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BANDHAVGARH TIGER RESERVE

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Suren Rathore
BANDHAVGARH TIGER RESERVE

Bandhavgarh national park is one of the popular wildlife National Parks in India. It is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh national park is one of the highest known in India. The national park is situated at 197 km away north-east of Jabalpur. This wildlife park derived its very name from an ancient fort in the area. Bandhavgarh National Park belongs to the Vindhyan mountain ranges of central India and it boasts to have the highest density of tiger population in the country. Now there are about 46 to 52 tigers one can spot here. 

The forests of Bandhavgarh are the white tiger jungles of the yesteryears. However, no white tigers have been reported from the wild in the last 50 years, and it is believed that less than a dozen have been seen in India in about a hundred years. And yet when white tigers were sighted, it was right here in Bandhavgarh. Once a hunting reserve of the royal family of Rewa in more recent times, Bandhavgarh was declared a park in 1968. This is also the site where the famous  WHITE TIGERS of Rewa were discovered.

Wandering through the Bandhavgarh national park on an Elephant Back, the chances of seeing a tiger are quite good. Among the other wild attractions include Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar and sometimes a Fox or Jackal. There are 32 hills in this part of the park, which has a large natural fort at its center. The fort's cliffs are 2625 feet (800 meters) high, 1000 feet (300 meters) above the surrounding countryside. Bandhavgarh has been a center of human activity and settlement for over 2000 years, and there are references to it in the ancient books, the Narad-Panch Ratra, and the Shiva Purana. Legend has it that Lord Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, stopped at Bandhavgarh on his way back to his homeland after defeating the demon king Ravana of Lanka. Two monkey architects, who had engineered a bridge between the isle of Lanka and the mainland, are said to have built Bandhavgarh's Fort. Later Rama handed it over to his brother Lakshmana who became known as Bandavdhish "The Lord of the Fort". Lakshmana is the particular God of the fort and is regularly worshipped in a temple there.

Wildlife in Bandhavgarh

There are more than 22 species of mammals and 250 species of birds. Common Langurs and Rhesus Macaque represent the primate group. Carnivores include the Asiatic Jackal, Bengal Fox, Sloth Bear, Ratel, Gray Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle Cat, Leopard, and Tiger. The artiodactyls frequently sighted are Wild Pigs, Spotted Deer, Sambar, Chausingha, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur. Mammals such as Dhole, the small Indian Civet, Palm Squirrel, and Lesser Bandicoot Rat are seen occasionally. Among the herbivores, Gaur is the only coarse feeder There are two main ways of getting about in the park- in a motor vehicle or on elephant back. Many of the animals are now accustomed to both; even so, it is best to talk quietly and not make rapid movements. Jeep safaris are best undertaken from dawn until about 10 am and from about 4 pm until dusk, as the animals are most active during these periods. A Forest Department guide must always accompany you. This guide will be able to direct you and point out wildlife. Elephants are used every morning by the Forest Department for Tiger- tracking. If a Tiger is found, then the elephant will take you directly to the Tiger either from the lodge or from a nearby point reached by jeep/car.

Location: Umaria District, Madhya Pradesh
Nearest Access: Umaria (34 kms)
Coverage Area: 450 sq km
Climate: Winter- between 0° to 20° C and Summer- 36°C to 46°C
Major Wildlife Attractions - Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Sambhar, Nilgai, Chausingha, Dhole, Jackal, Indian Fox, Striped Hyena, Wild Boar
Best time to visit: Mid November to June


The Bandhavgarh National Park is located in the northeastern border of Madhya Pradesh at the central part of India. It dwells around the Umaria-Shahdol district surrounded by the Satpura mountain range. The latitude and longitude are 23°30’ to 23°46’ N and 80° 11’ to 36°E. The park is elevated at an altitude between 410 m and 810 m. The mountains of Bandhavgarh Tala range are being composed of sandstone and the soil is sandy to sandy loam. The whole park is filled with more than 20 luminous streams out of which some of the most important streams are Johilla, janadh, charanganga, Damnar, Banbei, Ambanala, and Andhiyari Jhiria. These streams then merge into the son river, an important southern tributary to the River Ganges. Along with that many caves and lakes can also be found at the vicinity of Bandhavgarh Park especially around the area of the fort which is the most majestic and ancient part of Bandhavgarh.

 

Safari Zone and Timing
There are 04 different zones of the national park from where visitors can Enjoy Jeep safari rides. Vehicles Permitted to enter inside the national park in
each shift:
• Tala zone
• Magadhi zone
• Khitauli zone
• Panpatha zone
The Bandhavgarh National Park remains closed from July 1st to October 15th


SAFARI TIMINGS:
Winter Timings:
Morning à 6:00-11: 00 am (5hrs)
Afternoon à 3:00-6: 00 pm (3hrs)
Summer Timings:
Morning à 5:30-10: 30 am (5hrs)
Afternoon à 3:30-6: 30 pm (3hrs)

 

HOW TO REACH BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
BY AIR: Nearest Aerodrome is Khajuraho.-200 km Jabalpur -150 Km
BY RAIL: Nearest Railway Station, Umaria -32 Km
BY ROAD: Nearest Bus stand are Umaria, Katni, and Jabalpur.

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Suren Rathore
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