Night Safaris at Kanha Tiger Reserve

In early periods night safaris were not regulated in Kanha National Park. But as a right measure, this was discouraged in toto. It is not a good idea to conduct night safaris in the core zones of any National Park taking into account the disturbance caused and the onus of day safaris which are organized in the morning and evening.

I have always encouraged night safaris among my visitors and have conducted some in the buffer zone...mainly on highways passing through. My preferred route is the road that leads right up to the Kanha NP park boundary from Van Vilas Jungle Resort at Mochha onwards. The night safari route which I prefer is the Mukki Highway and Mocha to Mukki road. The last two are public routes so there is no problem although you may have to notify forest guards or posts on the way. For the first route, it is advisable to contact the first post you come across.

Night safaris are exciting and offer the best chance of sighting less-seen nocturnal animals such as the leopard, porcupine, ratel, Indian fox, civet cats, barking deer, the rare wolf, and more. You can hear night jars and owls and see them under the light. A powerful torch should be very useful albeit care should be taken not to throw light on big cats and bison if you come across them. For large animals, searchlights are not essential as the headlights work fine.

Night safaris are the best way to experience the heart-throbbing delights of tranquil jungle life and its pristine ambiance. Night safaris are being conducted in Rajasthan and as per TOI news, they will be conducted in major NPs and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka.

Advantages

If properly organized and in the right places, Night safaris at Kanha Tiger Reserve will make tourism more fruitful. Perhaps it will reduce the traffic of day safaris in the core zone.

Night safaris may discourage illegal activities since the roving eyes of the tourists will hinder the movements of poachers and timber smugglers.

It will yield more employment to the locals and add a business to the hotels, jeep owners, and guides. This would be the best way to provide jobs to local guides who often sit jobless due to less tourism inside the core zone.

It will increase awareness amongst the tourists as their scope of understanding this fragile ecosystem will increase.

Caution

The movement for night safaris has to be strictly restricted to nonsensitive areas...away from core zone and breeding zones.

The tourist has to comply with decent behavior, perhaps supervised by the guide as he does so in the day safaris.

The night safaris should be conducted in the same manner as the day safari by the administration...and charged.

The safety of the tourist has to be taken into account.

The timings should be restricted up to 11pm.

Forest birds of Kanha and Bandhavgarh

Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park offer the best birding opportunity. The bird species checklist surpasses the 250 mark about 50 species less than the Bharatpur bird sanctuary in Rajasthan.

Birdwatching is catching up in these tiger reserves but then birds are not seen en mass here. Forest birding is always straining unless you come across a mixed hunting party. Winters is the best time for birding in these parks but the thick forest canopy makes bird watching strenuous.

Winter visitors or migratory birds arrive from October onwards and one can see ultramarine flycatchers, Hume's warbler, greenish warbler, sulfur bellied warbler, Tickell's warbler, black redstart, pintails, common teals, Asian brown flycatcher, and wagtails. Many species of pipits that migrate in winter can also be seen.

Common birds are grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill, orioles, nuthatches, parakeets, drongos, cuckoos, barbets, owls, owlets, crested hawk eagles, crested serpent eagles, honey buzzards, black-naped flycatcher, paradise flycatcher, verditor, Tickell's blue flycatcher, white-eyed buzzard, mynas, sparrows, Greater racket-tailed drongo, orange headed thrush, black-necked stork, lesser adjutant stork and painted stork. There are many more...

The checklist of Bandhavgarh National Park is the same as that of Kanha National Park albeit with minor variations. In these tiger reserves, the terrain varies although the forest habitat is the same. Wetlands birds do not visit these tiger reserves in great numbers as large water bodies are absent, nevertheless, many ducks, teals, sandpipers, and wagtails can be seen during the winters.

Many tour operators, hotels and wildlife resorts now offer birding as an option along with tiger safaris in the park. Those with in house professional naturalists and birding guides deliver the best.

Grasslands of Kanha

Much talked about its tigers, Kanha National Park is an ecosystem that harbors vivid diversity of life forms. It is a true biodiversity conservation center. The topography of the park is unique with rising Maikal Hills enveloped by a dense forest of Sal and Bamboo at places interspersed with grassy meadows, lakes, and small rivers. Unlike Pench, Kanha and Bandhavgarh have less of mixed forest zones. Sal and Bamboo are prevalent in most of the forested zones of the park.

Kanha is famous for not only tigers but its magnificent fauna which boasts twenty-two species. The mouse deer was recently sighted here though earlier reports were not confirmed. The most visible elements of faunal diversity are the herbivores - the main prey base of tigers, leopards, and wild dogs.

Kanha National Park - Meadows

The grasslands of Kanha are extensive and many in number. They are a habitat for a number of grass species like themeda triandra, Sachrum munja, and Bothriocloa odrata to name a few. These grass species are crucial to the survival of herbivores especially the Hard Ground Barasinga or the Hard Ground Swamp Deer (Cervus duavcelli branderi).

Most of the grasslands are edaphic, they were in a much-declined state due to human settlements there. The water logging of soil prevented the growth of perennial woody plants but the grasses grew well. There have been miraculous improvements in the health of these grasslands after the villages were relocated out of Kanha National Park.

The most popular grasslands or meadows in Kanha are the Kanha meadow, Saunf which is the breeding ground of Barsinghas, meadows at Parsa Tola, Kisli, Supkhar, Bamani Dadar, and many more. The grasslands bordering Saundhar Taloa and Bisanpura Talao (Wetlands) are habitats favored by the Barasingha. The Chital or spotted deer are ubiquitous, while Sambar deer are nocturnal and shy. The bison are coarse feeders but climb down the hills to feed in the grasslands in summer.

The meadows are an integral part of the Kanha landscape apart from being a habitat for many life forms including herbivores - the main prey base of the tigers in India. The grassy meadows add charm and enchantment to Kanha's landscape and make it picturesque - as the park is.

The health of grasslands in Kanha is vital for the survival of prey species. Though there is no danger from humans now, the intrusion of lyndia trees is a source of worry for park managers. The ecotone harbors lots of Lyndia tree which are slowly intruding into the meadows. Should there be human intervention or should nature take its own course???

Bandhavgarh National Park History

Bandhavgarh is a unique tiger reserve situated in Vindhya in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. Though small as compared to Kanha National Park in size, it equals it in the case of floral biodiversity. The mammal species are less in number at Bandhavgarh Park, but nevertheless, the easy sightings of Bengal tigers in the wild and unparalleled beauty make it a unique destination. The hard ground Barasingha has not been recorded here. The Bisons of Bandhavgarh became extinct a few years back. Besides these animals, the park has all the mammals typical to Central India. It is most frequented by wildlife lovers, naturalists, and photographers in India.

The most enchanting paradise in India Bandhavgarh National Park has undulating terrain with igneous rocks, large marshy grasslands, and densely forested hill slopes. It is unique that it holds ruins of ancient civilizations in its folds. Littered all over the park are man-made caves, ancient temples, stables, and ruins of a once magnificent fort atop the Bandhavgarh Hill at 800 m. The monuments most of them in ruins date two thousand years back. The last dynasty to rule the Bandhavgarh fort was the Baghel Kings Maharajas of Rewa.

Amidst the ruins and rubble roam wild tigers and other animals. The Sesh Shaiyya, on the way up to the fort, is a fairytale-like pond with a reclining Vishnu carved in stone on one side. The statue is carved out of rock and is twenty feet long. It is a magnificent site - quaint and esoteric. The tigers roam in the dense vegetation surrounding the place. In summers, whence water is scarce the area is usually the haunt of tigress with cubs.

Sita the famous tigress of Bandhavgarh preserve was often sighted at Sesh Shaiyya with her cubs. Charger the famous male tiger, who along with Sita sired many of Bandhavgarh's young tigers, and once ruled this habitat for years.

Most of the hotels in Bandhavgarh National Park arrange a visit to Sesh Shaiyya. A big respite to hotel guests tired from many a frantic tiger chase. The ambiance is soothing and calm and a tiger passing by adds to the thrill.

For those on a tiger safari in Bandhavgarh, a visit to this enchanting place will add much to wildlife watching. The hotels and wildlife resorts do arrange for a visit to Sesh Shaiyya and the Fort on prior intimation.

Wildlife Photographic Expeditions & Workshops

Nature PhotographyWorkshops & Tiger Safari

Kanha & Bandhavgarh

Once again Hotel Celebration Group is organizing photographic expedition cum workshop to photograph tigers and other wildlife at:

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve …………………date 17th to 20th November 2009

Kanha Tiger Reserve……………………………date 14th to 17th November 2009

These are the best tiger habitats in Central India in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Tiger reserves are most popular all over the world for wildlife conservation. Kanha and Bandhavgarh are the best places to see and photograph tigers in the wild.

The two safaris aim to give you maximum exposure to wildlife photography alongside noted wildlife photographer Mr. Kalyan Verma.

This is your best chance to see and photograph Tigers in the wild. These safaris are designed for you to have the maximum wildlife experience at Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Parks. You will return home with breathtaking images of wild Bengal tigers, and a host of the park's enthralling wilderness - deer, leopard, wild boar, sloth bear, wild dog, bison, and wonderful birds and butterflies.

The safaris are accompanied by workshops on photography every evening. The topics range from information on equipment – lens and cameras. Learn various techniques involved in wildlife photography from experts. Find information on different aspects of photography like macro and bird photography, composition, post-processing to natural history and field techniques, and much more.

Features:
• Four days/Three-night stay at Celebration Van Vilas Resort in Kanha / Bandhavgarh National Park or both.
• Five tiger safaris at each park with 4 persons on jeep for an ideal photographic experience.
• Get an opportunity for amazing habitat and landscape photography opportunity.
• Safari includes elephant back tiger watching and photography.
• Learn nature photography techniques, tips, and processing
• Review images each day post-safari.
• Lecture on Tiger Conservation by the WWF Regional Director.
• Informal and fun photography sessions – no grind.
• Mr. Kalyan Verma will shoot alongside you and deliver valuable information.
• Work side by side in groups with expert guidance all along.
• Share knowledge and vision - gain perspective.
• Mr. Kalyan Verma is a professional nature photographer and experienced naturalist in India.

Accommodation
Stay at the finest three-star resort The Celebration Van Vilas in Kanha and Bandhavgarh parks. The luxury lodges are situated at a walkable distance from the park gates. The wildlife lodge provides state of art service, luxurious comforts, and modern amenities. Relish traditional Indian and continental cuisine created by professional chefs.

Who partakes in the safari?

1. Photographers are beginners, amateurs, and professionals.

2. For seasoned photographers venturing into nature photography to further their skills.

3. Just anybody wishing to join these heart-throbbing wildlife safaris and gain knowledge.

What is there in the package?

* Five jeep safaris at both parks each.
* All gate fees.
* Stay as mentioned above on double occupancy basis.
* All meals including morning and evening tea.
* Services of naturalist guides and professional jungle drivers.

What is not included?

* Your traveling costs to and fro from the parks.
* Elephant rides.
* Fee - passport, visa, immunization, insurance, and airport taxes.
* Beverages alcoholic/nonalcoholic.
* Laundry, phone, personal expenses.

Package Cost.

The package... either at Kanha or Bandhavgarh is Rs 14,800 per person.
For participation in both safaris, the package is Rs 27,800 per person. (Incl. transfer between parks).

Accommodation is on twin sharing basis. For private single occupancy, there will be an additional charge of 3000 Rs.

Wish to be part of this wonderful offer?
Then register now:

Send an email: kalian@rtns.org

Provide the following information……

Name:

Email:

Phone:


More Info. Visit Website of Mr Kalyan Verma...

Tiger Tourism

The conservation of the Bengal tiger is in chaos in India. With the apparent failure of Project Tiger, NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) has been set up. NTCA is in all a twisted form of the earlier project with the involvement of some NGOs, headed unfortunately by one with no background in wildlife management.

As a result, skewered policies are bound to emerge. Instead of finding ways and means of saving tigers from poaching and revitalizing forest management, the committee has forsaken all its load on tourism it seems. There is a proposal in the offing of banning tourism in the core area of the parks or at some places completely closing tourism????

If this is true it further exposes the incapacity of the NTCA to find the answer to stop the rapid decline of the tiger in India. The animal is on the last leg of its journey to India and may become extinct sooner than we expect. The assumption is bolstered by the fact that tigers have been poached easily and completely at reserves like Panna and Sariska - bastions of tiger conservation.

Tourism is a positive aspect of tiger conservation. For all those who think it to be a menace and think it should be banned in core areas.....here are some points to consider.

1) Tigers have the highest breeding and cub survival rates in core areas with tourist movements. (Meaning adverse effect is negligible & tourism thwarts poachers.)

2) Prey base is the highest in core areas.

3) Acclimatization to humans is limited and harmless as tigers in the periphery come in regular contact with humans too. Anyway since tigers of all areas were poached in Sariska and Panna this holds little weight.

4) Tourist act as a watch dog, without tourism there would still be tigers reported in two failed reserves albeit on paper.

5) Tiger reserves with no/little tourism have suspected tiger statistics - Sanjay National Park in Siddhi.

6) Responsible tourism benefits local communities. Any policy changes unfavorable to responsible tourism will result in a drop in tourism and hence affect the livelihood of the endemic tribal and others.

7) Poachers will have a field day in absence of tourists which will also limit the movement of staff in these areas for sure.

The best is to limit vehicle entry and diverge routes in the park as has been done in Central Indian Reserves like Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh in India. All the hotels in National Parks wildlife lodges should follow responsible tourism guidelines.

Wildlife tourism is a by-product of nature conservation everywhere. Africa is the prime example, whereas wildlife tourism is an economic mainstay of some countries. All developed nations have centers of conservation with regular tourist movements.

The policy reflects total bias and incoherence due to a complete lack of understanding. The real problem is that poachers sneak in and kill tigers with impunity. The system is unable to protect the wildlife there. Although the problems are quite complex taking into consideration the size of our forests and complexities in the surroundings. Nevertheless, a highly focused and bold approach is the order of the day. Along with all irregularities, vis a vis the systems in place should be paid heed to.

Instead of closed-door elite conferences, a direct hard-hitting approach is required so that poachers and mafia involved in this heinous trade are brought to the book. The poachers in India are on a rampage due to leverage given by law authorities, policymakers, and a lack of intelligence gathering.

Mouse Deer at Kanha

There was a lot of speculation about mouse deer or Indian chevrotain at Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh Central India. The taxonomic classification is tragulus meminna....... family Tragulidae. Mouse deer is a ruminant and prefers forest habitats or grassy areas surrounded by rocky hillsides. Such habitat is widespread in this tiger reserve, and the discovery suggests a healthy or rather well-preserved habitat for niche-dwelling species.

The deer was spotted and photographed at Kanha by a guest staying at a hotel in Kanha National Park in Madhya Pradesh. The news was published in a local daily. Though I had heard from jeep drivers and guides about the presence of this animal in face of concrete evidence and reliable identification, it was difficult to establish the presence of this animal. But the recent findings are an eye-opener. In spite of a such large number of visitors and forest staff, a species can go unnoticed or unidentified.

This could apply to other animals especially birds at Kanha since trained eyes roving in large numbers is a must for a correct listing of life forms in our National parks and sanctuaries.

This speaks of how little we know of wildlife - flora, and fauna - of our tiger heavens and so much is still to be done apart from saving the endangered tiger which rightly is the first priority.

Tiger News

In perhaps what could be termed as unprecedented? Mr. Chouhan the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh the tiger state of India has transferred the Field Directors of three tiger reserves on account of negligence and dereliction of duty.

As per the news published in Indian Express and the local Jabalpur daily, they are the field directors of Kanha National Park, Panna, and Bandhavgarh tiger reserve in MP. Of late there had been lots of reports of questionable deaths of tigers and mismanagement of the parks.

The tigers of Mukki Range in Kanha have suffered and have been wiped out. The current evidence of tigers there suggests movement from the Kanha Range of the park. Subsequently, pressure came from the Central Government.

An investigative report conducted by NTCA or National Tiger Conservation Authority states the absence of tigers from key habitats in the parks. This is, by all means, alarming, and more tiger reserves would go the Sariska and Panna way.

The action of the Chief Minister of MP is coupled with an investigation into the performance of past Field directors for evidence of apathy and negligence and a special investigation at Panna for the complete decimation of tigers that have taken place there. An independent committee will conduct a probe as well as at other places where tiger deaths have occurred.

This is a heartening step for tiger conservationists in India and all over the World. Such action would at least reduce negligence and irresponsible governance by the staff at these tiger reserves.

Rarely have I seen any concerted action from a political big wig in India. But what remains to be seen is what action will be taken against those found guilty?

It must be noted that in many instances the staff and administration have shown neglect and apathy whence protection is concerned. What is required is to place these reserves in a special category and induct highly trained, dedicated, and committed staff who is capable of policing as well managing tiger reserves. All these qualities are prerequisites in top brass as well as those at the grassroots.

I have come across some officers who fit the bill, they should be permanently placed in sensitive biodiversity-rich ecosystems.

Tiger: Upsy Daisy

This tiger photograph is an example of creative photography at its best. Mr. Kamaljeet Singh Hora is an amateur wildlife photographer with professional zeal. His tiger image published here explores a Bold creative angle and the result is stunning!

Leopard Sightings at Kanha

Though famous for tigers and Hard Ground Barasingha Kanha is full of surprises. The leopard beleaguered cousin of the tiger is an elusive and nocturnal species at Kanha National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh.

In my many many visits to this tiger reserve, I have been fortunate enough to see the leopard only two times. As a result, I had given up trekking this shy cat. The leopards are strictly nocturnal and shy by habit in Kanha as a result of stiff competition with the tiger.

The confrontation between the tiger and the leopard is fatal with the latter being at the receiving end. Hence the animal is forced to space its movement carefully in order to avoid the big cousin. But the leopard does move in the day at times and is seen by the lucky ones on a tiger safari in the park.

Recent sightings of leopards at Kanha have been surprisingly frequent thanks to effective conservation measures.

The leopard population in Kanha is on the upward swing which has resulted in greater sightings. This has come as a boon to wildlife photographers as the leopard photos in this blog show. These images are the work of wildlife enthusiast and photographer Mr. Kamaljeet Singh Hora. He is well known to me and often sends his wonderful wildlife photos for my blogs.

The leopard has been frequently seen and photographed at Link No. 9 in the core area of the park. Many delightful sightings have taken place recently.

If the future augurs well Kanha tiger reserve will be popular not only for tiger safari but for leopard safari as well. A lot to cheer about.

Birding at Bandhavgarh National Park

Bandhavgarh National Park is famous for tiger safaris. But more is needed to know about the birding potential that the park offers. The tiger has been the focus of attention here, but many interested tourists and wild lifers have had a keen eye for the birds in the past.

Bandhavgarh has many interesting species such as Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Eurasian Golden Oriole, Black Hooded Oriole, Racket Tailed Drongo, Malabar Pied Hornbill, Lesser Adjutant Stork, Crested Serpent Eagle, Crested Hawk Eagle, Honey Buzzard, Bonelli's Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Verditor Flycatcher, Black-rumped Flameback, Streaked Woodpecker, Rufous Woodpecker, Blue-bearded Bee-eater, Sirkeer Malkoha Alexandrine Parakeet, Brown Fish Owl, Brown Hawk Owl, Sarus Crane, Hen Harrier, and Pied Harrier. The now rare White-rumped Vulture and Indian Vulture can be seen at Bandhavgarh. The steep cliffs accord the perfect nesting site for Indian Vultures. The wetlands inside the park are not extensive and I have barely seen some Northern Pintails, Comb Duck, Lesser Whistling Teal, Painted Storks, Cotton Pygmy Geese, and Ruddy Shelduck. A recce at Bamera Dam and other such places should result in good species of migratory ducks and waders.

With luck Eurasian Hobby, Peregrine Falcon and Common Kestrel can be sighted. There have been more than two hundred fifty bird species including migrants seen in the park. Many species can be seen near Bandhavgarh Lodges which offer hotel accommodations for tiger safaris in the park.

Most of the hotels in the tiger reserve have trained naturalists with good knowledge of birds. This helps tourists on wildlife safaris in the park. Trained bird specialists help professional birders from various regions understand the avifauna of the reserve.

Bandhavgarh has great potential as a birding destination, and professional birding groups will have a successful trip. The best time for bird tours would be winter when the migrants augment the number of bird species. But as the foliage is thick birding can be difficult nevertheless, the findings could be fascinating for bird lovers.

Forest birding is always exciting and full of surprises. Though Bandhavgarh does not have as many species as Corbett National Park, birding here is fascinating especially to sight birds of Central India. Bandhavgarh and Kanha will be interesting additions to birding trips in India.

Tiger Tourism in February

After the hectic December and January months, tiger tourism at Bandhavgarh and Kanha begins to ease. The exhaustive Xmas and New Year holiday rush begin to decrease as February approaches. The winter too becomes merciful, in fact, the weather is pleasant. The warm sunshine quite tolerable in the early hours of the morning is the best way to bask in the glory.

The surroundings though not a lush green area near the lush green. The beautiful hues and colors of flowering trees especially the Flame of the forest tree liven the forest canopy. The wintering birds are still here. Their chaotic plunder of flowering trees, full of sweet nectar and ripe fruits is a delight to experience. Not only tiger lovers’, bird lovers too flock to Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve and Kanha to witness nature’s glory at its peak.

The real animal watching begins from February onwards. The crowd thins out, and the animals like majestic gaur or bison at Kanha Tiger Reserve start to descend from the hills. The graceful swamp deer too congregate in park meadows along with growing herds of spotted deer. The heat will rise from April onwards and stress animals and birds. For tourists, this is a blessing as stress forces animals and tigers into the open, and the need for water makes them more active during the day.

In February the parks are at their peak, full of life and hectic animal activity. The wintering birds and residents are easy to see as the foliage opens up to the coming hot months. Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, birders, and naturalists wait for this season to visit the tiger reserves. Their experience makes them choose the right time to capture the right moment on camera or in their memory banks. This is my favorite season too… maybe soon, I will be traveling to Kanha or Bandhavgarh tiger reserves.

Sloth Surprise

It is not often that you checklist an animal to see in a wildlife sanctuary or a National Park and get to see it.

But it happens!

My American friends came to Kanha on the final leg of their long safari from Corbett, Ranthambhore and Bandhavgarh. They had seen the tiger and many other animals and wanted to see wild dogs and a sloth bear.

"Sloth Bear!" I said rather surprised. "Well lets see," I said Kanha is full of surprises so everything is a possibility.

Sloth bear are shy and nocturnal animals by habit and hence prefer to move in at night. Nevertheless some awaken in search of food and can be seen around the park meadows but with great difficulty. I have seen sloth bears around this jungle camp at Kanha on the periphery which has substantial forest cover and fruity shrubs to forage on. With luck a tourist can see a leopard around this resort as they often hunt spotted deer which make their way here after sunset. Most of the resorts at Kanha safari park are situated in the buffer zone and hence surrounded with lush green forest. The forest at places are dense and hence a habitat for lots of wild animals and birds.

Sloth bear are more often seen at Bamni Dadar hill road which they prefer due to some food factor and perhaps less disturbance. We headed on to the hill top on our morning safari but no luck as there were lot many jeeps on safari here which disturbed all animals including the sloth bears and the tigers.

It was in the evening ride as we were rolling down the hills whence we managed to spot the sloth bear which was well hidden in the jungle bush. The animal has a peculiar gait and is completely hidden in short bushes when on four legs. It was a big surprise not only for my friends but for me as well. It was there perhaps in answer to our prayers. At Kanha you can spot the tiger with greater certainty than a bear or a wild dog.