Less Seen Animals - Central Indian Tiger Reserves

The tiger reserves in Central India are a major focus of attention as far as tiger tourism is concerned. This comes through the high visibility of this extremely endangered animal in the country. Tiger chases in the parks have given a bad name to tourism by and large in these magnificent reserves.

Not surprisingly every one wishes to see the tiger. It is our beloved Earth's most coveted animal, charismatic to the bone and mystical. Irrespective of the conservation ethos of our ancient scriptures we have managed the reverse. Wild tiger sighting is an experience of a lifetime. First time or last you never come out of it.

The reserves of Central India or MP have a high density of tigers namely Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench. Besides they are intact ecosystems with amazing biodiversity. This is to be experienced in totality in order to enjoy nature. As interest in nature deepens a desire for a holistic experience of ecosystems is a natural precursor.

Every element of nature's wonderful creation excites and thrills. It gives meaning to our own existence on Earth. A lifetime is not enough to experience these pristine tiger havens in totality. But whatever more you experience is enough.

On tiger safaris, other animals seen in the forests and grasslands are Nilgai, swamp deer (Kanha), sambar, spotted deer, langur, wild boar, jackal, wild dog, bison, and oft barking deer. A leopard sighting is the thrill of a lifetime and so is that of the sloth bear.

Rarely seen are the mouse deer recently discovered at Kanha, four-horned deer - endemic species, Indian wolf - highly endangered, and hyena. It is most exciting to see the nightlife albeit night safaris in the park are not allowed. One can certainly go through on the common roads outside the park. Animals often seen on night rounds are leopards on the prowl, sloth bears, jungle cats, civet cats, porcupines, foxes, ratel, and mouse deer? some birds like night jars, large owls, and Eurasian thicknee. It is possible to see Hyenas and Wolves at nighttime wherever they survive.

The reptiles are shy and extremely nocturnal, most commonly seen are the monitor lizard, python, cobra, krait, viper, rat snake, keelbacks, and grass snakes. Many species of tortoise can be seen in ponds. The rivers in these tiger reserves do not hold mugger or gharial. They are found in Ken River Sanctuary near Panna National Park.

In India, wild safaris hold an element of surprise. Animals en masse are rarely seen. A dull day can turn into an electrifying moment in one go. Trekking skills help a lot but it is luck that dominates for one and all.

The tiger reserves are places for exciting birding in Madhya Pradesh for birders. More than two hundred fifty avian species can be checked and listed. These are ideal destinations for forest birding in India.

Wildlife Tourism - Changing Paradigm

The Central Indian tiger reserves are the most popular wildlife safari destinations in India. Incidentally, they have become the hub of tiger tourism. This has opened up an industry that is unique and unparalleled in Madhya Pradesh. 

People from all walks of life in the vicinity and far are being benefited due to the influx of a large number of tourists for tiger safaris. Tourism though a big money earner has its own burden to carry forth. But whence the heritage is in a perfect state of preservation and tourism is responsible, the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Nevertheless, the status of the tiger and wildlife in general in India is precariously threatened. Hence it is imperative to keep the pressure of tiger tourism at the lowest level - which is already being done in the tiger reserves as a gradual process. For some, the onus of animals being endangered and ecosystems being ravaged lies on eco-tourism. This is a gross misconception bordering on ignorance and perhaps prejudice. The proponent of such notions needs to redefine such notions taking into account a wider perspective. 

The impelling disaster is due to extensive deforestation, man-animal conflict, and organized poaching. Much needs to be done as regards these factors. In breeding and disease are the next big ones. I have been visiting Kanha and Bandhavgarh since the seventies whence tiger tourism was ready to take off. Subsequently, the number of tourists swelled fourfold and so did the wild animals. In this period the ecosystems peaked with the conservative measure in action. The tiger made a comeback in the parks, though persecution continued in nonprotected areas outside. 

The administration had a double task of managing wildlife, burgeoning tourist numbers, and accommodations. This was well done, the regulations in place did a fine job of containing tourism in the core zones. The recent changes in Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench are suggestive of this ongoing process of managing tourism. But the paranoia that exists vis a vis tiger status sometimes leads to ad hoc policies perhaps without consultation with the industry. More Info: Tiger Conservation Group Kanha In my personal opinion tiger tourism has played a crucial role in education and creating awareness of our wonderful wild heritage. This has propelled conservation in India and augured a new value system for the wilderness. 

Old hunting records suggest that wild animals were treated as pariahs, especially the carnivores. This is one of the prime reasons for the extermination of tigers, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas, wolf and so forth in many parts of India. This drastic perception has been removed amongst a large set of people who have visited these ecosystems. They have certainly voiced their opinions elsewhere. Visitation is a close encounter of the first kind...and the voice has gone far. Even those who have never been to tiger reserves have changed their outlook to positive. 

A more conciliatory approach is required as far as wildlife tourism in India is concerned. Wildlife safaris are a nondestructive way of appreciating nature close. The age-old concept of wildlife as an elite indulgence has to be done away with. The increasing cost of tiger tourism will have a limiting effect on the benefits that accrue. There should be special packages for school groups, NGOs, and the underprivileged such that message spreads far and wide. Eco-tourism encourages the empowerment of local communities and is profit-sharing, educative, and entertaining as well. Why not?