[3] The vegetation here consists mainly of North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests with teak (Tectona grandis) and roseta rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) dominating in the southern parts.

Towards the east are Central Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests with Pala indigo (Wrightia tinctoria) and thorny wattles (acacia).

[citation needed] Trees of the dry deciduous forest include crocodile bark (Terminalia elliptica), crêpe myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica), Indian kino (Pterocarpus marsupium), Grewia tiliifolia and axlewood (Anogeissus latifolia).

[citation needed] These forests have some conspicuous tree species such as golden shower (Cassia fistula), flame-of-the-forest (Butea monosperma) and clumping bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus).

Near threatened species like Oriental darter (Anhniga melanogaster), black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), grey-headed fish eagle (Haliaeetus ichthyaetus) also occur.

Birds seen in drier regions include painted bush quail (Perdicula erythrorhyncha), Sirkeer malkoha (Taccocua leschenaultii), ashy prinia (Prinia socialis), Indian robin (Copsychus fulicatus), Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and yellow-footed green pigeon (Treron phonyceptaurus).

[5][7] Common reptiles include the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), Asian vine snake (Ahaetulla genus), Indian wolf snake (Lycodon aulicus), Oriental ratsnake (Ptyas mucosa), bamboo pit viper (Craspedocephalus gramineus), Russell's viper (Daboia russellii), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Indian python (Python molurus), Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis).

[citation needed] The Jenu Kurubas, primary inhabitants of this forest area, are a tribe in Karnataka state and their traditional practices and rituals are slowly disappearing.

The government is restricting their entry inside the National park and forest due to multiple factors including but not limited conservation efforts and bringing the community to the mainstream society.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, identified the Jenu Kuruba and the Koraga as tribal groups in Karnataka.

The relocation efforts are part of a larger focus to conserve the existing tiger population and elephant habitat, which were under serious threat due to change in lifestyles of the tribal residents within the forests.

Many schools and houses have been built with basic amenities like lighting, hospitals and roads to support the relocated tribal population.

Timber felling has been reported from plantation areas in Kollihadi, Vadodara Modu, Tattikere in Veerahosanahalli, and Mettiupe in Kalahari.

Other places where timber felling has been reported include Arekatti, Badrikatte, Bidurukatte, Veerana Hosahalli, and Marhigodu ranges.

The study showed that in Nagarhole, 16 mammal species weighing over 1 kg were regularly hunted with shotguns and also by traditional methods used by tribal communities.

Another study carried out by the Institute for Natural Resources, Conservation, Education, Research and Training (INSERT) in 2002 revealed that as many as seven elephants had been killed earlier that year.

[13] Forest fires[14][15] and seasonal droughts coupled with water shortage have caused many wild animals to migrate to other greener spaces.