Travel Guide For Bandhavgarh National Park
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh is one the most coveted destination for wildlife tourism, especially for tourists who wish to see the Tiger in the wild. Not only does it attract wildlife enthusiasts interested in watching the apex predator, the reserve is also quite popular among wildlife lovers who wish to see some rare species found in the park as well as those who are interested in watching different species of birds, reptiles and butterflies.
The Reserve is mainly recognized for the presence of majestic Royal Bengal Tiger,which is the national animal of India and one of the most fascinating animal in the world. BTR with its dense forest, bamboo vegetation, vast grasslands along with some perennial streams offers an excellent habitat for the solitary predator. Over the years under the expert management practices of administrative body the reserve has witnessed a significant rise in number of the Tigers and is among the top reserves with high density of big cat. Together with abundance of prey species in tourism areas, its one the best parks to sight Tiger in its full grandeur.
Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve has great historical significance as well which is evidenced by the presence of the famous Bandhavgarh fort, various caves, rock paintings inside the protected area.Thus Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is a unique national park where nature and history are inseparable.
The park consists of distinct areas namely ‘Bandhavgarh National Park’, ‘Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary’ which make up the “core area” and the adjoining notified “buffer area” spread across the districts of Umaria, Shahdol and Katni of Madhya Pradesh state of India.
Forest Type:
In Forestry terminology, the forests of BTR are broadly classified into the following types:
• Moist Peninsular Low level Sal Forest
• West Gangetic Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest
• Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest
• Dry Deciduous Scrub Forest
However, for the general understanding purpose, the forest of Bandhavgarh may be termed as ‘Moist Mixed Decidous Forest with predominance of Sal’ and it may be classified in following categories:
• Sal Forest
• Mixed Forest
• Grasslands
Inside the reserve Sal trees are the predominant species with its associate miscellaneous species and grasslands. Bamboo is also found almost throughout the reserve. The low-lying areas, which were once human settlements are covered with varieties of grass while Sal and Bamboo are spread throughout the remaining lower areas. The Sal population goes down gradually as one ascends upwards with forests of mixed deciduous type gaining prominence on upper hills and hilltops with shallow soil and rocky outcrops.
Grasslands or meadows occur all over the park. Important grasslands in BTR are Chakradhara, Bathan, Sehra, Rajbehra, Bhitri, Jobi Vah, Kudrakeru Vah, Kera Vah etc. Some of these have been cultivated in the past while some of the old grasslands along the ‘nalas’ are marshy in nature having plenty of aquatic plants. Rare species of plants such as insectivorous plant ‘Droserapeltata’, commonly know as Shield Sundew or Pale Sundew and medicinal plant locally know as 'Buch', scientific name‘Acorus calamus’, are found in isolated patches of the park.
Flora & Fauna:
For the general understanding purpose, the forest of BTR may be termed as ‘Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest with predominance of Sal’ and it may be classified in following categories:
• Sal Forest
• Mixed Forest
• Grasslands
Trees and plants which are commonly found in BTR are:
Sal (Shorea robusta), Saj (Terminalia tomentosa), Dhaora/Dhavda (Anogeissus latifolia), Tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon),Baheda(Terminalia bellerica), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Palas (Butea monosperma), Salai (Boswellia serrata), Bhirra (Chloroxylon sweitenia), Gamar (Gmelina arborea), Dhaman (Grewia tiliifolia), Mango (Mangifera indica), Jamun (Syzygium cumini), Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus), etc.
Fauna:
Over 35 kinds of mammals, 250 species of birds, 100 plus species of butterflies and 16 kinds of snakes are testimony to the fact that the rich diverse habitats of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve support wide range of animal communities viz.: mammals, birds, reptiles and many lesser life forms. The central meadows of Bandhavgarh (Tala range) are rich in ungulates, tigers and other species of fauna.
Main Fauna
The prominent mammal species of Bandhavgarh are:
• Spotted deer or Chital (Axis axis)
• Sambar (Cervus unicolor)
• Barking deer or Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak)
• Chousingha or Four-horned antilope (Tetracerus quadricornis)
• Nilgai or Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus)
• Indian Gazelle or Chinkara (Gazella gazella)
• Gaur or Indian Bison (Bos gaurus)
• Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)
• Leopard (Panthera pardus)
• Wild dog or Dhole (Cuonal pinus)
• Hyaena (Hyaena hyaena)
• Indian Wolf (Canis lupus)
• Jackal (Canis aureus)
• Wild boar (Sus scrofa)
• Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus)
• Common langur (Presbytis entellus)
• Rhesus monkey (Macaque mulata)
Birds:
Even though Bandhavgarh is mainly famous for Tiger and other large mammals but regularly many tourists come here who are keen to catch the glimpses of Bandhavgarh’s rich avifauna. More than 250 species of birds have been identified in the Reserve. Many waterbirds can also be seen in the park and there are some migratory birds too which can be found in the park during the winter season.
A few prominent species of birds which are commonly sighted in the park are:
• Peafowl
• Red Jungle Fowl
• Grey Hornbill
• Common Teal
• Red Wattle Lapwing
• Crested Serpent Eagle
• White Breasted Kingfisher
• Lesser Adjutant Stork
• Long Billed Vulture
• Red Headed Vulture
• Oriental White-backed Vulture
• Egyptian Vulture
Three of the four species of vultures occurring in Bandhavgarh; Oriental White-backed Vulture, Indian vulture or the Long-billed Vulture and Red-headed Vulture have been identified to be having high risk of global extinction and are listed as critically endangered in the IUCN list. The fourth, Egyptian Vulture has been categorised as endangered. Due to presence of many hillocks, cliffs and elevated areas its common to see the nesting colonies of vultures inside the park which raises the hope that all is not lost for these birds.
Bandhavgarh Jungle Safari Packages
Weather Conditions At Bandhavgarh
Tourist Information
Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve comprises of Bandhavgarh National Park and Panpatha wildlife sanctuary. It is a part of the Central Indian Highlands and is located between the Vindhyan Hills and the eastern flanks of Satpura hill ranges. The reserve is mostly spread in Umaria along with Katni and Shahdol districts of Madhya Pradesh.
The Reserve lies between:
Latitude 23° 27' 00'' to 23° 59' 50" North
Longitude 80° 43' 15" to 81° 15' 45" East
The main entrance for the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve National Park is from the village Tala which is the centre of all the wildlife tourism related activity. Almost all of the Tourism infrastructure is situated at Tala which houses departmental accommodation as well as numerous private resorts, lodges and hotels which can provide more than 1200 beds. Tala, being the centre of all tourism activities, is well connected by road to all the major Rail and Airport locations.
Safari Zones
The park is divide into Critical Tiger Habitat or the Core Area and Buffer Area with total area as mentioned below:
Total Area: 1536.938 sq. km
Core Area: 716.903 sq. km
Buffer Area: 820.035 sq. km
As per the tourism guidelines; roughly about 19.89% area of the Core Tiger Habitat or the core zone is open for tourists, which is about 142.59 sq kms.
Core Zones: Tala, Maghadhi and Khitauli
Buffer Zones: Dhamokhar, Johila and Panpatha
Core Zone Safari Vehicles and Capacity of each Zone
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Safari Types
Administrative body has permitted different kind of excursion activities inside the reserve with the objective of making tourists experience nature and wildlife closely which can help tourists understand its importance.
Excursion activities permitted in the reserve are:
• Wildlife Safari
o By vehicles registered with park management for tourism purpose (light motor vehicles), with the capacity to seat maximum 8 persons including the driver and guide (6 tourists + 1 Guide + 1 Driver)
o It is recommended to book your Gypsy safari online as about 70% of vehicles are booked online. Only few vehicles are booked at the current ticket counter while few vehicles are under park management.
• Elephant Safari
o For maximum 4 persons, as per the availability of elephants.
o Booked at the current ticket-counter.
• Photography/Filming/Vidoegraphy Permits
o Issued for one Cameraman, who is allowed to take maximum two assistants along with him.
Best Time To Visit:
The Reserve is usually open for tourists from 15th of October to 30th of June. Due to hot weather during summer season in the month of April, May and June it is suggested to visit the park during the months of October to March.
However as Bandhavgarh is one the most favoured destination for Tiger tourism because of its higher ratio of sightings, the reserve remains packed practically for almost entire tourist season. Since the safari bookings are done online and booked well in advance, planning your trip well in advance is strongly recommended.
Do's Donts At Bandhavgarh
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