Kudremukh NP Slide Show

Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd, KIOCL

Kudremukh  Iron Ore Company Limited, a wholly owned Government of India Enterprise, was established in 1976 to develop the mine and plant facilities to produce 7.5 million tonnes of concentrate per year.  Legend and wild beauty, Kudremukh, in the State of Karnataka, is known to have one of the largest deposits of iron ore in the world.The idea of beneficiating the ore deposits was first proposed when several Japanese companies came together with the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), a Government of India undertaking, evincing an interest in such a project. Pilot studies suggested that the surface ore with 38% iron could be enriched to a concentrate of 67% iron with available new technologies.  The mining lease was given to KIOCL in Kudremukh for an initial period of 25 years and was supposed to be closed by Dec 2001. However It had to face the ire of environmentalists as Kudremukh area is a biodiversity hotspot. There is also a Kudremukh national park nearby. The mining lease was temporarily extended and thereafter ended in 2005. However, Company was completely stopped in Dec 2005. Now, the plant runs on ores supplied by National Mining Development Corporation (NMDC) at Mangalalore City only. Lakya Dam is the reservoir of the mining silt only which is the largest dumping ground of silt on any top of the mountain.The  company  built  a  100  meter  high  earth - fill  dam  across  the  Lakhya tributary to prevent pollution of the river Bhadra . As part of its   continuing anti-pollution program, the company has undertaken the work of increasing the height of the Lakhya dam to contain tailings from the plant.Two  rock-filled  mini  dams  across the valleys of the crushers arrest mine  run-off  during  the monsoons. Only the clear surface water joins the  Bhadra. The  silt  collected  in  these dams is de silted during the winter  and  summer  months  to  keep them ready for storage for the next monsoon. The silt is rich with washed iron ore, yielding annually about  one  and  half  million  tonnes of quality ore. So, apart from serving the purpose of  controlling  pollution, the mini dams provide a rich source of ore recovery. Turfing  has  been  done  on  a  large  scale  in  all critical earth - filled  areas  to  prevent  earth  slides.  As part of its  afforestation  program, the company has already planted nearly 7.5 Million trees to prevent mine run-off and soil wash-off.  

Bahubali Pilgrimage in Karkala of Udupi

The royal family of Karkala, Dharmsthala & Kalasa Kingdom called Pandya Jainas shot to prominence right from the time of the Hoysalas. During the Vijayanagara period this family reached new heights of glory. Their kingdom extended over a wider area comprising Sringeri, Koppa, Balehonnur and Mudigere in Chikamagalur and most of the Karkala taluk near Kudremukh NP. They were rich and maintained a big and strong army. Despite engaging in wars, peace prevailed in the kingdom and this led to increased cultural activity and development surrounding Kudremukh Mountains.If Karkala today is a place of tourist delight, the credit should go to the successive kings who developed it. The first important king was Veera Bhairava, who constructed basadis at Karkala and endowed land and money to numerous temples and basadis. Ramanatha and Veerapandya were his two sons. Ramanatha died during his father’s time. In his memory, a scenic lake called Ramasamudra was created. This lake still survives in all its glory.King Veera Pandya, at the insistence of his Guru Lalitakeerti, the pontiff of Karkala Jaina Math, installed the most beautifully carved gigantic statue of Bahubali on the rocky hill of Karkala. The date of the installation has been ascertained as February 13, 1432. This is the icon of the town and a visit to Karkala is incomplete without a visit to this hillock. Veera Pandya also installed the Brahmadeva Pillar in front of the statue in 1436.

Bengre Beach Mangalore

Bengre Beach location was identified by Edward Forsyth where Casuarina and Cashew plantations were taken up during later part of the last century on the coastal areas of Mangalore as shelter belt for protection of the natural mangrove forests found on the sea coast. Badam, Cashew and Casuarina comes up very fast on the saline coasts and enrich the subground soil regime with vigorous binding capacity of the fragile littoral zones and the continental shelf by cushioning the high tides and the tsunami. In turn fisherman and the local human communities are benefitted with fuelwood, cashew fruits, badam and small timber. Birds starts perching, micro fauna and flora start getting enriched day by day converting the whole coastal zone full with lives and living creatures. The Forest Guest Inspection Bangalow were etablished here in 1993 when the need for inspection of the distant Kerala borders of meritime zone were felt with the passage of time. Such areas of the coastal zone were further explored for beach adventure. There are 6 major beaches now in Mangalore which are famous for thier beautiful panoramic sun set and the neatness and cleanliness. Gentle slope of the continental shelf is remarkable in holding the tourists in high spirit by grippling them in delicate waves and with humble swings.

Kudremukh Mountain

George Shellar a British Navigator saw the horse head shaped mountain from the Mangalore sea coast and these offshore high hill areas were called Kudremukh since then. Velvety forests with 1679 m above msl are shola forests which are burnt during the March every year.Topography is highly undulating with 40 to 60 percent gradient all over. Grasses normally gets dried up every summer season and get burnt by the human incendiaries mostly. Jig jag path ways and the cattle treks could be treaded while trekking on the mountains. Wild Gaurs, Sambhars and plenty of Lion Tailed Macaques are characteristic of these areas. A number of trekking paths grooving the hill saddles makes the nature trail more interesting. Variety of ferns, medicines, shrubs and herbs encounter the way. Grabbing the snaps en route would be a didactic experience making the path more interesting. 324 kinds of birds, 46 varieties of reptiles with King Cobra, 273 species of medicinal herbs and shrubs, 28 species of amphibians in lakes and streams makes the whole spectacle highly memorable. Male Giddha specific species of cows found in this region may encounter while trekkin various pathways surrounding the village hemlets. Goudlatar, Malekudia and Marathi Naika tribals in 2000 numbers in population may be seen in scattered 56 village hemlets in the surroundings.  

Bhagvathi Nature Camps in Kudremukh NP

Bhagvati Nature Camp is owned by Kudremukh NP which were established in late 90s are the one of the most coveted destination in Karnataka. In the the valley of Kudremukh Peak of the dense lush green forests such nature camps lures the tourists all over the world. The best season in during October to January every year. Apart from the Forest Inspection Bangalow (left) 8 numbers of twin hut accommodation is available on twin sharing basis. Power generation is local from the hydro electric turbines of the forest dept along with natural crystal clear water flowing out of the natural streams including the Bhadra river which originates here from this point. 

Visit to Naravi Wild Life Area in Belthangadi of Mangalore

Naravi Forest Guest House in Belthangdi Wild Life Range of the Kudremukh National Park which is a Talluka Hq of the the Mangalore District in Dakshin Kannada. Erected in 1923 the Forest Guest House comprises 2 rooms with attached bathrooms and the back yard. Foreyard is quite wide and extensive with number of the Vateria indica and Pterocarpus trees surrounding. From the front yard Kudremukh mountain peak is clearly visible. 24 revenue enclosures amidst lush green forests are characteristic of these areas where collection of minor forest produce of honey, antuvala, shekakai and phonix leaves is done for bonafide usage of the tribals and forest dwelling communities from Chikmagalure side of the Kudremukh National park.