Turahalli Forest
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox forest
| name = Thurahalli Forest
| native_name2 =
| native_lang2 =
| photo = Thurahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560062, India - panoramio (2).jpg
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| map = India Bengaluru
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| coordinates = {{coord|12.8816831|N|77.5249823|E|display=inline,title}}
| county = Bengaluru
| region = Karnataka
| country = India
| elevation = 888 metres
| area = 590 acres
| max_area =
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| status = protected, endangered
| established =
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| authority = Karnataka Forest Department
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| ecosystem = India
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| disturbance = forest fires, garbage dumping
| forest_cover =
| species = Eucalyptus
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| lesser_flora =
| fauna =
}}
The Thurahalli Forest or Thurahalli Park is a dry and deciduous forest. It is located about 20 km from Bengaluru off Kanakapura Road. It is 13 km from Banashankari and can be overseen from the NICE road. Entry inside the park has been banned for vehicles, however, it has become a hot spot for cyclists.
It has a nice view and a small Shani temple on top of a rocky hill. As of today, Thurahalli forest is said to be Bengaluru's only surviving forest.{{cite news |title=Thurahalli: Bangalore's last forest standing? |url=http://www.thealternative.in/lifestyle/turahalli-bangalore-last-forest-standing/ |first1=Deepa |last1=Mohan |access-date=29 June 2018 |work=The Alternative |date=28 September 2012}}
Rocks in the forest provide one of the few outdoor bouldering opportunities to the cities residents and have multiple established routes.
Wildlife
= Flora =
The majority of trees are eucalyptus.{{cite web |title=Save Turahalli |url=http://dreamroutes.org/saveturahalli |website=Dream Routes |access-date=28 June 2018}} During August, the orchids (Habenaria roxburghii) bloom, giving a brilliant white colour to contrast the green of the forest. The rocky terrains are great for lianas, the most common being Opilia amentacea. They bloom during the summer. These are mostly located in the Northern edge of the forest, surrounded by figs (Ficus tinctoria), nerale-mara (Syzygium cumini) and rocks. The most common herb is the Byttneria herbacea. It blooms throughout the year. Its flowers attract many beetles. Legumes, specifically Indigofera karnatakana are found here. Ixora pavetta bloom during the summer. They have an intoxicating fragrance.{{cite web |title=Turahalli: an urban forest |url=http://jlrexplore.com/explore/natural-areas/turahalli-an-urban-forest |website=JLR Explore |first1=Anurag |last1=Sharma |access-date=28 June 2018 |date= 15 August 2016}}
= Fauna =
Many animals can be spotted, including spotted deer, wild boar,{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/water-home-delivered-at-turahalli-forest/article26919566.ece|title=Water, home-delivered at Turahalli forest|last=Govind|first=Ranjani|date=2019-04-23|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-08-05|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} hares, jackals, lizards, mongooses, etc. Turahalli is also famous for its bird population, which includes rare jungle birds like Eagle-owl,{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=71794|title=Turahalli special|website=www.indianaturewatch.net|access-date=2019-08-05}} Sirkeer malkoha,{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=77371|title=Sirkeer malkoha|website=www.indianaturewatch.net|access-date=2019-08-05}} common flameback woodpecker, and blue rock thrush,{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=42066|title=Blue Rock Thrush ( Female )|website=www.indianaturewatch.net|access-date=2019-08-05}} in addition to relatively common jungle birds like peafowl,{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=492020|title=Peacock {{!}} Habitat shot|website=www.indianaturewatch.net|access-date=2019-08-05}} Asian green bee-eater, paradise flycatcher, white-throated fantail flycatcher,{{Cite web|url=http://www.indianaturewatch.net/displayimage.php?id=12785|title=White-throated Fantail|website=www.indianaturewatch.net|access-date=2019-08-05}} jungle babbler, rufous treepie, black drongo, white-breasted kingfisher, pond heron, spotted dove, purple-rumped sunbird, oriental white-eye, barn swallow, red-rumped swallow, small minivet, white-browed bulbul, red-vented bulbul, common iora, oriental magpie robin; birds of the plains like rufous-tailed lark and pied bushchat, in addition to common urban birds like house crows, jungle crows, common mynas, black kites, brahminy kites, blue rock pigeons, Asian koels, and more.{{Cite web|url=https://deponti.wordpress.com/2008/03/10/the-turahalli-trip/|title=The Turahalli Trip|date=2008-03-10|website=Deponti to the world|language=en|access-date=2019-08-05}}{{cite web |title=Turahalli Forest For A Spot Of Hiking and Cycling |url=https://lbb.in/bangalore/turahalli-forest-spot-hiking-cycling/ |website=LBB |access-date=28 June 2018}}
Leopards have occasionally been sighted in the vicinity of the forest{{Cite web |last=Khanna |first=Bosky |date=2024-12-15 |title=Foresters allay fears over leopard sighting inTurahalli |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2024/Dec/15/foresters-allay-fears-over-leopard-sighting-inturahalli |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}
Activities
Turahalli offers excellent biking trails.{{cite news |title=10 best cycling routes in the city |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/cycling-routes/articleshow/47916014.cms |access-date=28 June 2018 |agency=Bangalore Mirror |publisher=Bangalore Mirror Bureau |date=3 July 2018}} It is also among the few places within the city for natural rock climbing in addition to Avathi and Raogodlu.{{cite web |title=Save Turahalli - Bouldering |url=http://dreamroutes.org/saveturahalli/bouldering.html |website=Dream Routes |access-date=28 June 2018}} Rocks are granite, with various sizes and shapes. Many climbers practice regularly, in preparation for local or international competitions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mountainproject.com/area/113984786/ravugodlu|title = Rock Climbing in Ravugodlu, Bangalore Area and Southern Karnataka}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.avathi.com/|title=Outdoor Adventure Activities in Bangalore | Weekend Events in Bangalore | Avathi|website=www.avathi.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.mountainproject.com/area/114277934/avathi|title = Rock Climbing in Avathi, Bangalore Area and Southern Karnataka}}
Endangerment
The forest is the last one surviving in Bengaluru. It has slowly been encroached upon. It has also been used as an illegal garbage dump, which has negatively affected the wildlife.{{cite news |last1=Satyanarayan |first1=Shwetha |title=New Landfill in Turahalli: Another Mandur in making? |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/141021/nation-current-affairs/article/new-landfill-turahalli-another-mandur-making |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=21 October 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Mohan |first1=Deepa |title=Turahalli: Developments further to the Habba |url=http://blogs.citizenmatters.in/deepa-s-jottings/4524-turahalli-developments-4524 |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=Citizen Matters |date=16 September 2012}} Frequent fires during the summers, both natural and those caused by locals, have significantly impacted certain species of plants that grow in this forest. The BBMP also opened a sewage treatment plant near the forest.{{cite news |last1=Baradhwaj |first1=K. V. Aditya |title=Setback to BBMP in dealing with garbage crisis |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/setback-to-bbmp-in-dealing-with-garbage-crisis/article7601468.ece |access-date=29 June 2018 |work=The Hindu |date=28 March 2016}} There is also a problem with poaching. Land has also been illegally cleared to grow crops. Over the past few years, efforts have been made by nearby residents to clean up and to prevent further encroachment and dumping of waste in the forest.{{cite news |last1=Kaushik |first1=Tushar |title=Karnataka: Women Power Saves Forest Cover |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2018/feb/18/karnataka-women-power-saves-forest-cover-1775105.html |access-date=28 June 2018 |work=The New Indian Express |date=18 February 2018}}
There was also a plan by the state government to construct a tree park in reserved forest area. But this plan was opposed by local residents.{{Cite web |last=Bhat |first=Prajwal |date=2021-02-02 |title=Residents raise alarm about tree park in Turahalli forest area outside Bengaluru |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/karnataka/residents-raise-alarm-about-tree-park-turahalli-forest-area-outside-bengaluru-142664 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=The News Minute |language=en}} In response to these concerns, the Karnataka Government put the plan on hold.{{Cite web |last=Ramachandran |first=Niyati Gadepalli, Ananya Parthasarathy, Maya |date=2021-02-26 |title=Halting Turahalli tree park - A breath of fresh air |url=https://citizenmatters.in/a-breath-of-fresh-air-halting-turahalli-tree-park-idea/ |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=Citizen Matters |language=en-US}}
Gallery
File:View from Turahalli Forest.JPG|View from Turahalli Forest
File:Temple near the view-point in Turahalli Forest.JPG|Temple near the view-point
File:Turahalli Forest View point.JPG|View of city as seen from rock in Turahalli Forest
File:Sunrise at Turahalli Forest.jpg|Sunrise
File:Cycling Trail at Turahalli Forest.jpg|Cycling Trail at Turahalli Forest
File:Turahalli forest Cycling Trail.jpg|Turahalli forest Cycling Trail
See also
{{commons category|Turahalli Forest}}