In Indian wildlife geography, Bandipur National Park is located in which of the following states?

Introduction / Context:
National parks and wildlife sanctuaries play a vital role in biodiversity conservation and feature prominently in Indian geography and environment questions. Bandipur National Park is one of the most famous tiger reserves and protected areas in southern India. This question checks whether the learner can correctly place Bandipur within the state administrative map, a common requirement in many competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The protected area in question is Bandipur National Park. - The options list four Indian states from different regions. - Only one of these states actually contains Bandipur National Park. - The task is pure map based recall.

Concept / Approach:
The concept involves linking major national parks with their states. Bandipur National Park lies in the southern state of Karnataka and forms part of the Nilgiri biosphere region, along with neighbouring protected areas like Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad in Kerala. The approach is to recall which southern state is home to Bandipur and distinguish it from other states that host different protected areas such as Kanha, Periyar or Great Himalayan National Park.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification is straightforward using any map of national parks in India. Bandipur is clearly marked in southern Karnataka, often near the border with Tamil Nadu. Guidebooks and tourism information also refer to Bandipur as a wildlife destination in Karnataka. Such sources consistently confirm this location, leaving little room for doubt.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Andhra Pradesh has its own set of national parks but does not host Bandipur. Himachal Pradesh is known for parks like Great Himalayan National Park, not Bandipur. Madhya Pradesh is famous for tiger reserves such as Kanha and Bandhavgarh, which are different from Bandipur. None of the above is incorrect because Karnataka is clearly the state in which Bandipur National Park is located.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse Bandipur with similar sounding names or mix it up with parks in neighbouring states, particularly Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu. Another pitfall is to assume that all major tiger reserves are concentrated in central India and to choose Madhya Pradesh by habit. Regular practice with wildlife maps and grouping parks by state helps maintain clear associations in memory.

Final Answer:
Bandipur National Park is located in the state of Karnataka.