The Kabani, also called Kabini or Kapila originates in the Wayanad District of Kerala state by the confluence of the Panamaram River and the Mananthavady River. It flows eastward to join the Kaveri River at Tirumakudalu Narasipura in Karnataka. The Kaveri river then irrigates Tamil Nadu and it is major drinking water source before emptying into the Bay of Bengal near kaveripoompattinam.

It is the only one river which flows out of the state to Karnataka state. Makkiyad river, Periya river,Panamaram river and kalindi river joins with kabani on its way.Panamaram river joins Kabini near Payyampally at Koodal Kadavu.

Close to the town of Sargur it forms the huge Kabani Reservoir. The backwaters of the Kabani reservoir are very rich in wildlife especially in summer when the water level recedes to form rich grassy meadows. The Kabani dam is 2,284 ft (696 m) in length with an original gross storage of 19.52 tmcft, but that has been reduced considerably due to silt accumulation. The Kabani Dam is situated between villages Bichanahalli and Bidarahalli having distance of 17 km away from Sargur town in Heggadadevana kote taluk, Mysore district.

The Kabini Forest Reserve is a popular wildlife destination in Karnataka, known for its lush green landscape surrounding a large lake and sightings of herds of elephants and tigers. Located 80 kilometers from Mysuru and 205 kilometers from Bengaluru, the reserve comprises the southeastern part of Nagarahole National Park and covers 55 acres (22 hectares) of forestland, steep valleys, and water bodies along the banks of the Kabini River. Once a private hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore and a popular shikar hotspot for British Viceroys and Indian royalty, Kabini is now considered one of the best wildlife national parks in Karnataka, renowned for its spectacular wildlife and bird life. The forest is home to around 120 tigers, over 100 leopards, four types of deer, sloth bears, Indian gaurs, and a large elephant population in Nagarahole National Park.

The famous tourist spot ‘Kuruva islands’ situated on the banks of the Kabani River. It is a 950-acre protected river delta on the Kabini River in the Wayanad district.Which is an ideal picnic spot and potential eco tourism destination.This island of dense and evergreen forest is uninhabited and hence a home to rare kinds of flora and fauna: uncommon species of birds, orchids and herbs.

Course

The Kabini River originates from the Pakramthalam hills at Kuttiady-Mananthavady road and is joined by the Makkiyad and Periya rivers near Korome and Valad respectively. As it flows through Mananthavady town, it is joined by the Panamaram River near Payyampally. One branch of the Panamaram River begins at the Banasura Sagar reservoir near Padinjarethara, while the other starts from the Lakkidi hills. Two kilometers downstream from the confluence of the Panamaram River, the Kabini forms Kuruva Island, a 520-acre island with a diverse array of flora and fauna. The river reaches the Kabini reservoir, which forms the border between Kerala and Karnataka, within 20 kilometers. The Kalindi River joins the Kabini between the Kabini reservoir and Kuruva Island, originating from the Brahmagiri hills and being joined by the rivulet Papanasini near Thirunelli Temple. The Taraka and Nugu rivers, which originate in Heggadadevana Kote Taluk, also join the Kabini River.