The river Kabini is a tributary of the river Kaveri. Sometimes called Kabani, or Kapila, this river has tributaries of its own, which merge with it, before it converges with Kaveri at Tirumakudalu Narasipura. The river originates in Pakramthalam hills, Wayanad.
Dams of Kabini
There are a number of dams built on the river and its tributaries that are used for irrigation and other non-agricultural purposes. The Kabini Dam is built across the Kabini river near Beechanahally village. The dam is a masonry gravity dam and has a gross storage capacity of 19.52 tmcft. When the water levels recede in the summer, the backwaters of the dam host a variety of wildlife.
The Banasura Sagar Dam is constructed over a tributary of river Kabini. Sagaredoddakere is another dam built over the Bandigadu stream at Hullamala village. Upper Nugu, a dam, is situated across the tributary Nugu, near Sambegowdanahalli.
The Kabini Forest Reserve
The Kabini Forest Reserve forms the south-eastern part of the Nagerhole National Park. It is situated on the banks of the Kabini river and is spread across 55 acres. Earlier, the park had a hunting lodge belonging to the Maharaja of Mysore. It was a popular hunting area for the British and the Indian royalty. Now the entire area is a protected wildlife sanctuary. The main attraction of the National Park is the herds of wild elephants that can be spotted here.
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