Tigers of Central India

Central India is considered a tiger state due to large population that inhabits wildlife sanctuaries.and the reserves. The major habitats of tigers are the popular National Parks in Vindhya and Satpura Range. These are under the Project Tiger Programs being the best conservation units in the country.

The prime attractions in these reserves are tigers that command large territories and have created the name for themselves. Some fine examples are Munna, Blue Eyed Tiger, Lal Ankh, Kankata, Badka, Charger and many more. These animals have created a legendary image among the tourists and nature lovers. Some tigress like Sita, Kankati and Choti Mada are prime examples of motherhood besides name and fame.

Tigers inhabit the protected areas but have been also seen in wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forest. This is an indication of the animals resolve to survive in spite of tremendous onslaught of the human society.  The major threat to the big cats arise from deforestation, poaching and disease. With the isolation of tiger reserves the threat of inbreeding is also rife among the species.

The best places to see the tiger in the wild in Madhya Pradesh are Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench. Satpura National Park and ill fated Panna are promising tourism destinations. The best tiger safari companies in India operate many packages for birding and wildlife. The itinerary includes to sightseeing destinations on the way.

The safari provide ample opportunities for photography and bird watching.

Lal Aankh Tiger

Pachmarhi Hill Resort – Amazing Wildlife

Situated in the cradle of Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh Pachmarhi is a paradise.  It is very popular with holiday makers as it has large number of natural sightseeing places and weather is cool. The forest clad table top mountains, deep glens with snaking rivers and the vivid terrain all form part of the attraction.  The hill resort is reachable from Pipariya Railway Station about three hours from Jabalpur Rail Head in the Indian State of Madhya Pradesh.

The approach is mountainous and one has to traverse through the steep incline of Matkuli Ghat. The picturesque ride takes about one hour to reach the township located in the center of the hill resort. Pachmarhi  is a small township but doubles up due to arrival of large number of tourists in summers. Now the tourism is year around unlike earlier days whence the British flocked to this sanatorium in summer months.

The destination was discovered by Capt. James Forsyth the legendary British Explorer during the Raj. Post independence era the town came under the Indian Army and was notified as cantonment. This has prevented hectic construction activity in the destination. Hence Pachmarhi is the most untouched Hill Resort in India. The surrounding forests are notified as wildlife sanctuary under forests rules. The forests are contiguous with Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Satpura National Park which constitute Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve.

The region is rich in bio diversity with many species of birds and wild animals found here. The inaccessible areas and protected status have contributed to conservation of wilderness. Though considered more as a holiday destination Pachmarhi is home to bewildering number of birds, reptiles and mammals. A nature trek reveals the presence of  lots interesting birds and animals. Other places of interest nearby are Bori Wildlife Sanctuary and Satpura Tiger Reserve for organized tiger safari and birding.

The wildlife of Pachmarhi Biosphere is as follows:

Giant Squirrel
Flying Squirrel
Spotted Deer
Sambar
Bison
Tiger
Leopard
Malabar Whistling Thrush
Malabar Pied Hornbill
Ruddy Mongoose
Fox
Jackal
Nilgai
Black Buck
Rhesus Macaque
Hanuman Langur
Wild Boar
Barking Deer
Four Horned Deer
Indian Civet
Porcupine
Pangolin
Indian Gazelle
Mouse Deer
Sloth Bear
Wild Dog
Palm Civet
Black-naped Hare
Jungle cat
Rusty Spotted Cat
Indian Wolf
Hyena
Ratel
Bar-headed Geese
Pintail
Garganey
Red Crested Pochard
Ruddy Shelduck
Black Eagle
Rufous-bellied Eagle
Shahin Falcon
Bonelli’s Eagle
Mountain Hawk Eagle
Mugger Crocodile

The undulating terrain reaches an impressive height of four thousand MSL from the plains of MP.  The avifauna and other life forms are set for more discovery amidst this land of mystery and intrigue.

Tiger Tourism Ban Removed at Last

But the trouble continues though the SC has removed the ban on tiger tourism further trouble awaits. The MP Government has imposed severe restriction on number of vehicles that can enter for tiger safaris. The Central Indian Tiger Reserves ar

e the most popular tiger safari destinations in India.

The number of vehicles have been cut by as much as 50 to 70 % further posing a dilemma. This imposition is not justified as the limit set earlier by experienced park managers was not causing any problem. The distribution of vehicles in different zones evenly distributed the safari jeeps into a wider area.

Central Indian Tiger Reserves are the most visited for by tourists, nature lovers and wildlife photographers from India and all over the World.

Though this step will be reconsidered since it is impractical, this machination will have further disastrous consequences on the tourism industry. In Bound tourists will be discouraged to make advance booking without which it is not feasible for them to visit India on tiger safari.

The already beleaguered tourism infrastructure will take further toll. The myopic action will also hurt the locals who depend upon these parks for lively hood.

With so many threats faced by the endangered tiger this attention on tourism can at best be described as farcical.

Wildlife of Central India

Central India is home to many tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. The parks harbor many tigers thanks to intact habitat and conservation measures. Madhya Pradesh or MP for short has good forest cover and many scenic spots. The rich history and vibrant culture makes this beautiful state an ideal tourism destination.

Find here some exciting pictures of wildlife of central India as taken by Teerath Singh.

The most popular animals are the tiger, leopard, gaur, wolf, sloth bear, barasingha, sambar, barking deer, four horned deer, and many more.

MP is well organized in tourism and the infrastructure is well laid. It is India’s top tiger safari destination. MP tourism is popular with photographers from all over the World. A number of wildlife photographers visit the tiger reserves on wildlife photography tours  in Central India.

Most popular wildlife destinations are Kanha, Pench, Bandhavgarh, besides Nauradehi Sanctuary, Satpura Tiger Reserve and Panna National Park.

The state is also rich in bird life and the tiger reserves offer the best bird watching opportunity. Besides wildlife the state has much more to offer like Khajuraho Temples and Pachmarhi Hill Resort.

Satpura Tiger Reserve

Situated in deep confines of Satpura Ranges in Central lies a tiger heaven called Satpura National Park. The park is part of Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve and is home of magnificent animals and avian species.

The region was extensively explored by James Forsyth during the British Raj in India. The tiger is an indicator species but many more mammals thrive here in great abundance. This is one of the best place to see the bison in Madhya Pradesh in India. The bison or gaur as it is called in Hindi lives in the upper reaches of the reserve. The highest point is Dhoopgarh at 1352 msl plus.

Visitors to Pachmarhi Hill Resort also encounter bisons at Dhuphgarh. Other animals seen at Satpura are wild dog, leopard, sloth bear, spotted deer, sambar deer, wild board, gray or Hanuman Langur, barking deer and four horned deer.

Bird species are abundant with many wetland birds seen near the Tawa Reservoir. The bird seen are Pied Hornbill, Common Grey Hornbill, Bar Headed Geese, Ruddy Shelduck, Common Teal, Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Osprey, Common Iora, Racket Tailed Drongo,  Malabar Whistling Thrush, Spot Billed duck, Lesser Whistling Teal, Northern Pintail,  Comb Duck.

In the river systems one can see the marsh crocodile and otters beside many species of fish and turtles. One can see the flying and giant squirrels in these forests. Boating is possible at Tawa Reservoir and hence one more way of exploring this wildlife paradise in MP.