Email: enquiry@gorukana.org
+91 8722003456 / +91 9986032976 / +91 9845025515
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Welcome to Gorukana

At Gorukana, we understand that responsible tourism involves caring for the land, the local people and the wildlife. We are committed to becoming a sustainable model for Eco-toursim where all our profits go towards Bio-Diversity conservation, Tribal developement projects by VGKK. Building on our three decades of work with the Soliga people, we invite you to be a enjoy a unique wildlife experience, while enhancing and contributing to the welfare of the Soliga people. We invite you to participate in helping us protect the forests, while providing you with a memorable wildlife experience. Leave behind the noise and clutter and join us in the lush forests of BR Hills at Gorukana.

Testimonials

BR Hills is a beautiful range of mountains close to Bangalore city about 175 kms, thru Kanakapura Road. We happened to know about Gorukana Resort from their website. We travelled end of July/beginning of Aug during the rainy season. Fortunately there was no rains for those 3 days. Accommodation was good and clean. The resort is located amidst lot of trees with a pond making it look very natural, eventhough the approach to the resort about 100mts or so from the main road was horrible. The food was good all through and the service given by the manager Mr. Taj and all the staff was very good. We were interested in wildlife, the Head Naturalist Mr. Jadeyaswamy and his assistant Jadeya (from the Soliga tribe) did their best to spot more wildlife. The best sighting we made was on K.Gudi road, were we saw Barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Wild Dogs (a pack of 11), Sloth Bears, Crested Serpent Eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Black faced Langoor, etc., On the B R Hills Road, we sighted Gaur (Indian Bison), Elephants at a close range. We also saw so many birds during our visit. It was really an amazing trip and to be remembered and revisited. We thank the resort staff.
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Promotions

Summer Camp at BR Hills This summer give your children an opportunity to learn something that isn’t included in Text Books, your kids will be introduced to the call of the wild, organic farming, sustainable development activities and Tribal experience at the summer camp. Highlights of the Summer Camp: Nature Walk Bird Watching Organic Farming Short Trek – sunset point Podu Visit ( visit to tribal hamlet) Handmade Paper Making Honey Processing Treasure Hunt Art , Craft & Country Games Wildlife Movie Show Cultural Programme – Folk Music & Dance Road Safari Camp Dates  Session Date I 15th Apr- 19th Apr II 5th May - 9th May Age group : 10 years to 16 years. Summer Camp Fee : 9500 /- Apart from the activities mentioned, the above fee includes: All Food and Beverages (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Tea / Coffee with snacks Accommodation in the cottages on a sharing basis Transportation from specific points in B’lore to the resort and drop off in B’lore after the camp For Registrations call : +91 80 22443553 or +91 8722 00 3456 Email: enquiry@gorukana.org Register your kids for the summer camp And your children will return with weekend memories far more exciting than switching TV channels

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The Land

Upon the northernmost tip of the Nilgiris, connecting the Eastern & Western Ghats lies the somewhat lesser known pristine forests of Biligiri Rangan Hills (BR Hills). There are two tales as to how the sanctuary derives its name Biligiri. One story suggests it is derived from the white rock face that constitutes the major hill crowned with the temple of Lord Rangaswamy, whilst the other claims it is from the white mist and the silver clouds that cover these lofty hills for a greater part of the year. Either way it cannot be denied that this unique corridor and the wide-ranging climatic conditions provided by these immaculate rolling hills provides plentiful support for an unparalleled amount of diversity. BR Hills forms a link that houses features of both the Eastern & Western Ghats. Indeed, this link is highly important in housing some of the most glorious herds of Asian Elephants and a majestic array of birds to be found anywhere in Southern India. The hills also plays host to all three of India’s most ferocious predators in the Tiger, the Leopard, and Dhole or Indian Wild Dog. However, arguably the most unique and important feature of BR Hills is that it provides daily living proof that biodiversity conservation can go hand-in-hand with people and their livelihoods. The tribal Soliga people have lived in harmony with these forests for hundreds of years and provide BR Hills with a peerless model for conservation of our heritage. The BR Hills Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Chamarajanagar district of south-eastern Karnataka. Rising over 5000ft and encompassing an area of 540 sq.km, these densely forested rolling hills link both the Eastern & Western Ghats. This unique corridor and the wide-ranging climatic conditions provide an idyllic backdrop that allows seamless genetic flow and a highly diverse set of habitats for wildlife to thrive. The moist deciduous forests on the lower slopes of the Western Ghats and adjoining hill ranges, provide safe harbor to many large wildlife species from tigers and elephants to many species of birds and amphibians. Deciduous forests constitute the largest percentage of forest type in India. These forests have nearly 800 species of plants from various families and a diverse number of animals. BR hills is home to about 26 species of mammals including the Asian elephant, which cross the ‘corridor’ during seasonal movements between the Eastern & Western Ghats. It is also famous for providing a home to the Gaur, Asia’s largest bovid. Sambhar, chital, the shy barking deer and the rare four-horned antelope are also found here. Carnivores include the critically endangered tiger, elusive leopards as well as wild dogs, lesser cats and sloth bears. The forests are also home to two species of primates and three species of squirrels. In addition to this sparkling array of biodiversity, the forests of BR Hills house the Soligas.

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The Wildlife

Flora The immense biodiversity of the vegetation found in BR Hills is a reflection of the wide-ranging climatic conditions. These climatic conditions are in a large part due to the varying altitudes which peaks to as high 1200m above the 600m basal plateau and gives rise to an equally large difference in rainfall, from 600mm at the base to 3000mm at the peak. As a result, BR Hills boasts a beautifully diverse range of habitats that includes almost all the major vegetation types such as scrub, deciduous, sholas and evergreen to name but a few. Whilst driving around the BR Hills Sanctuary it is possible to pass almost instantaneously through one type of vegetation to another such is the ever-changing nature of the climatic conditions. Fauna The BR Hills ecosystem supports nearly 800 species of plants from various families and a diverse number of animals. A recent study showed that a staggering 254 species of birds live in BR Hills, including the endangered Yellow-throated bulbul and Rufous-bellied eagle. BR hills is also home to about 26 species of mammals including magnificent herds of the Asian elephant, which cross the ‘corridor’ during seasonal movements between the Eastern & Western Ghats. In fact, BR Hills is the only forest east of the main Western Ghats mountain ranges in the central southern peninsula that provides a suitable habitat for these large herbivores. It is also famous for providing a home to the Gaur, Asia’s largest bovid. Sambar, chital, the shy barking deer and the rare four-horned antelope are also found here. Carnivores include the critically endangered tiger, elusive leopards as well as wild dogs, lesser cats and sloth bears. The forests are also home to three species of primates and two species of squirrels.

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The People

The Soligas or ‘Children of the Bamboo’ were traditionally a semi-nomadic people. Their lifestyle of shifting cultivation, foraging and hunting were all harmoniously in tune with cycles of the forest. The Soligas have lived, and continue to live in communion with the forest. ‘Gorukana’, which is loosely translated as ‘The Web of Life’, is a tribute to the harmonious relationship between the Soligas and their divine forest. This soulful song epitomises the kinship between man and nature in an enchanting fashion. The Gorukana Nature Experience stands alone in utilizing the Soliga knowledge of the forests and their affinity with nature. VGKK – The story so far… Long ago, the Soligas lived in tune with the very heartbeat of the forest. They peacefully used to spend their lives harvesting grains, honey, wild fruits and berries from the forests. The Soliga reverence for the natural world led them to a mystic religion in which they worshipped the very land they walked on. In modern times, external forces had sought to displace this bond. In the land of their ancestors, they were being treated as strangers. It was only until VGKK, founded in October 1981 by Dr. H. Sudarshan, which now has nearly 30 years of developmental experiences with the Soligas and other tribes in the surrounding districts led them on a journey to reclaim their rights. These valuable years of experience in health, education, livelihood security and biodiversity conservation have resulted in an integrated approach to tribal development in Karnataka and now spreads to several other states all over India. This contribution is now nationally and internationally recognized. Even as the Soligas are increasingly being brought into mainstream society, many still remain isolated. Many Soligas continue to live as their ancestors had done for centuries, deep inside the forests in small shelters known as ‘podus’. Their mysticism is reflected to this day in their worship of the magnificent Champaka tree (Michelia champaca), called Dodda Sampige in their local language. The Gorukana Nature Experience aims to expand on this work and strengthen the bond between man and nature.

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Route Map.