Bandhavgarh among the mountains

Madhya Pradesh is a a hilly country interspersed by grasslands most of which have been encroached by human civilization and agriculture fields.  Two high ranges cross through the state namely Satpura Range and Vindhya  Range many small hill ranges emerge from these. The crisscross of mountains leave behind a trail of highlands most of which are covered by forests.

Among the Vindya Range North of River Narmada is situated Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park is in Umaria District of MP next to Shahdol District. The popular preserve is home to a large number of tigers and other wildlife. The preserve is unique for within its confines lie ruins of ancient Fort, and other man made architecture dating back many centuries.    There are a large number of reservoir and idols of Lord Vishnu which are in the precinct of the Fort on Bandhavgarh Hill hence the name.

The park receives thousands of visitors for tiger safari and bird watching. The popularity arrives from high density of tigers  that are most easily seen. The park is home to bison which have been recently trans located from Kanha as the original stock became extinct due to disease.

Other animals that are easily seen are sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, wild dog, sloth bear, wild boar, langur and rhesus macaque. Bandhavgarh is excellent birding destination and many migrants arrive in winters.

The tourism area is divided into four zones Magdhi, Pan Patha, Tala and Khutauli of which Tala is a premium zone hence tiger safari is costly. There are  many hotels in Bandhavgarh for accommodations, these are also named as wildlife camp and resorts.  The hotels range from budget to luxury besides 3 star and 4 star wildlife resorts. Most of accommodations are situated at Tala Village and nearby.

Reaching Bandhavgarh: Overnight train from New Delhi at Umaria Rail Head about 32 km from Tala.  From Jabalpur train plies to Umaria. Jabalpur is the nearest Airport and is about 200 km from the tiger reserves. The park is open from 16th October to 31st June, Evening safari is closed on all Wednesdays.

Bandhavgarh Resort Hotels and Tiger Tourism

In the early seventies and eighties tourism at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve was limited. It was then an unknown paradise frequented by few who wished for a wild retreat. Tiger  sightings were the motive then as is it is now. Unlike Kanha, tourism at Bandhavgarh picked up late, the only accommodation then was the forest rest house (FRH) at Tala.  But very soon White Tiger lodge owned by MPTDC came into picture with fours rooms.

Accommodation was easily available at the Rest house in Tala and the White Tiger Lodge. But the nature preserve was getting its due share of publicity with photos of magnificent tigers here and there in newspapers and magazines.  The place was also known for white tiger that was discovered in the neighboring forests By HH Maharaja of Rewa.

It was the wildlife films made by BBC, National Geographic, Partridge Films etc that drew major attention towards this pristine tiger heaven in Madhya Pradesh in India. Tourists started to trickle in albeit slowly. Though many see tiger tourism with disdain and concern it has benefited the locals most.  It has also benefited the tigers and other animals by creating awareness and knowledge of our wonderful ecosystems. Tiger Tourism has aided in conservation and income generation for people who had no resource for making the lively hood except very poor agrarian practices.

The jobs came as park guide thanks to their knowledge of the forest and its animals. They found placement as beat guards in the forest department as conservation practices grew. Every one benefited from the safaris and hotel industry that was set to bloom.

Though trans location of human population did take place from the core zone  it was necessary. Paradoxically this has been the finest example of empowerment of  local communities especially the tribal.  The profit sharing and labor brought them sustenance and changed their mindset in favor of the heritage that we all have inherited. The tiger population as well as the prey species grew rapidly and the ecosystem become less fragile as floral density increased.

Bandhavgarh is one such example among many that was enriched by right policies. Up till now these forests were looked upon as hunting preserve and no benefit ever passed on to the locals. The tourism is much less damaging than modern industries which would have created havoc here if they were set up for employment generation here. One need not argue on this matter since it is obvious.

In spite of the brighter side tourism needs to be controlled such that it is less disturbing to nature. Proper steps have already been taken by the government by curbing vehicle entry to a limited number. The division of core  has also benefited by disbursing the safari jeeps into a wider area.

Many hotels and lodges offering accommodation in Bandhavgarh follow responsible tourism guidelines. This has helped lot on generating income for the locals. Although the number of hotels has increased dramatically the curb will naturally set as competition increases.

Bandhavgarh National Park is one of the best tiger conservation center in Central India or MP.  It is a preserve that supports  impressive fauna and floral biodiversity which aids in balancing our environment for better.  Hopefully with constant protection measure such ecosystems will survive for posterity in India,

Bengal Tiger Safari News

The tiger safari costs will increase in Kanha and Bandhavagrh with Tala and Kanha Zones being declared as premium. The vehicle entry fee will cost more for these zones, while the fee for other zones have not been mentioned on the notification. It can be safely presumed that tiger safari in Madhya Pradesh reserves will cost more.

The zones for Kanha National Park are:

Kanha Zone (Premium)
Mukki Zone
Sarhi Zone
Kisli Zone

The zones for Bandhavgarh National Park are:

Tala Zone (Premium)
Panpatha Zone
Maghdhi Zone
Khitauli Zone

One may need to drive to the gates from outside hence a longer distance charge paid. Apart from this other charges are applied at the gates like guide fee etc. Please book your gate entry in advance as vehicle entry numbers are restricted.

Wednesday evening safaris will not be available due to park closure.

Tiger Reserves MP – Birding Prospects

In India birding takes place in many states especially in North India, Bharatpur, Southern India and now Gujarat. Central India or Madhya Pradesh has not been seen as a bird watching destination despite having tremendous forest cover. The state has been an object of tiger tourism the most.

Tigers are often easily seen in the National Parks of the state. Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh are the most popular for tiger tours in India. The density of the big cats is reasonable high for frequent sightings. Incidentally these are very good bird watching destinations. The abundant tree line along with secondary growth and grasslands provide ample habitat for forest and grassland birds. I have been birding since a long time in these tiger parks and have had a wonderful experience. I have escorted many inbound tourists who have arrived here solely in quest of avian species with a glimpse of the Bengal Tiger thrown in.

It is very recent that I have conduct large group packaged bird tours in Kanha & Bandhavgarh. Other companies may have also started with birding packages to these destinations in  Madhya Pradesh.  In my last trip I had sighted more than 110 species for my guests from UK. The three day trip resulted in good tiger sighting as well.

Ornithological trips are good in these parks even in summer for resident species. And if you are talking about Indian Pitta, Shama, Indian Schimitar Babbler, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Painted Francolin, Golden Orioles, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk or Changeable Eagle, who does not wish to see these birds come summer or winters.

Other interested Avian species are Alexandrine Parakeet, Plum Headed Parakeet, Warblers, Tawny Babbler,  Blue Capped Rock

Thrush, Munias, White Eyed Buzzard,  Honey Buzzard, White Backed Vulture, Long Billed Vulture, King Vulture,  Indian Scops Owl,

Brown Fish Owl, Spotted Owlet, Barred Jungle Owlet, Mottled Wood Owl, Shikra, White Naped Wood Pecker, Sirkeer Malkoha,

Indian, Eurasian Cuckoo and Brain Fever Bird, Grey Bellied Cuckoo, Verditor Flycatcher, Black Naped Flycatcher, Asian Brown

Flycatcher, Tickells Blue Flycatcher, Yellow Fronted Wood Pecker, Brown Capped Wood Pecker, Red Avadavat, Spotted Munia,

Eurasian Black Bird, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Grey Headed Fish Eagle, Grey Bushchat, Utralmarine Flycatcher, Pied Bushchat,

Common Stone Chat, Plain Prinia, Grey Breasted and Shy Prinia, Common Tailor Bird, Racket Tailed Drongo, White Bellied

Drongo, Black Drongo, Velvet Fronted Nuthatch, Chestnut Bellied Nuthatch, Tickells Thrush, White Cheeked Thrush, Greater

Flameback, Red Jungle Fowl, Painted Spurfowl, Red Spurfowl, Coppersmith Barbet, Grey Headed Barbet,  Common Grey

Hornbill, Pipits, Larks, Common Myna, Gold mantled chloropsis, Spangled Drongo, Pied Starling, Rosy Starling, White Browed

Bulbul, Common Iora, Sulfur Bellied Warbler, Tickell’s Warbler, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Hume’s Warbler,Greenish

Warbler,Common Chiff Chaff, White Eye, Painted Snipe, Common Snipe, Zitting Cisticola, Red Rumped Swallows, Wire Tailed

Swallows, Crested Tree Swift, Plain Martin, Red Breasted Flycatcher, Magpie Robin, Brown Cheeked Fulvetta, Common Kestrel,

Spotted Dove, Laughing Dove, Yellow Fronted Green Pigeon, Jungle Babbler, Purple Sunbird, Long Tailed Minivet, Small Minivet,

Rufous Treepie, Large Cuckoo Shrike, Lesser Whistling Teals, Northern Pintail, Wooly Necked Stork,  Chestnut Shouldered

Petronia, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Pied Kingfisher, White Throated Kingfisher, Brown Rock Chat, White Ibis, Green Sand Piper,

Marsh Sand Piper, Wood Sand Piper, Common Red Shank, Black Winged Stilt, Avocet, Temminck Stint, Black Ibis,Jungle Myna,

Jungle Prinia, Yellow Eyed Babbler,Indian Cormorant or Shag, Little Cormorant, Brahminy Starling, Yellow Wattled Lapwing, Red

Wattled Lapwing,Great Indian Cormorant, Eurasian Thicknee, Little Green Bee Eater, Blue Tailed Bee Eater,  Common Teal,

Eurasian Wigeon, Spot Billed Duck, Blue Bee Eater, Bee Eater, Chestnut Headed Bee Eater, Nakta, Rufous Tailed Lark, Olive

Backed Pipit, Tree Pipit, Streak Throated Swallows, Barn Swallows,Chestnut Tailed Starling, Brown Shrike, Bay Backed Shrike,

Long Tailed Shrike,Indian Robin,Oriental Turtle Dove,Little Ring Dove,Asian Koel, Indian Silver Bill and many more.

Reaching the National Parks:Jabalpur is at the Center of all the tiger parks in Central India. Well almost!

Kanha: New Delhi JBP Flight, Mumbai JBP Flight

New Delhi JBP over night Rails.
Jabalpur to Kanha National Park approx 156 KM to Mocha were most hotels are.

Bandhavgarh National Park: Distance from JBP Approx 170 KM

Overnight Train to Umaria from New Delhi. Umaria – Bandhavgarh 32 KM

Pench Tiger Reserve: JBP to Pench 200 km.
Nagpur Airport to Pench 80 KM
Kanha to Pench: 255 KM

My email: pateluday90@hotmail.com

Bandhavgarh Tiger Safari

One of the finest places to see the tiger in the wild Bandhavgarh in MP India is now a larger park.  Since its inception as tiger reserve in project tiger program the conservation area has increased substantially.

The tiger safari operates from four gates now. Most popular gate is Tala of course and the gate fees is higher. Similarly gate fee at Magdhi, Khitoli and Panpatha varies. The timing remains the same but as word of advice one should book in advance. Advance booking assures your park drive as well as give you time to book your favored entrance. Wildlife is sighted in all areas of the park but the landscape and vegetation may differ. In my opinion one should enter from all gates and enjoy the changing scape along with the tiger safari.   Bandhavgarh is one of the most scenic preserves in India.

For visiting the Fort and Shesh Shaiyya one needs to tour from the Tala Gate. This entrance intersects the best meadows in the park. But more is waiting to be discovered at new entrances so go in for a more holistic experience by exploring every nook and corner of this picturesque paradise.       

Muchmucha Lodge – Bandhavgarh National Park

The Kothi is a silent spectacle to the passage of history since its construction in 1936. The structure was built as hunting lodge by the Pathak Family residing in Katni. The family is now into nature conservation and have turned the hunting lodge into ecotourism venture.

The old lodge is meant to host guests on tiger safari and birding tours. The village eco tourism and the village resort is additional benefits. The Muchmucha Lodge is aimed for creating jobs for local tribal and others. The village lost in the isolated wilderness will benefit from tourism here.

Muchmucha has plenty to offer it is surrounded by dense forests ideal for tiger and birding. Plus a trip to Bandhavgarh is possible since it is only thirty km from the lodge. Bandhavgarh is situated in Madhya Pradesh in India. It is the best tiger haven in the World. From Muchmucha the route to this little reserve is through dense forests and offers exciting safari and birding chance.

The Old Hunting Lodge is a spectacle of grandeur amidst the village and encompasses a large area. Besides basic furnishings and antique furniture not much luxuries exists. But it delivers a unique experience of living amidst tribal communities far away from the maddening rush.

The Old Hunting Lodge is unique and has entertained many well known people from India and Abroad. The clean environment devoid of noise pollution provides succor to nature lovers. Such salubrious climes are hard to get in n this industrialized world.

The lodge provides lots of opportunity to understand tribal culture and village life. This is in addition to wildlife safari at Bandhavgarh forests in Madhya Pradesh. One gets a chance to visit unexplored forests in the parks vicinity. The wildlife is abundant in forest near Muchmucha. Birding is promising due to diversity of habitats. Unlike Bandhavgarh fields and wetlands add to the bird watching experience in MP State.

The organizers also provide night safaris to see the nocturnal animals that abound in the forests. The other attractions are Village Tourism and understanding life in deep recess of India. Muchmucha offers peace and quiet what more!

Eco Tourism at Bandhavgarh

Hunting preserve of erstwhile rulers of Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, Bandhavgarh became an National Park in year 1968. Subsequently the park came under the aegis of Project Tiger and was declared a tiger reserve in 1993.

In the seventies the park was visited by few tourists mostly at the initiation of the Maharajas. The only accommodation available was a forest rest house while the Maharani’s Kothi at Tala was personal property of the Maharaja of Rewa. One could book the rest house with ease at the office at Umaria. The safari was managed on jeeps belonging to Madhya Pradesh Tourism which had established White Tiger Lodge at Bandhavgarh. The jeeps belonging to the forest department where also available for tiger safari on charge.

In the park, wildlife sightings were excellent in those days. The tigers were often sighted on the jungle tracks as well on elephant rides. The last herd of Bison was seen well in summers. From sixty two animals the number dwindled to thirty two with the passage of time. today the coarse grazers have become extinct. The reason could be disease like foot and mouth or rinderpest. Poaching could be another possible reason.

One could see sambar deer, spotted deer along with herd of langurs often in company of wild boar.  Barking deer, four horned and the Indian gazelle or Chinkara could be seen in the periphery. The latter has been hunted down to local extinction I presume. Indian wolf and hyena face a precarious existence.  Nilagi are seen in large herds in more open areas.

The bird species were being discovered by some resident naturalist of hotels that had been established at Bandhavgarh. The history of the place saw light as tiger safaris became popular. Bandhavgarh boasts of impressive list of resident and migratory species that makes it an ideal birding spot in India.

Bandhavgarh was full of tigers then as it is now. Eventually with due publicity the number of tourists began to increase. With passage of time as tiger awareness grew and ecotourism became popular the number of tourists on tiger tours swelled. With increase in tourism need for more accommodation became a necessity. The hotels or wildlife resorts began to surface outside the park confines mostly around the sleepy Tala village.

Tala is a small village near the entrance of the park. It is home to many park guides, elephant riders and  foresters. In present times Tala has become a mini commercial hub. There are a large number of luxury hotels of Bandhavgarh in its vicinity. The tourist usually alight at Tala to proceed towards there place of stay or avail accommodation in economy lodges at Tala itself.

Like Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh tiger reserve too faced vehicle influx in the park lately. This has been curbed to some extent by limiting the entry of jeeps in the park. More needs to be done if we have to preserve this amazing, picturesque paradise that encompasses history in its folds.

Planning a tiger safari

The best places to see Bengal tigers in the wild are in India. Hence when you plan for a tiger safari you plan for a trip to India. This trip will certainly include many other aspects other than wildlife watching. India is a diverse country and beautiful so it is worth exploring all aspects of the country.

You can begin by exploring Indian destinations and tiger reserves on Internet since there is enough information in this regard. Another option for organizing and tiger safari and sightseeing trip to India is to look for  tour operator packages to India which have destination you wish for in the itinerary.     Many of these tours are customizable or can be tailor made according to your choice. Variation in a package tour will cost less if you add nearby destinations. Major changes in the itinerary will cost very high. 

The best places to see tigers in the wild are Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Pench tiger reserves so see that these reserves are included in the package other interesting wildlife destinations are Ranthambhore and Corbett. If you are interested in package tour to Kerala then Periyar is an interesting tiger reserve to see bison, wild dogs and wild elephants. 

Check websites of  National Park. Also check the websites of Pench, Bandhavgarh and other reserves. Do this to  find out about accommodation mention in the packages. Are they right for you or do you prefer another hotel.  Check out the best seasons to visit these parks for tiger sighting, animal watching and birding. You need minimum three nights to see the tiger and broad spectrum of wildlife in the parks. Does your package offer three nights stay? Check the season does it suit? Summers in India are very hot and winters very cold. You need warm clothing for winters in India.    

Chalk out your food preferences and inform the tour operator for Indian food can be hot and spicy.  You need wildlife books, binoculars and a nature guide for holistic experience in the park does the hotels provide that? Of course you should carry your own binocs.   

Tiger Tourism India

It is a hectic phase for most of the tour operators and wildlife resorts at Indian tiger reserves. The next season tiger safari will start in the parks by first October bringing along it owns tiger excitement and business prospects the former for tourist and the latter for the hotel owners.

For those interested in tiger tours it is time to book their tiger safari at tiger reserve in India. Find good travel agents in India who operate wildlife tours and are in touch with wildlife resorts and hotels in Kanha National Park, Bandhavgarh and Pench. These are the most popular places to see the tiger in India. Another destination of choice for tiger safaris is Ranthambhore Tiger reserve in Rajasthan.

In Rajasthan Ranthambhore tiger tour is very popular with eco tourists from all over the World. There are good hotels outside the reserve that offer budget as well as luxury accommodation.

Other places of interest for wildlife and tiger lovers is Corbett though it is more popular for wild elephants and birds. Though of late tiger sightings have increased at this destination in India.

Tiger Safari – Off Season

The tiger safari in Indian tiger reserves has come to the end of the season. The parks close on 30th June every year and will open on 16th October this year. This is a monsoon break as the roads are not motor able and the wildlife gets some respite from the tourist pressure.

This is also a fragile period for the wild animals. This is due to the absence of tourists and difficulty in traversing many areas of the park. Taking advantage of these conditions poachers increase their nefarious activities and go after the endangered wildlife. Hence tiger tourism does help in conservation of wildlife and the park.

In tiger reserves such as Kanha National Park increased vigil is kept and the whole staff and the elephant brigades are utilized to patrol the park. But Kanha is very large and difficult to safe guard.

Same problem is faced by the Bandhavgarh National Park in the Vindhya Ranges. The populations of ex hunters, some of whom are said to get political patronage are a greater menace to the safety of the tigers and other wild animals in the the park.

Pench National Park also becomes vulnerable in the rains although the security measures are as tight as that in Kanha and Bandhavgarh tiger reserves.