Garden City – Yes, we all know that Namma Bengaluru is known as one. But how many of us know that this Garden City has a forest amidst it? Surprised? I was too when I first heard about it.
Well, friends, without much ado, I recently visited the Turahalli Forest. It’s just 15 kilometers away from our school and on a weekend could take less than 30 minutes to reach there. Known as Turahalli Minor Forest, it’s a reserve forest because it was created based on a notification issued in August 1934 by the then Maharaja of Mysore.
What do we get to see there? For starters, it’s a forest with a difference – it’s a dry deciduous forest. The majority of trees are eucalyptus, figs, Java Plum tree, etc. There are lots of plants like Habenaria Roxburghii (orchids), Byttneria Herbacea, Indigofera Karnataka, Ixora Pavetta, etc. The rocky terrains are great for lianas, the most common being Opilia amentacea.
And for the animals, if one is lucky, – it is said one can spot deer, wild boars, hares, jackals, lizards, mongooses, squirrels, cats, dogs, pigs, cows, buffaloes, etc. Turahalli Forest is also famous for its birds like Eagle-owl, flame-back woodpecker, blue rock thrush, white-breasted kingfisher, pond heron, spotted dove, purple-rumped sunbird, bulbuls, crows, mynas, and koels.
If you want to enjoy, you first have to take precautions:
· Wear a season-appropriate dress and do carry plenty of water.
· Have shoes that consist of a strong grip. When we went rock climbing, it was slippery (due to early morning dew).
· Do not litter. This forest is the only surviving forest within Bengaluru City.
· Take a pair of binoculars. There are many varieties of birds. You can see them up close if you can sneak slowly and silently.
· Of course, make good use of the smartphone – download Google Lens and use it to identify the plants, flowers, birds, reptiles, et all.
There is a Tree Park on the other side of the forest, a well-laid-out walking track, and a hill-top open cabin for people to take a rest, relax and enjoy the view of the city. To know more about the forest you can view my post at the below link:
Friends, if you are planning to visit Turahalli forest, do let me know. I am eager to visit again.