those times....

[Vidur Singh]

Makes sense that cycling through the national park isn't allowed. I just wanted to inform all of you, since when I was doing research before the trip about such bans on cycles through Bandipur I couldn't find any reliable info. 

In fact, from what I read before my trip, it seemed that cycles were allowed. 

Just thought I'd post the info in case someone is planning a trip in the future. 

--

Biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
bangalorebikersclub.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bangalore Bikers Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bangalore-bike...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/d0496b47-488e-4112-8fbb-599bf94ba6f3%40googlegroups.com.

[Vidur Singh]

Thank you Prithviraj. Like I mentioned earlier, I posted the above information because I was unable to find it before my trip. 

Further, Bandipur represents a unique situation. In case you are unaware, the National Highway passes through the forest, which is why I planned my trip accordingly. I was neither trying to go on the safari roads, nor into any "core area" where the general public is not allowed. 

Anyway, like Praveen mentioned, one needn't do the whole of a cycling trip on cycle. In case someone plans to do Bangalore-Ooty they'll find it very easy to take a lift from one of the many other private vehicles passing through the road. 

On Tue 7 Apr, 2020, 2:28 PM Prithviraj, <prithvira...@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Vidur, 

Going to forest unaccompanied by forest officials is not allowed. One can only take a safari on forest vehicles. If you are caught trespassing in forest without permission you will be booked under wildlife protection act. If permitted, they will depute forest guard to accompany you. It is not safe either to go alone. There are core zone in forest where no one is permitted except forest officials. 

This information is given by deputy conservator of forests. 

On 07-Apr-2020, at 1:57 PM, Vidur Singh <virv...@gmail.com> wrote:



Makes sense that cycling through the national park isn't allowed. I just wanted to inform all of you, since when I was doing research before the trip about such bans on cycles through Bandipur I couldn't find any reliable info. 

In fact, from what I read before my trip, it seemed that cycles were allowed. 

Just thought I'd post the info in case someone is planning a trip in the future. 

On Thu 2 Apr, 2020, 7:09 AM Praveen M, <pravee...@gmail.com> wrote:

there was a similar thread some time back:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/Nagarahole/bangalore-bikers/SOAJDIVXfAA/EOCqtrFNAgAJ

Agreed, in my opinion, there is no need to ride each and every centimeter of bike ride by bike. If there is no permit to ride, hitching a ride makes sense. Just like taking the flight/bus/train when starting or after the ride.

However here is a photo of the ride through Nagarahole National park in the 80s. There was no restrictions, nothing whatsoever. Ahh, those times....

<mime-attachment.jpg>

--
Biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
bangalorebikersclub.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bangalore Bikers Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bangalore-bike...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/d0496b47-488e-4112-8fbb-599bf94ba6f3%40googlegroups.com.

--
Biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
bangalorebikersclub.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bangalore Bikers Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bangalore-bike...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/CALo5KYOzmw78tegmAfd6Q%2Bt9ne7heJe1Fiw%2B7S_WsJT61kWepA%40mail.gmail.com.

[berkeleydb]

For cylists who "just show up" at a forest reserve entrance, I think the issue of permission will be decided primarily by what animals are officially present in the forest. If the forest reserve has predators like lions/tigers, you can expect the guards to not give permission. There might be some flexibility, based on official list of animals, vs actual; but that is a matter of luck, and maybe your ability to give the guards a sense that you are an experienced rider.

Bandipur "officially" has tigers, so the guards will most likely say no. OTOH, if permissions are sought beforehand, based on actual/recent known presence (rather absence) of animals, you might get permission.

8-9years back, we had done a CAM ride; it was supposed to be through Bandipur and Mudhumalai. But the organisers said we were running a bit late, and so we continued in the bus through Bandipur, and rode only through Mudhumalai.

I have done a solo ride through Waynad forest ~7yrs back. The guard was a bit hesitant to let me through, but after a chat, I suppose he felt convinced that I was_not doing the ride just on a whim, and I was experienced and aware I needed to be careful.

Nagarhole is one reserve, where in the past, I have heard beforehand that cyclists / two wheelers are_not allowed; it is a tiger reserve, and probably has very regular known tiger presence. I had gone upto the Nagarhole entrance as well (from Kutta side), not with the intent to ride in/through. The guards there were quite clear that no cyclists/two wheelers were allowed. (this again was ~7yrs back.)

-{db}.

[justin joseph]

I contacted a friend who was working with ecologists at Bandhipur on implementing Machine Learning based solutions to detect elephant movement for early warning.  Hopefully will get information that explains the present situation.  Would have been nice if the guards were trained to inform  ?about what changed and why is it that your onward journey has been blocked.  Since we lack this information, we can only discuss this subjectively based on our opinions, experiences etc.. Currently people are busy with containing the virus.  Will update this thread when some information becomes available.

Consider this example of conservation.  I mountain bike in a forested park near by, I also bow hunt in the same park.  The park administration did this experiment by fencing off an area of the park and found that, after some years, the fenced off part looked unlike the rest because the native vegetation had grown back.  Every square mile of forest can only sustain so many number of deer, currently there are many times that number.  So they instituted a hunting program as a means of conservation.  We could argue that this is cruel to the deer, but there have been situations where the deer feeds off the available vegetation and then end up in mass starvation.  The current program generates revenue for the park system, feeds many families, provides sporting opportunities for many and at the same time is in the best interest of conservation within available academic knowledge in this field.  All this happens in a framework of regulations that are updated regularly based on regular study.  I am against considering people fools, by default they are innocent until proven otherwise.  A biker who reaches the Bandhipur check post is most likely an educated individual who can appreciate regulations.  But if we are ok with giving up our rights without objectively appreciating the reason, then that is how things will evolve.  If higher number of biker's is a problem then they can have online pre registration to solve that.  They can have online course completion to take certain routes for educating us.  They can have increased fines for any "fool" ish behavior.  They can have only certain day's route open.  Certain time of day open.  They can have an affordable fees to generate funds for conservation.  If not anything, at least they should explain to the person whose onward journey they are blocking.

Theres are many views about our forests and conservation.  On one side the tribals who have been living there forever are struggling, huge minning interests are lobbying,  naxals are operating there and the state now wont allow a cyclist to pass.

Thank you
Justin

--
Biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
bangalorebikersclub.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bangalore Bikers Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bangalore-bike...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/9c9052d0-4b39-41a5-aced-e60ecdae6561%40googlegroups.com.

[Prithviraj]

Dear Vidur, 

Going to forest unaccompanied by forest officials is not allowed. One can only take a safari on forest vehicles. If you are caught trespassing in forest without permission you will be booked under wildlife protection act. If permitted, they will depute forest guard to accompany you. It is not safe either to go alone. There are core zone in forest where no one is permitted except forest officials. 

This information is given by deputy conservator of forests. 

On 07-Apr-2020, at 1:57 PM, Vidur Singh <virv...@gmail.com> wrote:



Makes sense that cycling through the national park isn't allowed. I just wanted to inform all of you, since when I was doing research before the trip about such bans on cycles through Bandipur I couldn't find any reliable info. 

In fact, from what I read before my trip, it seemed that cycles were allowed. 

Just thought I'd post the info in case someone is planning a trip in the future. 

On Thu 2 Apr, 2020, 7:09 AM Praveen M, <pravee...@gmail.com> wrote:

there was a similar thread some time back:

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!search/Nagarahole/bangalore-bikers/SOAJDIVXfAA/EOCqtrFNAgAJ

Agreed, in my opinion, there is no need to ride each and every centimeter of bike ride by bike. If there is no permit to ride, hitching a ride makes sense. Just like taking the flight/bus/train when starting or after the ride.

However here is a photo of the ride through Nagarahole National park in the 80s. There was no restrictions, nothing whatsoever. Ahh, those times....

<mime-attachment.jpg>

--
Biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
bangalorebikersclub.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bangalore Bikers Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bangalore-bike...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/d0496b47-488e-4112-8fbb-599bf94ba6f3%40googlegroups.com.

--
Biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
bangalorebikersclub.com
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bangalore Bikers Club" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bangalore-bike...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/CALo5KYOzmw78tegmAfd6Q%2Bt9ne7heJe1Fiw%2B7S_WsJT61kWepA%40mail.gmail.com.

[murali hr]

My concern is more about tribals being unable to ride in the forest ! 

I ha couple of friends from soliga community - they said they cannot ride in BR hills - even though they live and breathe their life in the forest and have lived for centuries without destroying the forest - 

the people who come from outside and sit as officers make the rules allowing 5 star hotels in side forest and mining and tree cutting etc with no value addition to forest and no dependency on the forest for livelihood 

and the man whose life is interconnected is denied ;

This is the "indian forest service cycle of life" we are riding - sad thing for our forest dwellers 

m

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bangalore-bikers/CAPUnTRbKmr%3DmXYjVaOhLLwxJCHdgYUaYSJ1zYcyHpPuFY8-cZw%40mail.gmail.com.

[justin joseph]

You nailed it, so this is the larger problem.  But unfortunately wrong group for further discussions.

Justin

[berkeleydb]

The usual factors of very limited resources, for a very large population, are what govern these things in India, in general. It will still be a while (1-2decades perhaps), before awareness, technology, etc. get to a point where we see some level of clear consistency, wrt access to forest areas.

The problem may seem easier for cyclists -- we are claiming we will stick to the road, and not really venture on the vegetation. But from the view of the forest department, the cyclists are inside the forest, plus there is always a chance someone could venture into the vegetation. So really, the level to which administration has to fault on the side of caution, is very big.

And cyclists (or anyone venturing into a forest area), need to be aware that even if one is sticking to the road, animals do venture there -- and there might be very little one can do, whether one is educated, or otherwise (and even if one has some formal wildlife training), if confronted by a animal.

At the same time, there is leeway available to us. We can try to take permission beforehand from forest officials, or talk to the forest guards at the entrance. They usually will be very categorical in denying entry, if there is a clear ploicy, or if there have been recent reports of animal activity. Beyond that, they need to get a sense from you, that you are experienced, and responsible; not someone out on a whim.

-{db}.