The New King!

As they say time never stops for anyone. Bamera took over his father’s dynasty in no time. He made his plans clear when he started visiting the grasslands of Tala. He has been known for aggressively expanding his empire’s frontiers. In 2010, Bamera came up front with his father B2. The father was badly wounded and had to step back. With the death of B2 in 2011, it was time for all to bow down to the new king in Bandhavgarh!

It is very hard for tiger cubs to survive till maturity. To get rid of the future rivals cubs lose their lives to males other than their own father. Some vanish in search of a safer haven and never return to their usual territory while some go missing forever. Poached or even killed in territorial mishaps.

Born to a very courageous mother Chakra, Bamera had to leave tala at a very young age in search of territory. B2 was in his prime and was not letting any tiger intrude, be it his own son. Bamera had to fight his way up the chain of command. It was B2’s own blood who could take on him and conquer him. With time he grew and was all set to win it from his father.

The ancestry of “Charger” and “B2” has now passed on to all together a new generation of tigers. Today the new king has taken over most of the region of Tala. The king has about 5 females in his kingdom. Bamera keeps exploring his dynasty, while keeping an eye out for his enemies and has built his empire strong and safe for his cubs to grow. 

Here are a few pictures I have clicked of Bamera.

Bamera near Siddhababa temple, Bandhavgarh National Park.

Adios B2!

B2, a name that does not need any introduction. A name that will never fade with time. He will always be remembered as one of the friendliest tigers of India. A tiger who reigned for more than a decade in Bandhavgarh will always be missed by all wildlife lovers. It is not because he reigned for more than a decade but for the greatness of tiger himself. I waited hours and hours for 10 years to get a glimpse of him. But I consider myself more than lucky to have seen him and photograph him.

It was until April 2010 when B2 for the first time faced a rival who was able to push him back from his own kingdom. He was lucky to have survived as age was catching up and B2 was a soft target for all the males trying to establish their territories.
With time B2 realized that it was for his own good not to fight for territory and move. He moved to the outer parts of tala where there was no or very less competition. His own cubs (mirchehi) were too small to put a fight against him so as B2 decided this was the best place for him. After settling for a smaller territory near Damna, which is one of the most sensitive areas of Bandhavgarh B2 made regular cattle kills. The security of B2 was of prime importance to the forest department here. But he survived. Until one day when he was attacked by another male where B2 was seriously injured. B2 was again pushed back and was found 22 kms away from his regular territory.

With wounds all over his body, B2 wasn't able to move. B2 was tranquilized and was being shifted to his normal territory where on the way he took his last breath. The post-mortem report suggested that he had not eaten since 15 days and was very weak after the mishap. It is still not clear as to which tiger had a fight with B2. But it is the simplest rule of the wild “Survival of the fittest”. B2 will always be remembered as a ruler, a king, a true Maharaja of Bandhavgarh.

The hunting grounds of Bandhavgarh will never see him roam again! Here are few pictures I could manage to click of the Maharaja. The best way I can pay a tribute to my favorite tiger, who once ruled Bandhavgarh!!

B2 crossing the road near Damnar river. Photograph December 2010.

B2 near Badi Gufa. Photograph May 2010.

B2's pug. Photograph May 2011.

B2 resting under a tree on a summer afternoon. Photograph May 2011.

Iski Topi Uske Sirr

Panna, One of the five Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh, was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1994 is nestled in the Vidhya Hills of Bundelkhand region. Merely an hour away from one of the most favorite destination of foreign tourists, Khajuraho, Panna has just pugmarks to offer. Whatever may be the official figures, The State’s Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. H.S. Pabla, could also not get a glimpse of the National Animal.
(As per the Hindustan Times, 21st Feb, 2009 “Two days after the state’s Chief Conservator of Forests, H.S. Pabla, was not able to sight a tiger in the 540 sq km reserve, he told HT on Saturday that he was not adverse to the idea of relocating even a tiger. "If required we will even relocate a tiger to Panna," he said.”)
After the success of trans-location of two tigresses from Bandhavgarh, Kanha/Pench to Panna have been called by the Field Director Panna Tiger Reserve.ting tigers in Sariska, now its Panna’s turn. Tender forms calling bidders for filming and photography rights of the But would it turn out to be a success in Madhya Pradesh? I personally don’t think that this would work in M.P. How can we trust the same staff which was present when all the wild cats in Panna disappeared?

Relocating tigers may be answer to the ever declining population of tigers in the reserves. But this situation could have been avoided only if the officials would have worked when Dr Radhu Chandawat first alarmed the officials about the missing tigers in Panna long time back.

Why do we have to relocate tigers, when we can Save them.

Were the Panna officials not aware of the poaching done inside the restricted area? If not, why are they posted there?

What were they doing after the first tiger went missing?

What happened to the Tigers that were in Panna in the last census?

Who will be held responsible if the new tigers that are being relocated are poached? What is the surety that illegal killing will not be done now?

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For now, the relocation is to take place sometime in the last week of February. And all I can do is to pray that it turns out to be a success.

"LONG LIVE THE TIGER"

Some Good News!

Every now and then we come across news reporting poaching of tigers, Arrests of poachers and seizing skins and other body parts of the tiger. The census of 2007 made it very clear that poaching still is done on a large scale in the most protected forests of India.. This may be our last chance to save the last surviving Royal Bengal Tigers in our country. The final figures of the census should not only be taken seriously but as a WARNING.. !!!!

It is never too late to start.. The result of the census came as a shock to most in our country.. With only 1411(The figure of 2007) tigers left, It is high time when steps for tiger conservation be taken up more seriously..

I came across a news article from Reuters where the Indian conservationists say that its too late to "Save the Tiger" now. There is the video showing what different conservationists have to say about the last living tigers in India.. Click Here to See The Video..

But the tigers themselves have not lost hope. There has been growth in the tiger numbers in the last month. On May 16, A Tigress in Pench Tiger Reserve gave birth to four cubs. Five days later another tigress gave birth to three cubs. On May 25 another tigress in Pench had a litter of three. Two more tigresses are expected to have a  litter in the coming days. Official figures say that there are 22 cubs ( aged 15 days - 2 years old) in the park.. There are a few tigresses in Bandhavgarh National Park who are also expected to have a litter soon. The Banbie Female in Bandhavgarh gave birth to cubs a few days back. The Churbehra Queen is also expected soon. When tigers have not lost hope. Why should we?. Long Live the Tiger!

The Elephant Show has also been stopped in Pench Tiger Reserve to provide security to the cubs and their mothers.. The Elephants are being used for protecting tigers. Four camps have also been set up in the park. 30 Tiger Protection Force Personnel, 17 ex-servicemen and over 300 daily wagers are maintaining security of the reserve..

Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies. -- Ann Landers

Birding and Blogging.. !!!!

It’s been a long long time since I last published any post on my Blog. And if I ask myself Why? I don’t find an answer to it. No, My love for wildlife has not curtailed. Tigers are still the first love of my life. My last trip to any National Park was in October when the Bandhavgarh National Park re-opened after monsoons. It’s been 4 months since I last saw the majestic cat in the Wild. And it’s been 3 months since I last wrote an entry here.

What was I upto all these days.. ?? I don’t have much work but whatever work I have keeps me busy all day. In these three months I have witnessed lots and lots of things. Gone Birding to Dumna Nature Reserve in Jabalpur, Trekking at Village Sarrai, near Jabalpur (Not exactly, Kind of :p), And the worst part was to see a sad end to a very very precious life. When a Tiger Cub took its last breath in Government Veterinary College at Jabalpur after being rushed for treatment from Bandhavgarh National Park.

Birding may be a new passion for me. But I seem to be falling in love with Birds. Dumna Nature Reserve, though not a very big forest area has a lot to offer to Wildlife lovers. Chital(Spotted Deer), Mongoose, Langurs, Rhesus Monkey, Jungle Cats and if you’re lucky you might come across a Leopard. Magpie Robin, Drongo, Asian Koel, Alexandrine Parakeet (The common parrot), Rose-ringed Parakeet, Plum-headed Parakeet, Spotted Owlet, Peafowls, Bee-eaters, Kingfishers and Indian Rollers are a few birds to name. Not very far away from the city, Dumna gets many visitors. I mean the Migratory Birds. And what better season than winters to see them glide over the lake in Dumna. The local and the visiting birds makes this place worth exploring.

It’s always a sad feeling to hear about Tiger deaths. Though not a poaching case this time, A Two month old cub was admitted to the Government Veterinary College, Jabalpur ailing from severe pneumonia and gaestroentitis. After being separated from it’s mother, this cub was found in a very critical condition. The body temperature was above normal and the cub was vomiting. A team of several doctors gave their best to save it’s life. The cub was also kept in incubator and was attended 24 hours a day. Despite all efforts the Cub died on 25th December 2007.

Saving a Life....

Rahul Jain, A Farmer by profession and a very dear friend, found a Pariah Kite/Black Kite on the terrace of his house after being injured in a clash. The poor bird had wounded its right wing and was not able to move. The Bird was in a furious mood and was not letting anyone come near itself. After a little trouble the bird was carefully placed in a box and was taken to the Government Veterinary College for treatment. From where the Bird was released after recovering. Pariah Kite undergoing treatment in Govt. Vet. College.

Bandhavgarh National Park

All Rights Reserved.

All the photos included in this slide are taken by me or my friends..

I would like to thank Mr. Pranay Shrivastava and Mr. Kapil Parmar for their support and for providing me with some of the above shown Photographs. Photos taken are from our trips to Bandhavgarh in November 2006, December 2006 and May 2007.

Bandhavgarh National Park is home to more than 50 Tigers including 25-30 in the Tourism Zone. Bandhavgarh even holds the highest density of Tigers in the country. This place was once known for its White Bengal Tigers.

Reaching Bandhavgarh National Park.

By Air: Jabalpur- 165 kms and Khajurao- 230 kms are the most nearest airports.
By Rail: The nearest railhead Umaria- 30 kms, Katni- 75 kms and Satna- 117 kms.
By Road: Jabalpur- 165 kms, Khajuraho- 230 kms, Varanasi- 340 kms, Katni- 75 kms, Rewa- 115 kms, Umaria- 30 kms, Kanha- 250 kms.

Best time to Visit.

The best time to visit the park, keeping all aspects in mind, is between December and February but it is the warmer months of April, May and June that are best for tiger and leopard sightings.


Regards..

Aman..