Bandhavgarh National Park
Location: Madhya Pradesh
Main Wildlife Attractions: Tiger, Panther, Spotted Deer, Sambhar deer, Nilgai (Blue bull), Gaur, Wild Boar and different kinds of birds
Coverage Area: 446 sq. km
Established: 1968 as Bandhavgarh National Park and 1993 as Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve
At a Glance
Set among the Vindhya hills of Madhya Pradesh Bandhavgarh National Park contains a wide variety of habitats and a high density of game, including a large number of Tigers. This is also the White tiger country. These have been found in the old state of Rewa for Many years. Maharaja Martand Singh captured the last known in 1951. This white Tiger, Mohan is now stuffed and on display in the Palace of Maharaja of Rewa. Prior to becoming a National Park, the forests around Bandavgarh had long been maintained as a Shikargah, or game preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa. The Maharaja and his guests carried out hunting - otherwise the wildlife was well protected. It was considered a good omen for Maharaja of Rewa to shoot 109 tigers. His Highness Maharaja Venkat Raman Singh shot 111 Tigers by 1914.
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. Bandavgarh 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, hero of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana, stopped at Bandavgarh 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 Bandavgarh'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.
Climate & Rainfall
The temperature ranges from a maximum of 42°C in summers (May and June) to around 4°C in winters (December to February). Monsoons (June to November) are accompanied with heavy rainfall and the Park flourish with fresh greeneries during the monsoons.
Flora
About half the Bandhavgarh national park is covered with fine trees of Sal, while mixed forests are found in the higher reaches of the hills. Stretches of bamboo and grasslands extend to the north. The major floral attractions in the Park are Sal, Saja, Tendu, Aonla Dhawda,Jamun, Salai, Garari, Bamboo etc.
Fauna
Mammals
Chinkara, can be sighted on the grassland areas of the park. The main prey animal, however for the Tiger and the park’s rarely sighted Leopard. Also to be seen are Nilgai (Blue bull), Chausingha (Four-horned antilope) and sounders of Wild Boar, as well as the occasional Jackal or Fox. Muntjac and Sambhar prefer denser vegetation. There are two types of monkeys common in the park – the rhesus macaque and the black faced langur. Jungle cats, hyenas, rattles, porcupines and a variety of other mammals can be spotted too.
Birds
Bandhavgarh attracts many migratory birds with its flowering and fruiting trees in the winter months, including the birds of prey like the steppe eagles and a variety of wildfowl. According to officials, there are more than 242 species of birds some very attractive and less common birds can be seen – like Peafowl, Red Jungle fowl, Common Teals, Grey Hornbill, Red Wattled Lapwing, White Breasted Kingfisher, Crested
Reptiles
The Reptile population of the park is comprised of Cobras, Kraits, Vipers and Python etc.
How to Reach
BY AIR
Nearest airport from the Bandhavgarh National park is Jabalpur which is well connected to Delhi by daily flight. It takes around 4 hours’ drive to reach the park from Jabalpur airport.
BY RAIL
Nearest Railway Station is Umaria -32 Km. from where frequent buses and shared jeep are available for transfers. Other railway stations near to Bandhavgarh are Katni -102 Km., Satna - 120 Km. and Jabalpur - 164 Km.
BY ROAD
Nearest Bus stands are Umaria, Katni and Jabalpur.
Travel Tips
Visitors are advised to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for entry into the park.
Best Time to Visit
The visiting season of Bandhavgarh national park starts from November to June, as the park remains closed during the monsoon months from July to October. |
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Kanha National Park
Location: Madhya Pradesh
Main Wildlife Attractions: Striped Palm Squirrel, Common Langur, Jackal, Wild Pig, Spotted Deer, Barasingha or Swamp Deer, Sambar and Black Buck
Coverage Area: 1940 sq. km
Established: 1933 as a sanctuary, 1955 as a National Park and 1975 as a Tiger Reserve
At a Glance
A land that inspired Rudyard Kipling to write his classic novel 'Jungle Book', the forested areas of Kanha, with their wild thickets of sal and bamboo forests, rolling meadows and dramatic ravines, are home to the Kanha National Park. The Created in 1955, the national park is today the core area of the Kanha Tiger Reserve, which came into being in 1974, under Project Tiger. The Banjar and the Halon valley form the two halves constituting the vast stretches of land that is the Kanha Tiger Reserve.One of the greatest achievements of this park is perhaps its contribution in saving many endangered wildlife species, which nearly bordered extinction. The park today steadfastly guards the different genus of wildlife it domiciles and follows painstaking measures to maintain the overall protection of its flora, fauna and avifauna. The popular 'Sunset Point' or 'Bamni Dadar' inside the park is the best lookout point that allows visitors to soak the beautiful landscape of the park and relish rare sights of wildlife viewing.
Climate
The temperature rages from a maximum of 42°C in May ad June to around 4°C in winter. Casual summer clothing of natural colours is best from March to May. From November to February carry warm clothing for chilly mornings and misty evening.
Flora
The forest is mixed and given the high rainfall precipitation one finds extensive stretches of Sal (Shorea robusta), a tree of moist deciduous forest in central and north India. The Sal is good quality timber, the leaves are good fodder, fruits have nutritional & medicinal value and is valued greatly by tribals. The other common tree species belong to the Terminalia genus, the most numerous being what in India is popularly known as Crocodile bark, the earlier Scientific name being Terminalia tomentosa. Terminalia arjuna, locally called Arjun is distinct because of its pale bark and thick girth, is more common near water sources. Other Terminalia species are Terminalia chibula and Terminalia bellarica, Axle wood (Anogeisis latifolia), locally referred to as Dhaoda, good for making charcoal and agricultural implements is common. Labernum or Amaltas (Cassia fistula) with lovely yellow blossoms in the dry season and Flame of the forest or Palas (Butea frondosa) a glorious sight in the drier season when it is flowering, are found sprinkled all over the forest. Huge trees of Baja (Pterocarpus marsupium) & Haldu (Adena cardifolia) along with host of other large & small trees comprise the thick forest. Evergreen trees like Mango (Mangifera indica) and of Jamun or Black plum (Syzigium cumini) are also found. Bamboo thickets (Dendrocalamus strictus) are commonly found, the undergrowth is quite thick with species like Lantana and Glerodendron. The rolling meadows of grass and grassy plateau are integral to the health of the herbivore population. In some areas wildlife management practices have deliberately prevented the progression of secondary and climax vegetation to ensure adequate grasslands for the herbivores. No note on flora can be complete without a note on tall luxurian tree, Mahuwa
(Madhuca Indica). Flowers of the tree useful as food and are source of very popular liquor which is compared to Ambrosia or nector of the god.
Fauna
Trailing a wild tiger lazing around the shades of the forests of Kanha offers its own charm. In fact, the tigers remain the most exciting draw of the place. The park is also home to Sambars and Gaurs, which are generally seen in the green meadows, grazing away the grasses to glory. Animals like blackbuck and chital are also common sights. Other main wildlife attractions of the park include bison, barasingha, barking deer, black deer, chousingha, nilgai, mouse deer, sloth bear, jackal fox, porcupine, hyena, jungle cat, python, mongoose, and leopard. Apart from the many species of animals that contribute to the wealth of fauna of this jungled beauty, one can also notice a wide variety of exotic birds here. Avifauna of the park include bird species like storks, peacocks, teals, pintails, pond herons, egrets, pea fowl, jungle fowl, spur fowl, papihas, partridges, ring doves, quails, spotted parakeets, green pigeons, rock pigeons, cuckoos, rollers, bee-eater, hoopoes, drongos, warblers, kingfishers, woodpeckers, finches, orioles, owls, and fly catchers. Thus, the place is indeed an ornithological wonder and a paradise for all bird watchers.
Travel Tips
Visitors are advised to reach the gate half an hour in advance to complete the formalities for entry into the park.
Best Time to Visit
The visiting season of Kanha national park starts from November to June, as the park remains closed during the monsoon months from July to October.
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Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Rajasthan
Main Wildlife Attractions: Royal Bengal Tigers, leopard, jungle cat, caracal, striped hyena, golden jackal, chital, sambhar, nilgai, chinkara, four-horned antelope 'chousingha' , wild boar, hare, hanuman langur, Rhesus monkeys, and plenty of bird species and reptiles.
Coverage Area: 866 sq km
Established: 1955 as a sanctuary, 1978 as a tiger reserve, 1982 as a national park
At a Glance
Sariska National Park lies in the Aravalli hills and is the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Alwar. Sariska itself is a wide valley with two large plateaus and is dotted with places of historical and religious interest, including the ruins of the Kankwari Fort, the 10th century Neelkanth temples, the Budha Hanumab Temple near Pandupol, the Bharthari Temple near the park office, and the hot and cold springs of Taalvriksh. The large Siliserh Lake is at the north-eastern corner. The forests are dry deciduous, with trees of Dhak, Acacia, Ber and Salar. The Tigers of Sariska are largely nocturnal and are not as easily seen as those of Ranthambhor. The park also has good populations of Nilgai, Sambar and Chital. In the evenings, Indian Porcupine, Striped Hyaena, Indian Palm Civet and even Leopard are sometimes seen. The forests are lush during and immediately following the monsoon, but during the dry months of February May there is a shortage of water and in consequence mammals are attracted to water holes. At this time of year visibility is good because of the sparse foliage. Sariska is excellent for birdwatching and has an unusually large population of Indian Peafowl.
Climate
The Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary experiences extreme weather conditions. Summers months are from April to June when the temperature rises to a high around 38. 4°C. Winters are from October to March when the temperature drops to around 15°C. The monsoon season does not receive very heavy rainfall. The tourists should carry light cotton clothes during summers and light woolens during the winter.
Flora
The forest type in the Sariska tiger reserve is Dry deciduous, represented predominantly by dhok (Anogeissus pendula), tendu (Diospyros melanoxylon) khair (Acacia catechu) and ber (Zizyphus maudrentiana). The vegetation at Sariska remains lush green during the monsoon and dry in summer.
Fauna
The Sariska park is home to numerous carnivores including Leopard, Wild Dog, Jungle Cat, Hyena, Jackal, and Tiger. These feed on an abundance of prey species such as Sambar, Chitel, Nilgai, Chausingha, Wild Boar and Langur. Sariska is also well known for its large population of Rhesus Monkeys, which are found in large numbers around Talvriksh.
The avian world is also well represented with a rich and varied birdlife. These include Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden backed Wood Pecker, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Great Indian Horned Owl.
Travel Tips
The best way to visit the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary is by jeep and these can be arranged at the Forest Reception Office on Jaipur Road. Booking a `hide', overlooking one of the water holes, can provide an excellent opportunity for wildlife viewing and wildlife photography within the Sariska Sanctuary.
Best Time to Visit
Sariska wildlife sanctuary can be visited throughout the year, still the beast period is during the months of October to June.
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Ranthambore National Park
Location: Rajasthan
Main Wildlife Attractions: Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Sambhar, Blue Bull, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Jackal, Hyena
Coverage Area: 392 Sq Km
Established: 1959 as a Sanctuary, 1972 as a Project Tiger and in 1981 as a National Park
At a Glance
Ranthambore National Park is one of the prime examples of Project Tiger’s conservation efforts in Rajasthan. The forests around the Ranthambore Fort were once, the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. The desire to preserve the game in these forests for sport, was responsible for their conservation, and subsequent rescue by Project Tiger.The Park sprawls over an estimated area of 400 sq kms. Steep crags embrace a network of lakes and rivers, and a top one of these hills, is the impressive Ranthambore Fort, built in the 10th century. The terrain fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bushland. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with dhok, being the most prominent tree. The entry point to the Park, goes straight to the foot of the fort and the forest rest house, Jogi Mahal. The latter boasts of the second-largest banyan tree in India. The Padam Talab, the Raj Bagh Talab and the Malik Talab are some of the lakes in the area, that attract the tiger population. They have been spotted at the edges of these lakes, and Jogi Mahal itself. Old crumbling walls, ruined pavilions, wells, and other ancient structures stand witness to the region's glorious past. The entire forest is peppered with the battlements and spillovers of the Ranthambore Fort - tigers are said to frequent these ruins, too. As a result of stringent efforts in conservation, tigers, the prime assets of the Park, have become more and more active during the day. More than in any other park or sanctuary in India, tigers are easily spotted here in daylight. They can be seen lolling around lazily in the sun, or feverishly hunting down Sambar around the lakes.
Climate
Temperature varies from 10°C to 25°C in Winters and from 25°C to 45°C in summers
Flora
The landscape is dotted with ancient Banyan Trees, Dhok & Pipal trees, clusters of mango trees and crisscrossed with evergreen belts. The terrain is made up of massive rock formations, steep scarps, perennial lakes and streams and forest suddenly opening up into large areas of Savannah. The terrain of Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary fluctuates between impregnable forests and open bush land. The forest is the typically dry deciduous type, with Dhok, being the most prominent tree.
Fauna
Ranthambore National Park is famous for its Tigers and is a favorite with photographers. For a relatively small area, the park has a rich diversity of fauna and flora - species list includes 300 trees, 50 aquatic plants, 272 birds, 12 reptiles including the Marsh Crocodile & amphibians and 30 mammals.For the wildlife savvy, Ranthambore wildlife sanctuary today offers an intense diversity of flora and fauna. Tigers, the park's pride makes it one of the best places in the country to observe them. Apart from that a large numbers of Sambar, Chital, Nilgai, Gazzelle, Boars, Mongoose, Indian Hare, Monitor Lizards and a large number of birds.
Travel Tips
Light cotton garments are recommended for the hot summer months and woolens are suitable for the winters. Entry charges for hired vehicle, guide and photo equipment are separate. These can be reserved at the Project Tiger office in Sawai Madhopur.
Best Time to Visit
The best visiting season of Ranthambore national park is during the months of October - March and April to June.
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Pench National Park
Location: Madhya Pradesh
Main Wildlife Attractions: Tiger, Panther, Wild dog, Spotted deer, Sambar deer, Four-horned antelope, Indian Bison, Wild boar, Langur and around 200 species of birds
Coverage Area: 758 sq. km
Established: 1977 as a sanctuary, 1983 as a National Park and 1992 as a Project Tiger
At a Glance
Pench National Park falls under the Seoni and Chhindwara districts of Madhya Pradesh. It derives its name from the Pench River that flows through its heart and divides it into two, equal western and eastern halves - Chhindwara and Seoni respectively. The park is known for its population of the fearless master predator. Most of the tourists come to visit the place, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Tiger. Pench offers its visitors numerous wildlife attractions which include over 39 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians and more than 210 varieties of birds.Some of the prominent avian residents of the park include the barbet, bulbul, minivet oriole, wagtail, munia, myna, malabal pied hornbill, collared scops, owl, waterfowl and blue kingfisher among other variety of animals which can be commonly seen adorning the skies of Pench.Major mammalian species found in the region include animals like cheetal, sambar, nilgai, wild pig, tiger, leopard, jungle cat, leopard cat, striped hyena, wild dog, wolf, sloth bear, pangolin and the mighty Indian gaur.
Climate
The temperature rages from a maximum of 42°C in May ad June to around 4°C in winter. Casual summer clothing of natural colours is best from March to May. From November to February carry warm clothing for chilly mornings and misty evening.
Flora
The flora of Pench Tiger Reserve comprises mainly of Southern Indian tropical moist deciduous forest and tropical dry deciduous teak. Water bodies are found in the form of streams and 'nallahs'. Most of them are seasonal and meander in full zest during the monsoons. Pench River, which serves as the major water source, desiccates or dries up in April end. Then, water pools known as 'dohs' serve as water suppliers for the fauna of the park, along with Pench Reservoir. Teak is abundant and bamboos are sparse, and restricted to the valleys. White kuku trees are very common and stand out prominently amidst the greenery
Fauna
Tigers are usually seen around the Pench River, as the density of prey population is higher here. There are 25 tigers recorded in this park. It is also the jungle abode of 39 species of mammals, 13 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians and over 170 varieties of birds. Major species of fauna include leopards, cheetal, sambar, nilgai, jackals, wild dogs, gaur, sloth bears, langoors, small Indian civets and palm civets. There are also more than 210 species of birds, including a host of migratory species. The most common birds are peafowl, crow pheasant, crimson breasted barbet, red vented bulbul, red jungle fowl, racket tailed drongo, magpie robin and whistling teal.
Travel Tips
Early morning safari can be the most rewarding if you want to spot tigers and other rare animals.
Best Time to Visit
The visiting season of Pench national park starts from November to June, as the park remains closed during the monsoon months from July to October. |