Bandhavgarh is a
National Park and a tiger reserve under the State Government of Madhya Pradesh.
It is a tiger conservation unit it protects the ecosystem and other life forms.
The park has over 100 tigers and breeding well due to the protection granted. The park suffered a setback a decade ago when
all the bison species got extinct. The bison were recently translocated and the
program was a great success.
Bandhavgarh National
Park In India
The reserve comprises
an area of 1500 sq. km while the core area is 716 sq. km. The park is also home to historical remains
built two thousand years ago. The historical remains comprise an ancient fort
that is not in existence anymore. The other wonders are zoomorphic idols,
ancient temples, and a reclining Vishnu idol that is twenty feet long.
The park is home to
many wild animals besides the tiger. On safari one can see the leopard, sloth
bear, wild dog, jackal, axis deer, barking deer, and sambar deer. The small
nocturnal animals are porcupines, foxes, and civet cats. The white tiger was
discovered near the forest at Sanjay Dubri National Park. Tigers are found
easily at Bandhavgarh in all the zones
The park is home to
more than 200 birds of which many are winter migrants. Winter is the best time
for bird watching. Some of the popular birds are Orange Headed Thrush, Racket
Tailed Drongo, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Spangled Drongo, Tickell's Blue
Flycatcher, Verditor Flycatcher, Shama, and Black Necked Monarch to name a
few.
Tourism at
Bandhavgarh
The park is divided into
three zones namely
Tala
Magdhi
Khitauli
Safari is also
organized in a buffer zone.
Panpatha
Dhamokar
Johilla
Only twenty percent
of the core area is available for safari and that is divided into three zones.
For excursions, a safari permit is required. Permits can be booked online and
that is the best thing to do. There is a limit to the entry of vehicles for
game rides. Booking can also be done at the respective gates provided the
option is available. Hence advanced reservations are required.
Bandhavgarh is
accessible from Jabalpur Airport and the rail head. It is at a distance of 175 km from Jabalpur. An overnight rail from
New Delhi halts at Umaria at a distance of 32 km from Tala Gate of the park.
