What can you expect on a Tiger Safari in Bandhavgarh?

When it comes to tiger sighting, Bandhavgarh Reserve is the first choice of tourists coming to India.  Tiger spotting is fairly easy due to the high density of tigers found in the park. The land of Charger and B2 has never disappointed. The legend of Sita and Charger is not new to anyone. The couple raised several litters in their kingdom before Sita fell to a trap of poachers in 1998. The tigers we see today in Bandhavgarh are the bloodline of the royal couple.

Tiger in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, India

Today, the jungle holds a population of about 60 tigers in the tourism area. The area open to tourists is divided in 3 core zones viz. Tala, Magdhi and Khitauli. The buffer is further divided into 3 zones which are Pachpedi, Dhamokhar and Panpatha. The manmade barriers, gates and zones are no hindrance to a territorial cat like Tiger. Every zone and route is its territory.

The forest department of Madhya Pradesh takes care of safari bookings in Bandhavgarh. The vehicles are limited to 20 in each of the tourism zone. The department offers two safaris everyday viz. Morning and Evening. Open jeeps carrying a maximum of 6 guests enter the park in each round. The guests are accompanied by a driver and guide for help and guidance.

Tourists waiting to see tiger in Bandhavgarh

The umbrella species which marks a healthy eco-system is the Royal Bengal Tiger. The continued presence of a predator is an indicator of a good prey base. Mammals like Spotted Deer (Cheetal), Swamp Deer (Sambar), Barking Deer or Muntjac, Bluebull (Nilgai) makes the prey base of Bandhavgarh. Tourists on safari drives come across several deer herds of hundreds.

The forest also has a good population of the elusive of all cats the leopard. They are for sure difficult to sight, but seeing in the wild is an experience of a lifetime. Even the safari naturalists and drivers are excited to spot the rosettes. No less than a tiger, leopards are masters of the ecosystem.

Primarily nocturnal, the Sloth Bears' often joins the party in broad daylight. They can be seen in the meadows carrying their young ones on their back. Game drive through the thickets also gives a chance to see Wild Boars. They fall under the prey category and are favorite food of the predators. A forest with tigers has the more to offer than one without.

Like any other national park in Central India, Bandhavgarh is a tropical moist deciduous forest with Sah tl as dominant species along with the mixed forests. It has a variety of trees, and vegetation changes with topography. The dominant of all Sal Shorea Robusta and Bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus covers a large chunk of the forest land. Trees like Flame of the Forest Butea Monosperma (Palash or Tesu in Hindi), Crocodile Bark Tree Terminalia Elliptica (Known as Saja or Saaj in Hindi), and Indian Ghost Tree Sterculia Urens (Called Kullu in Hindi) are fairly common. Visitors who have already been to a tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh are familiar with these names. Apart from large patches of Bamboo, the grasslands extended to the horizon are a treat to the eyes.

Photograph of Vishnu idol in Bandhavgarh

A visit to Shesh-saiya which is nearly half way to the fort is highly recommended. A drive through the lush green valley in a four by four Maruti Gypsy is an experience in itself. What awaits on the other side is worth the an adventure drive.  A 32 feet reclining Vishnu idol resting amidst deep forest leaves the visitor enchanted.

The lifeline of Bandhavgarh - Charan Ganga, originates here and flows across the forest spreading water to every nook and corner of the park. Mother to several lakes, ponds, waterholes and wetlands in tiger territory there are around 12 manmade talabs (ponds) built on the tabletop mountain from which the river originates.

Visitors are not allowed beyond Sheyya Shaiya. Some attractions which are now closed for guests are Bandhavdheesh Temple, Kabir Temple and sightseeing spots like the Suicide point. A paradise for bird watchers, it is the breeding ground of the Malabar Pied Hornbills.

Haven to around 300 species of avifauna Bandhavgarh is a bird watchers treat. Birding can be done from the open vehicle while tracking tigers in the core. But tourists are not allowed to walk in the core. The meadows, grasslands and waterholes are very rich in avifauna. The forest is a hotspot if you are looking for the Blue-bearded Bee-eater.

A walk in the buffer area can get you some rare findings. Close to the village ponds, waders in

Oriental White-eye found during a birding trip

good number arrive in the winters. Not only winter visitors, the jungle also shelters summer migrant species like Indian Pitta, Banded-bay Cuckoo and Eurasian Cuckoo. A widespread resident Mottled-wood Owl can be found near these water bodies.

The stories narrated by guides and drives are endless. Bandhavgarh awaits a new event to happen every day. Each safari is a beginning of a new episode, full of adventure and fun-filled experiences.
Come to India, Come to Bandhavgarh!  

A view of the Jungle from the Bandhavgarh fort

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.