The MM Hills Forest (Male Mahadeshwara Betta) in Karnataka now attracts wildlife lovers with its new Safari zone, apart from being a famous pilgrimage centre. It is also considered a tiger reserve.
MM Hills Forest – Fauna and Flora
The MM Hills forest is mainly a combination of deciduous and evergreen. The wildlife sanctuary is home to several animals, including elephants, Indian bison, wild dogs, leopards, foxes, sambars, spotted deer, and many species of birds. It is also a tiger habitat noted for its increasing number of tigers. According to recent reports, there are 706 elephants and ten to twelve tigers. The MM Hills forest is also now counted as one of the tiger reserves of Karnataka, apart from the noted Nagarhole and Bandipur tiger reserves.
The forest of MM Hills was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2013, with an area spanning around 906.187 km2 (349.881 sq mi). However, tourism activities were not prevalent. But now the government has organised a weekend safari on a pilot basis in the MM Hills forest from Lokkanahalli under the PG Palya range. It is an 18 km route from Lokkanahalli, embracing the PG Palya range adjoining the Bailur range of the BRT tiger reserve. Since there is an elephant corridor that connects MM Hills and the BRT reserve, there are good chances of seeing elephants.
This sanctuary is yet another new safari zone for tourists to visit in Karnataka in the Mysore region, apart from the most frequent ones.
MM Hills Forest Timings
Tourists can enjoy the safari at MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary between 6 AM and 9 AM and between 3 PM and 6 PM at a fee of Rs 400 for adults and Rs 200 for children.
For further details, you can contact
Mobile: +91-94819-95509, +91-90085-81495
Email: rfopgpalya@gmail.com
Best Time to visit MM Hills
The best time to visit MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is October to March.
How to reach Male Mahadeshwara Forest
MM Hills is 209.9 KM from Bangalore via Kollegala-Mahadeshwara Betta Road and 132.9 KM from Mysore via the same road. The nearest airport and railway station to reach it is Mysore. However, the Bangalore airport is the closest international airport. Since there are no frequent buses to Male Mahadeshwara Betta, it is advisable to hire a cab.
Things to do in MM Hills
Apart from the wildlife sanctuary, the Mahadeshwara temple of MM Hills, atop a hill, is a popular pilgrimage centre of Karnataka. The place derives its name from the presiding deity, Lord Male Mahadeshwara (Lord Shiva). The Vadavaradhahalla check dam during safari in the MM Hills forest is also worth seeing. Tourists also undertake trekking in MM Hills.
Where to stay while visiting MM Hills?
Tourists can stay in Mysore while visiting MM Hills forest. They can also opt to stay in K.Gudi Wilderness Camp in BR Hills.
Places near MM Hills
Hogenakkal waterfall is 33.1 KM from MM Hills on the Karnataka, Tamil Nadu border. The waterfall is a breathtaking sight during the post-monsoon.
Other places of interest near MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary are
- Talakadu (87.9 KM), a historical and pilgrimage centre
- Shivanasamudra Waterfalls (88.1 KM)
- BR Hills (105.6 KM), for wildlife and Biligiri Ranganathaswamy temple
- Chennakeshava temple, Somanathapura (108.7 KM)
- Kokkare Bellur Bird Sanctuary (123.3 KM)
Additionally, local sightseeing in Mysore will make your trip to Male Mahadeshwara Betta an enriching experience.