Blackbucks of Maidanahalli

From my long list of places-to-visit list, I managed to tick one more place. The blackbucks reserve in Maidanahalli in Tumkur district (official name: Jayamangali Blackbucks Reserve) was in my list for a long time. With close to 800 acres of grasslands, Maidanahalli in Madhugiri taluk is the second largest Blackbucks (Indian Antelopes / Antelope cervicapra / Krishna Mriga) reserve in terms of population (after Ranebennur Blackbucks reserve).

I was following the directions which I had noted down from the internet. But even after the confirmation on the directions to the reserve from the local people, I was a bit skeptical. There were no signs of any grasslands. Just a couple of kilometers from the reserve, the open fields appeared out of no-where. It’s just plain fields out there – till as far as you can see. The reserve is open to everyone, with no clear-cut boundaries or fence to protect the Antelopes. That means, along with the reserve, it is also a grazing area for the cattle. And there is absolutely no protection to this provincial animal of India.

How to get to Maidanahalli:
Bangalore – Tumkur – Koratagere – Madhugiri – take Hindupur road – Puruavara (10Kms from Madhugiri) – turn left on ID Halli road – turn right (after 8 KMs) where the board says ‘Jayamangali Blackbucks Reserve’.

Alternatively, turn right at Dabaspet, take Koratagere road. This would bypass Tumkur, but be prepared for bad roads. But as a consolation, you get to enjoy the tatte idly though.