Agumbe
Encyclopedia
Agumbe is a village located in the Shimoga district
in the state of Karnataka
, India
. Lying in the Thirthahalli
taluk and the Malnad
region, Agumbe is among the places in India that receive very heavy rainfall earning it the sobriquet, "Cherrapunji
of the South". It is also the home of the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station
, the only permanent rainforest research station in India
. The renowned herpetologist, Romulus Whitaker
called Agumbe the capital of King Cobra
. An area near Agumbe has been converted into a protected area for Medicinal Plants to help in their conservation.
Since 2005, Naxalite
activity has been observed near Agumbe and hence, a lot of Karnataka State Police personnel have been deployed and checkposts created in all intersections. This however has not hindered visitors from visiting the region to enjoy the natural beauty of Agumbe and its surroundings.
Agumbe has a sunset point which receives lot of visitors. On a clear day, one can see the sun setting over the Arabian Sea
though the sea is at quite a distance from Agumbe. It's located on the 14th hair pin bend on the mountain ride to Agumbe.
Kunchikal Falls
is the highest waterfall in India, and ranks 116th in the list of highest waterfalls in the world.
Its total height is 1493 ft/455 mts. It is formed by the Varahi river.
Barkana Falls
Barkana Falls
is the 10th highest waterfall in India with a height of 850 ft/259 mts. It is formed by the Seeta River.
Onake Abbi Falls
This is another waterfall near Agumbe. In the Kannada language, "Onake" means a pounding stick which is used to pound grains in villages.
Jogigundi
This is a small water fall which is very near to Agumbe, it takes about 10 to 15 min to reach this place.
Koodlu theertha falls
A beautiful waterfall just 20 km from Agumbe, includes a Trek of 3–4 km and you will reach the most beautiful falls in the entire state.
which lies on the National Highway NH-13. From the state capital of Bangalore
, Agumbe can be reached by taking NH-4 till Tumkur
, then NH-206 till Shimoga and then NH-13 to Thirthahalli
(a total distance of about 380 km.). Udupi on the Konkan Railway
is the nearest railhead. The nearest airport is the Mangalore International Airport
.
It can also be reached from Bangalore via Hassan ~ Chikkamagalore ~ Balehonnur ~ Jaipura ~ Sringeri ~ Agumbe. As of today, this is the best route to reach Agumbe. In this route you will be crossing the best possible hilly regions of the western ghats. And this being the shortest route.
If you are interested to cover another tourist destination, you can choose a route from Bangalore via Hassan ~ Belur ~ Chikkamagaloor ~ Sringeri ~ Agumbe.
There are private buses plying from Mangalore
to Shimoga via Udupi, Hebri
and Agumbe at regular intervals. The approximate time taken from Mangalore to reach Agumbe is three and half hours.
(or the nearby Mawsynram
). It receives a mean annual rainfall of 7640 millimetres (300.8 in). The absolute maximum rainfall recorded in Agumbe in a single month is 4508 millimetres (177.5 in) (in August 1946).
and Western Ghats
, Agumbe and its surroundings are rich in biodiversity. It is adjacent to one of the last surviving lowland rainforests in the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kudremukh National Park. Many new species of flora and fauna are found in this region. Agumbe lends its name to the following species which were discovered here:
Other species discovered around Agumbe include:
. Whitaker chose Agumbe as the location for this station since this was the area where he spotted the King Cobra in the early 1970s. Financial help to build this station was provided by Whitaker’s mother, Doris Norden who willed him money that helped him purchase 8 acres (32,374.9 m²) of land in Agumbe. The main goal of the research station is to study and conserve the rainforests of South India
, using King Cobra
as the flagship
species. One of the main goals of this research is to help the state of Karnataka
establish the world’s first King Cobra Sanctuary. Experts from various fields were invited to aid in the research and understanding of the basic biology of the King Cobra which is an endangered species. For his efforts in setting up this station, Whitaker was awarded the United Kingdom
's top conservation prize — the Whitley Award in 2005. Whitaker used the £30,000 cash prize that came with the award to set up cottages, buy basic scientific equipment, and a vehicle. The research station is eco-friendly and is not connected to the state's electricity grid and uses solar power and a micro hydel unit. Even the fencing around the station is of smooth wire so that it does not hurt the deer and leopards passing by. The station consists of two cottages for researchers and a refurbished farmhouse that serves as the hub. The station follows three-pronged approach involving research, education and conservation. Regular visits to schools are made and lecture demonstrations on snakes and conservation are given to students.
, Myristica, Litsea
, Diospyros
, Holigarna, Eugenia
and Ficus
. An organisation called the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT) conducted a survey in the MPCA and identified 371 plant species of which 182 were medicinal. Some of the species of plants that are found here are RLs (Red-listed and hence endangered):
Salacia oblonga is another medicinal plant endemic to the Western Ghats
and Sri Lanka
but found only in this MPCA.
is a famous television serial which was directed by Shankar Nag
and is based on the novels written by R. K. Narayan
. Many episodes of this serial were filmed in Agumbe in 1985. In 2004, a new set of episodes of Malgudi Days
have also been filmed at Agumbe under the direction of Kavitha Lankesh
.
Shimoga District
Shimoga District is a district in the Karnataka state of India. A major part of Shimoga District lies in the Malnad region of the Western Ghats, a hilly area known for its green forests, plentiful rainfall, and as the source of many of the area's rivers. Shimoga City is the administrative centre...
in the state of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Lying in the Thirthahalli
Thirthahalli
Thirthahalli is a panchayat town located in the Shimoga District of the state of Karnataka, India. It lies on the bank of the river Tunga and is also the headquarters of the Thirthahalli Taluk of Shimoga district.- Etymology :...
taluk and the Malnad
Malnad
Malenadu is a region of Karnataka state in South India. Malenadu covers the western and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, roughly 100 kilometers in width. Malenadu covers portions of the Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu and Hassan districts....
region, Agumbe is among the places in India that receive very heavy rainfall earning it the sobriquet, "Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji , is a subdivisional town in the East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. It is credited as being the second wettest place on Earth...
of the South". It is also the home of the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station
Agumbe Rainforest Research Station
Agumbe Rainforest Research Station is an ecological research station situated in the rainforests of Agumbe, Karnataka, India. It is situated on the crest of the Western Ghats at about above sea level...
, the only permanent rainforest research station in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. The renowned herpetologist, Romulus Whitaker
Romulus Whitaker
Romulus Earl Whitaker is a herpetologist, wildlife conservationist and founder of the Madras Snake Park, The Andaman and Nicobar Environment Trust , and the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust....
called Agumbe the capital of King Cobra
King Cobra
The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m . This species, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia...
. An area near Agumbe has been converted into a protected area for Medicinal Plants to help in their conservation.
Since 2005, Naxalite
Naxalite
The word Naxal, Naxalite or Naksalvadi is a generic term used to refer to various militant Communist groups operating in different parts of India under different organizational envelopes...
activity has been observed near Agumbe and hence, a lot of Karnataka State Police personnel have been deployed and checkposts created in all intersections. This however has not hindered visitors from visiting the region to enjoy the natural beauty of Agumbe and its surroundings.
Attractions
Sunset PointAgumbe has a sunset point which receives lot of visitors. On a clear day, one can see the sun setting over the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
though the sea is at quite a distance from Agumbe. It's located on the 14th hair pin bend on the mountain ride to Agumbe.
Waterfalls
Kunchikal FallsKunchikal Falls
Kunchikal Falls
Kunchikal Falls are the highest tiered waterfalls in India and second highest in Asia. They are located near Agumbe in Shimoga district of state of Karnataka. Kunchikal falls are formed by Varahi river. Kunchikal falls are the primary source of one of the hydro electric projects in Karnataka.-...
is the highest waterfall in India, and ranks 116th in the list of highest waterfalls in the world.
Its total height is 1493 ft/455 mts. It is formed by the Varahi river.
Barkana Falls
Barkana Falls
Barkana Falls
The Barkana Falls are among the ten highest waterfalls in India. They are located near Agumbe in Shimoga district of state of Karnataka. The Barkana falls are formed by the Sita river. Currently Barkana falls are the prime source of one of the hydro electric projects in Karnataka...
is the 10th highest waterfall in India with a height of 850 ft/259 mts. It is formed by the Seeta River.
Onake Abbi Falls
This is another waterfall near Agumbe. In the Kannada language, "Onake" means a pounding stick which is used to pound grains in villages.
Jogigundi
This is a small water fall which is very near to Agumbe, it takes about 10 to 15 min to reach this place.
Koodlu theertha falls
A beautiful waterfall just 20 km from Agumbe, includes a Trek of 3–4 km and you will reach the most beautiful falls in the entire state.
Getting there
Agumbe is near the town of ThirthahalliThirthahalli
Thirthahalli is a panchayat town located in the Shimoga District of the state of Karnataka, India. It lies on the bank of the river Tunga and is also the headquarters of the Thirthahalli Taluk of Shimoga district.- Etymology :...
which lies on the National Highway NH-13. From the state capital of Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
, Agumbe can be reached by taking NH-4 till Tumkur
Tumkur
Tumkur is one of the busiest industrial towns located in the state of Karnataka. Since 28 August 2010, Tumkur has been accorded the status of a Corporation city. It is situated at a distance of 70 kilometers north west of the city of Bangalore along National Highway 4...
, then NH-206 till Shimoga and then NH-13 to Thirthahalli
Thirthahalli
Thirthahalli is a panchayat town located in the Shimoga District of the state of Karnataka, India. It lies on the bank of the river Tunga and is also the headquarters of the Thirthahalli Taluk of Shimoga district.- Etymology :...
(a total distance of about 380 km.). Udupi on the Konkan Railway
Konkan Railway
The Konkan Railway is a railway line which runs along the Konkan coast of India. It was constructed and is operated by the Konkan Railway Corporation...
is the nearest railhead. The nearest airport is the Mangalore International Airport
Mangalore International Airport
Mangalore Airport, formerly known as Bajpe Airport, is a domestic and customs airport serving the coastal city of Mangalore, India...
.
It can also be reached from Bangalore via Hassan ~ Chikkamagalore ~ Balehonnur ~ Jaipura ~ Sringeri ~ Agumbe. As of today, this is the best route to reach Agumbe. In this route you will be crossing the best possible hilly regions of the western ghats. And this being the shortest route.
If you are interested to cover another tourist destination, you can choose a route from Bangalore via Hassan ~ Belur ~ Chikkamagaloor ~ Sringeri ~ Agumbe.
There are private buses plying from Mangalore
Mangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...
to Shimoga via Udupi, Hebri
Hebri
Hebri is a small town in Udupi district of Karnataka, en route from Udupi to Agumbe. Hebri is at the foot of the Western Ghats of India in Karnataka state. It is a junction of roads leading to Brahmavar, Karkala, Shimoga and Udupi. The place is scenic with evergreen forests. Someshwara Wildlife...
and Agumbe at regular intervals. The approximate time taken from Mangalore to reach Agumbe is three and half hours.
Rainfall
Agumbe receives the second highest annual rainfall in India, next only to CherrapunjiCherrapunji
Cherrapunji , is a subdivisional town in the East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. It is credited as being the second wettest place on Earth...
(or the nearby Mawsynram
Mawsynram
Mawsynram is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in north-eastern India, 56 kilometers from Shillong. It is reportedly the wettest place on Earth, with an annual rainfall of...
). It receives a mean annual rainfall of 7640 millimetres (300.8 in). The absolute maximum rainfall recorded in Agumbe in a single month is 4508 millimetres (177.5 in) (in August 1946).
Biodiversity
Being a part of MalnadMalnad
Malenadu is a region of Karnataka state in South India. Malenadu covers the western and eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, roughly 100 kilometers in width. Malenadu covers portions of the Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu and Hassan districts....
and Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
, Agumbe and its surroundings are rich in biodiversity. It is adjacent to one of the last surviving lowland rainforests in the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kudremukh National Park. Many new species of flora and fauna are found in this region. Agumbe lends its name to the following species which were discovered here:
- SelenopsSelenopsSelenops is a spider genus that is found in many deserts of the world. It is very hard to distinguish the 115 species.S. australiensis is found on or under dry bark in Australia. The female reaches 9mm, the male 7mm. It looks superficially like a huntsman spider.S...
agumbensis: A spider of genus Selenops - TarennaTarennaTarenna is a genus of plant in family Rubiaceae. It contains the following species :* Tarenna agumbensis, Sundararaghaven* Tarenna drummondii, Bridson* Tarenna luhomeroensis, Bridson...
agumbensis: A shrub - DrosophilaDrosophilaDrosophila is a genus of small flies, belonging to the family Drosophilidae, whose members are often called "fruit flies" or more appropriately pomace flies, vinegar flies, or wine flies, a reference to the characteristic of many species to linger around overripe or rotting fruit...
agumbensis: A species of small fly - IrenopsisIrenopsisIrenopsis is a genus of fungi in the family Meliolaceae.-External links:*...
agumbensis: A fungusFungusA fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria... - HygroasterHygroasterHygroaster is a genus of fungi in the Tricholomataceae family....
agumbensis: A fungusFungusA fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria... - Dactylaria agumbensis: A fungusFungusA fungus is a member of a large group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds , as well as the more familiar mushrooms. These organisms are classified as a kingdom, Fungi, which is separate from plants, animals, and bacteria...
Other species discovered around Agumbe include:
- Caudalejeunea pluriplicata: A liverwortMarchantiophytaThe Marchantiophyta are a division of bryophyte plants commonly referred to as hepatics or liverworts. Like other bryophytes, they have a gametophyte-dominant life cycle, in which cells of the plant carry only a single set of genetic information....
plant. - Notothylas dissecta: A plant of type HornwortHornwortHornworts are a group of bryophytes, or non-vascular plants, comprising the division Anthocerotophyta. The common name refers to the elongated horn-like structure, which is the sporophyte. The flattened, green plant body of a hornwort is the gametophyte plant.Hornworts may be found worldwide,...
earlier found only in Central America, was discovered in Asia for the first time in Agumbe. - Cyclotoma alleni:A beetle discovered in Agumbe.
Some of the Spectacular Agumbe Fauna
- King CobraKing CobraThe king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m . This species, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia...
- Lion-tailed macaqueLion-tailed MacaqueThe lion-tailed macaque is an Old World monkey that is endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.-Physical Characteristics:...
- Cane Turtle
- Tiger
- Dhole
- Hornbills
- Sambhar
- Atlas moth
- Flying lizard
- Leopard
- Myriads of birds and amphibians
- Indian Gaur
Agumbe Rainforest research station (ARRS)
Agumbe is the location of the only permanent rainforest research station in India which was established by the herpetologist, Romulus WhitakerRomulus Whitaker
Romulus Earl Whitaker is a herpetologist, wildlife conservationist and founder of the Madras Snake Park, The Andaman and Nicobar Environment Trust , and the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust....
. Whitaker chose Agumbe as the location for this station since this was the area where he spotted the King Cobra in the early 1970s. Financial help to build this station was provided by Whitaker’s mother, Doris Norden who willed him money that helped him purchase 8 acres (32,374.9 m²) of land in Agumbe. The main goal of the research station is to study and conserve the rainforests of South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
, using King Cobra
King Cobra
The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m . This species, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia...
as the flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
species. One of the main goals of this research is to help the state of Karnataka
Karnataka
Karnataka , the land of the Kannadigas, is a state in South West India. It was created on 1 November 1956, with the passing of the States Reorganisation Act and this day is annually celebrated as Karnataka Rajyotsava...
establish the world’s first King Cobra Sanctuary. Experts from various fields were invited to aid in the research and understanding of the basic biology of the King Cobra which is an endangered species. For his efforts in setting up this station, Whitaker was awarded the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's top conservation prize — the Whitley Award in 2005. Whitaker used the £30,000 cash prize that came with the award to set up cottages, buy basic scientific equipment, and a vehicle. The research station is eco-friendly and is not connected to the state's electricity grid and uses solar power and a micro hydel unit. Even the fencing around the station is of smooth wire so that it does not hurt the deer and leopards passing by. The station consists of two cottages for researchers and a refurbished farmhouse that serves as the hub. The station follows three-pronged approach involving research, education and conservation. Regular visits to schools are made and lecture demonstrations on snakes and conservation are given to students.
Medicinal Plants Conservation Area
Established in the year 1999, Agumbe Medicinal Plants Conservation Area (MPCA) is an area created for the conservation of Medicinal Plants. This area is located at an altitude of 600 to 700 mts above Sea level. Some of the species of plants found here are GarciniaGarcinia
Garcinia is a plant genus of the family Clusiaceae native to Asia, Australia, tropical and southern Africa, and Polynesia. The number of species is highly disputed, with various sources recognizing between 50 and about 300 taxa as specifically valid...
, Myristica, Litsea
Litsea
Litsea is a genus of evergreen or deciduous trees or shrubs belonging to the Laurel family, Lauraceae. The genus includes 200 to 400 species in tropical and subtropical areas of both hemispheres.-Overview:Trees or shrubs, dioecious...
, Diospyros
Diospyros
Diospyros is a genus of about 450–500 species of deciduous and evergreen trees. The majority are native to the tropics, with only a few species extending into temperate regions. They are commonly known as ebony or persimmon trees...
, Holigarna, Eugenia
Eugenia
Eugenia is a genus of flowering plants in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. It has a worldwide, although highly uneven, distribution in tropical and subtropical regions. The bulk of the approximately 1,000 species occur in the New World tropics, especially in the northern Andes, the Caribbean, and the...
and Ficus
Ficus
Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiepiphyte in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The Common Fig Ficus is a genus of...
. An organisation called the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions (FRLHT) conducted a survey in the MPCA and identified 371 plant species of which 182 were medicinal. Some of the species of plants that are found here are RLs (Red-listed and hence endangered):
- Adenia hondala
- Celastrus paniculatus
- Garcinia gummi-gutta
- Myristica dactyloides
- Persea macrantha
- Vateria indica
Salacia oblonga is another medicinal plant endemic to the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
but found only in this MPCA.
Malgudi Days
Malgudi DaysMalgudi Days
Malgudi Days is an Indian television series based on the works of R.K. Narayan. The series was directed by the late Kannada actor and director, Shankar Nag and Carnatic musician L. Vaidyanathan composed the score. R. K Narayan's brother and acclaimed cartoonist R. K. Laxman was the sketch artist....
is a famous television serial which was directed by Shankar Nag
Shankar Nag
Shankar Nagarkatte , 9 November 1954 - 30 September 1990) popularly known as Shankar Nag was a popular actor and director of Kannada cinema. He also directed and acted in the teleserial, Malgudi days, based on celebrated novelist R.K.Narayan's short stories. Besides these, he was actively involved...
and is based on the novels written by R. K. Narayan
R. K. Narayan
R. K. Narayan , shortened from Rasipuram Krishnaswami Iyer Narayanaswami Tamil: ) , Madras Presidency, British India. His father was a school headmaster, and Narayan did some of his studies at his father's school...
. Many episodes of this serial were filmed in Agumbe in 1985. In 2004, a new set of episodes of Malgudi Days
Malgudi Days
Malgudi Days is an Indian television series based on the works of R.K. Narayan. The series was directed by the late Kannada actor and director, Shankar Nag and Carnatic musician L. Vaidyanathan composed the score. R. K Narayan's brother and acclaimed cartoonist R. K. Laxman was the sketch artist....
have also been filmed at Agumbe under the direction of Kavitha Lankesh
Kavitha Lankesh
Kavitha Lankesh is a renowned filmmaker and director in the Kannada cinema industry.Lankesh is the younger daughter of well known Kannada writer and journalist P. Lankesh. Kavitha holds a Masters in English Literature from the Bangalore University and a diploma in advertising.Kavitha started her...
.