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Published: July 16th 2010
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Summer camp 2010...
Seeing a tiger in the wild was a dream I had been nursing for a long time. I made several successful attempts towards this end by visiting Corbett National Park, the Sunderbans, Kanha National Park, Tadoba Reserve and Nagarhole. In 2007 when the rate of extinction of tigers became so alarming we decided to pay a visit to Bandhavgarh (which had been described in glowing terms to me by various wildlife enthusiasts) before tigers went extinct altogether. With work and other commitments looming large over my life this plan did not fructify for another two and a half years after which I resolved that this was one thing holiday I had to take before the sun set on 2009.
I embarked on this quest with a friend who had also never seen a tiger in the wild before. We decided to join FOLIAGE OUTDOORS (an eco/travel/wild life group in Pune/India, www.foliageoutdoors.com) for a six day camp to Bandhavgarh. I had been deprived of a sighting for so many years (also because I focussed on temple architecture and archeology), we were not going to take any chances this time. We reached Jabalpur station. A lovely5 hr drive
via the famous Bedhaghat waterfall.....then on a muddy pot-holed forest road, we arrived at the Forest Mowgli resort.
Mowgli resort is very clean, large rooms with nice sit-outs, amazingly comfortable beds/clean toilets, had working ACs in peak summer and very warm/lovable staff to serve you !
WIN WIN !!~~~~~~~~~~
The next six days , believe me, ours was the luckiest safari vehicle every !.....10 tigers sightings in 4 days...and a long list of other wild life sightings (sambar deer, chitals, monitor lizards, loads of prey birds and migrants etc)...the success factor was also our timing/season.
This was May2010, peak summer, temperatures soaring to a superb 47 degrees even at 7.30-8am, and it was scorching hot !
we used all modes to beat the sun - sunscreens, wet towels, caps, large hunting hats, scarfs, thin cotton clothes, ice pads, swimming pools etc....nothing helped !
Heres some info for you..
Topography of Bandhavgarh ~~~~~~~~~~
The Bandhavgarh national park is a jungle consisting mainly of sal trees. Only on higer sides the vegetation changes to sali, saj, saja, dhobin etc.
In the northern region of the park, there are vast stretches of grasslands and bamboo forests.A lot
of this is what appears to be young bamboo, which can be seen from it's green and slim appearance.
This northern region of the national park also consists of a series of rocky ridges with deep crevices cut by perennial streams. In the south of the park, the extensions, which were included into the park in 1986, consist of low hills covered with forest but interspersed with grasslands that were formerly agricultural land. The central portion of the park, which consists of the original 106 square kilometers and the fort, is still the main sighting area. This area consists of 32 hills and also some marshy stretches divided by large grasslands and a few water bodies.
Wildlife in Bandhavgarh National Park ~~~~~~~~~~
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 smallIndian 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 vehicleor 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 10am and from about 4pm 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.
Places to See in Bandhavgarh National Park~~~~~~~~~
Have compile a list herewith, may help you...
1.Sidhababa - The Holy Meadow : The marshy is the abode of Sidhababa
2. Chakradhara - The Sprawling Meadow : Surrounded by the hillocks, this marshy meadow is rich in both flora and fauna.
3. Gopalpur - A Place for Bird Watching : Approach with a slow drive may give you moments
of memorable sighting of wild fauna.
4. Shesh Shaiya - Origin of River Charanganga : This statue of lord Vishnu reclining on the seven hooded scrpent is the classic example of the architechtural treasure of the past.
5. Bari Gufa - Ancient Monument of Past : This is the biggest man made cave of the reserve dating back to tenth century.
6. Ketkiha - Pendanus Point : This wet patch of aromatic plant " Pendanus " ( Kewra ) in the shadow of lofty jammu and arjun trees is the real treasure of floristic wealth of the Rreserve.
7. Bhitari Bah - Tranquility in Wilderness : Blissful drive along the meadow will induce thrills of jungle and feeling of lingering relaxation.Look for the important medicinal .
8. Three Cave Point - The Archaeological Remains of past : These caves visible from ganesh hillock road are the mute testimony of rich historical past.
9. Rajbahera - The Bandhaini Hillock View : This marshy meadow is the origin of river Dammer.Look for the storks, vultures and herds of chital, samber and wild pigs.View of Bandhaini Hillock is an additional attraction.
10. Climber's Point - Nature's Beauty : Woody climbers of butea superba
and Bauhinia wahlii amidst the giant sal trees offer spectacular view for the tourist.
11. Sehra - The Fort View : This is the biggest meadow of the Reserve.Look for the breeding pair of saras crane in the month of june.It harbours the insectivorous plant drosera.
12. Mahaman Pond - Place to Quench the Thirst : This water hole surrounded by bamboo clumps is an ideal place to watch variety of herbivores and carnivores.
All the above are wild-life zones within the forest and not tourist picnic spots.
At no point can you loiter around/yell/play or even get off your safari vehicle .....
But do visit Bandhavgad, if you wish to see the Royal Bengal Tiger !!
and help us protect this magnificient beast...and let it live longer !
😊
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AnnaAdventuring
Anna Louise
WOW! Now that is my dream... tigers in the wild. What camera did you use for these shots? You have some lovely close ups. Such magnificent creatures... really beautiful.